Around Christmas, many photographers rejoice just a little bit, because our sixty hour work weeks are over-the spring weddings are done and the fall sunsets have faded. In the past, the off-season has been really difficult for me, as I often do not know what to do with my hands. This winter, I set some goals for myself in three basic areas: rest, maintenance, and growth.

1) Rest

Going from a sixty to eighty hour work week during the fall season down to zero is really hard. As business owners, we feel that if we are not working at least forty hour weeks, we are a failure; that we don’t deserve to run a business. 

That is one hundred percent not true! Even though hustle brings success, we are not made to hustle all year around; in fact, that is when burnout happens.

In the off-season, I try to find a state of true rest, the physical and the spiritual.

2) Maintenance

In the winter, I try to get things done that I did not have time for during wedding season; for example, goals (physical, spiritual, business, and financial), taxes, budgeting, website updates, etc.

3. Growth

This winter, I focused on ways I could grow this little business of mine.

First, I wanted to make an engagement session style guide to give to my brides as a part of their welcome gift. I loved looking back at all this past year’s engagement sessions, and, putting together a guide that represented the experience that I want for my clients. From location details to putting together the perfect outfit, this guide has it all.

Also, I wanted to submit some weddings and engagement sessions for publication to various magazines and blogs. There are going to be many features of my work this year across various platforms; and, I am so excited to share those with y’all.

xoxo, rebecca