9-5 does not = Failure

It's ok to have a 9-5 job, I promise. 

I'm departing slightly from my usual nerdy teaching posts to talk about something that I've seen happening in our community. Granted, we all run in different circles and so you may not be as aware of this as I have been depending on your current "circle", but if you spend any amount of time hanging out where other small creative and online business owners hang out, you might have noticed it too. 

Your "dream" isn't really a dream unless you ditch the 9-5. 

And I'm here to tell you friends....that's a big fat lie. 

Somehow we've all bought into this notion that life isn't life and we can't enjoy it and live out our dream if we are handcuffed by a 9-5 job. Where in the world did this come from??? Wasn't the dream from a while back to actually HAVE a job that would allow you to support yourself and your family? 

Now, I'm not saying it's a bad thing if your goal is to quit your 9-5 job and support yourself 100% though your own business. What I AM saying is that it's not the ONLY thing.

And I feel like (to an extent) our creative community has forgotten this. 

Sure, there is beauty and something to be learned from those who give it a go and make it work (thanks Tim Gunn) in full time small business entrepreneurship. But there is also beauty and something to be learned from those who juggle two different gigs, or a gig and being a full time-mom or two full time gigs and being a mom (or dad!) 

Your story may look so incredibly different from their story, but that doesn't mean your story is wrong. 

Let me tell you a little bit of my own story....

For anyone who doesn't know the backstory on how I became a photographer...it kind of happened as a result of pure circumstance. I don't have stories of me carrying around a camera everywhere I went as a 5 year old. I didn't dream of being my own boss or capturing love stories while I was slaving away at a corporate job. 

I received a Master's Degree in Human Resources from the University of New Mexico in 2004. I worked my way up to what I would consider a fantastic job at T-Mobile as Human Resource Business Partner throughout the next 8 years. I taught a few classes at UNM and also at Bellevue College on Organizational Behavior and Performance Management. I loved what I did, I was good at it and I aspired to do more especially in the area of teaching. 

Then the Army moved us to California. To a tiny little town with no "big" HR jobs. It wouldn't really work for me to work remotely. I wasn't horribly depressed about this but I was a little trepedatious. What in the would I do now? 

Backing up a few years....I got my first pink Canon point and shoot digital camera when I was planning a trip to Japan in 2007. I loved that camera and enjoyed taking photos that focused on interesting compositions rather than just pointing and shooting. 

5 years later as I sat in a friends house in California, jobless, I looked at her new-ish DSLR camera sitting on her kitchen table and thought, "Hey I have all this time now, I should learn how all this photography stuff actually works!" 

And that was the start. That was the birth of Cinnamon Wolfe Photography. I devoured every resource available. I read and read and read and read some more. I got a Canon t3i and practiced all the time. I practiced on some friends and started thinking....I have a business background...is it that impossible to think I could actually turn this into something? 

And I did.

Or, I am?

I guess I will always be...turning it into something....since owning your own business never really slows down or stops. You need to continually grow. Continually learn. Continually deal with things that get thrown at you (moving your business across the country anyone?) 

Why do I tell you this story? Because sometimes (actually maybe a lot of the time?) I wish I could just go back to that cushy 9-5 job. 

Yes, I said that (well, wrote it if we are being technical) out loud. 

I know of someone who actually HID the fact that she had a 9-5 job from industry friends (FRIENDS!!!) because she didn't want to appear like she didn't have enough of her stuff together to be full-time fancy. 

I know that personally, I have struggled with feeling like if I ever have to go back and "get a job" that would mean I am an utter and total failure at life and everyone else around me would be "living their dreams" while I had to "go back to work." 

That literally makes my heart want to cry. 

There is NOTHING wrong with having a job that pays your bills. There is nothing wrong with having a job and a creative business "on the side". There is nothing wrong with ENJOYING BOTH. 

We all have different goals and aspirations and dreams. Some of that may include being a full-time entrepreneur and some of that may include doing a full time job and another part time job at the same time. We need to be able to give each other (and ourselves) grace to be who we are and pursue what we think is best for our lives. 

I didn't choose to become a full-time photographer...it happened by accident. We are in a place right now where I don't have to pursue a different full time job outside of what I do in my business but let me tell you there are certainly times when I would rather just go to work and do my work all day and then come home and read a book! Or watch TV without feeling like I should be "working on my business". 

Because let me tell you friends, it doesn't stop. Its ALL you, ALL the time and there really are no breaks. It's hella hard to give yourself the ability to have some down time or off time because social media is screaming in your face that you will.never.catch.up with what so-and so is doing. 

But here's the thing. You don't HAVE to catch up. You don't HAVE to do what they did. You have your own wins and successes and even though you might think this is silly...there are people out there thinking they will.never.catch.up with YOU. 

