the following is extracted from a "cover letter" i included my business plan.
I have a vision for a
business that is profitable, provides a means for me to be creative and earn a
living, that is conscious of it’s impact on the planet, and that creates
transformative opportunities for its community.
Establishing and building a
photography business is a dream come true, and it will give me the ability to
literally creatively earn a living. I have always loved photography, so much so
I would metaphorically drool each time I saw a wedding photographer in action
or came across stunning portraiture work. “I wish I could do that,” was a common
thought. And this past year, after graduating from university and trying to
determine my next steps I determined that I wanted a career that allowed me to
regularly interact with people, would allow me to be creative, would
consistently challenge my abilities as an artist and as a business minded
person, that would give me some flexibility with my work schedule, and that
would enable me to be a regular and active part in my community. As I
brainstormed about various options and thought opportunities I could create for
myself I realized that the biggest I opportunity before me was the chance to change my story; rather than continue to
wish about being a photographer, and
I could actually be a photographer
and run my own photography business bringing together my skills in business and my experience as a photographer.
In January 2011, I randomly
entered a contest through Twitter - the prize was a full
registration to WPPI 2011. The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
(WPPI) Trade Show and Convention is an annual event, and a must for anyone
involved in the photography business. It is full of workshops lead by industry
leaders covering various topics related to the business and creative’s sides of
the photography business. A full registration is worth $400!! Two days after
entering the contest I found out I won, and within the weeks following, friends and a few strangers provided me the financial means needed afford the trip to Las Vegas! This was a life-changing
event and solidified my decision to start a business.
As I have built my portfolio
over the last year, researched what it means to operate a photography business
or small business in general, and figured out what kind of a business person I
wish to be, one important consideration stood out me: I need to build a business that is
transformative. The Teen Modeling Mentoring Program I wish to launch as part of
my high school senior girls portrait services, and my commitment to increasing
Saint Andrew’s profile as premier destination wedding location is based on my
desire to see the economic life of Charlotte County transformed - to provide opportunity for
others to change their story.
I arrived in St. Stephen NB
in September 2006 to attend St. Stephen’s University, a little broken, a bit wounded, and quite lost. Nearing the completion of
my degree in 2010 I knew that did not want to leave this area. There are a
myriad of reasons for my decision to stay - great friendships, natural
beauty, more sunshine and less rain that Vancouver - but
the most important is because this place has provide me the ability to transform my own life and become a whole person. Thus, I am passionate about being an active citizen and playing a transformative
part in the economic and social development of Charlotte County.
love & sunshine,
shannon-may
ps: here is a little peak of something i am working on right now...
Quite beautifully stated!
ReplyDelete