I’ve decided to start writing again. I want to dip into more personal posts but most importantly, I want to start writing teachable topics! I’m a teacher (well preschool teacher but still a teacher!) and it’s in my blood to educate & what better way then to merge my teaching skills with my FAVORITE subject ever?! So without further adieu.. My new topic for photographers.. “Quick Questions” – Exciting! 

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I remember visiting blog after blog and seeing their “brag tags”. Those tags that showed whoever popped into their site that their images had been splashed across other blogs.. It was always this thing to me and I anxiously dreamed of the day that I could add a brag tag and a “featured on” page to my blog. Handicapped by fear, I made it my quest this season to be featured on blogs. I just knew it would give me reassurance in my work. I knew it would make me feel like I “made” it. That I had successfully reached a goal that would finally make me “official”. 

Fast forward 5 features later with one in the works and a few other potentials and I’m left with feeling deflated and in all honesty.. No different then I did before. 

I’m just as surprised. Yes, I welcome the features with excited arms and a hooray (!!!) for my couples but it didn’t make me feel like I crossed the finish line or reached some unreachable goal. I simply feel like me, Caynay, with a few sparkly links sprucing up the blog. 

So to any newbie out there. The one anxiously awaiting your time. The one eagerly critiquing your work thinking that a feature will give you sense of peace.. It may.. But it may not.. Because here is the thing about setting goals for yourself.. You will accomplish something big in your world and immediately that bar will be pushed. I’m convinced I’ll never cross the finish line! 

BUT with that said.. Aside from all the reassurance and thoughts reminding you that you are AMAZING without the features and without the brag tags splashed across the blog that it does do wonders for your clients & your SEO (obviously for another day!).. I will admit that I LOVE hearing my brides excitedly share that their photographer was on Wisconsin Bride or The Knot.. Or I adore when the momma of the groom comes up to me and excitedly says, “I saw your feature!! How AMAZING!” – That DOES feel pretty wonderful & for that I will keep submitting images.. Not for me but for my amazing couples & their families who put their heart and souls into their weddings!