It seems almost unreal that I am celebrating 10 years of The Dancers Eye this year. 10 years of capturing now thousands of dancers from all over the world, traveling all over our country to do so.
I'm proud of what the last 10 years of TDE has been. I started this with a few key thoughts... that I would show the world the way that I see bellydance - all of its' many facets. I wanted people to see photos of bellydancers of every size, shape, creed, gender as I know they are in this community. I wanted dancers to have the beautiful photos of themselves they had always wanted - at a price they could afford.
I think a lot of folks think this is a very glamorous way of life, what I do. I'll be honest, there are some cool parts, but it's hard work. I travel a lot - being away from my husband on almost monthly basis for anywhere between 4-12 days depending on the trip. I have no co-workers other than my dogs and all of my editing is done at my house - which can be very isolating. I have to hustle - if an event folds or people cancel, there is no automatic paycheck - and there are no benefits. I work when I am tired, I work when I am sick. But there are good things too. I can be flexible with my schedule. I can go run errands in the middle of the day or go to an appointment if I need to and just work later. I get to see our country and be able to experience new spaces and places and people. And the absolute best thing? I have made beautiful lifelong friends that genuinely care about me and mine.
If there's one thing I can impart for the new year at hand... if you've been waiting to shoot with me, stop. Do it. Do it this year. Don't put it off anymore. Life is really freaking short sometimes. Do the thing. Stop talking about doing the thing. In 2010, I did the thing. I opened The Dancers Eye. I was scared to death and wondered if anyone would care or want to work with me or if it was the right thing to do , leaving the corporate world to start my own business with a dance niche that other photographers made fun of me for thinking I could do. But I did the thing. And here we are, 10 years later. I did the thing that I wanted to do. I'm proud of what I have accomplished. But more than anything, it taught me to stop waiting to do the thing.
I'm opening this year with ATS Reunion and Migrations and opening to be adding a lot to my schedule soon. I am going to be announcing some local Florida events here in the next week or two. I still have room on my dance card for the upcoming year, so if you are interested in booking a shoot or having me come to your event, I'd love to talk to you.
Do the thing. You won't regret it. And even if you do, at least you tried.
Love, light and shimmies...
Carrie