Am I legit?

If you’re an OG follower, you’ll know that when I first started Leaf & Lace two and a half years ago, it was just a little art project I was dabbling in. When I first started, I didn’t call myself a photographer or refer to Leaf & Lace as a business. It was always “I do photography” and “I have a photography project”. Both made it seem like Leaf & Lace was just a hobby art project. I felt like an imposter when I referred to Leaf & Lace as a business and myself as a photographer. I don’t know why I felt so uncomfortable with the terms. All I knew was that I did not feel “legit enough” to use them.

Even after I built my own website.

Even after I got my ABN.

Even after I started booking real clients and started charging legitimate prices.

Even after I had a stranger recognise me in a shopping centre and exclaim “You’re Leaf & Lace!!”

When I tried to speak about my business or myself as a business owner/photographer, the words felt foreign coming out of my mouth and I felt I definitely didn’t deserve to speak about Leaf & Lace or myself like that.

Language is such an important tool when it comes to mindset. The words we choose to use have such a powerful impact on the way we view ourselves. Every day I make a choice to use kind words when I describe my body and every day I wake up appreciating and loving my body even more. So why didn’t I treat my business like this? Why did I feel like I didn’t deserve to use the appropriate language and words to describe Leaf & Lace for what it truly is? Why did I hold myself in such a resistant space. Was it a confidence thing?

Six months ago I realised that I had been holding myself against something that doesn’t even exist. I had no excuse not to be loud and proud of what I have made Leaf & Lace into. As Leaf & Lace has grown into this beautiful business supporting a network of fabulous women, I have grown too. I’ve work hard and I deserve to give myself the space to talk about it. It was time that I took the plunge. It was time to started using the right words to talk about Leaf & Lace and myself. I practise saying them to myself and then I started saying them out loud.

"I run a business. I am a photographer.”

At first, of course, I felt uncomfortable. I was stepping out of my comfort zone. The words still felt foreign and I still felt weird saying them. But then those feelings went away very quickly. It became easier and easier to say. I didn’t feel ashamed or vulnerable by saying them. The more I said them, the more my confidence grew. The language I used to describe Leaf & Lace, has changed my perspective of myself as a business owner and photographer. Its motivated me. I feel like I can hustle harder and make plans and goals for the future of Leaf & Lace. I didn’t need to wait to reach a certain point or stage to become legit. I already am.

I have a business.

I am a photographer.



I am legit.