2023 Year in Review
Hello, friends! December already? I can’t believe how quickly 2023 flew by. I think I say this every year, but this year has been quite a year. I’ve been thinking on this blog for the last month or so and every time I do, the same familiar lyric from a popular wedding song comes to mind to describe 2023. In Rascal Flatts’ song “My Wish,” he sings “And if one door opens to another door closed, I hope you keep on walkin’ till you find the window.” This year has been the year of lots of closed doors and constant dedication to keep walking to find an open window. Here are some 2023 closed doors…and open windows.
EKP continues to grow in ways I didn’t expect.
This “little” business of mine began almost 8 years ago shooting sessions for friends who were willing to let me experiment with taking photographs of their families. I deleted far more images than I kept and I didn’t know more about my camera than I did. Though I’ve continued to hone my skills year after year, this year my business took turns I wasn’t expecting as it grew in ways I didn’t ever anticipate. Traditionally a family and wedding photographer, in early 2023 when the season is typically slow, I delved into professional headshots. I turned that new passion into more branding and professional photo sessions this year than ever before. One of my photos was even featured on a billboard on Route 22 this fall! What a rush of excitement and feeling of “making it” seeing that billboard brought me. As I gain confidence in myself, I also gain willingness to try new things. I hope to continue this excitement for seeking discomfort in 2024 as it produced really amazing results this year.
After a lot of reflection, I decided it was time to go back to my teaching position in the classroom.
You’ve read in my guides that I left my full time teaching position in 2020 to pursue my photography career full time. While I enjoyed over two years of working full time in the photography business, something was tugging at me internally and urging me to make a change. After a lot of thoughtful reflection, I realized how much I missed the classroom and working with children. I now teach in a special education classroom for kindergarten and first graders. Both the specialization and the age group are new to me and the learning curve has been steep at times, but I absolutely love it and could not be happier or more satisfied with my decision. Not only does my new position allow me to fill my personal and professional cups from a teaching perspective, I am also learning all sorts of new skills to work with families from a variety of backgrounds and with children with unique needs in my business. What I could’ve looked at as failing to stay in my business full time to go back to the classroom became a win-win situation all around.
I’m growing to accept and act more genuinely in everything I do.
Those of you who have followed me for some time or know me well know I am an introvert. I am also a Type A personality. I am a rule follower, I like to do “the right thing.” Over the years these characteristics have served me well, but they’ve also been a downfall. Early in my career I took any photo session offered to me to gain experience and build my portfolio. This year I’ve embraced a more genuine side of myself both personally and professionally. I no longer base my choices on what others will think or feel. I accept jobs that are within my brand and that value my artistry and expertise. I politely decline if I’m not feeling aligned with an opportunity. This has certainly felt at times like letting others down, but I’ve realized being genuine in my words and actions has allowed me to be truer to myself.
2023, you were a good one. Now, let’s crush 2024.
