Hello and Happy New Year to you,
Are you setting goals for 2025? This year is my 12th year of being a full time professional photographer. I’ve been doing this for so long I may be taking for granted that everyone that shows up here knows about me. I enjoy showing up in my blog as a professional. I like to keep things positive and helpful and I don’t choose to show the struggles I face as a small business owner. Today I have decided to share a bit more than usual.
Personal Goal Setting 2025
I like to set goals for myself. I am very goal oriented. Goals help me focus, feel accomplished and challenge myself. My husband and I sat down on Jan 1st and wrote out goals for ourselves. I’m excited about these goals for our family. We focused on three areas this year. Finances, Health and Activity. Clearly defined categories help us focus in on those goals.
Inspiration for setting my business goals in 2025
Recently a friend shared with me who Mel Robbins is. I enjoy listening to podcasts and I received a really cool new pair of Sony headphones for Christmas this year. So I decided to introduce myself to Mel. Maybe you’ve heard of her. I have been enjoying the couple of podcasts I’ve listened to. Yesterday however, her podcast inspired me (link below).
I was feeling excited about our family’s goals and my personal goals. But I had forgotten all about setting my business goals for 2025.
Business Goal Setting 2025
Today I am setting aside time here in my studio to specifically work on my business goals for 2025. Two years ago I went to a photography conference in Nashville. I returned home inspired and excited about what I had learned. That was in 2023. The day after I returned home I hurt my back. It took months to diagnose but eventually a MRI showed that I had a disc protrusion L3-L4. Fluid was pressing on my spinal cord making life very painful.
It was a challenging time
I’m not gonna lie. That was a challenging year for me. As my back slowly healed I tried so hard to move forward with my business. I made the changes I had learned about at the conference. Changes which pushed me out of my comfort zone. I challenged myself to offer new services to my clients. I put myself out there day after day. You know what happened? My business slowed down. Way down. I kept pushing. I constantly questioned myself. I was encouraged to hold on. So I did.
Last year, 2024, looked much the same. Don’t get me wrong. I had amazing clients last year, just not as many as I would like ( not as many as I had pre 2023). So at the end of last year (2024) I switched lanes. I decided to undo the changes I had made in 2023. Two years of evidence was all I needed. As I move forward into 2025 I am hopeful. I am setting goals and working hard to provide what people are looking for.
Some times we need to shift
I’ve spent hours thinking, researching, having conversations and praying over my business. I am not a brand new photographer. I am a full time professional who has spent 12 years getting to where I am today. I love what I do and I do a really good job. My clients feel heard, are taken care of and receive beautiful images.
What is my biggest business challenge?
Getting in front of people who value photography and are looking for a photographer. It’s that simple. How do they find me or I find them?
What do I do currently to get myself out there?
- I write a weekly blog post. When I write this post I have a lot of things hanging over me. I’m not a talented writer. I was told this repeatedly throughout high school. One English teachers teacher after another confirmed it. Apparently, I have a huge issue with run on sentences among other issues. So I’m nervous about writing.
2. I write a monthly newsletter – Again the fear of writing is an issue. Here is a link to my monthly newsletter if you’d like to sign up https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/xP5VKLY/SFPNews
3. I share my business on social media platforms. There is a lot of pressure to show up consistently on social media. It’s hard sometimes to show up in such a public way. Fear of negative reactions or equally scary, no reactions at all.
If you see me out there I would really appreciate it if you would share. Referrals are HUGE!! While you can find me on Google (with excellent reviews) a personal recommendation is always the most valued.
Specifically, I love working with families and high school seniors. As a photographer that works with families it’s important to note that it involves more than just a family session. It could be a cake smash, a maternity session, or any fun activity you have that you would like photographed.
In addition I am skilled at professional headshots (at the studio or on location). I enjoy working with professionals who need beautiful images for their business needs.
I have made the decision to no longer be available to photograph weddings or large corporate events. I’m choosing to focus on the areas where I have the opportunity to really connect with people.
Inspiration
Perhaps you are looking for some inspiration as you head into 2025. Here is the link to Mel Robbins Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxJjAuG3qkQ
Kinney Family
I wanted to share with you my last family mini session of 2024. 11 members of this beautiful family showed up here at the studio on a frosty drippy morning. The studio was cozy and warm and we had fun photographing them.
Is there anything more beautiful than a family coming together? I’m so happy they spent some of their special time together in front of my camera!
Thanks for stopping by,
Shelly
