Photography as a Calling:Making a Life, Not Just a Living.

One of the primary reasons we chose to start our own business was to create freedom in our lives.

In the early stages of our business, Mark wisely encouraged us to read Michael Gerber's incredible book, The E-Myth. Gerber's mantra is: "The purpose of your life is not to serve your business -- but the purpose of your business is to serve your life." When your business serves your life, you are liberated and given the freedom to truly pursue the dreams you've imagined.

Sounds great, huh?

After reading the E-Myth, I mulled over its principles for a few days and kept asking myself, "So, now what?" Achieving freedom is great. But...freedom to do what?

That deeply-rooted question haunts me daily; it challenges me more than any financial or artistic question ever could. So, this week when I had the opportunity to spend time with two photographers I admire and respect, I brought this question along with me.

Over lunch, wedding photographer David Jay talked about why it is important to anchor oneself with basic, soul-searching questions such as, "What am I doing with my life?," "Why am I here anyway?," and "What do I want to do with the freedom I'm working so hard to achieve?" David has been at the forefront of the wedding photography industry this year, selflessly sharing his message about "Creating Freedom" with photographers around the US. His message is vital to the future of the industry itself. We must learn how to build businesses that give us freedom. Otherwise, how will we ever find time to serve one another and serve the world? You can't change the world if you're too busy designing wedding albums, burning disks and slaving away in photoshop! Thankfully, David is pushing photographers to develop smart business strategies that will set them on a path to freedom.

Over dinner, documentary photographer Colin Finlay talked about how he has achieved financial freedom through photographing corporate advertising campaigns. By shooting lucrative ad projects, Colin is able to use the freedom he has earned to travel the globe, documenting human suffering. These are the photographs that Colin is truly passionate about. He believes photography is a catalyst for social change. By bearing witness to tragedy, Colin gives a voice to the voiceless. "Giving people the ability to speak through my camera is what charges me," Colin says. His latest book, Testify, is a 17-year retrospective of his documentary work. Most recently, he established a community of photographers who are creating a collective photo story of Sudan's history. The project, called "PROOF," will include a traveling exhibition of photographs. Colin exemplifies what I hope to do with the freedom I achieve through my business. He is a purpose-driven photographer, with a clear sense of calling. He is using his freedom to give something back to the world.

So, this week has been one of those surreal seasons that reminds me why I believe every life has a purpose and every person has a calling. Once you discern what that purpose and calling is, you can truly harness the freedom your business creates for you. And you can use that freedom to give back. And then, there's no limit to what you might accomplish.

"Our calling is where our deepest gladness and the world's hunger meet." — Frederich Buechner