Last year, I posted a blog reflecting back on 2019 and my goals for 2020. Before starting this blog, I reread it and it’s crazy to see how my goals and priorities have changed this year! So much has happened in 2020 from a pandemic to getting pregnant with my second son. Lots of big changes! Here is a reflection of 2020 and my 2021 goals:
One of my goals for 2020 was to photograph 22 weddings as a primary photographer. That did not happen! COVID called for a lot of reschedules and I only ended up photographing 11 as a primary and around 10 as a second photographer. I’m honestly totally okay with that though. Because I didn’t have as many weddings, I was able to host Spring and Fall minis as well as photograph a lot of family and engagement sessions!
It also made me realize that I don’t have to set a number to everything. Society tends to make us think that we always have to be hustling in order to be busy and that’s just not true. I also was able to have a small break at the beginning of my pregnancy when I wasn’t feeling the best. Another one of my goals was to continue to second shoot for other photographers. I mostly second shot for Ashley Wallace Photography; who I love working with and will continue to do so in 2021! I also second shot for a couple other photographers.
I really wanted to work on nailing down my double exposures this year, but with everything going on, it just didn’t seem important. However, I did meet my goal of blogging at least once a week! I’m super happy with how I kept up on my blogs, Wedding Wire account, Pinterest, and website! It’s a lot of work to keep those things updated and running.
For 2021, I don’t have a set number of weddings I’d like to photograph. I actually am hoping to second shoot for Ashley more and take on less weddings with me as the primary photographer. This will be the first year where I will have two kids and I know I’m going to need to learn how to navigate time management and soak up all those cuddles.
Being a second photographer is hard work, but it’s significantly less office work/ work outside of the wedding day itself than as a primary. Being away from my boys for the weekend or occasionally through the week is okay with me, but I personally don’t want to do that AND be stuck in front of a computer all week too! Everyone is different, and I know this is what I need for this year. So, I will only be taking on 3-4 more weddings for the year as well as booking for 2022!
One major goal of mine for next year is to stick to my set working times! This past year, I would always set up days that I would take off and times of working and then I would work past those times and schedule things on my off days. It’s hard sometimes when schedules don’t match up or I don’t have a babysitter, but this year I’m determined to stick to the times I have set.
I am also planning on hiring one or two second photographers to work with me all year. I’m going to start that process in February or March. I’m hoping this person is someone that I can continue to work with for years to come and maybe eventually have them as an associate, but I haven’t planned that far ahead yet!
My last goal for 2021 is to continue to serve and love my clients well! I’ve met some amazing people this year and a lot of my clients have turned into friends. This year was tough and my clients truly helped me push through it. I’m excited to continue to meet such amazing people and photograph such important moments!
