Happy New Year!!

I know I’m a little late to the party since we are officially a full week into the new year. How many of you have had to do this already?

I actually wrote a check yesterday and was shocked to realize that I wrote 1-7-13 with no problem. My pen didn’t even hesitate over the 3.

Well? How many of you have broken your resolutions? Don’t feel bad or beat yourself up, statistics show that most people don’t keep them longer than 2 weeks. I’ve always thought it was interesting that people decide that they are going to work out more or go on a diet once Jan 1st comes along. I can’t take the stress of trying to remember what I promised myself I’d do so, I don’t make resolutions. I’m a big “to do list” person. I try to always have goals on the list in my head. This year I want to grow my business and continue to challenge myself with learning new photography skills. I’ve registered for several online classes for the month of January that I’m super excited about. I also got a new camera this Christmas that I’m having fun playing with.

My “to do list” is quite large at the moment. January tends to be a slow month because everyone is trying to recover from the holidays (me included) and it is cold outside. I’ve been spending the past week getting my “office” organized. It’s time to get everything ready for the tax man and to update files. I’m also working on adding in a few package options. My price structure will stay the same for 2013 but many of you have asked for package options. You may also notice a new look and feel to my marketing products. I had a graphic designer create a set of things for me that will streamline the look of all my marketing materials. I’m excited to send those off to the printer in the next month or so.

I had planned on doing a project 365 this year but I’m finding that the idea of it stressed me out. So, from time to time you will notice that I do a monthly photography challenge where I will post pictures everyday with a different theme. I’m also thinking that instead of doing the 365 that I will pick a word for each month and do a photograph from the month that symbolizes that word. Pretty sure my January word is leaning toward crazy! And {gulp} I’m also planning on doing a few self portrait exercises. Sigh….this one is hard! When I was a teenager I was in front of the camera often as part of the modeling school I attended. Once I had children, the idea of being in front of the camera became one that induced sweaty palms and a queasy stomach. But, my children need to have photographs of me during all phases of our lives together. The good, bad, and the ugly.

So. Perhaps I have some resolutions after all. My wish for you is that you and your family will have a blessed year. One filled with laughter and memories made, one filled with moments where the mess of the day is overshadowed by the love around your dining room table. A year filled with family! Life is uncertain at times, the only one certain thing is the love of  family.

Happy 2013! It’s going to be a great year!!