Real Talk: The Art of Constant Adjustment

Hey friends,

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this business – and honestly, in life – it’s that flexibility isn’t just helpful, it’s absolutely essential. The ability to constantly adjust has become my superpower, even when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.

I used to think that having a plan meant sticking to it no matter what. That changing course meant I was failing somehow or that I wasn’t professional enough to handle whatever came up. But I’ve discovered that the opposite is true – the ability to adjust quickly and gracefully is what separates those who thrive from those who just survive.

Let me paint you a picture of what this looks like in real life. I’ll plan a session for golden hour at this beautiful outdoor location I’ve scouted. The weather forecast looks perfect. I’ve communicated with the client, packed all my gear, mentally prepared for the shots I want to get. Everything’s set.

And then the day arrives and it’s pouring rain. Or the location is suddenly closed for maintenance. Or the client’s toddler is having an epic meltdown and mom calls asking if we can reschedule because there’s no way this is happening today.

In the beginning, these curveballs would stress me out completely. I’d feel like everything was falling apart and I was letting everyone down. But now? Now I see them as opportunities to get creative, to problem-solve, to show my clients that I can handle whatever comes our way.

Adjusting timing has become second nature. If the weather’s not cooperating at our scheduled time, we shift to when it will work better. If the light isn’t right at our planned location, we find somewhere that showcases it beautifully. These aren’t setbacks anymore – they’re just part of the process.

But here’s what I’ve realized: the biggest adjustments aren’t usually about timing or locations. They’re about mindset.

I had to adjust my mindset about what success looks like. It’s not about everything going perfectly according to plan – it’s about creating something beautiful regardless of the circumstances. I had to adjust my thinking about client expectations, about my own perfectionism, about what it actually means to be professional.

The mindset shift that changed everything was learning to see obstacles as information instead of problems. When something doesn’t go as planned, it’s not the universe working against me – it’s data about what needs to change. Maybe this approach isn’t working. Maybe this timing isn’t ideal. Maybe this location isn’t the right fit for this particular session.

Instead of getting frustrated, I get curious. What is this situation telling me? How can I use this information to create something even better?

This constant adjustment has made me better at my job, but it’s also made me better at life. When you practice flexibility in one area, it spills over into everything else. You become more resilient, more creative, more confident in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.

I think about my clients and how this benefits them. When I’m able to roll with the punches, it creates this calm, confident energy that puts everyone at ease. They don’t have to worry about whether their session will be ruined if something goes wrong – they know I’ll figure it out and we’ll still get beautiful photos.

The truth is, some of my favorite photos have come from those moments when everything went “wrong.” When we had to move locations last minute and found an even more beautiful spot. When the timing shifted and we caught light that was absolutely magical. When we had to get creative because of circumstances beyond our control.

Learning to constantly adjust isn’t about being wishy-washy or not having standards. It’s about being strong enough to bend without breaking. It’s about trusting yourself to find solutions instead of getting stuck in problems.

So whether it’s in business or relationships or just daily life – practice adjusting. Practice seeing change as opportunity instead of threat. Practice trusting yourself to figure it out as you go.

Because life is going to throw you curveballs. The question isn’t whether they’ll come – it’s whether you’ll be ready to adjust and keep moving forward when they do.

Talk soon, Alisha