I’ve been sitting with these thoughts for a long time now — way longer than I probably needed to — but it’s time to say them out loud.
I’m a photographer.
And I’m also so much more than just a photographer.
You are too.
For years, I felt this pressure to keep my online presence on Instagram neatly contained: only post photography, only talk about sessions, clients, and images. To stay “clear” so the algorithm doesn’t get confused. I even asked a peer photographer once who said, “I wouldn’t want to see your other content on your photography page.” While I understand where that comes from, it never sat right with me. That conversation had me in a chokehold for over a year — making me pause, wrestle with myself, and try to contain my multi-passionate energy.
And it killed me. My soul has been screaming at me to just become — but instead, I started to shrink back.
A few years ago, I even started a second page, thinking I should separate my life from my business. I was humbled quickly when my Instagram community — the people I’d poured so much into — didn’t follow me there. It felt like rejection, a wound so woven into my psyche from childhood that it made me question everything: my worth, my talent, my instincts, and the connections I thought were real.
I hate it.
And honestly? I’m tired.
Tired of performing — or maybe more accurately, tired of thinking about performing — for an app (and algorithm) that rewards sameness and punishes nuance.
The Quiet Exhaustion of Staying in One Box
I love photography. Deeply. It’s the foundation of my business, my creativity, and the way I connect with people.
But I’m also a whole, layered person.
A creative.
A business owner.
A woman in my 40s with life experience and decades of professional experience. I have ADHD, which means my brain doesn’t move in straight lines.
I care about my family and friends. Wellness. Movement. Mental health. Hormones. Food. Creativity. People. Networking. Motherhood. Building a business that actually supports a life — not just a brand. And yes, I also love movies, TV, books, and all the girl stuff — hair, skincare, massages, clothes — the little joys that make life feel indulgent and real.
Trying to pretend those parts of me don’t exist so I could stay “on brand” made showing up online feel unbearably heavy. And when something feels heavy, I tend to go quiet and turn inward.
That’s not because I have nothing to say — it’s because I have too much I’m not allowing myself to say.
So here’s the thing I’ve been dancing around for years: I absolutely love creating social content — for myself, for you, for small businesses. Making videos and reels, designing carousels, showing up in stories, writing… it all lights me up. Because it’s not just about posting something pretty; it’s about helping people connect, feel seen, and tell their story. That’s why I do it — it makes me feel alive, and it helps others show up in their lives and businesses in ways that feel real and full of life.
Multi-Passionate Isn’t a Problem — It’s the Point
I don’t see myself as unfocused. I see myself as multi-passionate.
My interests overlap. They inform each other. They shape how I see people, how I photograph them, and how I run my business.
Photography doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s influenced by how we feel in our bodies, how safe we feel being seen, and how we move through the world. Those things matter — and I don’t want to keep pretending they don’t just because they don’t fit neatly into a content bucket.
The Cost of Anticipating
There’s a cost to constantly anticipating what will land, what will be rewarded, and what might disappoint people.
Anticipating the algorithm.
Anticipating whether or not there will be comments and shares.
Anticipating expectations.
Anticipating whether I’m being “too much” or not enough.
Over time, that anticipation chipped away at my joy — and my willingness to show up at all. It pulled me out of presence and into performance, out of connection and into calculation. And that’s not the kind of space I want to create — for myself or for anyone else who finds their way here.
This evolution is about letting go of that constant anticipation and choosing something steadier instead: honesty, curiosity, and trust. You don’t need to engage with everything I share. Take what resonates. Leave what doesn’t. This space is meant to feel supportive, not demanding.
If you’re here for the photos, they’re not going anywhere. If you’re here for the conversation, the connection, or a reminder that you don’t have to fit neatly into one box — there’s room for you too.
Calling Bullshit on the Algorithm
I want to call bullshit on the idea that we’re only allowed to be one thing online.
Bullshit on the idea that branching out means confusing people.
Bullshit on the fear that if we show more of ourselves, we’ll somehow lose credibility.
Photos alone aren’t prioritized by social media the way they used to be — at least that’s been my experience. And that’s part of why this space is evolving: to reflect connection, conversation, and humanity over perfectly curated feeds.
I don’t want this space to be just about me, or just about what I offer. I want to create a place where the people I work with — the families, creatives, humans I photograph, and the businesses I collaborate with — feel seen, celebrated, and understood.
This Is an Evolution — Expanding the Frame
I am NOT stepping away from photography — I am evolving the way I show up.
I want this space to feel like a conversation, not a catalog. A community, not just images. A place where humans can connect — even in a world that feels more connected than ever but somehow less connected than we’ve ever been. A place where you can learn something, discover something, or feel something.
You’ll still see my photography, but over time you’ll also see the stories, ideas, projects, and local collaborations that shape me, challenge me, and inspire me. Running a small business has shown me just how powerful our local community is — the people, creatives, and small businesses who make our city vibrant. I want to celebrate that energy here, because it’s as much a part of my story as the work I do behind the camera.
You’ll see the parts of life that connect us — curiosity, creativity, and the messy, joyful moments — and I hope it gives other creatives and humans permission to feel fully themselves too.
If You’re Feeling This Too
If you’re a creative founder who feels boxed in by what you’re “supposed” to post…
If you’re multi-passionate and tired of shrinking yourself…
If you’re craving more honesty and less performance…
You’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.
Maybe we’re just done pretending we’re one-dimensional.
This is my current hot take — and if that resonates with you, I’m really glad you’re here.
xoxo,
Meredith
family photo by Elise Meader
