5 Reasons I’m Raring for 2020 | Lake Chelan Photographer

With 2019 behind us, I thought about the different ways I could sum it up and write a blog post. Honestly, looking back at 2019 is hard though…I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because that is not what this is. But, It was my busiest season yet and I didn’t conquer that work\life balance goal, so it was overwhelming and stressful and on top of that, my mom died and I felt like it was just a really hard year. So instead of sitting in that and exploring it for all of you to see (I’ve got my girlfriends and coffee for that ;), I decided to look forward to 2020. Because I am looking forward to it. My chest is filled with excited energy, and this quiet hope that this coming year will bring some changes and growth. So, here are my top 5 things I am excited about!

NUMBER ONE: A little under 2 months ago, I was scrolling through IG and came upon a beautiful portrait. I clicked on the artist’s page and was simply blown away… it was darker than a lot of the photographers I follow, a lot of deep hues and not much white space. All the portraits were of children and their mama, but it was so different. It felt like ART. Her name is Meg Loeks and from the moment I discovered her work, I have been inspired to photograph more intentionally and artfully. Here is a link to her page if you want to see: Meg Loeks

Meg is putting on a workshop in San Fransisco in April, and thanks to the amazing support of my husband, who encouraged me like crazy to sign up…I’M GOING!!! This feels like a really big deal because until now, the thought of traveling and spending time away from my kids or taking a workshop felt like something years and years away. This feels like a dream come true and opens up possibilities I didn’t think were possible as a full-time mama. And on a photography note? All I want is to dive deeper into the craft, learn all I can, grow, become successful with it and I think investing in this workshop is a huge step in that direction. I am so excited for it, but I am so relishing this feeling of looking forward to something too…I’ve got 4 months of looking forward to this and you can bet I’m sitting in that and letting the giddy bubbles runneth over.

NUMBER TWO: Now this one is exciting, and the possibilities are endless and it’s slightly overwhelming but in the best kind of way. Brogan (my husband) is starting a frame shop!! We bought it from a local framer who ran Black Dog Frame Shop in Chelan for years. It’s literally the most perfect thing I can think of for my husband– he gets to be creative, works with people, and his hands. It marries my business in such a beautiful way and I can’t wait to offer my clients service from literal start to finish, taking their photos to hand framing and canvasing them. As I said, the possibilities are endless so we’ve made a pact with each other to take it slow, grow it little by little as we develop the brand and business. I feel like this is the start of something incredible. And I am grateful to Brogan for pushing ahead on this even when I had my doubts and fears, he saw a hopeful future and I just love him for bringing me along.

NUMBER THREE: One of my big goals this year is to discover ways to make a passive income. The frame shop inspired me to open up an Etsy storefront, which will eventually be selling prints in different style frames and canvases. At the moment though, I decided to open one for digital prints!! I don’t know why I’ve never thought of this before, but there have been several times over the past few years where I was approached by someone who wanted to buy a picture of mine so they could canvas or frame it for their house. Taking this approach and thinking about photos that will inspire people enough to buy, download, print and hang is a completely new perspective for me and one that I am so excited about exploring! I want people’s homes to be warmed by beautiful photos, so that is my goal for the new Etsy shop: Prints By Kayla

NUMBER FOUR: I have already alluded to this next thing, but I wanted to give more space to air out. I am excited about diving deeper into my craft. I feel like if there are different levels of photography, I’m hitting the ceiling of level 1 and I really want to make that breakthrough to level two. I’m searching for it, working hard for it, and I feel like 2020 is going to be a year of transformation, focus, and growth. One of my best friends, who is just the sweetest listener and sounding board, has heard me talk and struggle and dream and I love how she puts it: “I feel like you are on the verge of the next level, and it might come with insecurity and fear, but I think that’s the sign you are ready”. If Sarah says it, it must be true 😉 But I do feel this incredible desire to just, go deeper and hone in on a nice and excel at it. Always bringing it back to this, I want to create art that makes you FEEL something, the same way that Meg Loek’s work makes me light up inside. I want to find what that is for me, and do it.

NUMBER FIVE: Scaling it back! Last year I took on what felt like too much. Maybe it wasn’t, because I survived, my business grew, and as far as I know, my wonderful clients were happy! But my house fell apart, I wasn’t cooking as much as I should be and I felt like my kids didn’t get as much present-time with mama as they should have. I felt overwhelmed and I struggled with anxiety. You know what my goal is? Saying “no” more often, and pouring everything I have into the “yes’s”. Maybe I won’t take on as many weddings this year, OR maybe only take on weddings, I’m not sure what this looks like yet. But I do know that I want to bless my clients in ways that go above and beyond their expectations. I want to be present with whoever and wherever I am. The flip side of this, (that is so awesome!) is offering a more in-depth service that also earns more income. Raising my prices to match my skill and the time I am pouring into growing.

If you are still reading, thank you for sticking around and hearing me out! Thanks for being here. I appreciate you. Please leave your thoughts in the comments, I would love to know what things you are looking forward to in 2020!

xoxo,
Kayla