Podcast Ep 400 - What Happens When You Don’t Give Up on Yourself

You Don’t Have to Choose Just One Version of Yourself

There’s a moment in almost every photographer’s journey where things feel… unclear. You love photography, but you also need stability. You want to go all in, but you’re not sure if it’s realistic. You’re working, experimenting, trying to grow — and still wondering if you’re doing any of it “right.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you want to become, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Marty shares a story many photographers quietly live: the push and pull between passion and practicality. She left a successful career to pursue photography, only to realize the journey wouldn’t unfold the way she imagined. Income pressure, identity confusion, and the constant question of “What do I really want?” followed her for years. But instead of quitting, she stayed. She kept showing up, experimenting, and learning — even when clarity didn’t come quickly.

And that’s the part most people don’t talk about. Growth doesn’t always look like momentum. Sometimes it looks like staying in the room long enough for the answers to find you.

One of the biggest breakthroughs Marty had wasn’t about strategy or pricing. It was about identity. She realized she didn’t have to choose between being a photographer, a consultant, a coach, or a creator.
She could be all of it. The moment she stopped forcing an “either-or” decision, everything became lighter — her messaging, her confidence, and even how she showed up in conversations.

This matters because so many photographers feel like they’re “not legit” unless they’re full-time, fully booked, or all-in. But that’s not true. You can be a professional photographer and still work another job. You can grow slowly. You can explore different paths. None of that makes you less committed — it makes you human.

Another powerful insight from this conversation: clarity often comes from subtraction, not addition. Instead of trying to figure out the perfect plan, Marty spent time noticing what she didn’t want — the work that drained her, the paths that didn’t fit. Little by little, what remained became clearer. And eventually, her business and identity aligned in a way that finally felt like her.

If you’re in a season where nothing feels certain yet, this is your reminder: that doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re in the middle of becoming.

You don’t have to rush clarity.
You don’t have to force a decision.
And you don’t have to choose just one version of yourself.

Keep experimenting. Keep showing up. Keep asking what feels right.

You’ll figure it out — maybe not all at once, but piece by piece. And when it finally clicks, it won’t feel like pressure.

It will feel like alignment.