2024 was peculiar. My first year as a business owner where I wasn’t really focused on my business. A promotion to Warrant Officer meant months dedicated to training plus a new role within the military that required my attention. And a period of creative stagnation further contributed to my withdrawal. While my business continued, it did so largely on autopilot.
Thankfully, despite the lack of attention, it was still a successful year. That is to say my business made more money than it lost, and I left many clients with a product they loved.
Still, with 2024 near its end, and 2025 set to begin, I’m left with thoughts:
I’m motivated to revitalize my business. I’m proud of what I’ve built and the dream remains to retire and operate my studio full time. I want to continue pushing now so that in a few years the transition from military service is easy. I need to prioritize my business and re-establish my presence within the local market.
This also means re-establishing myself as the premier headshot photographer in my area. While I’ve successfully expanded my proficiency behind the camera, and entered into new markets, I miss the specialization that once defined my work. It’s time to reclaim my position as the leading headshot photographer in my region. Get back to my photographic roots.
I want to re-establish my place among my peers. As I’ve progressed as a photographer I’ve become acquaintances with many of the best photographers in the world. It still feels a little like I somehow snuck into their party without them noticing. Over the past couple years I withdrew from many of those social circles, and I miss the way they left me feeling inspired.
And I want to put myself out there more. More writing. Start coaching and mentoring. Working at a school (albeit a military school) these past years has proven my passion for being in a mentorship role and provided me with a lot of tools that enable me to be so. I want to take that skillset and translate it to my photography. I want to help others grow their own passion.
I want 2025 to be a year of growth and recovery for me, my photography, and my business.
My 2025 Goals:
- Refocus and revitalize my business,
- Get back to my roots as a specialist headshot photographer,
- Focus less being creative and more on capturing the genuine,
- Reconnect with my peers – especially within the Headshot Crew,
- Start writing more; lessons, reviews, etc,
- and finally introduce a casual coaching / mentoring program.
Of course the when and hows of all the above are still being developed, but I have plans and I’m excited to push forward. Welcome to 2025 my friends.