If you’d be telling Lindsey who solely took college senior photos that she’d be traveling places like Yosemite National Park to shoot love stories with insane views of Half Dome in the background, Costa Rica to photograph a week long retreat of yogis in their natural state, or the valleys of the San Juan Mountains to capture joyous souls dancing to bluegrass….she’d actually probably believe you. Not the end of that sentence you were expecting were you?

When I was 19, I had this dream. I knew it was possible because I’d seen other people do it, so why wouldn’t it be possible for me? Yes, maybe it seemed super daunting and intimidating and overwhelming to be a full time photographer who travels the world, but I still knew I could.

And so, I started my business. Full time student, part time job at my school’s gym, and working on the career I wanted to pursue post grad. People doubted me for sure. Kids on campus would see the TikToks I’d be posting and come up to me in class. People in my life would call me “Through Lindsey’s Lens” when they’d see me as an attempt to make fun of me.

But the thing was, I knew that any fear I had or any doubt others projected onto me was proving I was headed in the right direction. Just because something is right doesn’t mean it is easy. And with each step, each new goal I set for myself as a business owner, I still hear others doubts. I have some of my own, making me question at times if this goal truly is possible.

But what even defines what is possible? I’ve proved to myself I can achieve the impossible time and time again. How? Because I said I could. I gave myself the permission.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many times over the course of my career where I allowed other people’s opinions and validation outweigh my own. I’ll never forget when an extended family member of mine told me I should “marry well” if I was going to attempt to pursue something as risky as photography so someone else could “take care of me”.

I was 20 years old.

I went full time with my business, moved across the country, and booked my first out of state wedding the next year.

I don’t accomplish these things to prove myself to anyone else. I do it DESPITE the projections of other people’s insecurities onto me. Because I have had to learn to never trust the opinions or advice of someone who isn’t where I want to be in life. Allowing one’s limiting beliefs to make you the victim of your own mind is the perfect ingredient for a very unhappy life.

You’ve always held the permission slip to go exactly where your soul is guiding you. The question is: do you have the guts to take it?