Perhaps because I was too ambitious...or unrealistic...or just didn't know what this year was going to bring. Either way...here's a look at where I am, what's changed, and how I'd like to move forward.
Personal (in no special order)
1. Develop and maintain a consistent daily devoltional life.
- I'm getting better at this. I'm definitely not Cindy Trimm out here in these streets but I do try and take time to be quiet and still before the Lord every day. Baby steps.
2. Practice healthier living habits- eating and exercise.
- Ummm. Soooo...what? Huh? Someone said something. I think it's only by the grace of God (and lots of breastfeeding) that I weigh less than I do before I got pregnant. I can't commit to busting it out in the gym every day. I can commit to walking for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. I'm also falling back from beef and pork. My last real episode with beef left me heaving in the toilet and I couldn't even finish my sausage egg and cheese biscuit the other day. My body's pretty much trying to tell me something and I'm listening loud and clear.
3. Commit to intentionally doing things to make my husband feel special.
- Don't know how good I've been at that. I have been intentional about praying for my husband and being more patient. I have also been intentional about listening to him. I know he doesn't talk much, but when he does, I want to listen. I'm trying to get better at this. I don't have the money to buy him gifts so I want to be intentional about spending time with him and making sure the time we do have together is pleasant and well-spent.
4. Nurture my child by spending a set amount of time with her every single day.
- Yea. This is a no-brainer. Done. I don't really have much of a choice in this matter because she demands it.
5. Win souls for Jesus Christ.
- Who have I talked to about Jesus this year? *crickets*...I'll wait. Smh. Even if it's just one. I can and will do this by the end of the year. I just pray that my life is speaking volumes right now as well.
6. Travel out of PA (and I'm not talking to the DMV) at least three times.
- Does Delaware count because me and hubby go to Delaware at least 2 times a week lol. We've been to Rehoboth beach twice AND we've been to DC for our anniversary but as tourists...not as family. I'd definitely say that counts. One more trip to go.
7. Shoot generations of women (daughters, mothers, grandmothers).
- Mehhhh. My name is not Sue Bryce. My name is Yvonne Simms and as much as I wanted to be Sue Bryce six months ago, I've realized that I'm not AND I realized that I'm ok with that. Boom. I don't want to be Latasha Haynes, I don't want to be Amanda Holloway, I don't want to be Zach and Jody....I want to be Yvonne Simms. Now to discover who Yvonne Simms is....
8. Begin some sory of tradition that involves celebration, laughter, food, family, and friends!
- I think we're going to wait this one out until we move this fall. Folasade's first birthday is late October so I suppose we'll do a housewarming/birthday party for her. I'm also thinking about hosting Thanksgiving at our home.
9. Complete our bedroom and dining room.
- We're moving. Like we are getting a house built. I think that's a bigger feat and I'm celebrating that. Boom.
10. Read ALL of the books of the Bible chronologically.
- In progress.
11. Read 6 books.
- I've read 1.5 Only 4.5 to go.
Business
1. Develop and implement a senior model program with 15 members of the class of 2016 representing the In The Image brand. These young women will be college-bound, articulate, goal-oriented, and committed to servicing their communities. They will also represent a number of different types of schools in the Philadelphia metro region
- SOOOOOOOOOOO...i did develop and implement this. Have you ever worked so hard to develop something and in the middle of it, realized you wanted to tear it all down? Oh, is that just me? Yes, that's me. I currently have 8 girls. As of today, they have referred no one. I could spend time evaluating all the mistakes on my part....but let's just say....I'd be spinning my wheels. Again, going back to the earlier bullet...I was trying to be someone that I'm not...and my heart's not in this brand....and I'm ok with that.
2. Travel with my senior models to New Orleans, Louisiana to recreate the Solange white wedding shoot.
- No. I'd LOVE to travel to New Orleans...but not for the purposes of shooting seniors.
3. Purchase new gear including: (1) D750 Full Frame Camera (2) Nikon NIkkor AF-S 85 mm F/1.4 G (3) Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70 mm f/2.8 (4) new brand new laptop that can handle photo and video editing.-----
SOOOOOO....i just put a whole bunch of stuff up here because I was GUESSING what I needed. Based on the style I'm developing I KNOW I still need:
- A full frame camera. This crop sensor life is limiting the types of shots I can take. I'd prefer it to be D750 as I shot Elder Renee's wedding with it. That joint is all that.
- Nikon 50 mm f/1.4 G AF-S
- Nikon 35 mm f/1.4 G AF-S
- Nikon 85 mm f/1.5 G AF-S
- A new laptop!!!! That's a NO BRAINER!
- Another external hard drive. 1TB
4. Shoot and sell at least 30 senior sessions before the year is over with an average of $1,000 sales per session.
- Was I smoking crack when I came up with this number that I just pulled out of my arse? As Bishop Freeman says-- "You don't go into business; You grow into business." That being said, I'd still like to make enough money to cover my operating costs but my focus has reshifted to building a consistent and strong portfolio of work that reflects the type of work and customers I want to attract.
5. Build a rock-solid and consisten brand for modern high school senior photography
- So I built a brand. It's not rock solid. It's not really consistent. I'm deconstructing it before it spontaneously combusts. Is everyone alright with that?
6. Join a group of like-minded creatives who push me to think outside of the box and reach my full potential.
- I think I MIGHT have found this. I attended a couple of networking meetings. I've found a group called Tuesdays Together. This may prove fruitful, but I have to see.
7. Purchase a seat at Amanda Holloway's Kitchen Sink Workshop in 2016.....
- While I think she is amazing at what she does, it's what SHE does and not what I want to do. I am sure there are things I can learn from her but I want to move in a different direction. I DO value mentorship and education and I'd still like to purchase mentoring, just not from her. I actually would like to follow up with Elle Danielle, a photographer I met with last year before I had the baby. She specializes in lifestyle, wedding, engagements, etc. and has a consistent base of folks in Alabama. We certainly shall see. I need help with shooting consistently, editing, workflow, posing couples, and of course the business elements of it all. Hopefully, I can get a mentorship with her by the end of the year.
8. Submit 4 shoots for national magazine publication.
- At this time, I'm not really interested in this. And that's ok. Let me get my shooting and editing game down and we can talk about national recognition. First things first.
9. Shift from shoot and burn to in-person sales.
- I'll admit....I'm in transition here. I did one in-person sales which yielded me about $400 in profit. I haven't seen any of it though because it all went to my operating costs. The rest of course has gone into the production and ordering of the product. I don't mind, at this point, offering an online gallery and requiring a minimum print purchase through collections.
10. Organize the basement as a set room for makeup AND in-person sales.
- We're moving AND I'll have an office! YAY!
So this is where we are. Ron and Yvonne are moving. Baby is almost 8 months old. I started a business and now want to move in a completely different direction. There's alot in flux and I'm ok with that.
Boom.
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