Erin Henderson

Professional Photographer & Writer

Service Member's Branch - Marine Corps

Service Member's Status - Currently Serving - 21 years

What has been your military spouse career/entrepreneur journey so far?

I started my photography journey in 2010 while still working full-time. In 2014, I quit my corporate job and went into photography full-time not knowing what to expect. By 2017, I had built a 6-figure business in a small beach town near Camp Lejeune, NC and was thriving. In 2019 I met a handsome Marine, and I bet you can guess what comes next!

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Erin Henderson and am originally from North Carolina (though I was born in Germany since my dad was in the Army). I am currently living in Germany with my husband and two children after living in South Korea previously for two years. I love CrossFit, reading, traveling and Swedish Fish (slightly obsessed). I have been a military spouse for two and a half years but together going on 5.

Tell us about a "typical" day in your professional life.

With each move this looks a little different. After relocating to Germany and learning the stringent rules on operating as a professional photographer here, I am continuing to pivot further into writing, building my travel website and selling imagery online.

If you've been stationed overseas, how did this affect your career and or business?

In 2021 we received two-year orders for Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Wanting to keep our growing family together (I was pregnant with our second child at this point) I walked away from my business (and large source of income) to move to Korea with my family.

What has been your biggest military spouse career struggle and how did you overcome it?

Letting go. It's hard not to look back at what you have accomplished and not yearn for that again when you are going from one overseas assignment to another. I'd like to say I am still a work in progress in the overcoming department but I am getting there by setting new goals and learning new skills.

What role did mentors and sponsors play in your journey?

N/A

How does your career path differ from what you imagined for yourself?

Drastically. I thought I would have my business in North Carolina for many more years before we had to move.

How did military life (PCSing, deployments, trainings, etc) factor into your career decisions?

We decided once we were overseas that we may not get these opportunities to live and travel abroad again so my career has been put on hold until we settle back in the States. I can do some work, but not at the volume or income levels I had before.

Have you ever had to geo-bach due to your career/entrepreneurship?

What resources have you found to be useful in your career/entrepreneur journey?

I consume many business/life podcasts and endless books. Atomic Habits, Outliers, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, anything by Seth Godin etc.

Final word: what are your top tips for other military spouses about navigating a career within the military lifestyle?

Be upfront about your desires and career goals with your spouse and have honest conversations about theirs. Where do they align? Where will there be tension if any? Are you willing to pivot or change career paths to move with your spouse if it means experiencing the world together? For me that was a yes, but for others this may be a hard no.

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