Think Change Means Losing Control?
Here's how to reframe it into power.
There’s a common belief among creatives that taking a full-time job means losing control: less freedom, less creativity, less choice.
I used to believe that too.
When I first moved to Toronto, I clung to freelancing and assisting because I thought it was the only way to stay “in charge” of my path.
But hustling alone wasn’t paying off.
By 30, I couldn’t even afford to fly to a close friend’s wedding. I felt stuck, resentful, and frustrated and was convinced that saying yes to every low-pay job was the only way forward.
So I did something I swore I’d never do: I took a full-time job as a studio manager. At first, it felt like giving up. Trading “freedom” for a paycheck.
But that stability changed everything:
My income increased by over 60% within a year.
I saved enough to actually attend life events I’d been missing.
I learned production, client management, and logistics that later made me a stronger photographer and educator.
There’s a time, a place, and a NEED for both in any industry.
Neither path is “better.”
Both are valuable seasons of learning. Knowing when to lean into each is part of building a sustainable career.
Here’s the framework I wish I’d had back then:
Audit your needs. Do you need stability (income, structure) or exposure (variety, networks) right now?
Think in seasons. Freelancing may be right for a few years while you’re building skills. A full-time role may be the bridge to a bigger creative position.
Reframe the story. Neither path is a failure. Both are tools you can use depending on your stage and goals.
Change doesn’t mean losing control. It means trading one kind of growth for another.
I used to think taking a full-time job was a step backward.
Now I know it was the foundation that made the rest of my career possible
👉🏻 Where in your life are you resisting change because you think it means less control, when it could actually give you more power?
For paid subscribers, scroll to the end of this post to access the Photo Collective content that dives deeper into this.
Personal Updates
We’re halfway into September, and in our house, we're slowly getting back into the swing of school routines.
I’m excited to be teaching a new course, Location Photography at Humber, to the second years. I never knew how much I’d love teaching until I started a couple of years ago.
Nothing major to report at the studio beyond gearing up for fall headshots—though I’m excited to see what the season brings
My triathlon training has officially shifted to “maintenance” and strength-training, where I do my best to build more muscle and power while maintaining the same amount of fitness, so come spring, I’m ready to roll for the start of the season.
Our kiddo has graduated from training wheels to NONE on his bike, and we’ve been enjoying family bikes/runs while he speeds off down the pathways (safely). He’s already planning a triathlon relay for us.
Studio News: Back-to-Business Headshot Day
Fall is a powerful time to show up brand-new. I’m hosting a Back-to-Business Headshot Day at my East York studio—for individuals and small teams looking to up their visual game.
PAY SCALE OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Offer Details:
Solo session: $150 (1 image) / $195 (2 images) / $225 (3 images), 10 minutes
Group session (up to 3 people): $150 each (includes 1 image per person + 1 group photo). 10 minutes per person. Additional images available for an additional cost.
PHOTO COLLECTIVE MEMBERS 👇🏼
I’ll share some thoughts on how you can serve your clients in new and different ways that don’t exhaust you and don’t make you feel “spammy” over in Discord
Every booking comes with my downloadable guide: How to Maximize Your Headshot on LinkedIn, social media, and beyond. It includes platform sizes, visibility checklists, and quick tips for using your new image everywhere.
📸 October 26th • East York Studio • Limited Spots.
BOOK TODAY
Or hit reply and I can book for you!
Or forward this to a colleague who deserves a refresh.
Excited to see you there!
With gratitude,
Jen
P.S. If this post was helpful, I’d love it if you could hit the restack button. It helps the message reach more people, and it reminds me to continue providing content that supports your growth.
P.P.S.Founding Members get early access to workshops and mentorship opportunities, plus shape the future of The Photo Collective. $100+HST/year, locked in for life. Only 7 spots are remaining.
For paid subscribers, I’ve included a Creative Reflection Prompt to help build on today’s theme of reframing control.👇🏼 This prompt can be a resource in times we feel like “losing control” because those times can actually be an opening for growth.