The past two years have been a huge learning opportunity for every small business owner in this country, even more so those that are artists. When the pandemic first started closing businesses my main priority was to keep myself, staff and clients safe. We went above and beyond by shutting down, staying closed longer than most, and still implementing strict cleaning protocols and mask wearing within the studio. Through all of this we have worked with so many amazing clients, worked on perfecting the empowering experience, and unfortunately, as a photographer I lost a little bit of myself.
Talking about mental health is not something many of us like to do, nor do we like to admit that we struggle with it. For many years I was the happiest person, loved what I did, and poured every ounce of my soul into my brand. Then you realize you are also sharing a piece of your soul with every human being you work with, and you realize that you have almost given too much. For the past year I have struggled with depression, adhd and above all the ability to focus and love myself and brand again. It’s hard to admit that you have fallen out of love with what you do, but I think it needs to be talked about. As a photographer, I have been on social media since 2010, part of so many groups, and it’s daunting to see so many other successful photographers doing what you want to do, but your brain simply won’t allow it. We call it “Imposter Syndrome,” and it’s a very hard thing to battle. I love my work, my studio, my brand and every client I have ever worked with. You have literally helped me build this amazing brand from nothing. I was once just a girl with a brand new camera who wanted to take pretty pictures. I have learned over the years, it’s so much more than a pretty picture. I have cried, laughed, and ached for body positivity with my clients. I have experienced grief as clients passed from this world to the next. I have celebrated so many of you finding your why and the love for your body that you were searching for. Along the way, I just got lost.
I always see the resolutions for the brand new year in January, but I never make them, it never feels like a worthwhile endeavour. I also never feel like it’s truly the beginning of something new. However, I can no longer be so far away from something I created and truly do love. Starting in July, I will be opening the studio full time for the first time since March 2020. I will also be devoting more time to social media and sharing the beautiful art that is being created in The Body Love Revolution studio. I am sorry that I have been an absent creator, it wasn’t purposeful, I just needed to find my “Why” again. You are my why, we all deserve to love and celebrate every ounce of who we are, and you deserve this experience, period! My promise to you is that this experience will always be evolving, and I will be an open book when it comes to mental health, body positivity and fat positivity!
~Love, Eve