To every single person who has a "corporate job" or a 9-5 and they think that it's dead-end and horrible....or even those who feel like in order to be seen as a "success" or "legit" that they have to give that job up.....I'm here to tell you, your DREAM doesn't have to be the same as everyone else's.

Entrepreneurship is flat out hard and not everyone who starts down the path will end up in the same place. Evaluate what you really want to accomplish and WHY you want to accomplish it and then take action to get you there. If that means you keep on thriving in your day job, then by all means...rock it out and don't let anyone else make you feel bad because of it. 

That's it friends. If you have read this whole post, I can't thank you enough for taking the time. And I hope that some of this was an encouragement and inspiration for you to really understand what it is that you want to do and the path you choose to get there will always be your path, not someone else's. 

Prepping for your CWP Engagement Session

Engagement sessions are probably one of my favorite types of sessions to photograph.

Actually, scratch that...they are my favorite. Hands down. 

Spending time with couples who are about to commit their lives to each other and are marinating in last few days and months before "the big day" is simply so much fun. There isn't the same pressure of the wedding day and it's just you, your camera and two people in love documenting the start of something amazing. 

So you may be thinking, "Well, Cinnamon, that is great that you are super jazzed about it, but we are nervous!! We haven't been professionally photographed in.....well, a REALLY long time, if ever!" 

First, this is TOTALLY normal. Its always nerve wracking to be in front of a camera. I actually enjoy having my picture taken and I get sweaty nervous as well. I find is the best way to really cut back on some of those nerves before the session is to be prepared! The better prepared you are for the session and the more you know about what to expect, everything will run much smoother and hey, we might even have a little bit (or even a LOT) of fun!! 

1 // Scheduling

Depending on how far out you book for the wedding, we will want to schedule the engagement session around 4-6 months prior to the wedding, especially if you might want to use some of the images for your save the date cards! 

This could change of course depending on season etc...but it's a good rule of thumb to have a little bit of time in between the engagement session and the wedding. 

Also depending on the season and time of year, a weekday will usually be when we schedule the session. Scheduling on weekends can be a challenge during wedding season and if the session is during the time of year when the sun doesn't set until 7pm or later, usually a weekday will work best for everyone involved. 

We will also schedule the session to start 2 hours prior to the sun setting on that day. I will let you know the exact time once we get the date on the books. This will give us ample time for changes, potentially traveling to different locations etc...The best photos always have the best light and these last two hours prior to the sun setting will guarantee the best possible images. 

2 // Location

Choosing a location for your engagement session can be so overwhelming with so many amazing choices! In order to narrow it down, I have a few suggestions. 

• Consider the "feel" you want for the photos. Rustic? Outdoor? Urban? Beach? 
• Do the two of you have any special or memorable places that you share that might be a good option? 
• Do you have access to any sort of private or exclusive locations that would add a unique element to the session? 

If all of that still doesn't help, just let me know and we can narrow down a fabulous location together! 

3 // What to wear

Hands down the hardest thing to figure out, amiright? 

The good news is, you don't have to pick just ONE outfit. I encourage all of my couples to do at least one outfit change during the session. That way you get a little more variety in your photos and can have a dressier look and also a more casual look. 

I also recommend outfits that compliment each other without being too "matchy matchy", and staying away from loud or busy prints is always a good idea. YOU are the focus of the photo, not your hawaiian print top! ;-) 

For Her

• Its important to be comfortable, while at the same time choosing an outfit that is flattering. 
• Heels elongate the legs 
• Accessories are a fun addition, scarves, hats, statement necklaces, cardigans etc...
• Don't forget the nails! We will likely do some ring/hand shots, so make sure those nails are free from chipped polish

For Him

• Long pants and closed toed shoes are a sure fire way to look "comfortable, yet put together"
• Consider one button down for dressier and a short sleeve or polo top for more casual
• Make sure hair/facial hair is trimmed and/or natural for the session. (ie...if you normally wear a full beard, don't shave it all off the day before the session!) 

Use these guidelines to direct you into choosing an outfit that is still true to who you are but will be the most flattering on camera. You will look back at these photos for YEARS to come, so keep that in mind when making your final choices! 

4 // Post session 

After the session, go out and have a fun night out!! You'll be dressed up and feelin the love from the session so go out and enjoy an evening out of just the two of you! I'll be getting you a sneak peek of the session on social media within a few days and then a blog post dedicated to the two of you within a few weeks after the session. This will tide you over until you get your gallery of images. ;-)

Hopefully, you now feel a little more prepared for your session and the excitement is taking over for some of those nerves. I promise we will have a fun and relaxed time and you will come away with precious memories from this awesomely fun time of being engaged!