I tried a fun name for my company but then other people started using that name. True they were in other parts of the US (and one in AUS) but dude one of them was SO crappy and took such horrid basic photos I regretted choosing that name.

Now I just use my name - but I have a unique name so I’m not in Meghan’s shoes.

Maybe something like Meghan Loves Photography?

I made greeting cards so that I could use them as greeting cards. Please note I’m a better photographer than a business person. I mean I’ve sold a few to a store and have them on comission in another but it’s nothing to shout about. I have way more that are unsold than sold but I guess that also means I won’t need to buy greeting cards for awhile!

I also used a recent show as an excuse to print & frame some of my most recent faves. I knew I’d probably not sell many and would just redecorate at home with the rest. Turns out none of the framed stuff sold - just one greeting card and two box sets of cards.

So I guess my advice is to print within your budget and have fun looking at your fave images - whether framed or in a book - and try not to focus on making money.

To me, photography isn’t a ‘thing’ I could ever perfect or be an expert at - it’s how I see the world around me and which things I take pics of. My family motto is ‘don’t leave home without a camera’ and it allows me to photograph neat things or places I’m curious about - without needing each image to be tack sharp.

But I also understand that feeling of wanting to just give up looking at pro photogs and their many-layered incredible shots that I could never mimic. Sometimes when I feel down about my skills as a photographer I go sit outside or walk somewhere and challenge myself to see the beauty all around me. Sometimes it works but even if I don’t get any neat shots I got more experience and tried new things and went outside a bit and those are all ‘wins’ in my book. (I’ve been snapping pics for decades now).

Another way I like to photograph is more documentary-ish. I take pics of my house and my rooms, pics of my neighborhood or traffic or being out with friends or neat cloud layers. Over the years as I’ve moved to new places I always love finding those ‘extra’ pics. Maybe try just taking all the photos of everything and see if some different subjects - scenarios - or themes might catch your fancy.

I know some folks who find the neatest patterns in buildings and street lights - another who always gets good crowd shots - and then of course the folks like me hunting tiny moss patches with a macro lens. Then there’s action or sports photography that you could try too! There are SO many different things and perspectives to try and then practice - I hope you find many interesting things and get even more experience!

Hours? Days go by for me. Boooooo. I used to average 30-40 likes and a new follower for each post and these days I’m lucky to get 10 likes without boosting.

I think they’re tanking my algo unless I pay to boost so I stopped caring and post things I like - and try not to fret. Still - people seem so scared to hit ‘like’ and I wish the comments there were anything like the brave sassy comment chains here. I’m very free with my likes and support all my friends and their posts - but it is not reciprocated.

But if friends are at work in the bathroom I know they won’t click ‘like’ - or probably my ‘friends’ who don’t want to show outwardly that they like my stuff. Even my husband says it’s too much pressure to like all my stuff. Sad. Makes me think my work is shit but I still like it so I’m still posting my faves. Gotta put it out there and pretend I don’t care.