2013 was great. By far my best year professionally. I shot a modest 8 weddings, I watched a beautiful baby girl be born, I surrounded myself with tons of in love couples, beautiful boudoir ladies, and incredible families. I’ve met some of Canada’s finest and experienced moments of their lives through my lens. I was published by Vogue Italia and A Bicycle Built for Two. I was humbled by so many incredible photographers that I get to see in the industry. I worked hard at completing every session before or by deadlines. I’ve tried ( still working at it ) to not take things personally when people think I do this as a “hobby” or ” part time”. I’ve stood up for myself and my quality of work. I feel as though I’ve grown as a person and a professional. I have so many people to thank for that. For trusting in me, supporting me, and most importantly, encouraging me to keep at it! I accomplished a whole heck of a lot in 2013, which means I couldn’t be more excited for what 2014 has in store for me!
I set myself a list of goals last year to accomplish, and guess what? I was able to cross off all but one. ” Shoot a surprise/secret engagement “. Didn’t I mention that the first one is free, gentlemen?
Okay 2014, let’s do this!
1. Shoot, upload, blog, way more personal posts.
I don’t think I emphasized the WAY enough. One thing I find hard at times is a balance between work and personal life. I can never really turn my phone off, there isn’t a set number of work hours per day, so even when I’m enjoying time away from the computer and spending time with the ones I love, I still feel the need to answer that email asap! So I allow work to press into my personal life, why am I not projecting more of my personal life into my work? Balance. This is the year of it! In my down time, I love to cook, bake, knit, and travel. So be prepared you food photo haters, because this blog will be filled with it!
2. Try out new things! ( Lighting, subjects, etc )
Off camera flash setups, landscapes, slow shutter speeds, night photography… That’s a start!
3. Book 10-15 weddings.
I say this as a minimum. Honestly, if I could shoot a wedding a weekend, I would. Winter, summer, spring, fall. Anytime of the year. I absolutely love weddings. I am lucky enough to be traveling to BC, twice this spring/summer for weddings, though I’d love to go somewhere tropical… HINT HINT people.
4. Shoot a secret engagement shoot! ( First one is freeee )
Men…Imagine how incredibly thrilled your lady would be if you proposed, then afterwards you let her know you hired someone who was capturing those precious memories as a keepsake! Alternatively, hire me for a “couple’s” shoot, then, propose halfway through, turning the last half of our session into an engagement shoot!
5. Make enlargements of my favourite shoots to date for the house.
I did make prints to put up in my house this year. Though, I didn’t really make huge enlargements of my work nor did I cover my walls with it. For me, it’s really hard to pick favourites. But this is the year I do it.
6. Create photobooks. ( Weddings, families, engagements )
Yes, I have online albums, blogs, and tons of photos for clients to look at. But maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to have albums for my clients and myself to look through during consultations, meet and greats, and for any other circumstance. Maybe I’m a bit old school, but I always feel like having something of substance to hold and look through helps more times than not.
7. Shoot more stylized engagement sessions!
I have an entire album of photos I admire and things I want to try. I would love to create retro inspired shoots for all different eras, that’s number one on my list.
8. Do a 30 day in April.
April is my birthday month, so it seems appropriate to do 30 days in the life of Dani. Take photos everyday and blog about my month. My camera will be attached at the hip for this entire month.
9. Do a self portrait once a month.
I often look back on my photos from the last few years and I’m hardly in a single one. Why? Well, that’s obvious. Generally, I’m the person taking the photos. Though this year, I want to create 12 portraits of myself, taken by myself, so I have them to look back on each year of my life!
10. Stay on top of my bookkeeping.
You don’t even want to know how behind I am. This year? Catch up… A LOT.
11. Blog more.
I said this last year and I didn’t do too well. There is tons of sessions I never had time to blog, as well as blogging more about my personal life month to month. ( see goal 1 & 8 ) It needs to happen in order to have a better SEO for when clients are trying to search photographers in the area.
12. Read more business related books, articles, forums, blogs, etc.
Though I do read up on a monthly basis, I feel as though I need to start reading on a weekly basis. Tune out netflix and read more.
13. Be published at least 3 times this year!
Yes please!
That’s it, that’s all folks. I’m super excited and eager to get my goals rolling for this year! I predict, my best year yet!!
