small business wins

Mercury went into retrograde, which naturally meant that I had to get my taxes done for last year. It took two appointments and about twenty hours of me tracking down receipts and PayPal statements looking at my expenses, but they're almost done. 2018 was my first full year in business, and I have been working for myself for 9 months now. Sometimes I still can't believe it.

Small business win #1: Minus me having to upgrade my camera, I made enough money from photography last year to cover my expenses.

Small business win #2: I sat down a couple of days ago to plan out my editorial calendar for Spring, and realized that between a few recurring series I have once a month, and sessions I have booked between now and the end of May, I have enough content to post one blog a week through MID-JULY. UM, WHAT?!

Small business win #3: While I was filling out my editorial calendar, I also sat down with my scheduling calendar and I have 9 sessions booked through the end of May. After a rough fall with my flop of an event with Next Stop Kids Shop, plus being sick all winter, I am blown away that I have received enough support from my community to be able to pursue this passion of mine.

Small business win #4: I'm finally (finally) getting back into my routine again after blastomycosis kinda flipped my world upside down. One thing I've started to do is write down pose ideas for photos I want to create during my sessions. This is something I dabbled in when I worked in a studio (stand, kneel, sit, eyelash pose, repeat) but never really felt like I had the time or the energy to commit to in my own business. Since taking this gig full time, I have heard time and time again to "only post what you want to shoot" and realized the importance of planning in order to make those ideas I have in my head into reality.

Small business win #5: Mama bought a new macro lens with her tax return, and it's supposed to be here on Tuesday. Being able to invest back into my business is the best feeling. And, tbh, I mostly ordered it so I can get bomb ring shots during wedding season. I free-lensed that necklace photo above!

Speaking of wedding season, the countdown is officially on! Three weeks from today, Steve and Emily will be Mr. and Mrs. and I could not be more excited for my 2019 season to start. Cheers to small business wins, and another year of business under my belt.