As I sit here with a shiny new 2023 calendar and an empty goal planning sheet it seems fitting to look back on 2022. A time to process both the professional and personal hits and misses.

Professional Reflections

Professionally 2022 was my best business year yet. Two years ago, I decided to go all in on wedding photography. This meant I made the hard decision to shut down my newborn, maternity, and family work. Every great business coach will tell you to niche down and go all in. I made the decision to embrace this advance and it’s without doubt paying off.

1. I increased my business growth by 30% from 2021. I feel good about that and so far for 2023 I’m ahead of where I was this time last year based on bookings.
2. I made it a mission to continue to solidify my vision as an artist. This year I feel I’ve found my voice as an artist and a storyteller.
3. A nod of gratitude to my fabulous couples. I couldn’t have done any of it without them and their trust in my vision to record their stories through my lens. Thank you for that!
4. I can’t forget to mention the amazing vendors I worked alongside. All of them work tirelessly to bring their own special magic to create incredible events for every couple we serve. I couldn’t do it without any of them. Thank you for that!
5. In 2022 I learned the value of the tangible. Wedding photos should be printed and hung on walls, displayed on mantles, and spread through the pages of an album. This was the beginning of what I call “the year of the album”. A goal to be the final destination for my clients’ memories.

Moving into 2023 I plan to continue to pursue building my business, refine my craft, and serve my clients with passionate storytelling and excellent customer service.

Personal Reflections

Personally 2022 was a year of hits and misses. I’ve started and stuck to some new habits and was lacking in taking more personal time off form work. No one tells you how hard entrepreneurship can be. Personal time can easily be pushed off to be taken later and later never comes.

1. I was bitten by the Peloton bug. I realize I’m late to the party but nevertheless I made it. To date, I’m on a 26-week streak and have completed 315 rides. As a lover of running, I had no clue how much I’d enjoy the bike that goes nowhere. The interactive classes and convenience of doing the workout at home have really sucked me in. Of course, I have my favorite instructors and have become one of #bensarmy. Nothing like the motivational voice of Ben, “welcome to the bike.”
2. We did it! We finally got family photos after preserving everyone else’s milestones. Again, trying to make more time for my personal life. I will add, it was very weird and a bit sad not to have Ethan in them. The reality of your kids leaving the nest hits hard at moments like these.
3. Toward the end of the year, I rekindled my love of reading. I discovered some new to me authors and have enjoyed winding down at the end of the day with a relaxing book. I plan to continue this in 2023.
4. Raise your hand if you’re a cookbook collector? Hello, it’s me (insert Taylor Swift song). I have an ever-growing collection of cookbooks. The sad truth is that they rarely get used. So, I’m making it a goal to do my version of Julie & Julia. If you’ve seen the movie, Julie, played by Amy Adams becomes a blogger and cooks her way through Julia Childs first book. While I don’t plan to blog any of it, I’m setting a personal goal to pick one cookbook and cook my way through it. Wish me luck!
5. And finally, Dan and I love to travel and made no, zip, zero, personal trips last year. We are fixing that immediately and have marked off the calendar to commit to those trips. Oh 2023, it’s happening!

As I reflect on the year 2022, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for all the gifts and experiences it brought my way. 2022 has been a year of professional  and personal growth. I am excited to see what 2023 holds and to continue on my journey of self-improvement and growth.

So, Cheers to 2022 and Hello to 2023!