The moment he opened the door, I had a feeling. Had a feeling that after weeks of searching and being disappointed in places that weren’t quite right or I couldn’t truly afford, that maybe, just maybe my luck was turning. I stepped inside and I could see it. The viewing and waiting area, the shoot space, a prop room, full bath, even a mother/baby room. The bones were good, great in fact. Some new flooring, paint, adding my personal touches, and it would be mine. My first retail location. It sounds a bit corny, but instant goosebumps. Was I really taking this step? This giant leap into the unknown?
After 14 years as an Army wife, I feel like I am pretty good at preparing and adapting to the twists and turns life dishes out. When Taran received orders for Fort Stewart, I booked a flight and came down for a week to look for a house. It makes the transition that much smoother to have somewhere to go, a place to call your own when you coast into a new town. When we purchased our home in Missouri a photography business wasn’t on the radar, so a studio space wasn’t on the list of “must haves.” It certainly was for Georgia, so with my stack of possible locations in hand, my realtor and I headed out (along with my friend Dawn. Hey girl!)
If you’ve ever rented or purchased a house (which most of you have), you know how daunting the process is. It is even more so when you have a home business with genuine needs. I wanted something decent sized, a bit separate from the main living and I definitely didn’t want clients coming through the main part of the house to reach the studio (hello, I have two little boys, my home is almost aways a wreck, lol).
After several days, I found it. The house that would give us plenty of room to grow and allow my business to continue. Our family of four moved south without a hitch. Unpacked boxes, enrolled the kids in school and got busy with the process of settling into our new community and home.
And then fate intervened.
See, I had a plan and then God had a plan.
Admittedly, I fought back at first. I wasn’t sure exactly what God was asking me to do. Did He want me to continue down the path I was on, full of roadblocks and frustration? Was He asking me to close up shop and give up on a newly born dream? Or was He rather roughly guiding me down a completely new path, one bathed in self-doubt, uncertainty, risk? None of the choices seemed quite ideal.
I prayed. I quietly chatted with my family, friends, former clients. Am I good enough? Will people laugh at me, find my decision ridiculous, whisper behind my back? What if I fail?
What if I fail.
And then I decided, at the end of the day, it didn’t really matter what other people thought. It wasn’t about them, this was about Him and me. Was I going to trust or run? I am in God’s hands and there really wasn’t another choice . The decision didn’t come lightly or easily, but with great risk comes great reward. I’ve worked hard, I DO work hard. I deserve this.
I can do this.
I believe in me. God believes in me. My husband, my children, my family, friends, former and new clients, they all believe in me. And that is powerful beyond words.
And so yesterday I paid my first ever rent check and it would be a lie if I told you I didn’t walk out of there shaking a little and almost crying because all I could think was, “What are you doing? You are such a fool.”
I have no doubt there will be days where those feelings overwhelm me but I will do my best to push them aside and fight on. I’m not a perfect person, or business woman, or photographer. I have much to learn in all of those things but to me, that is incredibly exciting. To never stop growing, pushing the boundaries, tunneling into those places that make you uncomfortable, pushing back the shadows and finding the light – challenging yourself. Isn’t that what life is all about my friends?
I think so.
For the next year, at least, I will have my cozy little studio in downtown Richmond Hill. I will meet with you there for pre-sesison consultations, photograph your beautiful round bellies and then your baby’s soft lips and wispy hair. Rejoice with you in the milestones of your child’s precious life, still for a moment your family as it is in this very moment. We will laugh, sigh, cry and be driven thoughtfully silent looking at image after image during your viewing appointment, small glimpses of your life that have been captured with the tiniest click of a shutter.
I am excited, I am hopeful and confident and driven to begin this new adventure. I’d love to take you with me and be your photographer.
See you soon.
Megan Myrick Photography specializes in newborn, maternity, baby, child and family photography in Savannah, GA and surrounding areas including but not limited to Richmond Hill and Pooler.
