Samantha Lauren Photographie : Photography for Dreamers and Lovers

I’ve never advertised before. In fact I was never a proponent of self-promotion. When I began to photograph commercially I really had no idea how to run a business but only that I knew I could take the pictures that would warrant running one. I started slow, following all of my favorite bloggers and writers and photographers on the internet. I poured over any and all information that could propel me into internet stardom. I started Facebook albums. I wrote my own blogs. I was given the “How to Build Your Own Website for Dummies” book and handcrafted code line by line four times over to create what my website is today. When I came back to New York City I jumped on any and all jobs I could find. I photographed nightlife parties. I ran around the city on the subway with my equipment in a messenger bag. I assisted at weddings. I bought professional lights. I took pictures every day. Then I hit the wall. I was making little to no money doing what I loved and finally had to take several other jobs to be able to pay any sort of bill that was coming in. I lost my momentum completely. I began to think that I shouldn’t be trying at all. I worked at ABC Kitchen for a year and a half before that feeling started to turn itself over. Before the wind smelled clear again. I began to see my photographs happening. They would appear to me out of nowhere. Down a Long Island City alleyway. A rooftop sunset. Simple pleasures that were mine for the taking. I started booking weddings and shoots again. I remembered to trust myself.

I know that everyone has their success story.
But this is not a story of my success. This is a story about how to get up and keep going.

I’ve had the same business cards for three years. After reading a few articles over at Matchstic, I made the decision to rebrand my cards into something more tangible. An object of affection.  I make my living off of my sight and my intuition. I needed a card that would help me create a piece of myself to show others how I see the world. I used Moo Business Cards to accomplish my vision. (Who by the way I am now obsessed with. Rounded corners, double sided cards, beautiful accurate coloring, and thick cardstock- ohmy!)

I also for the first time ever this year decided to run a couple of advertisements. This is the latest one from the November 2011 issue of the Chronogram. Heres a peek !

In a moment of pure and open honesty, I’ll admit, I am not nearly where I’d like to be professionally. I may not have all of the latest gadgets or the fanciest flash website, but one thing remains the same as when I ventured into this. I’m confident that I know how to take the pictures which warrant running this business.

So I’m working on it.

As Mayer Hawthorne reminds us,

Its gonna take a long time,
Its gonna take it but we’ll make it someday.