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Category Archives: Minneapolis

Goal Setting:: 2018 Business Goals

As you read the above header, you land in one of the two camps::

“YAY, I LOVE goal setting, when can we get started and can I bring all my colored markers, and stickers, ideas, and planners to the table”

OR

“Please come find me when you are finished.”

I used to run with the latter camp… like up until 2 years ago.  Really, I am serious. I made all kids of excuses (my kids are too young, I am too old, I’ll never accomplish these goals, my numbers will never be where I want them to be so why even try, can I really do what I am hoping to accomplish, is it realistic enough, but my husband is a pastor, I’m too busy, I don’t have enough time, I am always tired, my kids require too much of me, etc., etc. etc.)

I have always loved checklists, and could get through my day by crossing daily tasks off, but I never really took the time to look at the big picture of my business or even my life.  I was just getting by.

It is scary for me to even admit this to the internet, but last year was the first year in my business that I put numbers to paper and set real life goals.  To be fair, I was an art major and had no business background in college. I got married right after graduation and we started our family not long after that.  There wasn’t a whole lot of time to take any business classes or goal setting courses, so everything I have learned on the business side of things has been because I walked through them on my own, or learned by failure.

In January of 2017, I put numbers to paper, set my goals for 2017 and watched as they were accomplished! Then in October I discovered Power Sheets, and my goal setting life has been dramatically changing! (Thank you Lara Casey and the Cultivate Team)

Now I run with the first camp, one that I never thought I would be in.  I am now a huge believer in setting intentional, life-giving goals because I have seen things happen last year that I want to see happen at an even deeper level this year.  Instead of making the goals an annual thing, I love that my Power Sheets give me the option to reevaluate my goals quarterly to see if they are realistic and form to my life! Already since I have started, I have decided to change what some of them are because I don’t feel right about going in a certain direction!

So Internet, here are my quarter one business goals for 2018:

  • Create systems for the business from start to finish for both my wedding and portrait clients.
  • Be able outsource all my social media in my busy season and get it to where I want it in the slow season.
  • Create content for the blog and social media for the entire year
  • Put all 2018 numbers to paper and get the calendar set with sessions, weddings, events and mini sessions
  • Change pricing structure and create pricing information to go along with it

YIKES, it is SO scary to write those mainly because I am not sure I can even accomplish them.  But Internet, please hold me to them, and I would love to know your 2018 goals!  Will you share them with me?  I’d love to help hold you accountable to them!! (And if you are interested, I would HIGHLY recommend the Power Sheets for the year!)

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    Goal Setting:: What happened in 2017?

    Goal Setting.

    It is one of those things that I have grown to love this past year.  I have always been a list maker and a list crosser and really thrive by doing so, but this past year I became more intentional about the goals I set.  Looking back to this post and this post from last January brings me a lot of joy, not because I accomplished all the goals (because actually I only accomplished about half of them!), but because I set them and worked hard at achieving them.  I also realized throughout the year what was important to me and what needed to go to the wayside. Looking back, I was really happy to see the results!  Progress not perfection was my mantra!

    So what worked and what ended up needing to be put aside?? Red:: Accomplished!! Blue:: Nope

    BUSINESS

    • Purchase a new lens (I love my new 35mm!)
    • Create a monthly/ if not bi-monthly newsletter (Keep watching for them in your inbox monthly for 2018!)
    • Blog at least 3-5 times a week with one special focus day (Let’s be honest, In October this went to they wayside because I was SO busy, but progress is better than perfection, right?!!)
    • Connect social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to those blogs (Hired a VA!!  Thank you Susan!!)
    • Photograph another styled wedding shoot (I did actually did TWO; watch for the publication soon!!!  eeekkk!!)
    • Connect with at least 2-3 other wedding vendors a month ( I really drove this hard until June, and then had to let it go to back burner)
    • Create social media calendar (Again, thank you Susan!)
    • Photograph a wedding in another state or country (besides Wisconsin!)
    • Submit weddings and sessions at the end of each month
    • Learn more about my camera and attend at least two educational seminars in the world of photography this year
    • Create some kind of mentor session- (not sure the details of this, and still working through how this would look, or if it even something I want to do)
    • Shoot x amount of weddings, newborns, and family sessions and make x amount per year. (I have this number written down, but feel comfortable not sharing on the Internet for personal reasons! (Super excited to watch these numbers.  Honestly when you write things down, it IS amazing what happens!!)

