We live in a world where most of the population has a cell phone, and almost all of those cell phone users have some sort of social media. (Because let’s face it, who really looks at Facebook and Instagram using an actual computer?) Social media is a wonderful blessing for us as business owners and photographers. We are able to use it as a platform to market, expand our reach, and showcase some of our best work. But social media can be a double-edged sword. While it is a great place to share and connect with others, it can also be a place that promotes comparison.

We have come to realize that social media is really all the “warm and fluffy” parts of peoples lives. It does not depict the struggle, the tears, the defeat that we as humans feel at times. Instead, it depicts the best moments and memories people have on any given day or week. Many of us, and notice I say us because we are guilty of it as well, use these highlights and best parts people showcase on their social media accounts and compare our lives to it. We compare what we look like, how many “friends” or “likes” we have, how much we travel, etc. In our case, many times we are guilty of comparing our business to that of other photographers. We catch ourselves saying “I wish we had that many weddings” or “I wish we could shoot at this place” instead of being grateful for what God has given us.

This “comparisonitis” (I heard this word from another blogger and loved it) is something that infects everyone but I feel that business owners may get it the worst. It may not sound pretty but it’s the truth, and if you know us, we are all about being open and transparent with everyone we meet. If that means showing our vulnerability, then so be it! We compare ourselves to other photographers and professionals constantly, and you know where that has gotten us, NO WHERE! The saying is true “Comparison is the thief of joy” and the last thing we ever want is for joy to be sucked from our lives!

So, we are done comparing! We are done worrying about other people and their success. We are going to enjoy our own success, enjoy our own lives, and enjoy our own business. We will be more grateful for what God has given us and what he has allowed us to do. We are grateful to meet so many amazing couples and capture their love story! Comparisonitis is no longer welcome in our minds and we are making a conscious effort to simply be grateful for all that we do have.

So I hope this inspires someone today to be grateful more and compare less.

Happy Thursday!

-Kristy & Vic