"If you post it, they will come."
Just like in the movie "Field of Dreams," a young man hears a voice telling him, "If you build it, he will come." Spoiler alert for those who haven't seen this amazing movie: family pressure, doubt, financial problems, and disappointment overwhelm this man throughout the movie, making him question his choice to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield. You're probably wondering what this has to do with photography. Well, just like this young man, I too have continued to build this dream of a business that serves others in a compassionate, well-thought-out plan that sets me apart from other photographers.
Creating content, being present, opening my life to the world around me, and putting myself out there is not an easy task, but to believe in my dream, it's a discomfort I'm willing to undertake. Just like Ray in the movie, he knew the risk he was taking by demolishing a huge portion of his income to build that field. I know the risk I'm taking by putting trust in others, in hopes that they believe I'm good enough at what I do. If that means hauling my camera everywhere I go, taking pictures of everything I see and cherish the beautiful moments I witness, then yes, I'm going to do that.
Ray didn't just see a field of corn; he saw a field of dreams. When I hold my camera, I don't just take pictures; I capture memories. Those memories are not just meant for a day or week of remembrance, but a lifetime. I want to put beauty back in this world and show people that there is more to this time we have here. People will have doubts, negativity, or even disdain towards your dreams, but at the end of the day it only comes down to one person believing in that dream. You.
I encourage anyone and everyone to follow their dreams, because no dream is too big or too small. It's who you are and how much effort you put into yourself that shows the world if that dream is possible. Nothing is a factor in the start of a dream. Not your age, not your sex, not your religion, not the amount of money you have, not your political views, not your education, none of that. What matters is if you believe you can; everything else will fall into place. Believe it or not, I'm a self-taught photographer, and I learn something new every day. When allowed to learn, I listen; when allowed to dream, I dream big.
So I'll leave you with this: whether your dream is to be on Broadway, or to write a book, or pass a class, or simply get through tomorrow, believe in yourself no matter what everything else will fall into place once you do that. Give yourself a chance to be the best version of you, you're only given one life to live, so why waste it with doubt. Build it, dream it, do it. You have nothing to lose. Believe in yourself.
"This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again." – Terence Mann
