When I packed up my life and moved from California to South Dakota, I knew there would be challenges. What I didn't fully realize was that I would essentially be starting my photography business all over again.
In California, I had spent years building connections, finding beautiful locations, growing my portfolio, and establishing relationships within my community. I knew where to take clients for golden hour sessions, where the best beaches were, and which locations worked best for families, maternity sessions, and seniors.
Then suddenly, I found myself in a completely new state.
No familiar locations. No local client base. No established network.
Just me, my camera, and a fresh start.
I'll be honest, starting over has been stressful. Building a photography business takes time, and moving means leaving behind the familiarity you've worked so hard to create. There have been moments where I've questioned myself, wondered how long it would take to rebuild, and felt overwhelmed by the idea of introducing my business to an entirely new community.
But alongside that stress has been something unexpected: excitement.
For the first time in years, I get to explore with fresh eyes.
Every drive down a country road, every park I visit, and every trail I discover feels like an opportunity. Instead of relying on the same locations I've used before, I'm finding hidden gems throughout South Dakota that inspire me in new ways.
I've traded California beaches for open fields, rolling landscapes, and beautiful Midwest sunsets.
Each new location has become part of an adventure.
One of the biggest joys of this transition has been meeting new people. Every inquiry, every conversation, and every session represents a new connection. I get to hear people's stories, learn about the community, and become part of a place that already feels more like home with each passing day.
Recently, I booked my first maternity session since moving, and it reminded me exactly why I started this business in the first place. It wasn't just about taking photographs, it was about celebrating people, preserving memories, and building relationships.
Moving has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but growth often happens there.
While rebuilding a photography business from the ground up isn't easy, it's giving me the opportunity to create something new. I'm discovering locations I've never photographed before, meeting incredible families, and building a portfolio that reflects this new chapter of my life.
If you're a fellow business owner who has ever had to start over, I see you. It can be intimidating, frustrating, and exhausting.
But it can also be exciting.
Sometimes the best chapters begin when we're willing to step into the unknown.
And as I continue exploring South Dakota, meet new clients, and create meaningful photographs, I'm grateful for the chance to start this next chapter, one session, one location, and one connection at a time.
Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me into this community. I can't wait to continue telling your stories.
— Jenny Wells Photography
