When it came time to photograph my stickers, greeting cards, bookmarks, and every other product I’d created, I knew I wasn’t just taking pictures—I was curating worlds. Each item had its own mood, its own story, its own tiny universe.
Did I have photography experience? Not really. I’ve always been more of a “capture the moment outdoors” kind of photographer. But this was different. This required understanding textures, color palettes, lighting, mood, and composition. It required intention.
And because I love drawing, writing, and storytelling, I didn’t want these photos to simply show my products—I wanted them to be the doorway into the world of SLChristley Designs.
It was creative, emotional, and strategic all at once. And somewhere in the middle of it, I realized: I was beginning to feel the weight of what I’ve built.
Here are the three mindset shifts that made this possible: Mindset Shift #1: Just Start I’ve heard this phrase more times than I can count—but this time, I actually lived it.
I gave myself permission to learn. I experimented with different times of day. I drafted themes and moods. I played with textures and angles. And then I took the photos.
The final images you see on my site? Some of them were my tenth attempt. But they’re mine—created through curiosity, patience, and willingness.
Where in your business are you waiting instead of starting?
Mindset Shift #2: Embrace Hard Things Nothing about building a business is easy. And while taking a photo seems simple, any photographer will tell you it’s a craft.
I watched tutorials. I tested lighting setups. I embraced what worked—and what didn’t.
Hard things aren’t a sign you’re doing it wrong. They’re a sign you’re doing something meaningful.
What hard thing are you choosing to embrace right now?
Mindset Shift #3: Paint the Future While photographing my products, I wasn’t just thinking about the shot in front of me. I was thinking about the future.
How would these photos look across different platforms? What story would they tell? What world was I building for my brand?
Looking back now, I see that I wasn’t just taking photos—I was crafting a visual language. I was building an aesthetic that is unmistakably mine. A world my work now lives inside of.
And today, as I see my images across my website, Pinterest, and social platforms, I feel something I didn’t expect: I see my own work reflected back at me with clarity and pride.
It feels like stepping into multiple roles—artist, founder, and creative director—all at once.
How are you painting the future of your own work?
In the end... Mindset isn't just about motivation. It's about the way you approach the work that matters. It's the permission to begin. The courage to embrace difficulty. And the vision to build something bigger than the moment you're in.
Your future world is created one decision, one shift, one photo at a time.
