2015 is over...
It feels like it just started...
I had just
begun my new job as a Contract Specialist, I had made the choice to remove my
photography advertisement from The Knot.com so I could focus on my writing, I
was two months into my query process for my first novel and almost finished completing
my second novel.
I had a busy
schedule.
I have a busy schedule. Writing is hard,
but it is thrilling to create something. Carving time out of my life for it
proved to be hectic at times, but when you love something, you find the time.
I work
Monday-Friday at an 8-5 desk job, with some great people who keep me going.
Weekends is when I would schedule most of my shoots and any evening is where I
would find time to edit those photos or write. Factor in family time into
that…only lead me to one conclusion – we need more hours in a day!
Looking back at 2015, it was a great year!
I
did something I have been wanting to do for many years and that was create
photographs that go with my first novel, The Halves of Us! I want to share them
so badly with you, but I am still editing and holding off for the big reveal!
:]
Speaking of
my first novel, this past year I reached another one of my major goals and signed
with my agent, Rebecca Angus of Golden Wheat Literary!
I also
participated in my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and got over
50,000 words written in one month!
All in all –
2015 was a good year. A trying year, trust me there were ups and downs, but I
am thrilled to start 2016 off with some fresh new goals! This year I will
continue to focus on my writing, but will still continue to shoot a limited
number of weddings.
2016 Goals
- Sign with
a publisher for the first book of The Halves of Us.
- Finish
editing on book 2 of The Halves of Us and send to Rebecca to read.
- Finish writing
book 3 (halfway completed) of The Halves of Us and begin editing.
- Finish writing
one of my WIPs.
- Photograph Weddings. (I am only booking a select amount, so contact SPP now to book yours!)
- Blog at
least twice a month about photography, writing and personal stuff.
- Photograph
at least 3 conceptual/fine art pieces.
- Read at
least 2 books a month.
- Travel
somewhere new.
- Attend a
workshop/conference (photography and/or writing).
- Renew my
passport.
But I also
want to make a list of things I need to work on…sounds silly. But I know there
are some things in my life I need to make better…or maybe not focus on as much.
I’d like to tell you negativity doesn’t affect me and I can throw some saying
out there about letting go of the bad things in your life, but those are just
words. I plan to do these things.
Things I need to work on
- Letting go
of negativity, and knowing that sometimes I might need the help of others to do
so. I keep things bottled up inside sometimes, and let it eat at me. I don’t
want to do that this year.
- Lazy
mornings. My mornings have got out of hand. I use to be such a morning person,
up the earliest and getting the day going. Now I push the snooze buttons more
times than I would care to admit. I want to get the mornings back – this will
give me those extra hours I complain about not having in the day!
- The past
few years I have really embraced wardrobe changes and I want to continue with
that – by – and I say this hesitantly – embracing color. Yeah you heard me, I
want to wear more color this year. [side note: that does not mean I will not be
wearing my signature color black :P ].
- Push
myself out of my comfort zones to continue to grow. I try to do this, and this
year I want to continue to do this and keep moving forward in my journey as an
artist. But…
- Personal
time. Find time to set aside for myself to recharge. I’m guilty of attempting
to do too much and pushing myself too hard. I need to set time aside to just
be.
As I
mentioned before, I stopped my advertisement on wedding photography, but that doesn’t
mean I wasn’t booking any. I did photograph weddings this year – and
had some big firsts for me.
But my
photography business did take the back seat this year. To be honest, I do miss
it greatly, but focusing on my writing this year has been a dream come true for
me. That being said, I appreciate all my new clients this year and I hope you
have a wonderful first year of marriage together!
So to wrap
this year neatly in a bow, I’m posting a few of my favorite photos I have
captured this year (weddings, portraits and family sessions)!
