Hello to New Goals, New Aspirations, and a New Year, All Wrapped into One.

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Well, here we are in a new year. Where did 2013 go? It feels like just the other week I was lighting fireworks in the streets of Trinidad (the Island, that is) welcoming January 1, 2013 with my { now } fiancé and his cousins. Isn’t that always the thought though? “Where did the time go?”

I heard a friend say something profound last week. “We all wake up having to ‘become’ someone, it’s just a matter of whether we become [that person] on purpose or by accident.” –Julianna Morlet, founder of Becoming Girls Conferences.

Well, the truth of that statement has been resonating with me throughout the week, so despite the cliche-ness of setting resolutions for the new year, I am setting them. I’m setting these goals with the aspiration that the person I become by the end of 2014 is someone I intended to be, and not someone that just happened by chance. I’m setting these goals with the hopes that I keep these goals in mind as I make all the small decisions, and that those small decisions will result in one very big year.

 

Goal #1: Bless Others Through My Business

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This has always been my unconscious desire for my business, and as a byproduct of this mentality my clients have blessed me by allowing me the opportunity to touch their lives. But now this is written down as the number one intention behind everything I do as a wedding photographer. So what does this mean for me? It means that I make it a priority to keep the mindset that I’m here to serve my clients in anyway I can, whether that be a crazy photo request that takes an extra 20 minutes during cocktail hour or climbing up a roof for a shot the groom thought up. It means that I’m not doing this for the money, but because I want others to be blessed with quality images they can enjoy FOREVER from the most special moments of their lives. It means personalizing each and every client experience, so they know just how special they are to me.

Goal #2: Expand my Network

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The wedding industry can be one of two things: stone cold and competition, or friendly and fun. I strongly believe that us wedding vendors are all in this together, and we all have something to offer one another. It’s my desire and my passion to help others in my industry and build honest and professional relationships with each of them, even other wedding photographers! 2013 has been incredible already in this area. I’ve made so many new friends, and I’ve been honored to shoot alongside some talented people! This year, I am pushing forward to meet new people and to strengthen the relationships I have. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for all of us as we grow together and encourage one another with these fabulous careers God has blessed us with.

Goal #3: Continue to Grow through Education

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No matter who you are, what your IQ is, how much money you make, or how much success you’ve already seen in your life, you never run out of room to grow. Or, as Dave Ramsey puts it, “Strong leaders never stop learning.”

I can’t express in words just how much Creative Live, Jasmine Star, Zack & Jody, Lawrence Chan and countless others have helped me grow in my knowledge of wedding photography. A warm and sincere thanks to Maria Longhi and Rachel Jay who have pointed me to all of these lovely places. You two are dear in my heart and have impacted me as a photographer more than you know.

So now, I will continue this learning in entrepreneurship. I look forward to getting through all four of Dave Ramsey’s  books in the EntreLeadership Career Bundle and attending more workshops that focus not only technical aspects of shooting, but also growing as a business woman.

Goal #4: Share What I’ve Learned with Others

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Teaching is my passion. 2013 gave me my first opportunity to offer one-on-one classes with beginner photographers, and I absolutely loved it. I hope 2014 is filled with many more training sessions. I also hope that one day I can host my own workshop for beginning wedding photographers to share with them what I’ve learned in my eight years, business and all!

I also keep goal #4 in mind when planning blog posts. Yes, I am going to start writing more about photography technique! And I’m so excited about it!

Goal #5: Don’t Get Burnt Out 

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My clients deserve the best of me – my 150% at every, single, shoot. How do I make this happen? I limit the number of weddings I book per year, so everyone gets the detail and attention they deserve. I strive for quality over quantity in everything I do, and I want that to shine in my work and the way I interact with everyone who crosses my path.

I’ve learned this year, that I need to make sure I leave time for me too. At the end of the day, I’m not only a photographer. I’m also a friend, a daughter, a sister, and a future wife. 🙂

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Thanks for reading! Now you tell me, what are some of your New Year’s Resolutions?

 

xoxo

Jenna

 

 

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