Overcoming Financial Struggles as a Photographer
At the beginning of 2023, I found myself in a difficult financial situation. As a photographer, I was doing fine—everything was poodling along, as I like to say—but I had hit a plateau that I couldn't break. Despite putting in the work, my income wasn’t reflecting my efforts, and I wasn’t earning enough to support my lifestyle. The worst part? I was stuck in a pattern of accepting low-paying jobs, feeling a bit desperate, and unsure how to move forward.
If you're a photographer or creative business owner, I know this story might sound familiar. At some point, many of us experience the frustration of hitting a financial wall, and it can feel like you're working harder but getting nowhere.
Hitting the Wall: A Familiar Struggle
For me, this was an all-too-familiar cycle. I'd gone through financial struggles before, but this time, it felt different. I had recently dealt with difficult clients and found myself saying “yes” to low-paying jobs just to stay afloat. It was a frustrating situation, and I knew something had to change. I couldn't let myself continue down this path.
This plateau wasn't just a financial challenge—it was also a mindset issue. My money mindset was stuck in scarcity. I was holding onto every penny out of fear, and I realized that I needed to break free from this mindset to improve my financial situation.
Shifting My Mindset: The First Step Toward Change
I had been through tough financial times before, and I had made it out by changing my mindset. At one point, I didn’t know how to manage or even make money. But over the years, I educated myself. I read business books, learned from podcasts, and did everything I could to shift my relationship with money. I realized that while no one is born knowing how to make money, it’s something we can all learn.
I decided it was time to take action again. I had to reframe my thinking. It wasn’t just about trying to earn more; it was about shifting my mindset to attract abundance instead of scarcity.
My Breakthrough Moment: The Power of Journaling
While I explored different ways to shift my money mindset, one simple yet powerful act made the biggest impact. It was something I had been curious about but never fully committed to: journaling.
A friend of mine had been using a journal for years, and she shared her story of how everything she wrote down had come true. I was intrigued, but I wasn’t sure if this was something for me. I didn’t consider myself particularly spiritual, and the idea of manifestation seemed a bit abstract. However, I was open to trying anything that might help me get out of this financial rut.
So, I ordered the Five Minute Journal, a simple notebook with guided prompts that take just a few minutes to fill out each morning and evening. The structure was key—I didn’t have to think too hard about it. The prompts guided me to focus on gratitude and positive thinking, which I knew were important to shifting my mindset. And it turned out, it made all the difference.
How Journaling Changed Everything
The Five Minute Journal asks you to fill out three things you're grateful for, three things that would make the day great, and a daily affirmation each morning. In the evening, you reflect on your day by writing down the highlights and one lesson you learned. It’s simple, yet powerful.
I focused on money every day. I expressed gratitude for every penny that came my way. I wrote down that connecting with new people or getting new opportunities would make the day great. And the affirmation? It was all about shifting my mindset to attract abundance. I focused on gratitude for the things I had, not on what I lacked.
The Power of Gratitude: A Simple but Profound Shift
At first, it felt a bit awkward, but I committed to doing it daily. Slowly but surely, I noticed changes. I wasn’t just focusing on the negative anymore. I started paying attention to all the positive things happening around me—no matter how small. I began to shift my energy from scarcity to abundance, and my mindset started to shift, too.
Even if you're not into spiritual practices or manifestation, the act of focusing on gratitude every day had a profound impact on me. It helped me focus on the things I wanted to attract into my life, rather than obsessing over what I didn’t have. This daily practice made me more aware of the opportunities around me and how I could capitalize on them.
The Results: A Surge in Income and Opportunity
Since starting this practice, my life has transformed. I can honestly say that I’ve never made so much income from my photography and business ventures. The combination of focusing on my mindset and taking proactive steps to improve my financial situation has been the biggest catalyst for change in my life.
It wasn’t magic, but it felt like it. The simple act of shifting my focus to gratitude, abundance, and positive action has resulted in new opportunities, better-paying shoots, and a sense of financial freedom I hadn’t experienced in years.
How You Can Benefit from a Money Mindset Shift
If you’re a photographer—or anyone dealing with financial struggles—this simple journaling practice could be life-changing. You don’t have to buy a Five Minute Journal to benefit from it. The prompts are widely available online, and you can start incorporating them into your daily routine right away.
The key is to focus on the positive things in your life, practice gratitude, and reframe your mindset to attract what you want, rather than focusing on what you lack. This simple daily ritual can shift your mindset, boost your mental health, and help you overcome financial struggles.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re serious about improving your money mindset and making more income as a photographer, I have a whole module dedicated to this topic in my Profitable Fashion Photographer course. It’s not just about teaching you how to make money—it’s about understanding why you might be blocking your own financial success and how to break through those barriers.
Money isn’t the key to happiness, but it does allow you to do more good in the world. When you have financial freedom, you can invest in your craft, donate to causes that matter to you, fund creative projects, and ultimately do more good in the world. That’s why it’s so important to work on your money mindset and break free from the financial struggles holding you back.
I truly believe that the world needs more good people with access to wealth. If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, you owe it to yourself to get started.
If you're interested in learning more, the doors to Profitable Fashion Photographer are open until July 24th, 2024. I'd love to help you take your photography business to the next level, just like I did for myself.
Start now!
So, if you're ready to make a change in your life and overcome your financial struggles, start by shifting your mindset. Practice gratitude every day, focus on abundance, and watch how your life—and your finances—transform. It worked for me, and I know it can work for you too.
