Small Girl In a Big World

Remember why you started. 
That was a term I have been told over and over again. It gets me through the rough days, the long hours and the moments I think to myself I can't hack this anymore. When I start to sink I remind myself why I started. 

I started my small business when I got back from a year travelling! (That itself was a year ago now.) Straight out of university I took a plane and started the adventure of a life time. It was incredible and I could go on forever about all the memories I have of America and Australia - see my blog here with funny and exciting tales of my adventure! However the one thing I realised when I came to the end of my travels was how much I missed taking photographs. Now I mean proper photographs. Planned, creative, collaborative, photographs that made someone else smile, and in turn made me smile. I had taken thousands of photographs whilst exploring, and those all have very sentimental meaning to me. Yes, I do still often scroll through them wishing I was back on that white sandy beach with no worries in the entire world. Okay, I'm making that trip sound too great aren't I ? 

Well... there was something missing. I could travel for the rest of my life but I would have to incorporate my passion for photography into it. 

My passion and drive began to come back. I couldn't wait to spend hours talking to other creatives about an idea, making mood boards with pritt-stick in my journal, experimenting with light, style, location and also progressing and learning through every step. I couldn't wait to hold my camera again. 


When I first returned home from Australia, I was emotional. No matter what anyone says it never prepares you for the rollercoaster of emotions and feelings that you come back too. My life was completely different when I came back. And although it was incredible to see my family and friends, I felt lost. 

I had no idea what I was going to do. Where did I start? How do I start? 

I looked around me at all my friends who had come out of uni and landed amazing jobs. I was envious. Until I realised none of them where doing what they passionately talked about when we were studying. People follow money. They follow security. They say yes because its sometimes easier than saying no.

Although when I got home I started working at my local garden centre I knew I was only there until I had managed to save a little bit of money. 

I had a passion and a drive to be a photographer. 


It was just after Christmas that I quit my job, registered online as self employed and went on a business course. Laura Jayne photographer was officially in business! I literally jumped in at the deep end. But.. I would never have done it otherwise if I didn't fully commit myself to my art. I knew I wasn't going to be making any money and I was prepared to make a loss as I plowed everything I had into setting up the foundations of the business.

If you take anything from me, its don't be scared to follow your dreams.