Heather Engen Photography

So whatever happened to Heather Engen Photography?

I decided it wasn't the right fit for me and for where I was at that point in my life. I always struggled with how to price myself.  In some ways photography doesn't lend itself well to working part-time.  Many of the expenses are flat so whether you want to work 10 hours a week, 20 hours a week or 60 hours a week, your cost is the same.  And if you're doing family photography, the hours aren't family-friendly because the work tends to be on weekends. Plus, I've never felt comfortable with any sort of direct sales business and really my photography business felt like the same thing. I think the final straw was when I took photos for an acquaintance and they said they'd mail me a check, but they never did.  I felt awkward hounding them about it. That's when I sat down and took stock of what I was feeling about my photography business.  There were things I enjoyed - taking photos, interacting with people et cetera.  But ultimately I acknowledged that the right choice was for me to return to corporate America.  I felt like that was a better for my personality and skillset.

Having said that, Heather Engen Photography *does* live on as a hobby.  It's limping a little at the moment however. This summer I broke my favorite lens and one of my camera bodies. My waterproof camera died - taking fun photos along with it.  I don't have the same easy subjects I used to have - my kids are getting older and less cooperative. All of these things have contributed to throw me into a photography slump.  But one of these days I'll get around to fixing my 50mm lens and hopefully that will help cure the slump.