Let me tell you about Kelly Patricia, a wedding and elopement photographer based in Rochester, New York.

In April 2021, Kelly’s life changed when she was unexpectedly let go from her corporate job. Instead of panicking, she saw it as an opportunity to become a full-time photographer.

Starting a business isn’t easy, but Kelly embraced the challenges and trusted herself. With the right support, she navigated uncertainty and built a career she love’s. Her journey is proof that taking risks and believing in yourself can lead to incredible success.

How Did Kelly Do It?

1. Turning Adversity into Opportunity: When Kelly was let go from her corporate job, she was faced with two choices: return to a career she didn’t love or take a chance on herself. Despite feeling unprepared, Kelly decided to go all-in on becoming a full-time photographer: “It didn’t make sense for me to go all in on a job that I wasn’t actually all in on. I’d rather take a chance on myself and take that big risk.”
   
   
2. Seeking Reassurance and Guidance: Joining the Six-Figure Business Map gave Kelly the clarity and confidence she needed to move forward. A pivotal moment came during a call with Jai Long: “I knew Jai was going to tell me to go all in. When he said I should go full-time, that was it—I was all in.”
   
   
3. Building Her Portfolio and Network: Kelly dove into the photography community, second-shooting weddings in her area and organizing styled shoots to expand her portfolio. This allowed her to gain experience, meet new clients, and build her business from the ground up.
   
   
4. Embracing a Growth Mindset: Moving across the country from California to New York, Kelly faced the challenges of starting fresh in a new market. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, she focused on the opportunities ahead: “I’m just really excited for the work to come, the people I haven’t met yet, and the clients I’ve yet to take on.”
   
   
5. Leaning on a Support System: Kelly credits her success to the network of mentors and peers she found in the Six-Figure Business Map: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support system that I have.”

Kelly’s Biggest Wins

• Taking the Leap to Full-Time: Kelly made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion, despite her fears and uncertainties.
  
  
• Building a Business in Under a Year: Within her first year, Kelly successfully moved across the country, established her business, and began attracting clients in her new market.
  
  
• Hosting Styled Shoots: Planning and hosting four styled shoots not only boosted her portfolio but also helped her connect with vendors and potential clients.
  
  
• Expanding Her Network: By second-shooting weddings and participating in her photography community, Kelly gained valuable experience and built lasting relationships.

Conclusion

Kelly Patricia’s story is one of resilience, risk-taking, and determination. By betting on herself and embracing the unknown, she turned a moment of uncertainty into a full-time thriving photography business. Her advice for those on the edge of taking a leap of faith?

“Take the chance on yourself. Life’s too short to wait for opportunities to come to you—you have to create them.”

Do you want to learn more about Kelly?

Check out her website here, follow her Instagram here