Creating Goals

Today, we're talking about the importance of goals and how to set your own. Wouldn't you like to have some clarity or guidance for what steps you should take in your business? Goals light the path for what direction we need to be working. Having a vision helps you know if what you're currently doing serves that vision or if you should reevaluate.

When creating goals, remember they're specific and personal to each person. Take some time and think about what you want to achieve in your business or personal life and write it out. Don't think about other people's goals or what the industry says you have to accomplish. List all goals, then break them down into six-month goals, one year, three years, etc. We recommend keeping a physical list because it feels great to actually write a checkmark next to it or cross it off. Add the date you set the goal, then include the date when you accomplish it. It'll be fun to look back on!

Make some goals that you know you can eventually achieve, and have some that seem like reaching for the stars. A balanced mix is essential so you can see you're accomplishing things while pushing yourself not to play small.

Every goal is significant, no matter its scale. Sometimes it's accomplishing the little goals that put you in a position to achieve the bigger ones, so don't discount them! Going about and putting in the work or taking the risk to achieve particular goals can push you beyond your comfort zone, but it can bring about such rewards. Remind yourself it's an automatic no if you don't even try. It will help put things in perspective and give you the courage to take the plunge and do it!

Find joy in the waiting because accomplishing goals takes patience, especially as a business owner! Many things you may be working on take time to achieve, so the best way to play the waiting game is by finding something to be joyful about while being thankful where you are.

Celebrate every victory, no matter how small! It'll help you stay motivated, and you totally earned it. Accomplishing anything is a satisfying feeling and builds your belief in yourself. So, dance around the room, treat yourself to a cupcake, or whatever makes you happy, but please do celebrate every victory!

What are some of your current goals and things you want to accomplish this year? We'd love to hear from you and cheer you on!

Elevating Your Work

When we talk about elevating our work, our goal is to photograph something to appear more refined and high-end. Say you're photographing a 30K wedding. Elevating it would be capturing everything in a way that viewers would believe it's a 60K wedding. This approach applies to any photography, not only weddings. There are ways to elevate your work in every niche. How does one go about this? Read on because we're dishing out all the tips and advice today!

Curate what you show.

Go through your website and Instagram and examine everything. Do you want to get away from casually dressed sessions? Remove images that don't support a formal aesthetic. If you're in the process of rebuilding your portfolio, have a few photos you want to nail at each session/wedding in mind that doesn't include any of the elements you don't want to show. This way, you'll still have content from every job to share.

Pay attention to details.

You know the phrase, ‘The devil is in the details?’ It's true! You could have a gorgeous photograph, but a distracting object takes away from the photo. Yes, you could Photoshop it out, but it's better to get it right in camera and save time in the long run. Remove Apple watches or hair ties on the wrist and wallets or phones from pockets. When photographing tablescapes, move the salt and pepper shakers, butter dish, or anything else that isn't a decorative part of the table. Train yourself to develop a meticulous and editorial eye.

Up your posing/prompt game and step away from cheesy poses.

A beautiful setting and well-dressed subjects are lost if a pose looks awkward or facial expressions aren't relaxed. Body language speaks volumes, so understand the message portrayed in your frame. Strong posing isn't complicated but nuanced. Watch movies or music videos and observe how the people interact and think about what the director might've told them for that result.

Know your light.

Light is everything to photographers, and knowing how to utilize it well will instantly elevate your work. Thanks to modern technology, you can download an app to tell you where the sun's position will be at what day and time. How you light your work is entirely personal preference, but mastery shows in every style. Figuring out your favorite direction of light and amount of sun flare will establish your signature style.

Consistently deliver.

From photographs to editing and the experience, every detail associated with your brand should exemplify excellence and quality. Providing gorgeous photos and a memorable experience every single time will set you apart.

Applying all of the aspects we talked about today will help you take your business to the next level and strengthen your brand. We hope you take all of these tips and run with them!

Creativity is A Discipline

Sometimes artists think they have to wait around for creativity to strike, that creative genius is only possible when inspiration hits.

What if we changed our view of creativity and realized it's not as elusive as we once thought? Let's think of creativity as a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it will be.

Think of it as playing an instrument. You have to set aside time to practice to become a good musician. There is a discipline to creativity and committing yourself to create. Don't wait to feel inspired before picking up your camera. Decide you're going to create something, and then those creative juices will start flowing. You have to show up for creativity to show up.

We've all experienced what it's like to go through a creative lull, but it's important to still put in the hours to grow in your work. For a time, challenge yourself to photograph something each day. Give yourself 15 minutes to mess around, and when the timer is over, if you don't want to continue, 100% ok. Practice styling and photographing flat lays, capture your family and the day-to-day, or a baking project or flowers. The discipline to creativity is deciding to create even when you feel unmotivated.

You never know what might happen, and you could make some of your favorite work! You may amaze yourself and wonder how you ever thought of it. Even when you're at your most inspired and motivated, the idea in your head is only an idea until you decide to act on it and commit to bringing it to life.

You can learn equally from your mediocre work as you can from the extraordinary. Let go of the idea that every single thing you make has to be phenomenal. Always be creating and learning. In the space you give yourself to create just for you, pay attention to what gets those creative juices flowing. Notice what you love and even what you don't. Ask yourself why you gravitate to specific artistic/aesthetic preferences and why you dislike others. Learn what works for you and what doesn't.

When we realize the simple act of showing up is half the battle, creativity meets us along the way. It should be a great comfort to know that creativity does not visit a select few and bestow upon them a multitude of original ideas. Creativity is available to everyone and is in infinite supply!

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

We hope this leaves you ready to go out and create! Did this change your view of creativity? We'd love to hear about it!