FROM DATING APP TO IG HUSBAND: GETTING YOUR SO TO SUPPORT YOUR DREAMS

We may be living the perfect insta-worthy life now, but did you know that my husband (then boyfriend) actually did NOT think that my Instagram page was going to go anywhere? Luckily for me, he’s since come around, and this year actually quit his job to pursue the location independent lifestyle.

In this episode I interview my OWN husband - Mr D! We talk about navigating relationships as a content creator, what to do if your SO doesn't support your social media goals, how to find balance while traveling, what you can do to make it as easy as possible for them to help you out, and more!

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Most people don’t expect this, but we actually met on a dating app, and I didn’t actually think our first date was that great!

But he was determined to make it work, and asked me out on a second date right at the end of the first one, and I decided not to turn down a free dinner, so the very next day he kidnapped me and took me on a mystery lunch date.

We went on a few more dates after that, and then a few months later I started my journey building my online personal brand, and while he initially thought it was all “dumb as shit” (I will never let him live that down!), he eventually came to understand that what I do is real work, and now he supports me 100%. So from a couple who’s been through it all before, here are our top tips for navigating an offline relationship while living life online:

Remember that a relationship goes two ways.

While taking photos may be your passion, your SO didn’t sign up to be a photographer. Just because they love you doesn’t mean they’re obligated to help you out whenever, wherever, and you can’t just expect them to be able to take professional level photos with no experience or even interest. Which leads us to our next point…

Educate yourself so you can make helping easy.

Asking your SO to set up a shot, make sure you’re in focus, adjust the exposure, watch out for photobombers, AND take a good photo is a list of tasks that would intimidate anyone. If you’re able to set everything up (even do a few test shots with them as the subject to make sure everything’s just right) so that all they have to do is press a button, it's a way simpler task and consequently something they’ll be much more willing to do.

Praise makes perfect, practice comes along the way.

Ensure that your SO knows you’re thankful for their help. This can be through words, by telling them “oh you did such a good job with this photo, I really like how XXX”, or through actions, by making sure they’re fed and happy before the shoot. Showing them positive feedback can also help: if your followers mention their photography skills or compliment them, let your SO know! Once they’re feeling confident about their skills, they’ll be much more likely to want to keep going.

Lay out expectations beforehand.

This is particularly relevant for trips, where they might be hoping to relax while you may be hoping to create content. Let them know what you want to achieve beforehand: once they know you specifically want to take photos only in the morning for a certain amount of time, it will help you both work together to be as efficient as possible in that time, so you can both get back to relaxing together.

Avoid high traffic shoot locations.

While we’re (mostly) used to being stared at while shooting, your SO probably isn’t, and fear of what others are thinking is definitely a reason to shy away from wanting to help out. Avoiding crowds by either going out early or picking lesser known shoot locations will definitely reduce the embarrassment/self consciousness that they would otherwise be feeling.

Show them your success (and how they’ve helped you to get there!)

This might start small, like a follower milestone or a post that does well, but your wins will grow, and once they start to see your hard work paying off through collabs and paid partnerships, they’ll start to realize that this is more than just a hobby- its a profitable job and a career path. This is super helpful for those who are more analytical and scientific, as they’ll be able to relate more when you show them success in more traditional manners like growth and profits.

Changing someone’s attitude about something will definitely take time, especially if they’re stubborn or very set in their ways, but remember that influencing IS a real career, and you CAN lead a financially successful and gratifying life through the power of social media. Even if your SO doesn’t understand it now, they will once you’re successful and getting paid. And until that day comes, don’t worry, because I’ve got your back!