Learning to Say Yes: How Embracing Opportunities Changed My Year

If there’s one mindset shift that’s made the biggest impact on my year, it’s this: saying yes. Not to everything, but to more than I used to. Saying yes to new experiences, to creative projects that scared me a little, to roles I wasn’t sure I was “ready” for. And looking back now, I can honestly say that simple word—yes—has opened more doors than I ever could’ve planned.

At the beginning of the year, I told myself I wanted to grow as a creative. But growth doesn’t happen when you stay comfortable. I realized that if I kept waiting until I felt 100% confident or perfectly skilled before taking on something new, I’d stay stuck forever. So I started saying yes, even when it felt risky. Even when I wasn’t sure if I was “qualified” or “experienced enough.”

And the results? Wild—in the best way.

I got to assist on shoots that pushed me creatively and taught me so much more than a classroom ever could. I said yes to spontaneous creative collaborations, and those turned into meaningful relationships and incredible additions to my portfolio. I found myself in new environments—events, concerts, game days—places I might have once shied away from. But in showing up and saying yes, I kept discovering more sides of photography that I genuinely love.

I also began photographing more people, and with that came a new kind of storytelling. At first, I was hesitant. What if I didn’t do their story justice? What if I couldn’t capture their essence the way they deserved? But the more I said yes to these opportunities, the more I realized that storytelling through portraiture and candids is something I truly enjoy. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence, connection, and care.

Saying yes hasn’t just brought me more experience—it’s brought me clarity. It’s helped me figure out what kinds of photography light me up, which environments I thrive in, and where I still want to grow. I’ve learned that I really enjoy shooting in fast-paced, candid situations. I’ve learned that I love working with people—not just photographing them but hearing their stories and capturing them in a way that feels honest and human.

This mindset has overflowed into everything I do. I said yes to putting myself out there more. I said yes to building my blog and my creative portfolio—a project that always felt slightly intimidating but now serves as a space where I get to share my work and my thoughts freely. I said yes to opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of a year ago, and they’ve led to deeper confidence and a bigger vision.

Saying yes didn’t just build my resume. It built my confidence. It showed me what I was capable of when I stopped waiting for the “perfect” moment. It reminded me that most of the time, readiness doesn’t come before action—it comes through it.

Now, I’m not saying you need to say yes to everything. Burnout is real. Boundaries are important. But I do think we miss out when we let fear make our decisions for us. Fear of not being good enough, fear of failing, fear of looking inexperienced. All of those things held me back for a long time, and this year, I wanted to let that go.

Even the moments that didn’t go perfectly still taught me something. Sometimes, the lesson was technical. Sometimes, it was emotional. Sometimes, it was simply learning that I was stronger than I gave myself credit for.

Looking ahead, I want to keep that same energy going. I want to stay open, curious, and willing to try. I want to keep saying yes to the things that stretch me, excite me, and scare me just a little. Some of the best moments of this year happened because I simply said, “Why not?”

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to go for something—this is it. Start small if you need to. Say yes to one new opportunity. Say yes to putting yourself out there. Say yes to your own growth. You never know what’s waiting on the other side of that yes.

Have a story, a moment, or an idea you think deserves to be captured? I’d love to hear about it! You can submit your experiences through the “Share a Story” form on my website or check out the “Suggest a Shot” page to let me know what you’d like to see next.

Lastly, I would love to stay connected, so be sure to Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest (linked at the top of my site). I’ll be sharing new content, behind-the-scenes moments, and more glimpses into my creative process.

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