To Quit or Not To Quit

What do you do when you feel life slipping you by?

Recently, I began a photography business with one of my closest friends. And more recently, I was put in my place when a couple of clients didn't like my work that I did for them.

When the 1st didn't like it, I just said, it's one person. Who cares? When the second didn't like the photographs, it felt like two tons of bricks I was suddenly trying to balance on my crushed shoulders.

What do I do? Obviously, because two people don't like it, I am never going to be liked by anybody. How can I be the lame appendage in this partnership? Why can't I be liked?

I became quite angry. How in the world could they not like what I poured my soul into?! They just don't understand the art.

So I sat back. Life passed me by. I was sad and angry. As I tried to figure out how to tell my business partner that I am very sorry but I can't and won't be the lame appendage holding her back.

I was going to quit. No one took me seriously anyway. Who in the world would believe that a 20 year old was passionate and serious and mature enough about photography to begin a business? Apparently, per these two customers, nobody in their right mind.

But quit I did not. For some (I thought insane) reason, I held on to what spindly threads of pride and patience I had and never said, "I quit," to my partner.

I had worked so hard to become who I was at that point. To be knocked down was not going to be knocked out.

Then, another of my friends said this to me,

"Don't worry about them not liking your work. That's what makes art so great. What one person may hate, the very next person may love! It's all about individual preferences. Don't put THEIR dislikes on your shoulders as you lacking at your work. Even though photography is always changing and growing and there's always new things to learn, know what you do is great and ever evolving."

Talk about earth shifting and breath taking. Is she seriously saying that them not liking my work is ok?! YES, SHE IS! And it is so true. They have a right not to like it. It's their opinion. Nothing personally against me. I am the one who views my work so personal.

No, they don't understand the art. If they did, they'd be photographers. But I can't hold that against them and I can't let that hold me back. All I can do is do my art, love what I do, and present it to them.

Then, nervously wait to see if they like it or not. And if they don't, throw off the bricks and move on never stopping to consider quitting.