We’re all waiting to feel ready…
This week has been one of those weeks that fills your cup.
I’ve spent time with some truly inspiring business owners. Some have been running successful businesses for decades. Others are only just taking their very first steps.
Different industries. Different ages. Different goals.
But something surprised me.
Every single one of them told exactly the same story.
“I had no idea what I was doing.”
“It was terrifying.”
“I nearly didn’t do it.”
“I kept wondering if I was good enough.”
It didn’t matter whether they’d been in business for six months or thirty years. Every one of them could remember those early days of questioning themselves and wondering if they were making the biggest mistake of their lives.
And it got me thinking…
How many wonderful things do we miss because we’re waiting to feel confident first?
Meeting with Annell from Mella’s Makings – you can meet her at BabyFest!
Meeting with Daisy from Bundle of Joy
The biggest myth about confidence
Most of us believe confidence comes before action.
We imagine that one day we’ll wake up, suddenly feel brave enough, and then we’ll finally book the course, launch the business, apply for the job, start exercising, or book that pregnancy photo shoot.
But that’s not how confidence works.
Confidence is the reward.
Not the starting point.
It grows every time you prove to yourself that you can do something that once felt impossible.
You don’t become confident and then take the leap.
You take the leap… and confidence quietly follows behind.
Sometimes we need to take a leaf out of our 5 year old’s book
Every expert was once a beginner
(Or every Master was once a Disaster)
Looking around the room this week, I realised something else.
The people who now look completely comfortable weren’t born that way.
The business owner confidently standing on stage giving a presentation?
They once felt sick at the thought of speaking in front of five people.
The photographer creating incredible award-winning portraits?
They once worried about pressing the shutter button.
The successful entrepreneur?
They once stared at an empty website wondering if anyone would ever buy from them.
Nobody skips the scary bit.
They simply decide that the dream is bigger than the fear.
It’s exactly the same in our studio
I see this every single week with our lovely mums-to-be.
Almost every pregnancy enquiry includes some version of…
“I don’t really like having my photograph taken.”
“I’m not photogenic.”
“I’ll probably hate every picture.”
“I’ve put on too much weight.”
“I’ll wait until I feel more confident.”
If I had a pound for every time I heard those words, I’d probably have enough to buy another camera!
The funny thing is…
The mums who say these things almost always leave the studio saying…
“I can’t believe that’s me.”
“I actually felt beautiful.”
“I wish I’d done this sooner.”
“I was so nervous, but I’m so glad I came.”
The confidence didn’t arrive before they booked.
It arrived because they booked.
Because they stepped outside their comfort zone and allowed themselves to be seen.
Growth lives just beyond comfortable
Whether it’s starting a business, changing careers, becoming a parent, learning a new skill or simply booking a portrait session, growth nearly always begins with an uncomfortable feeling.
That’s normal.
In fact, it’s probably a sign you’re heading in the right direction.
If everything feels easy, chances are you’re staying exactly where you’ve always been.
The magic happens just beyond that little voice that says, “What if I can’t?”
Because once you’ve done it once…
The second time feels easier.
Then the third.
Then one day you’ll be the person encouraging someone else, wondering why they ever doubted themselves.
What if you just started?
Imagine if you stopped waiting for confidence.
What if, instead, you simply decided to take the first tiny step?
Book the consultation.
Make the phone call.
Send the application.
Start the business.
Write the first page.
Book the pregnancy photo shoot you’ve secretly been thinking about.
Not because you’re fearless.
But because you’re ready to discover what happens when you stop letting fear make your decisions.
Future you is cheering you on
One of my favourite things about photographing families is watching people surprise themselves.
They arrive nervous.
They apologise before we’ve even started.
They tell me they’re awkward in front of the camera.
Then they see their portraits.
They don’t just see how they look.
They see themselves differently.
Sometimes all it takes is one brave decision to change the way you feel about yourself forever.
So if there’s something you’ve been putting off because you’re waiting to feel ready…
This is your reminder.
The people I met this week weren’t confident because they started.
They’re confident because they kept going.
Take the first step.
Do the scary thing.
Trust yourself enough to begin.
You might just discover that confidence has been waiting for you on the other side all along.
Maybe This Is Your First Step…
If you’ve been thinking about booking a pregnancy photo shoot but keep telling yourself you’ll do it when you feel more confident…
Can I let you into a little secret?
Almost every mum who walks through our studio doors says exactly the same thing.
They worry they’ve put on too much weight.
They don’t feel like themselves.
They’ve never liked having their photograph taken.
They’re convinced they’ll look awkward.
And yet, just a couple of hours later, they’re standing in our viewing cinema with tears in their eyes, seeing themselves in a completely different light.
Not because we’ve changed who they are.
But because we’ve helped them see what everyone else already can.
Strength.
Beauty.
Love.
The incredible woman growing a brand new life.
Pregnancy is such a short chapter. It can feel long while you’re living it, but before you know it, your baby is in your arms and that beautiful bump exists only in your memories.
You don’t have to feel confident before you book.
You simply have to be willing to take the first step.
We’ll take care of the rest.
From professional hair and make-up, beautiful flowing gowns and carefully designed sets, to gentle posing and plenty of encouragement, our job is to help you relax, enjoy the experience and create artwork you’ll treasure forever.
Because confidence isn’t something you need to bring with you.
Sometimes, it’s one of the most precious things you leave with.
If you’re between 28 and 36 weeks pregnant, we’d love to welcome you into the studio. Come and spend a couple of hours being looked after, celebrated and reminded just how incredible you really are.
