REBECCA MUSAYEV

menu

Rebecca Musayev, My Heart Behind Sweet Williams Photography, Columbus, Ohio

My Heart Behind SWP

My Heart Behind SWP

What I have learned

WARNING: This is going to be a #reallife blog post today! I want to share with you what I have learned since starting my business. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and praying as to what I have learned. I think it simply boils down to being the best version of myself. I know that sounds SO simple, everyone whats to be their best self-right?! But it’s a lot harder than you’d think! Or it was for me at least!

Photography for me has always been a passion. I started the art of photography in high school with film 101 classes. I eventually transitioned from film to digital and loved it! However, at that time, I didn’t know I was going to be a professional wedding photographer let alone start my own business! I was actually on the veterinary track. I went to college to pursue medicine and business. But God had a completely different plan for me and one where I couldn’t be happier!

I worked SO hard at what I thought my career path was. I’ve been waitlisted and even got into vet school, however, my life was never in the right place for me to go. It truly felt like God was saying, this is not the path for you just listen to me. Veterinary medicine did, however, bring me out to Columbus, Ohio!

I came out to Ohio because I got a job doing research at the Columbus Zoo! Alongside working there, I was managing a veterinary practice. It was through that practice how I met my husband (don’t worry that blog post is in the works!). Everything happens for a reason, right? Anyways, I just felt this calling to start my own business, it truly was a God thing. I quit my job and Googled “how to start a photography business.” I’m not kidding, this is what I did! Through a lot of trial and error, everything started falling into place and I actually had a business!

The biggest challenge I faced in starting my own business was how to run a business but share my story throughout the process. It was a challenge for me to break the “professionalism mask” so easily worn in the business world and truly wear my own. After all, so much about photography is connecting with others and knowing that what you see on Instagram is not real life. Trust me, I’m lucky if I get to shower daily and my desk is far from perfectly tidy all the time.

What I’ve found in the creative industry is that it is supersaturated and super competitive, at least here in Columbus. I wasn’t prepared for all of the competitiveness I was about to encounter. It was so discouraging when other established photographers were not encouraging to the next generation. I felt so down and discouraged. I was constantly comparing myself to others and wondering how I could be as successful as them. It’s so easy to feel this way. Especially in the world of social media. Everyone’s life looks so perfect! Do you feel this way too?

However, though this, the number one thing I had to learn is to give it up to God. I truly had to trust him and his plan for me. Without Him, I wasn’t going to be able to do anything. The second thing I had to learn was to build a community. Yes, this industry is always going to be competitive but having others around you is the key to success. You need friends to bounce off ideas from, ask questions, and grow together. The last thing to remember is that everyone is different. Your story makes you unique and people will gravitate to that.

In today’s world of instant gratification, I constantly have to remind myself that work is work and Rome wasn’t built in a day. The more work I put into my business the more business I receive in return and it takes time. My advice to others is take your time, don’t compare, and focus on mastering your craft. Sucess will follow.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declare the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

 

What I have learned

WARNING: This is going to be a #reallife blog post today! I want to share with you what I have learned since starting my business. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and praying as to what I have learned. I think it simply boils down to being the best version of myself. I know that sounds SO simple, everyone whats to be their best self-right?! But it’s a lot harder than you’d think! Or it was for me at least!

Photography for me has always been a passion. I started the art of photography in high school with film 101 classes. I eventually transitioned from film to digital and loved it! However, at that time, I didn’t know I was going to be a professional wedding photographer let alone start my own business! I was actually on the veterinary track. I went to college to pursue medicine and business. But God had a completely different plan for me and one where I couldn’t be happier!

I worked SO hard at what I thought my career path was. I’ve been waitlisted and even got into vet school, however, my life was never in the right place for me to go. It truly felt like God was saying, this is not the path for you just listen to me. Veterinary medicine did, however, bring me out to Columbus, Ohio!

I came out to Ohio because I got a job doing research at the Columbus Zoo! Alongside working there, I was managing a veterinary practice. It was through that practice how I met my husband (don’t worry that blog post is in the works!). Everything happens for a reason, right? Anyways, I just felt this calling to start my own business, it truly was a God thing. I quit my job and Googled “how to start a photography business.” I’m not kidding, this is what I did! Through a lot of trial and error, everything started falling into place and I actually had a business!

The biggest challenge I faced in starting my own business was how to run a business but share my story throughout the process. It was a challenge for me to break the “professionalism mask” so easily worn in the business world and truly wear my own. After all, so much about photography is connecting with others and knowing that what you see on Instagram is not real life. Trust me, I’m lucky if I get to shower daily and my desk is far from perfectly tidy all the time.

What I’ve found in the creative industry is that it is supersaturated and super competitive, at least here in Columbus. I wasn’t prepared for all of the competitiveness I was about to encounter. It was so discouraging when other established photographers were not encouraging to the next generation. I felt so down and discouraged. I was constantly comparing myself to others and wondering how I could be as successful as them. It’s so easy to feel this way. Especially in the world of social media. Everyone’s life looks so perfect! Do you feel this way too?

However, though this, the number one thing I had to learn is to give it up to God. I truly had to trust him and his plan for me. Without Him, I wasn’t going to be able to do anything. The second thing I had to learn was to build a community. Yes, this industry is always going to be competitive but having others around you is the key to success. You need friends to bounce off ideas from, ask questions, and grow together. The last thing to remember is that everyone is different. Your story makes you unique and people will gravitate to that.

In today’s world of instant gratification, I constantly have to remind myself that work is work and Rome wasn’t built in a day. The more work I put into my business the more business I receive in return and it takes time. My advice to others is take your time, don’t compare, and focus on mastering your craft. Sucess will follow.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declare the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

 

Photographers