Self Discovery

When I quit my job two years ago, I was terrified of what would happen. Would I make it even a year without needing to go back to a 9-5 job? Half a year? Something someone else said resonated with me though. When you have to make it work, you have to make it work. And I made it work. I worked my butt off, and eventually figured out my limit as well. I tried taking on too many clients just to ensure I wasn’t struggling too much. And I won’t sugar coat it… I did struggle. I had moments when I’d cancel plans with friends because the cost of dinner just wasn’t in my bank account. I had to take hits from missed payments at times. I had to figure out budgeting all over again since I was now on my own. I had no reliable income that others had – the knowing you’d have something in your account every two weeks. But that struggle pushed me. I went almost two solid years without buying Kate Spade ANYTHING. That, my friends, is called determination. I thought I’d have more time since I wouldn’t have another commitment, but honestly, I didn’t. That time got quickly filled with volunteer work, sleep I’d been severely missing out on, errands, helping out other vendors, etc. Being where I am today, I honestly don’t know how I managed to keep a different job before, because the idea of adding that in now is overwhelming. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. Because it gets better.

So, year one of being officially full time went like this: accepting any and all jobs, trying to figure out what to even charge for my craft, throwing up some random look on my website that was okay, getting food to-go because it was cheaper than making my own meals for one, becoming overwhelmed with what running a full time business was, literally getting very sick from all the stress and not knowing what to do, getting into a relationship again after years of being on my own, learning this man, seeking answers about my health and my business from anywhere and everywhere I could – which meant spending more money, and just not knowing what my brand reallllly was. When that year had finished, I vowed to make 2015 the year of getting my name out. I’d realized that the majority of my brides weren’t even coming from my home town. I didn’t mind at all because I LOVE to travel, but I began noticing that Charlotte vendors didn’t even know me. I remember one even saying to me, “Sorry I can’t meet on xx date! I’m going to a party for Charlotte wedding vendors.” And literally everyone was there that I know, but they didn’t know me nor did they associate me with being a Charlotte wedding vendor. And that’s a problem. So I did styled sessions #likeaboss. Some people think they are sessions just to fill a portfolio and look good, but I wanted to use them as a way of getting to know more locals, have them get to know me, get my name out, and also use them to reconstruct the idea of what my ideal client is. I did a grand total of 15 styled sessions last year. I personally styled and crafted about half of those. It was a ton of work, but it worked.

As the year came to a close, it was suggested that I take out an ad in Carolina Bride. I seriously was like, “LOL YOU ARE HILARIOUS.” Because the idea of spending a significant amount of money on something that I wasn’t sure would work in my favor was terrifying to someone who had been clinging onto money like no other. And then Chad sat me down. “Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. I know you are talented. I know you will do great. Just give it a shot, and I can help if we run into any financial issues.” *SIDE NOTE: I love this man.* So I did it. And guys, I booked a wedding that covered the cost of the ad simply by photographing a cocktail for an article in the first issue. For real. And Chad gave me a hug as well as an, “I told you so!” 😉

The start of 2016 has been amazing, and I’ve already met so many beautiful people just within the first month and a half, but something was starting to bug me. My website. It was now two years old, I did it on my own based off a pre-made template, and not much had changed. I was also stuck about what my brand was. I watched a video on branding too, and the questions that came that I should have been able to answer? I couldn’t. I just know I have what is called a fish scale design I chose, and I have gold and pink colors on my website soooo that’s probably what I should have on everything I use. Like, if I were to give a couple a gift that was perfectly branded, I have no idea what it would look like. I began asking people close to me the most random questions… Like what food they’d associate with my brand, what colors, what vibe, etc. I got answers ALL over the place. And then I got notified that a new version of the program I use to design my website is coming out, and I’d basically have to start it from scratch if I wanted to use it. SO, with this year already off to a fabulous start, I decided it’s time to take the plunge. I am going to rebrand! And actually hire someone that knows what they are doing! And that’s all I know. I don’t know what it will look like, I don’t know when the date is that everything will roll out, but I am excited! New blog, new website, new everything! But knowing this decision means I’m going to have to think about who I am so I can properly portray a brand that is ME, I’m going to have to do some soul searching.

I dug up some of my favorite things to replace the pieces on my About Me page that were filled with clip art basically.

My brand will have a soft elegance. It will be romantic. It will be classic yet fun. And it will be natural. Take all of this and wrap it with a pretty silk ribbon. That is what will be Casey Hendrickson Photography.

So there you have it! It’s coming. 2016 is MY year. Oh yea – And I’ve gotten back into cooking at home, making healthy veggie-packed smoothies, and forcing Molly to go on walks with me (she’s a little diva in case you haven’t noticed). Cheers to a happy, healthy, and literally fresh start of life, love, and business!