Well, the year is winding down and it gives us time to reflect on all that we've done this year. As I write this, it's 12 degrees outside (0 when you factor in the wind chill) with 30 mph winds and 3" of snow on the ground. Regardless of what the calendar says, this the first real day of our Michigan winter. I'm hunting for my sunblock and hoping I fit into last year's swimsuit as I get ready to board a plane for Florida in the morning. The photography season is done, the holiday orders have gone out, and professionally-speaking at least, the camera has been put away for the year.
This year brought a great deal of success. I always envisioned running the kind of small business where the phone rang often, the new faces were many, and the work was plenty. I'm fortunate and blessed to have had that this year. Business more than doubled in both sales and sessions in 2009. In October, we hired our first part-time studio manager, Jennifer Mascarello. Jennifer brings years of customer service and retail management experience as well as poise, smarts, and genuine warmth. She came in at a very hectic time and threw herself right in. We're still establishing our rhythm and this new dynamic is as much of a learning curve for me as I know it is for her, but I'm so excited to have her on board!
This year brought a huge challenge for me. I struggled to maintain my work-life balance. It was so much easier when my son, Connor, was four months old and would sit placidly in his bouncy seat while mommy rocked him with one foot and languidly proofed a session. My busy bee is now two-and-a-half and is constantly buzzing around and I've had to learn to waste no time with my work. As I think back on this year, I sacrificed too many bike rides and bedtime stories. I gave up too much of what I know is really important to me -- my son, my husband, our home, and my own well-being. I told a friend the other day as we discussed the pursuit of "success", "Money is money, and then there's everything else." I've been blessed with abundance. Now, I want to concentrate on the "everything else" in 2010.
To that end, we'll be making some changes in the coming year. . .
We'll be working with fewer new clients and offering fewer sessions. I need time to recharge, reinvent, and reinvigorate my creativity. This is the only way to ensure excellence in my work. Many sessions have already booked and we will begin booking from the wait list in early January. If you're thinking you'd like to reserve your place, please let us know as soon as possible.
We will continue to offer mini sessions, but many fewer than we did this year. Mini sessions will be available to returning clients only for special purposes such as travel dates, pro bono events, promotional campaigns such as with the Knitting Room and Peek-A-Bootique, and invitation-only events. We look forward to working with all newcomers to Urban Kids Photography as full clients so we may develop a stronger connection with each and every one.
We will continue to offer some travel sessions in select cities. We plan to return to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and a few others for sure. We'll make decisions as demand indicates. I also hope to travel abroad next year. My humanitarian trip to Uganda -- about which I was SO SUPER excited -- was abruptly cancelled at the last minute due to budget cuts and low participation in the program. Not surprising given this year's economy, but disappointing for sure. I'm currently seeking other opportunities to travel abroad on a pro bono basis. I'm all ears . . .
The mentorship program has received a lot of interest for 2010. We have a wait list for the one-on-one program, which will begin in early January. We're also considering a small weekend workshop later in the season (when it's warm enough to shoot outside) for 5-10 participants. The pieces of that program are still all in my head. We'll make an announcement in the New Year.
We'll be doing some fun events next year. We're considering a senior portrait kick-off event early in Spring, a pro bono event to raise money for my participation in the Three Day Walk in August, and a second Gratitude Gala late in Fall (with hopes of somehow making it a more family-friendly affair). We'll see . . .
Finally, I'll have some speaking engagements in 2010. I've been asked to do some speaking with the Professional Photographers of America as well as giving a keynote speech to about 100 high school honorees at the Farmington Youth Assistance in May. 2010 promises to be an exciting and enriching year.
To close, I want to personally thank all of you who have been part of this tremendous year. I am surrounded by many wonderful people and my life is rich and vibrant because of you. The gifts I am able to give you do not compare to the many gifts you have given me. For that I am thankful. I look forward to being a part of your lives in the New Year and for many years to come. Cheers :)
- Karen
And to wrap up the year, images from some of my favorite clients (taken in warmer weather) . . .
