Category Archives: In the Business

5 Tricks to Productive Self-Employment

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Over the past couple of years I have learned so much.  Period.  One of those categories of learning is how to create working habits that inspire my creative and productive juices.  Today I will share those tricks with YOU! 😉

  1. Set office hours.  This is as much for you as it is for your clients.  This is about setting boundaries for you and your clients.  This is for you because workaholics need the accountability and permission to stop working and those with a lazy tendency need the push to start working and to keep at it. My boundaries consist of regular work hours M-F 9am – 5pm (this is mainly for phone, email, and meeting purposes), I take a Sabbath on Sundays, and I have date night with the hubs on Monday nights.  As far as I’m concerned any other evenings and Saturdays are fair game for photo shoots. It’s ok, in fact it’s important to give yourself a break to have dinner with your family, or take a Sunday Sabbath, or have a date night with your spouse.  I have found that my clients like to know I have a life outside of my work and that they can count on me within my office hours because I’ve set those boundaries.
  2. Commit to realistic goals.  Give yourself a daily TO DO list that will fill your work day but will also be completed by the end of it.  For some of us this means giving ourselves more to do – this way you won’t find yourself surfing the web aimlessly, sitting on Facebook, or going back for more snacks repeatedly.  For others of us, like myself, this means giving ourselves less – this way you won’t be working into the wee hours of the night or kicking yourself at the end of the day for not finishing everything you set out to do.  At the end of your day you will feel accomplished.
  3. Take breaks.  During your work day it is best to take anywhere between 2 – 5 breaks.  All of these breaks should involve getting up and walking around a little bit.  Personally, I have found I maximize my productivity if I take my first break for about an hour around 1pm to eat, read, walk the dogs, or do something else fun and then to take a succession of smallish breaks ever couple of hours after that until I’m finished for the day.  Taking breaks gives your mind a moment to wander freely and potentially problem solve in the process, besides a good leg stretch is a wonderful idea and will ease your increasing restlessness.
  4. Accomplish something small.  Ending the day with a sense of accomplishment is ridiculously important.  If all else fails during my work day I have found that by walking the dogs, doing the dishes, or cleaning helps me to at least feel productive.
  5. Take time just to be.  By taking time to simply sit in the quiet and let your mind wander you will allow your mind to free itself from the web of responsibility and stumble into strokes of brilliance.  Haven’t you ever noticed that the best ideas come to you when you are in the shower or driving?

That’s all for now!  Have a blessed Friday and weekend!  Catch you on Monday 🙂

Kelly Moore Bags

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I got my first Kelly Moore bag last Christmas.  I get so many compliments on it and I love it!

I’ve never been one to get the standard items in life so when I was looking for a camera bag I was bent on finding something more than just the practical black camera bag.  I found a few companies but ultimately liked the designs and quality of Kelly Moore the best.

This year my little bro got me a purse.  It’s my very first “grown up” purse!  I had specifically hoped for this bag because of my a Photo a Day posts.  This bag allows me to carry my camera with me every where, so I don’t have to result to my iPhone anymore, while keeping it handy and protected.

My criteria in choosing…

  1. roomy enough for my camera and an extra lens or my flash
  2. pockets for all my goodies (I have been a pocket fanatic since I was a wee little one)
  3. camel color (because it goes with everything)
  4. not so big that my back would break

I chose the 2 Sues Bag because it filled all of my criteria, it’s snazzy, and has all sorts of great perks – the built in wallet, the iPad sleeve, and all the glorious pockets… to name a few.

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100th Blog Post Giveaway Winner!

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Last week I posted my 100th Blog Post and decided to make it special.  I included some fun stats about my blog and a giveaway contest.  I stopped taking names at midnight and pulled the lucky winner this morning!

Joel Osborn!

You just won a MINI session with me!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

  • 15 minute MINI session at the studio
  • 10 – 20 final images on a disc shipped directly to you

5 Ways to Improve as a Photographer

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  1. Saturate yourself with art.  Whether you are looking online at other photographer’s work in your field of enjoying looking at painted landscapes at a museum it inspires your creativity.
  2. Do things that inspire you.  For me getting outside does wonders so when I’m feeling cooped up or lack luster I find a good long walk outside with the dogs loosens up my creative juices.  Maybe a good book or pursuing another artistic avenue for a little while helps reset your creativity.
  3. Do work for free on occasion.  Only creating work for a paycheck with rob your joy for the art of it.
  4. Stay out of routine.  A little routine is good to maintain some sanity and humanity but in your daily life be sure to keep some spontaneity and especially be sure to keep variety high when creating your work.  This is the best way to stay out of a rut, feed your creativity, and fuel your passion forward to advancement.
  5. Mark room for leisure.  There is nothing that bogs creativity down more than stress.  Make sure you are getting sufficient rest but the most recent important thing I’ve stumbled on is making time for nothing.  When you simply take some time to sit and think ideas start to pour out.  Sometimes even a long shower or drive helps do this too if you’re not comfortable sitting in the quiet right away.