new year, new me.
At least that's what everyone is saying!
Lets face it, we all make new years resolutions. Whether they are just ideas of things we would like to improve on or some monstrous goals, the new year brings a new mindset.
Before we dig into some AMAZ-BALLS changes that are coming your way in 2024, I want to quickly review 2023 and how awesome it was.
Last year I resolved to put my family first again. To purposely plan time for them. For those of you that don't know, on top of being a full time photographer, I also still have a full time day job as well that I love! As you can imagine, my time gets a little limited. However, my goal for my clients has and always will be efficient and elevated services. This means providing your photos quickly while still having them look amazing!
I strategically planned days off from both "jobs" so I could be fully present with my daughters and my hubby. Some fun in the sun both at home and on our Family Vaca to Florida!
THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN 2023??
I haven't publicly shared this yet. But the biggest change for me personally in 2023? I made a HUGE decision that would forever change the way I lived my day to day.
Being overweight most of my life, it has always been an ongoing struggle trying to loose weight and be healthy again. I longed to have the energy to play with my kiddo's, go hiking and being able to keep up with every day life. For the longest time I have been very against weight loss surgery. Letting the fear or the "what if's" control me and my health. Well late 2022 I have finally had enough. No matter how many days and hours a week I was working out, controlling my diet etc, I needed more help.
I decided to have gastric bypass surgery in early March of last year. This was a decision about 13 years in the making....and I couldn't be happier that I took the plunge and took a chance on my health. I still have a long way to go but I finally feel like I am in control and making progress with my health.
80 pounds down and counting! woo woo!
I now exercise every day of the week and am one of the "weirdo's" that I used to pick on when I don't get a workout in. Even if its just stretching. I feel stronger and am in such a better place mentally that I can't wait to see what the coming year brings. I am more than half way to my goal and hopefully 2024, I will finally reach it!
so what are the plans for 2024?
Personally? A Bunch! With photography? Also a bunch!!!
So lets start personally!
My goal for 2024 is again to make my family a priority! We are hopefully finishing our deck (ahem, since it was supposed to be done last year lol), hopefully replacing my doors since you can pretty much see through them and they are not liking this 9 degree weather right now!!!
I am also taking a girls trip to Ocean City Maryland as well as going to Florida to meet some of my besties!! Flights have been cheap lately so I have taken full advantage! lol.
We are also taking our kiddos to Hawaii. I never thought I would be able to go back to Hawaii. However, the stars aligned, we got crazy cheap flights, crazy discounts on our hotels and super excited to be able to share one our favorite places with our girls. I will for sure have a full blog post on Hawaii when we get back, promise!!
Moving on to Photography changes!!!
I sat down this fall and realized something was missing. I wasn't sure what it was but I tried to remain open to changes for the coming year to enhance our services. After some research I took the plunge that will forever change how I serve my clients.
Quick story....when my kiddos were a bit younger (like 2 and 4 and they are now 12 and 14) I had photos done by my mentor. They were beautiful and I loved every one of them that was in my gallery!!! However, life happened and days turned into weeks, into months into years. Would you believe that I STILL haven't printed any of those photos?! I know some of you can relate!!
I know this is probably shocking coming from a photographer. However, I am also a mom, wife and worker. It actually makes me really sad that I don't have those beautiful memories in my hand to enjoy. Years later and the photo gallery is no longer active and I can no longer access those photos. The more I thought about this, the more I knew this was the right pivot for my business!
Starting in 2024, my BIGGEST goal? To get those treasured memories out of cyberspace and into your homes!!! From stunning wall art with custom framing to hang over your couch, beautiful albums to have on your coffee table or photos to have around your house, your most loved images will now be in your homes, instead of just on your computer! How AWESOME is that!?!?!?!?! Any friends or family that visit will gush over how beautiful you all look in your photos and you'll be able to relieve those precious memories in time on a day to day basis!!!
If you have worked with me in the past, it's a slightly different process. However, I am here to help you EVERY step of the way!!! From the Design Consultation to the Reveal session where you'll see your beautiful photos for the first time and pick out your favorites, I am here to guide you. We will work with each other to figure out what items would best showcase images in your home for years to come!
Digitals are not going away!!! Any print that is ordered, you will receive the matching digital high resolution file for!
If you want to learn more about this process, feel free to schedule a Design Consultation with me and I will be happy to work out the details of your next session together to truly capture your vision!
Cheers to a brand new year!!!
