This was the year that I thought I was actually going to quit and close up shop. I started 2018 with only ONE wedding on the books and nothing else. No sessions, no second shooting, nothing. I was incredibly stressed because since I started in 2012, I’ve never had less than ten weddings a year. I was starting to accumulate debt from months of no bookings or inquiries and some poor decisions I made based on fear. But my tribe encouraged me to keep going. They reminded me that I’m good at what I do and that I LOVE what I do. I honestly believe that this is the year I’m going to look back on someday and be so happy I didn’t quit, that I decided to keep going, because I know that what I do matters.
A couple of months into 2018 we got a job offer that involved a move to right outside of Boston. We didn’t see this coming, and honestly, it was too good of an offer to pass up. A new adventure, if you will. I firmly believe that being at such a tough point in my business really helped fuel the decision to move, because maybe it would be better off down here. Well, my friends, between Feb and May I booked four weddings, two for 2018, two for 2019, and then I booked an additional 2018 wedding in September. I also picked up FOURTEEN second shooting gigs (for a total of 18 weddings photographed this year), and multiple portrait sessions. I worked incredibly hard, and I am SO grateful for all of the opportunities that I’ve had this year.
I also learned a ton about my limits this year. It’s mid-December and I’m tired. I’ve loved every single wedding and family and couple I’ve worked with this year and I’m so so grateful for you all, but I’m going to do things differently next year. I’m not taking on any more than 15 weddings for 2019, and I’m limiting the amount of portrait sessions I take in Maine.
This has been the most challenging year yet, but I think it’s also been the most growth I’ve had mentally. I know my business is going to follow suit because I already have weddings on the books for 2019 and I’M SO EXCITED to work with these amazing couples! I’ve also learned that I love to photograph the same couples and families over and over as they go through each stage of their life. It’s been so cool to see them grow!
This year has been the year of pushing the boulder up the hill, and I’m more determined than ever to keep going! I’m looking forward to this winter to having some down time and getting to focus in on the behind the scenes stuff for my business and work on creating even greater experiences for my clients!
To all my 2018 couples + families: THANK YOU. From the absolute bottom of my heart. I started this year feeling very uncertain about what my future held for my business but I’m ending this year feeling so incredibly inspired, grateful, and thankful.
Thank you for trusting me, for choosing me, for allowing me to be a part of some of the most special moments in your lives together. I have the best job in the world and I don’t take it for granted. Every time I show up for a shoot I’m still nervous because I just want to do the very best I can do because you deserve nothing less. I also show up every time so effing EXCITED because I love to photograph your stories.
I’m so excited to see what 2019 holds for me, my business and my family. Thank you all for being here on this journey with me! I still can’t believe that this was something I never envisioned for myself, and now I can’t imagine a life where I’m not a photographer!
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