Happy 2014!

I have been writing this post in my head for weeks. After a full year of "building" my business, I am ready to move forward with some positive changes that reflect my growth as a photographer and as a businesswoman. I have made lists, asked my husband his opinion on dozens of ideas, and researched, researched, researched. But, truth is, it's hard for me to pull the trigger on some of my ideas. Fear of failure is high on the list of why it's hard to publicly proclaim these changes. However, if I don't change, I don't grow, and ultimately that is my goal for this new year - to grow this business, to grow in my skills, and take Sweet Events to the next level in order to fulfill my dream as a career photographer.

Well, that all sounds pretty heavy. It really isn't though - I think all of the changes are positive, and are meant only to enhance my clients' experience and final product. Here are some of the things I have been pondering and deciding on for the new year:

1. Simplifying "packages", both for portrait sessions and weddings. Lots of options can be terribly overwhelming, right? Moving forward, I will have one fee to hire me as your photographer (a session fee for portraits, and a booking fee for weddings). That fee includes my time, editing, and expertise, and I am no longer giving away a disc of images with my fee. Instead, clients will have the option to purchase print/product packages at different price levels, or a larger flat fee for a disc of edited images. This was the biggest leap for me, as I know and understand wanting that disc in your hand so you can view the photos from your session anytime you'd like. Please don't fret - I always do Facebook (watermarked) preview albums so that you can share on social media, plus I have upgraded my website to include password-protected online galleries, so you will be able to view the images for a limited time from any computer/mobile device. This brings me to...

2. Emphasizing availability of prints and products to clients. I have two main professional printing labs that I work with. They are tops in the industry for customer service, quality of product, and longevity of product. I have taken a lot of time to research printing options, and the outcome was clear - my labs are miles and miles above the quality of home printers, big box kiosks, and consumer websites. I am putting together a portfolio of prints from different sources so you can see and touch the difference at our initial consult. I am also pleased to offer some top-notch products that will be enjoyed for years and years to come, including canvas gallery wraps, high-quality wooden frames, photo cubes, and cell phone cases. I get excited just thinking about opening up packages with these beautiful products in them!

3. Offering Lifestyle portrait sessions. This one was easy. I love opening images from my camera and seeing true life moments captured. Styled and posed portraits are great - it is fun choosing locations and backgrounds and having everyone looking their best - but there is something special about looking at a photograph and knowing that even decades from now someone will remember or understand the significance of that moment. Want some proof? Check this out:

4. Developing my brand. I know my style, I know what I like, and I love to design. It has taken some time to figure out "who" I am as a photographer and further develop that into what my business looks like to potential clients. This means creating continuity throughout all of my marketing, from website to business cards to social media. It is something I am continually working on and hope to have a better handle on in a few months. Check in with me this summer, hopefully I will feel a little more accomplished by then in this personal goal. ;) 

And finally,

5. Reaching out to other photographers. There are so many creatives out there, some with a dream to simply learn their camera better so they can take great snapshots of their families, some who are on this same journey as me, attempting to fulfill a dream of a photography career. And everyone on this path deserves support and encouragement. That might mean helping someone figure out what all the buttons mean on their camera, or it might mean developing a business relationship with other professional photographers in order to help each other learn and grow. There are clients enough for everyone, and instead of feeling panicked and competitive, I am going to embrace the fact that there are many talented photographers around and we can all learn from each other. So if you have a photography question, please do not hesitate to ask me. I can't promise I'll have the answer, but I will be happy to try to help!

I am excited to begin this new year with a concrete list of resolutions and changes to make in my business. I have so many ideas to follow through on, and wonderful clients to support me along the way. Cheers to you, 2014!