I suppose looking back, English was one of my better subjects in school. I liked writing, I just didn’t like pencils that wouldn’t stay sharp… and I didn’t like the hand cramps (in the age before everything was written on a computer). But then I went on a life-changing adventure as a mission photographer with YWAM. Instead of writing email updates to everyone I knew…. I decided a blog might be a better way of communication to a group of people. It was during that trip and directly after that I truly realized how important transparency and honesty is in relationships. People need connection…. more than just connection, they need something to connect to. We all run around trying to be someone we’re not for appearances sake… but many times we forget that we’re all just human. “We’re all allowed to be scared of something,” says a very wise 6 year old named Nina. It’s true. And oftentimes we’re so caught up in the seemingly impossible task of becoming “successful”, and “making it” that we become lost in the “in between.” So when I blog about my life, or about the people I shoot… or about my cat…. I’m trying to fill the gap between who we are and who we want to be. Who am I? I’m Kate. I’m just a human. I like taking pictures. I love being a wedding photographer. Life is an adventure for me. I have so much to learn and I’m excited and frustrated at the same time about that. Who do I want to be? I want to be perfect in everything I do…. now. I want to move mountains. I want to experience the power of God face to face like Moses did.
This guy named Ron Ploof emailed me a week ago asking permission to use an image of mine for a blog post he was doing on Social Media. I was so appreciative that he asked permission and was flattered he wanted to use one of my images, I immediately said “Go for it!” I had no clue he’d be writing what he did about me and my business. I started to read the post yesterday morning and 3 sentences in, my head exploded, sirens blared, and “Does not compute. Does not compute” took over my brain waves. I have NEVER had someone publish something so cool about me and my business. NEVER. It took me a few seconds to regain composure and I continued to read about how this guy, a very popular and accomplished guy, perceives Kate Noelle.
After reading the article, I sat back, deep in thought, and my face slowly moved into a smile. It’s been a hard road and one of the most definitive adventures of my life starting my business…. and there have been more times than not that I’ve even had to answer the “why do I even bother blogging/twittering/facebooking” question for MYSELF. WHY? But Ron’s words were a big reminder of why it’s important… and his post is a huge affirmation that fighting to remain “me” in an industry and world that says I need to be someone else to succeed is exactly what has the potential to set me apart.
To read the full article, Click Here, or on the image below.
Ron… you rock.
