While this is a website for my photography business, without my faith in God and me trusting Him to move in this direction despite my nerves, Sachel Samone Photography would still simply be a dream. Without Him, this would not be a reality. So my blog will feature posts from time to time that focus on lessons He is teaching to me or things He puts on my heart to share as my life behind my lens grows.

The thing He placed on my heart today? Studying. 

Anyone who knows me knows that photography is my passion. I talk about it all day. I think about it all day. To see me without a camera is just as rare as seeing a double rainbow. The art of not only taking photos, but taking GOOD photos that capture the beauty of life is at the very core of who I am as a person.

When I finally took the leap and started this business, I knew I was taking my love for this art to a new level and that new level required me to expand my knowledge. I had to study. 

Owning a photography business is more than just picking up a camera, taking pretty photos and selling them to people. It is A BUSINESS. It is paying taxes, obtaining licenses, having insurance, having properly written contracts and scouting locations. It is educating yourself through forums and constant reading, networking and so much more. In order for this business to be successful, it requires me to not only study and consistently improve my craft as a photographer, but it requires me to study and consistently improve my craft as a businesswoman.

As I began to think about that more and more, I heard a sweet whisper that said:

“You study photography inside and out. You study your business, but DO YOU STUDY MINE?”

2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to show thyself approved unto God…”

As we go throughout life, we all have passions. We all have gifts and talents that God has given us. Yet in order for these gifts and talents to work in our favor, we must grow them. We must study our craft. A football player will study film to become better. A ballet dancer will study the art of dance and spend countless hours in the studio to perfect her moves.  A journalist will study their interviewee beforehand to know the proper questions to ask. A military pilot will study flight plans rigorously to ensure they successfully achieve the mission and get back home safely. Just like we study these things to be successful in the natural, we have to study to be successful in the spiritual.

Whether, it’s an hour or 10 minutes, spending time with God is vital to my life and I will admit, sometimes I don’t study His business as much as I study mine. Sometimes life takes over and though I spend time with Him, talking to Him isn’t enough. I must study His instructions. I must study His word so that I can grow in my walk. Just as I studied my notes to pass my final exams in college so that I could graduate and earn my degrees, I must study His word and listen to His voice so that I can pass HIS final exam and earn my rightful place in Heaven.

What we study is what become experts on. What we put our all into, we will reap the benefits of. What we put into our spirits, will become a part of who we are. I study photography because I’m passionate about it..I want to put my all into it so that I may be successful at it. Photography is a part of who I am. Yet,  just as I study my photography, I study God’s word because I’m passionate about Him and MAN do I see the growth because of it!! It is during that time of studying, I learn so much about myself. He reveals the most simple things to me and I find myself at peace…no longer stressing out because the more I study, the more I learn about Him and find comfort in who He is.

Being busy or having too much on my plate is not an excuse. Having too much on your plate is not an excuse. Often times, the reason why we’re feeling so overwhelmed and feeling like we have too much going on is because we’re spreading ourselves thin… getting involved with or studying things we have no business studying.

 None of us are perfect and there is always room for improvement.  As I continue growing in my life behind my lens, I will challenge myself to study His business more. I will challenge myself to study more, grow more and focus more on growing into the woman He has called me to be. For before I am a photographer and business woman, I am a woman about MY FATHER’S BUSINESS. And for that I am eternally grateful.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,