This post has been a long time coming. I was aiming to write it at the beginning of the New Year and I kept putting it off. For a while I convinced myself that I didn’t want to set goals or that I was too much in the early stages of my business to even think about goals. But truthfully, I think it’s because I was afraid to put these goals out there for the world to see.
Well, after spending all week working on my business plan, I think I’m ready!
CWP 2013 Goals
Build a solid portfolio. By the end of 2013, I want to have 12-15 awesome wedding photos, as well as 20-30 portraits, that showcase my style and brand. When potential clients come to my website, I want them to have a clear understand of my talent and if I fit their vision for photography. I have two weddings already booked for 2013 and a handful of portrait sessions in the works, so I feel good about making this happen!
Network. I’d like to attend at least one photography conference or workshop and make at least one new friend in the photography industry. Other networking goals: comment consistently on other photographer’s blogs, keep in touch with my classmates after graduation, and introduce myself to local business and pass out business cards.
Establish a business workflow. Specifically, set up QuickBooks and create an infrastructure for tracking business income and expenses. Once I get organized, I’d love to set aside one day every month (the 1st of the month?) to update things and make sure everything is in order (pay bills, up keep records, write new monthly to-do lists and goals).
Create a seamless brand. I have some general ideas of what I want my brand to be and I’ve settled on a color scheme for my website (for now..) but I’m hoping to establish a more unique brand identity this year and figure out what makes me different than all the other wedding/portrait photographers out there.
Second shoot / figure out some other ways to make money with freelancing. I want to learn as much as I possibly can this year. Take it all in. Connect with other photographers and learn from them. Hustle. At the same time, I’d love to move out of my parents house at some point without having to fall back on a 9-5 job again : ) I think the big theme for this year is BE CREATIVE! In my photography, in my business, and finally.. in how I make ends meet!
We’ll call this my photography website/brand before shot.
FUN QUESTION: If you had to describe me or my blog to a friend using three words, what would they be?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You definitely have your ducks in a row, Caroline! I know you will go far with your photography business!
If I had to describe your blog in three words I’d say: clean (love the basic clean design you have), honest (you are always very up-front about what you are going through, and it really helps me to relate!) and inspirational (I love you go-getter attitude, and I’m constantly inspired by all the ways you challenge yourself)
Happy Valentine’s Day Caroline!
Aw thank you, Amy! I love your words, and you inspire me, too!
SO AWESOME!! Honestly it sounds like you have really thought this through. I think it is amazing that you are working towards your goals and really going for it. SO PROUD OF YOU!
Thank you!! : )
This is a beautiful post. Do I describe everything you do as beautiful? Why, yes, I do. So there’s your first adjective to describe you.
Props to you for putting your goals out there and “facing your fears” in a way. You are determined & you’re going to do it!
Two more: clean, peaceful.
Haha it’s funny you say peaceful. My teacher this week was trying to get me to make “peaceful” part of my brand and I was like nawww I don’t like it.. I don’t like it.. but now I may have to reconsider ; )
Love all these goals. Though I kind of like you living at mom and dad’s because it’s close to me. Ooo, it’s hard to describe you though- every time I try to come up with words they go beyond your business/blog, organized and creative are definitely two of them. You definitely have an “eye” for photography.
At least I’m not moving back to NYC.. or Nashville.
I think that it’s great to put these goals out here and have some accountability. I know that is scary, but by doing that, you’ll accomplish more than you probably would have if you didn’t put it out there. That is sort of how I feel about professing my big yearly goals. They are definitely a stretch, and I might not achieve them all, but I will do more to achieve them than I would have if I didn’t have to come back and tell everyone how I did!
Oooh, the 3 word thing is tough. When I think of this space, I think of someone who is striving, discovering, and glowing.
I think these are really awesome goals! Definitely important to set professional goals every year, especially if you own your own business.