As a photographer that shoots almost exclusively outdoors - and primarily families - the winter is a very quiet season for business. Anytime I run into friends who are checking in to see how I'm doing professionally (and let's face it, this is my life!) they ask:
"So, what exactly do you do in the winter?"
Well, I blog about random stuff. (See this blog post...)
I do my taxes for the previous year.
It's just as fun as it sounds.
I do some maintenance on my blog. Little things that I put off during my busier seasons. Instead of "spring cleaning", it's winter cleaning.
I relax. I enjoy the forced vacation! I catch up on my DVR, catch up on personal projects I've put off, and let me kids see I do in fact have a face - not just the back of Mommy's head looking at the computer screen. After the rush of fall pictures, which is my busiest season as a family photographer, it's really nice to have some time off to regroup. Who knew Private Practice was so addicting??
I drink a lot of hot chocolate. It's never too late or too early for some cocoa. I recently tried adding Nutella to my glass - it's fantastic.
I spend time looking at my business model. What should I change? How can I improve my business? What will draw in clients? What will keep current clients happy and coming back? Does everyone hate me or am I not booking because it's cold? I mean, it is cold...
I think about the areas in my photography that I need to improve at. I'm humble enough to admit I have weaknesses and I'm constantly trying to improve. I don't want to blow highlights in the faces. I want to master white balance, once and for all! I want to stop cropping off limbs at weird places. I want to be less "conventional" with my candids... Having goals only makes me better.
I do a lot of newborn and child photography, that takes place indoors usually all year around. The sessions I do have on the books, are those. So excited to meet some new babies, especially since my "baby", is now 6 months old! Holy cow!
That being said, I catch up on taking more pictures of my own kids. Everyone thinks as a photographer I probably have thousands of pictures of my kiddos, and I don't. I try to do some sessions of them in the winter, and my Photo a Day project is definitely inspiring me to pick up the camera more at home.
When spring finally rolls around the and session inquiries start coming back in, I get the jitters! It's like riding a bike. Once I start peddling, it all comes back. The confidence returns and it's no longer like I'm seconds from tipping over. Going a few months without shooting every week is tough. That's why I love the first few sessions in a new year - I love the rush. The excitement. I hope I never grow out of that.
So, when it's cold I'm relaxing and regrouping - but my head is constantly turning. I'm thinking about you - the client, past and present. I'm anxious to see you all in a few months, or your babies in the next few weeks. According to Punxsutawney Phil, I'll be seeing you guys sooner rather than later!
"So, what exactly do you do in the winter?"
Well, I blog about random stuff. (See this blog post...)
I do my taxes for the previous year.
It's just as fun as it sounds.
I do some maintenance on my blog. Little things that I put off during my busier seasons. Instead of "spring cleaning", it's winter cleaning.
I relax. I enjoy the forced vacation! I catch up on my DVR, catch up on personal projects I've put off, and let me kids see I do in fact have a face - not just the back of Mommy's head looking at the computer screen. After the rush of fall pictures, which is my busiest season as a family photographer, it's really nice to have some time off to regroup. Who knew Private Practice was so addicting??
I drink a lot of hot chocolate. It's never too late or too early for some cocoa. I recently tried adding Nutella to my glass - it's fantastic.
I spend time looking at my business model. What should I change? How can I improve my business? What will draw in clients? What will keep current clients happy and coming back? Does everyone hate me or am I not booking because it's cold? I mean, it is cold...I think about the areas in my photography that I need to improve at. I'm humble enough to admit I have weaknesses and I'm constantly trying to improve. I don't want to blow highlights in the faces. I want to master white balance, once and for all! I want to stop cropping off limbs at weird places. I want to be less "conventional" with my candids... Having goals only makes me better.
I do a lot of newborn and child photography, that takes place indoors usually all year around. The sessions I do have on the books, are those. So excited to meet some new babies, especially since my "baby", is now 6 months old! Holy cow!
That being said, I catch up on taking more pictures of my own kids. Everyone thinks as a photographer I probably have thousands of pictures of my kiddos, and I don't. I try to do some sessions of them in the winter, and my Photo a Day project is definitely inspiring me to pick up the camera more at home.
When spring finally rolls around the and session inquiries start coming back in, I get the jitters! It's like riding a bike. Once I start peddling, it all comes back. The confidence returns and it's no longer like I'm seconds from tipping over. Going a few months without shooting every week is tough. That's why I love the first few sessions in a new year - I love the rush. The excitement. I hope I never grow out of that.
So, when it's cold I'm relaxing and regrouping - but my head is constantly turning. I'm thinking about you - the client, past and present. I'm anxious to see you all in a few months, or your babies in the next few weeks. According to Punxsutawney Phil, I'll be seeing you guys sooner rather than later!