If you have been a photographer for a little bit of time now, or you are thinking of becoming one you have probably caught on to the pressure to specialize.   Many of us have agonized over it, and struggle with how to deal with it.   I remember the first few workshops I went to or groups I started being a part of, I instantly felt it.   The pressure to NOT photograph certain things that I don’t love or that I may not be good at.    As photographers, we struggle with these pressures and what other photographers might think of us.

I do say out loud that I specialize in Couples, Weddings, Seniors, and basic portraits.    Sometimes I throw fine art photography into the mix…. who knows how I’m feeling that day.    For me specializing just means that I consider myself more successful at these areas and that I get very very excited to shoot them….they make my heart happy!

I remember when I would feel like I was “wrong” or bad if I posted anything else on my page…. that “OMG I’m now marketing to something that I don’t specialize in”.    Well over time, and as my confidence has become stronger this is how I deal with that….

Easy… I DON’T.

I have learned that photography for me is about relationships.   My relationship with the client, but also documenting relationships.   Sometimes when I’m out with my friends, I just think how much I love their family, and how amazing it would be (or is) that I could be the one to capture them on camera.   That is a pretty amazing feeling to be able to preserve these little memories for people.   And even if I don’t think I’m amazing at capturing families, or families is not what I want to build my branding around, that does not mean that I’m in trouble if I do it!    Recently, (I’m sure Gracie has a little to do with this) I have really found myself enjoying mommy-and-me type photo shoots.   So maybe I add that into my packaging…. Does that ruin my identity as being a “Wedding Photographer”???   Does it make me look less successful at taking pictures of couples??    Maybe… maybe that means I’m pulling in different clients, but I can’t lose sleep over that.   I have to care about how I run my business day-to-day and what works for me.   And honestly what I’m doing is working…. so why mess with it?     And by working I mean that I love what I do, it makes me happy.

So while my branding says weddings, couples, seniors, etc…. my heart is all things pictures.  All things capturing moments for people I love.    I may not seek out families as my first choice of things to photograph, but if someone I know and love supports my business, and they want pictures of their families… You better believe I’m going to jump on it if I can.   Because what an honor, what a compliment, that they want to work with me!

So if you are struggling with “specializing,” you are not alone.  Just remember there are no rules other than how YOU want to run your business.   Do what works for you!

Here are just a few of my favorite “non-specialty” photos taken recently.