09/07/2026
“I missed it.”
That’s my new catchphrase.
I’ve been debating with myself for about a month over whether I should say any of this publicly. I’ve decided it’s probably a good idea to let my friends and clients know where I’m at.
I am burned out.
I didn’t fully realize it until yesterday. This week was a complete and total flop, and it brought the last six months to light.
Just in the last several days, I missed multiple events entirely. Events I looked forward to and genuinely wanted to be at, but missed because I had to be somewhere else, was so busy editing that I lost track of time, or simply thought, “That wasn’t until next week.”
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been double-booking left and right without even realizing it. I get so busy and consumed with last week’s work that I say yes to something and forget to write it down. Even with an amazing support group of other photographers who have been helping me tackle jobs for the last couple of years, I’m falling behind.
My quality has plateaued, possibly even declined. I used to pride myself on same-day or next-day delivery. Now it feels like an accomplishment if I even look at the photos within a week or two.
Over the last few months, photography has felt like a real job more than ever. That’s tough when I already have a real job anyway. Which, by the way, for the past two years, every one of my vacation days has been dedicated to a photo job.
I feel anxiety when I pick up a camera where I used to feel excitement. Heck, my cameras haven't even had to to come in from the truck in a month.
And yes, of course I still take pride in my work. I’m still putting in the effort, and I still plan on delivering something you’ll cherish for a long time. That part hasn’t changed.
But it’s getting hard.
When I first started feeling this way, I blocked out an entire month so I could catch up and regain my senses.
I ended up booking the entire month anyway.
I am incredibly thankful for all of you, and I’m incredibly thankful to be this busy. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not making any dramatic changes right now. But I do need to get better about protecting my time, keeping up with my schedule, and giving myself enough room to do the work at the level I expect from myself.
So for now, I’m just asking for a little patience and understanding.
If I’m a little slower to respond, a little slower to deliver, or I have to say “no” once in a while, please know that it isn’t because I care any less.
Quite the opposite.
I’m trying to make sure I can keep caring about this for a long time.
