We recently connected with Amber Herrera and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amber, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
When you’re a creative, it’s common to overthink and underestimate yourself and everything you do. When you lose the security blankets in your life, like, say, leaving home, or experiencing major life changes, you really have to find a way to make it without just creating a new one.
Personally, it took me putting my head down and blinders on. I worked on myself through volunteer work, inner work and simply being consistent at calling myself out when I wasn’t going down the path I wanted. This helped me build my brand stronger than ever, improve my perception of myself and the world around me, and ultimately my work.
When you cancel out those distractions to focus on creating the life you want to live, and becoming the person you want to be, the confidence comes with it. It’s not all butterflies and rainbows when you’re bettering yourself; it comes with a lot of supporting others, finding your weaknesses, seeing the parts of yourself you don’t like to face them, and building a mindset. Throughout all of that, you’re owning up to your mistakes, strengthening your values and morals, building strong connections with people to look up to and learn from, finding new and better ways to make a difference in your world and that of others, and ultimately learning you are so much more incredible than you think.
That work never stops, but there comes a day when you can say “no” without feeling guilt or fear, and stand up for yourself in other ways, too. It comes with time. That’s what happened for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Cactus & Pine Photography LLC has always been about bringing family together for connection and quality time, empowering moms to feel seen and strong, and creating community through maternity, family and newborn portrait sessions, and coffee meet ups. A new venture within these values has begun where I focus a lot on infertility struggles and infant loss, due to my own family’s experience. Cactus & Pine Photography LLC has a way to make a difference, and it all started with Rainbow Babies!
If you don’t know, rainbow babies are those that are born healthy after miscarriages or fertility struggles; they are the light at the end of the tunnel. Rainbow baby sessions are very special and celebrated big during sessions. But, I wanted a way to make a bigger impact than just helping moms celebrate their pregnancy, so now, Cactus & Pine Photography LLC asks clients to choose their impact to donate part of revenue to local foundations.
Clients are loving that they can support a local non profit and see exactly what their contribution goes to. They pay nothing extra and it’s simply a way to give back locally to those who need it.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I love this question. My answer is all in one, but the three things I’ll speak on are persistence, teachers and growing community.
Number one, never giving up when it feels right is a huge quality that makes a difference in making things happen for yourself. They say for small businesses that within 2-5 years you’ll close. If that’s something you get into your head, then yep, of course you’re going to give in! Some things come more easily than others, but it’s a slow and unsteady process. If it’s what you want, keep going. And it’s OK to have to build on the side so you can continue to support yourself or your family. Don’t let that stop you.
The second bit is, you need direction. Find a reputable coach that comes recommended from others in your industry that fit your values. Go out and look for networking groups that seem to have people who are seeing success with their membership; that doesn’t mean it’s the only way their growing, but it’s having some sort of positive impact on them. Join more than one, even if it’s paid and you can afford it. Surrounding yourself with more knowledge and access to people is great. Don’t forget to be yourself; if you try to be anyone that you’re not, you won’t succeed. Be you, as cliche as it sounds. Authenticity is key.
Lastly, be the ‘dumbest’ person in some rooms, and the ‘smartest’ in others. Learn, ask questions and be a crazy sponge where you’re the dumbest. When you surround yourself with people who are on higher levels than you, you learn so much. Be naive and ask the worst questions. Pay attention to what they’re doing. Listen! Then, in those other rooms where you’re the ‘smartest’ teach, inspire and support. Grab a hand and bring them up with you. Share that wealth of experience and knowledge you have. Don’t underestimate sharing your story. Always be kind and you’ll succeed in both kinds of rooms.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A fitness coach actually recommended the book “The Dip” by Seth Godin. It has mixed reviews, but I think we all need the reminder sometimes.
Ultimately, it said, if you get to a wall that’s hard to climb in your journey, you need to make a decision. Does this obstacle and path get you to where you want to be so much that the wall is worth the climb and struggle? Or is this the point where you truly do not want this path and it’s time to let it go.
It’s a quick read, but I recommend it.
Contact Info:
- Website: cactusandpinephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactusandpinephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactusandpinephoto/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/groundedmomsphoenix
