Bravery

     When those birthdays where you turn life changing ages such as 13, 18, 21, 25 and so on come along I feel like you begin realizing everything that you have ever done with your life.  That is at least what I have been doing.  It started when I was on Facebook and friends would post things from Buzzfeed or ThoughtCatalog.  After reading the posts for a few months, I began to realize how this was not helping me in any way.  Instead, I emailed and asked people who I respected what they wish they had done or known by 25.  I have received a lot of good feedback and I have started doing some of the advice.

     The thing is I am realizing that I need to be able to take and accept advice for my business; realize when I might need help; and everyday is a learning process.  I am glad that I started this business Allie Ray Photography because I have this rare opportunity to show people the way I like to print my photography on different mediums.  People have asked me what is it like to run your own business and that is a tough question to answer.  The thing is I am different from what you might think an artist might be like.  I am very organized.  I have a certain way to do things and when something is out of place I can tell.  This is good when you run your own business.
     Another thing I have begun realizing is that you have to be brave.  Brave has several different meanings, but when I think about brave I think about putting my artwork out there for people to see.  People will begin to criticize your work in good and bad ways, which you have to remember to put one foot in front of the other to keep doing what you love.  I might want to go travel to find the right photograph for what I think people will like.  In order for me to keep my dream going I have been digging deep inside myself for courage, bravery, and everything in between.  So, to all you potential dreamers out there never give up on your dream.

"Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." ~Elliott Erwitt

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