You know, when you start a business, information comes from so many places. Social media and the Internet in general have created this massive explosion of knowledge and opinions. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of online articles about starting a business. I stumbled upon one last night while looking for a sewing pattern. It was about starting a craft business, something like “8 easy steps to starting a business selling things you make”. I took a squiz just to pass the time and it made me laugh with how ridiculous it was. The steps were things like get a better sewing machine. Make things that people want to buy. Change what you are making to something that is currently fashionable. There wasn’t a single point that mentioned loving what you do, or working with what you already have, or running a business with your whole hearted passion. How sad is that?

It got me thinking about my own business and how I do things. I have always been a photographer, in as much as I have always loved taking photos. I decided to start doing it as a job because I enjoy it. I love it. There is something magical about capturing someone’s essence in a photo. About documenting their spark to be remembered for all the years to come, even after they have left this world. I could spend hours looking at old photographs in second hand stores. Those glimpses into someone else’s life just make my soul feel alive.

When I started my business I did what most people probably do and gathered as much information as I could. Now my dad has been self employed for as long as I can remember. He has always used his own name for his business, and has always just gotten on with things. He didn’t have social media or the Internet. He used to advertise when work was quiet, and not worry about it when he was busy. He had a really good reputation and most of his business was word of mouth. It was built on years and years of hard work and a wonderful work ethic, as well as making sure that his customers were always happy with the job he did. It wasn’t built on Facebook likes or Instagram followers.

All the reading I did about building a business focused mostly on creating an online presence, gaining followers, Google ratings and so on. A completely different ball game. There is so much focus on making your website and social media pages include content that will reach more viewers. Facebook algorithms change at the drop of a hat. All these business coaches and social media masters tell you that your posts need to include a, b & c to get seen. Pictures get more views. Videos even more. There is never any emphasis on actually being you. On being authentic. On doing everything with love or passion or genuine intentions.

So many times I have found myself staring at that blinking cursor. I’ve had something to say, share, something that made my heart happy. But then all that information on SEO and the ever changing landscape of social media would crowd my head and I’d end up struggling to write anything in case I did it “wrong”. In case it didn’t reach enough people or help my online presence. Sometimes I didn’t write anything at all. Sometimes I would manage to piece something together but often it wouldn’t feel like me writing it. I love writing. I used to love nothing more than being able to spill out whatever was on my mind onto a page. It helps me sort through things. To be sitting there unable to write is such a strange and unsettling feeling.

The start of 2016 had me thinking about change, as the start of a new year usually does. I decided that I don’t want my business to feel like hard work. I love photo shoots, I love editing, I love giving a box of gorgeous prints on the most amazing paper to people and knowing how much they love them.  But the constant drag of trying to sell myself online was starting to get to me. I decided that I want this year to be the start of a new shift in my business. I want to be more authentic. I want to share what I’m feeling, things I love, the reality of me. Because this business is me. It bears my name, it is the realization of years of loving something and wanting to share it with the world. It’s not a sterile, impersonal corporation. This is my love, my joy. So why shouldn’t it reflect that? My dad never worried about if he was getting Facebook hits. He just went out and got on with it, and did what he did with passion and commitment. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m totally aware that it may not do anything for my social media presence. I don’t particularly mind. It’s more important to me that someone associates Rachel Baker Photography with me as a person and my work, instead of worrying about how popular my website might be.

So welcome to a new year and a new, more real version of me. I will probably be writing more blog posts, and sharing more of my own photos. Less of the “life in the highlight reel”, more of the reality. I do hope you’ll stick around to see the changes, but I understand if it’s not really what you are looking for from me.

Much love to you all,

Rach xxx