Kara Hicks Photography » North Idaho Photographer

Okay, no one ever told me that the birth of my first “official” blogsite would be one of the most painful and drawn out experiences of my life…with NO option for an epidural! Sheesh.

I shot my very first paid photo shoot (complete with sweaty hands, very shaky knees, a shaky voice and not a single ounce of confidence in myself to be found) over 3 years ago! THREE YEARS people! At the time I was working full time at a University, taking classes to finish up my BA in Business Management full time, super involved in the Eastside Women of Purpose (where my heart is), trying to be a “good” wife and have dinner on the table at least a few nights a week AND starting this new little “hobby” of taking photos.Whew. I NEVER anticipated that during one of the craziest times of my life I would find something that I loved so much and that it would eventually turn into a “real” business.

So here is how it all went down:

June 2008 – Greg bought me my very first DSLR (the Nikon D80) so that I could return my MIL’s point and shoot back to her that I had borrowed for my first Photography Class.

August 2008 – After someone saw the photos that I had posted on my personal blog, they asked me what I charged. My answer: “I don’t.” Which lead to me doing a family shoot for a co-workers daughter and her family in exchange for a donation to the charity I was highly involved in (EWOP) as I could not fathom someone actually paying ME to take their photo.

September 2008 – Sheena Kalso, my long time childhood friend that is a brilliant entrepreneur and owner of a fabulous event planning company, The Invisible Hostess was planning a clients Bar Mitzvah and hired me to take photos of the event. I thought she was crazy to recommend her loyal and longtime client to me and my VERY amateur skills, but fearfully agreed. I was terrified the entire event, but I did it.

November 2008 – My very first paid family photo shoot. A friend of a friend found my personal blog and asked if I would take their families Christmas card photos. Terrified, I called her to chat about cost. My confidence was SO low that I felt like I should be paying HER to take her photos.As I stumbled over every word (I’m NOT a “phone talker”) I blurted out something along the lines of “Well, I was thinking that you could pay me…well…just let me know if you think this is fair…I mean…I can do it for less if you think this is too much…I was thinking $60, maybe?” Surely that was WAY too much. She quickly and firmly responded, “Stop it. We are paying you $100, and nothing less. Done. See you Sunday.”

That is how it all started. And I would by lying if I said that I still didn’t get a little nervous for shoots.(But MOSTLY just giddy and excited!)

I have been shooting amazing and loyal clients ever since and I am SO thankful for each and every one of you. You came to me to capture you and your wonderful and silly families regardless of my lack of a “legit” site. You believed in me and my work and I could never thank you enough. You also told your friends and family about me and kept my business going by word of mouth. Capturing images that you will hold dearly for a lifetime brings me more joy than you will ever know!

So why on EARTH am I just now launching my very first “Kara Hicks Photography” blogsite and facebook page?? I realized just weeks ago that it has been my fears of failure and a paralyzing pursuit of perfection that has stopped me in my tracks. I have been working on and dreaming of having the perfect site for years, but just never quite knew what perfect was for me and my business. It took years of taking photos for me to realize what I absolutely love the most. It also took the HUGE blessing and gift of the birth of my crazy wonderful son, Grady for me to realize that if I am going to be taking time away from him and my amazing hubby, Greg I owe it to Grady, Greg and myself to spend that time away from them doing what I absolutely love, feeds my soul and thrills me to my core. And that is… photographing exciting and precious newborns and the amazing new breath of fresh air and joy that they bring to this world and their families. It is the silly, lovable, unpredictable and sweet little kids that make me giggle and smile all the way through my kid & family photo shoots. It is the unique, quirky, hyper, lovable and real families that I photograph that help me to appreciate and love all of God’s unique creations and His beautiful design for family. This is all what I love. And so that is what I must do. I’m so excited to finally say that I SPECIALIZE in Newborn, Kid and Family Photography. It’s what I L.O.V.E.

You see, for years I so badly wanted my site to perfectly scream “me” and what I (Kara Hicks Photography) was all about. It just took me till now to figure out what that was. And you know what? It still is not perfect. But it’s pretty darn close and that’s okay. It’s okay for me to put my very best foot forward and what I know to be “me” right now. Then as I journey further into life and further into my photography career, I will be able to continue to fine tune and mold it as closely as I can to “perfection” at that time.

Coming to the above conclusion made me think of how that would apply to other areas of my life and it became so clear to me why I MUST face my fears and refuse to let my paralyzing pursuit of perfection stop me from moving forward. So here it is:

I will never be the perfect wife, but that won’t keep me from trying to be the best wife I can be to Greg each and everyday as I believe that is what he does for me and what we vowed to each other just 5 short years ago.

I will never be the perfect cook, but it won’t keep me from browsing Pinterest almost daily for that perfect combination of a healthy and delicious dinner that my family will love and beg for me to cook for them often.

I will never be the perfect mom, but that will not keep me from loving Grady with my every last speck of being and pouring out to him almost every waking hour of everyday my very best effort to be the perfect mommy for HIM.

I will never have the perfect body, but it won’t keep me from fighting through the “downs” of the ups and downs of my healthy eating and working out kicks that always make me feel like a stronger woman (and MUCH less cranky, just ask Greg) when I am on the “ups” and feeling strong.

I will never be the perfect woman of God, but that won’t keep me pursuing Him, loving Him, sharing Him with others and thanking Him over and over for all the amazing blessings He has poured out on me.

And lastly,

I will never have the perfect photography business, but I refuse to let that keep me from pursuing my dreams as a photographer and I refuse to let that paralyze me from seeking out and pursuing moms that deserve to have amazing images of their newborns, kids and families on the walls of their homes to help cherish and honor the beauty of the stages of life that God leads them through.

So with that, I am so proud to announce the very first “official” launch of “Kara Hicks Photography”, the blog. I can’t wait to journey through this with you!

Sincerely,

One very UN-perfect wife, cook, mom, worker-outer, woman of God & photographer  ;)

A little sneak peek into what you will be finding on the new KHP Blogsite:

1. All things KHP including upcoming specials, projects, shoots & of course, PHOTOS!
2. Spotlight interviews and pics of amazing Mommas in Business! Be inspired by their stories and find out how they juggle running a successful business & functioning household.
3. Some step-by-step attempts (successful or not) at fun Pinterest projects. Everything from DIY Home Decor to cleaning tips to the latest fast, healthy & yummy dinner recipe.
4. much, much MORE!!!

Are you excited yet?? I sure am!See you back soon!