How I Got Here

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000
For the first seven years I spent behind a camera, I was never confident enough to ask for compensation for my work. The justifications being: "I just need the practice, I'm only an amateur, I'll just accept the exposure."
However, my time working for JCPenney Portrait Studios changed that for me. It was in large part thanks to my manager, Sabian Leos, being the exact kind of mentor figure I needed at that point in time. He was very encouraging, reaffirming that if I could sell my work even with the limited creative capacity I had at JCP, there would be nothing stopping me from taking those skills beyond my seasonal position there. His words were corroborated by the dozens of clients that came through each day: I got compliments on my work, questions about whether I did shoots outside the studio, and witnessed geniune smiles after (almost) every shoot I did.
As my seasonal position came to its end, Sabian wanted to keep me on the team thanks to the passion I had for my work, and the immense amount of personal growth I had exhibited since I started there. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, as the regional manager did not agree to having anyone more on the team for the quiet season. While the job wasn't well paying, and had plenty of negative customer interactions take place, I do ultimately miss seeing people appreciate my work... Which is why I am here now, trying to figure out how to run a small photography business while working full-time at a camera store; but the smiles make it worth the struggle.
Now, when I ask for compensation, I do it knowing that my work is tested and proven-- and I will do anything to make sure it's worth your while.
Motivational on BulkyPigeon

How I Got Here
