patience

“The hands of patience never tire.” – Edward Counsel

There have been many wise words said about the virtue of patience. And as I was searching for one that would complement today’s journal post, this particular one by Edward Counsel grabbed my attention in particular.

It has been a very long time since I wrote. Too long. I have been busy. Well, that’s one of the ways to describe it. Busy .. yes, I have been rather busy. But I think it has been more of a feeling of unwillingness to look back and reflect, rather than being swamped by work. In fact, the work has been self-prescribed. Most probably a vain act to deter the inevitable.

I’ve been running away. Terrified that like Lot’s wife, should I turn back, something horrible will happen.

My head has been swirling with thoughts. It has been a cocktail of thoughts – ideas, doubts, hopes, fears, goals.

A new direction

An artist’s journey never ends. My photography style has always been one that reflects my personality. In a sense, my style is me, not one governed by trends. You may have noticed recently, many changes have been made to the website. These have all been brought about in order to improve transparency, user friendliness, and a better medium for showcasing what I enjoy most about my work.

For example, my pricing page is now for public viewing. Users no longer need to email me to obtain a full price-list. Instead, all the prices are listed for you to compare. I am sure I have turned many couples away on the pricing page alone, but being upfront is what I value most in a business transaction. And by listing the inclusions of each package, I hope to translate the value of my services into something comparable to the prices I have listed.

I have revisited a lot of my older work and applied what I have learnt and experienced to them. Photographs that once were not good enough, have been given a second chance. Although technical perfection should always be sought, a photograph is more than just the sum of the exposure triangle, focus, and sharpness. I suppose, in this sense, I have developed a more open approach to what photographs mean to people and to myself.

A friend and bride-to-be, gave me some honest feedback late last year. The comments were hard to stomach at the time, but as I drove home, I could only agree with what she said. Furthermore, I knew it was harder for her to have said those things to me, than to be on the receiving end. She had lost nights of sleep because she didn’t know if it was the right thing to tell me. But in the end, she found the courage to do it. She valued our friendship so much that she was willing to do what she had to, in order to help me grow.

Any muppet can take a photo. Even a muppet like me. With the digital era and advancements in technology, the value of a professional photographer becomes less clear for many couples. I’ve been re-editing a particular set of wedding photos, namely because I wasn’t happy with my initial edit. But when I first delivered these photos, my clients were overjoyed. Whilst I saw technical flaws, they saw happiness. Where I felt inadequate, they felt abundance. Any muppet can take a good photo. But not every muppet can facilitate your wedding day to curate an unforgettable experience. I suppose upon reflection, that is what I do.

In 2013 I am moving

Up until today, I was uncertain whether or not to disclose this information to you. But I think you deserve to know, because either way, you’ll find out. And I’d rather you hear it directly from me.

Charmaine and I have been ‘dating’ since 2004. We’ve had plenty of ups and downs. And we both feel that it is time to take our relationship to the next stage. The long distance relationship over the past 18 months have been very taxing, with her being in Singapore, and me in Sydney. When we last met in February, I decided to put the plan into action. It won’t be easy – far from it – but I am committed. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and as any woman will tell you, actions speak louder than words.

Come early 2013, I will be moving to Singapore. My business, Daniel K Cheung, will move with me. What does this mean for the business? Well, not a whole lot actually. In Singapore, my primary focus will be on destination preweddings and I hope to continue booking actual-day weddings here in Sydney. I intend to spend monthly blocks in both countries, depending on where work takes me.

There will be obstacles, many many obstacles to overcome. I am not naive enough to think that I can pack my bags to move countries so easily. The biggest hurdle being money and starting from scratch all over again.

I’ve been afraid

Fear has a profound affect on a person. Some are strong, and overcome their fear so that they may be free, whilst others, succumb to their fears. Fear is not necessarily a bad thing – it is a natural reaction. But fear, when not dealt with appropriately, has damaging effects.

My greatest fear is failure. Success, means many things to me – financial security, happiness, lifestyle etc. And failure, and the fear of failing, also pertains to these same things.

Photography, and starting a small business, has been liberating. The thought of working for someone else; the thought of having to say certain things in order to pass an interview; the idea that my life is only worth 50-60,000 dollars a year, and the thought of losing my freedom – terrify me. As hard as it is to start a small business, wedding photography is most certainly not a difficult career. So when I compare what I have now to when I was at a desk job, the fear that I have of going back to such a lifestyle, fuels me to be better.

I have little reservations about the business itself. Daniel K Cheung will grow and will be financial (aka, be successful). All I need to do is be consistent, and (here is the crux of it), be patient.

Patience

In order to realistically move to Singapore next year, I have a figure I must hit before it can happen. By no means is this a small figure (it is more than my previous yearly salary!). Every day, I have been having doubts about achieving this goal. Yet, all I can do, is attack at it day by day.

Patience is not sitting around doing nothing. Patience is having a plan of attack. That is why when I read Edward Counsel’s words, I knew it was the right open-er for this jornal entry.

Patience is one of life’s most challenging lessons. I want business to be grow. I want to be featured on popular wedding blogs. I want to be with Charmaine. And as I have come to learn, patience is the ability to take action so that these things may come true. Money will need to be spent. Effort will need to be made. Relationships must be fostered. And time must be taken to achieve these goals of mine.

I need your continued support

The first step is always the most difficult. Yet, because I know what my goal is (and after reading the above, so will you), I am no longer afraid to do what I must in order to succeed.

Of all the weddings I have shot, the number one source of referrals are from friends. That is, recommendations from people such as yourself. The numbers do not lie. Word-of-mouth referrals are the best sources of job leads.

I need at least another 20 wedding bookings for 2012. It would mean the world to me if you would continue to support me.. Continue to share my work with your network of friends and colleagues. I know I cannot promise anything in return on a personal level. But I do promise (the same promise I have made to Charmaine and myself), to be the best I can be, no matter what.

~

I have been busy. I’ve been busy escaping from the truth. But not anymore. I have looked back. I have reflected. I have identified the areas that I need to work on. And I have a new-found determination to see things through. Above all else, I am going to practice patience.

I will still be busy. But from this day forth, for only the right reasons.