Over the years, we’ve been privileged to hear and be a tiny part of women’s stories and how they’ve embraced their passions, moved past their fear, and made big things happen! Join us in this new series, “MTH In Real Life,” as we chat with MTH Alum who have used the principles from the conference to lead the big decisions in their lives.
Say hello to: Katie McGihon of Katie McGihon Photography
Katie attended MTH in: Los Angeles, roughly 5 1/2 years ago.
Her expectations were blown away. “My goodness, MTH certainly did surprise me! When I showed up, I knew no one and I was the only person in the room who wasn’t on Twitter. I expected to walk away with some sort of business plan and to connect with another creative entrepreneur or two. I was more than a little hesitant and I’m sure it showed. However, God had another plan for me and my MTH experience. What I actually walked away with was a renewed spirit of passion for my work, an army of new friends and supporters, a better understanding of my fears and a clear direction in my next steps.”
How Katie Said Yes to Her Dream Studio
My biggest takeaway from MTH was that fear was holding me back. I didn’t feel fearful when I walked in, but fear was quietly suffocating my dreams. I had to name that fear in order to deal with it. Fear was keeping me from making things happen in my life and it had to stop. I’m forever grateful to Lara for helping me name and address that fear.
MTH helped me to come to the realization that I have been given a gift, and my calling is to use that gift (and my camera!) to help people (especially women) see how beautiful they really are. It also helped me to realize that fear had no place in my life, and it was holding me back from making what matters happen. I’ve learned to make business decisions based on my calling, not out of fear. I’ve learned that I’m more than equipped to make big things happen, and that calling on your community when you need support is key.
Immediately following MTH, my business really took off. After 3 years of massive growth, I entered a season of waiting as Scott and I welcomed a new baby into our family. I knew that I had to slow down my pace of work in order to be fully present for my husband and 3 children. While I was still shooting weddings, I still quietly held on to my dream of having a small studio for Beloved Sessions for my brides. In April of this year, the opportunity to open a studio arose.
I had 2 choices: I could feel the fear and do it anyway, or I could succumb to my fear of failure and let that dream pass me by. I know that God has not only called me, but equipped me to use my camera to make women see how beautiful they are. The studio gave me a light, lovely and safe place for my Beloved Sessions. Had I let me fear tell me that I would fail, my dream of a studio would not have come to fruition.
While waiting can be difficult, I knew that the seeds of my dreams were growing, and that they would bloom eventually. I’m overjoyed that the time is now! 5 1/2 years after I attended MTH, I opened my sweet, little studio in Palm Springs, California. You’re all welcome to come and visit me there!
If you are considering attending MTH, jump in with both feet and do NOT look back! Fear is such a captor for many of us. It was for me. It may be for you right now, but it doesn’t have to be. Attend MTH, equip yourself for the future that you desire, make genuine connections and make what matters most happen.
Read more about Katie’s studio story, her son’s autism, perfect timing, and how pre-visualization helped her realize when to take the leap.
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