     

    PERSONAL

    • Taking our kids out one-on-one weekly (I didn’t do this, but Kevin was awesome at it, and by him doing so, I got to spend time with my other 2, which changed the dynamics of our home tremendously!)
    • Reading one book per month (While I finished 2 actual real live books you can hold in your hand, I finished 17 Audible books with my kids this year!  I seriously call that a win, and am now addicted to Audible!)
    • Taking a day off , like really off. (Nope, just did not happen, but we are working on this one as the slow season sets in!)
    • Connecting with family and friends, either by going out, or through texting/ e-mailing/ phone calls throughout the week ( I worked hard at this one in the off season and connected with my Grandma on a bi-weekly basis which has been incredible for our relationship, and have connected with friends at various times and gone on some wonderful girls weekends!!)
    • Running another 1/2 marathon ( No half marathon for me, but I did run a 10K in August and did not train for it at all! My good friend pushed me the entire way, and I was super happy with my time and the fact I can still run 6 miles without training… maybe its those 9 hour wedding days that help..!!)
    • Doing a Bible Study/ quarter with other women (Again, progress not perfection on this one!  First quarter I was able to be in a Bible study with some dear women, then invested into our small group on Sunday evenings!)
    • Investing into self-care (Honestly, I don’t think I did well in this area.  I worked hard to get out walking every day in the beginning of the year, but once summer came and my kids were home and business was back in full swing, my schedule was wonky and I just went to the wayside.  Working on this again for the 2018 year!)
    • Date night with Kevin once every other week (Although we did date, it was not weekly.  I think this was an unrealistic expectation and am putting it monthly for the 2018 year!)
    • Create and print photo books of my family for the year ( Working on this too, I hate that I am a photographer and have NO books to show my kids.  It is going on the goals list for 2018!)
    • Work on a personal photo project for myself (If I can’t do self care how do I have time for this?  Again, unrealistic expectation and maybe for the future!!)

    I’m SO, SO glad I set these up, and they are SO helpful as I look into the New Year on where to go with my goals!

    For 2018, I have decided to go even deeper with my goal setting and in November purchased Power Sheets from Cultivate What Matters. I have heard all about these sheets in the entrepreneurial world that I run around in, but never really took the time to invest in them and use them. The rest of this week I will be sharing my goals for the 2018 year!!

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      Lumber Exchange Wedding:: Jenni & Ryan

      Being that they were both Wild Fans, Ryan suggested they go to a winter game.  After the game they caught the puck and both of them knew it was a special day. As they were walking back to their car after the game, Ryan stopped Jenni amid the twinkling white lights and fresh snow in Rice Park and said, “You know what would make this day more amazing?” Her mouth dropped open as Ryan got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife!

      It was only natural that Jenni and Ryan wed on the weekend of New Year’s Eve.  Having met at a New Year’s Eve party once while they were dating other people, and then meeting again one year later when they were single, there was no doubt that they both wanted a winter wedding to celebrate their love for one another.

      Their beautifully cold December wedding day was filled a hint of snow and friends and family who joyfully watched them exchange their wedding vows at the Basilica of St. Mary and then celebrated with them at The Lumber Exchange, a modern event center in the North Loop of Minneapolis. Jenni’s elegant ivory lace back Allure gown from the Wedding Shoppe was paired perfectly with the elegant red dresses her bridesmaids wore, also from The Wedding Shoppe. The wintery blooms from BK’s Boquets were a perfect pop of color against the dresses.  The Jewel of Minnetonka provided the most beautiful solitaire and setting for Jenni’s vintage rings and Jenni’s amazing shoes (some I had never seen before!) added a rich vintage feel to the rest of her ensemble. Ryan and his groomsmen wore grey suits from Halberstadt’s with a pop of red in their ties. VistaPrint created the invitations and stationary while Sammy’s Sweets brought in the most amazing cupcakes of all different flavors ranging from Peanut Butter Chocolate to Salted Carmel. Guests danced the night away with music from Dj4nicks and there was even a moment when Jenni and her flower girl did the whip it nae nae dance! Jenni and Ryan, it was an honor to spend your day with you and I wish you both many years of joy and happiness!

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      Ceremony:: Basilica of St. Mary // Reception:: Lumber Exchange//Hair and Make-Up:: Elle Bawek// Florist:: BK’s Crafts, Bouquets, and more // Wedding Dress:: Allure purchased at The Wedding Shoppe// Bridesmaids Dresses:: The Wedding Shoppe // Men’s Ware:: Halberstadt’s //  Rings:: The Jewel of Lake Minnetonka// Stationery:: VistaPrint// DJ:: Sam Peterson of DJ4ENZIKS// Cake:: Sammy’s Sweets // Video:: // Second Shooter:: Crystal Hedberg

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      • Tiffany

        All of these photos are completely stunning!!
        What a beautiful collection of the most beautiful couple on their incredible day!! So much love & fun is captured in these photos-WOW! Congratulations Jenni & Ryan!!!

      Happy 2018!!

      Happy New Year!!

      Here’s to another year.  One that is blessed, filled with memories, lots of joy and laughter, and celebration!

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        Newborns of 2017

        What a year it was for sweet babies!  I definitely got my baby fix for the year. I have to say that out of all the newborns I photographed, only 4 were girls! I think it was the year for boys! Thank you to all the families that included me in this wonderful and beautiful stage of life. I look forward to seeing more of you as your children grow and change over the years! Here’s to a great 2018 year!

        Minneapolis newborn, lifestyle newborn, minneapolis

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          Brands

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          FK

          Minneapolis Wedding and portrait photographer for the Modern & timeless

           

          Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.

          Get in touch with Karen for any questions.

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