Follow-up

Hi readers,

This is a short  post to ensure you I have not forgotten about this blog. When starting a new year some people like to make new year resolutions, they call the year “a new start” and they convince themselves that this new year will be different. They will get things done this year that they promised to do last year. And the year before that one.

I like to see it as a follow-up on last years accomplishments. I’m not going to focus on what I didn’t do. I’m going to build upon what I did do. So I thought I would start this year by sharing a couple of lists. A list of things we accomplished last year and a list of things to accomplish this year.

1. In 2009 James and I started our own photography business (created a business image and a website)

2. I photographed my first engagement session and James photographed his first wedding

4. I started this blog

5. We got paid by people we had not met before to have their photographs taken

6. We managed to sustain ourselves by taking photographs and creating websites

I’m excited about every single little step we take forward. These might not be the most amazing accomplishments, but they mean the world to me because as I grow in this business, I’m coming closer to my goal of becoming a professional photographer and living out of what I love to do most.

Here are a couple of things I want to do and need to do this year:

1. Learn to use my camera. Like really learn how to. 100%

2. Read the manual. Yes, I still have to read the manual.

3. Write a blog post a week.

4. Build an online network. Connect with other photographers.

5. Join a photography group in my community (wherever I end up living this year)

6. Complete as many photo assignments as I can. Whether it is a portrait of someone or going out and taking photographs once a week.

7. Use the skills I’ve learnt to make a difference in someone’s life. Have you heard of Help Portrait? It’s a wonderful idea.

Here’s some advice I found which I also want to keep in mind this year.

1) Never, never be lazy.

2) Know how to eat well; the right foods in small quantities.

3) Know how to sleep well; the sleep that comes after a good day’s work.

4) Know how to appreciate, really appreciate, any good art.

5) Know how to enjoy silence, as well as good music.

6) Open your ears to the ideas and suggestions of God.

7) Love God.

- Jacques-Henri Lartigue – Jacques Henri Lartigue’s advice to young photographers

And that is that for today. I’ll probably be adding things to my to-do this year list. But that’s all for now. One step at a time, ok?

Here are a couple of photographs from our latest photo assignment to share with you. Portraits of friends:

Thanks for visiting!