Like most of the population, I still cannot believe that we are already at the beginning of 2018!!! Where did the entire last year go?? I really feel like the older I get, the faster the year goes by. It’s almost scary and really makes me very protective of my time! Every minute is precious and I want to be sure I’m spending them wisely. So today, I wanted to share a recap on 2017, my favorite photos from the year, and some goals for 2018!
In preparation for this post, I looked back at last year’s recap post to see what goals I had made for the year to see where I ended up. While I accomplished some of the things on my list, I didn’t meet every goal on it. That can be very discouraging, but I am choosing to extend myself some grace and reflect on the positive things! While I didn’t hit my number of weddings goal, my business sales doubled in 2017 from 2016 and the weddings that I did shoot were beautiful and for some amazing couples. I will always cherish capturing their weddings and I am looking forward to expanding the #SSPBride family in 2018!!! Another goal was to create a welcome gift for my couples and while I didn’t have it ready for 2017, I am working hard to get them sent out to my 2018 couples this month! I also wanted to host a Christmas party for my couples but with Eli and I taking a vacation after Thanksgiving, December became a little hectic and I simply did not have the time to pull it off. Speaking of December, I didn’t want to accept any sessions during that month because I know how crazy it can be for us with all the holiday and birthday celebrations, yet I accepted 3 sessions and I loved them all so much! I also wanted to start attending the Sacramento Tuesdays Together meetings and I made it to 1, so that is somewhat of a success 😉 One goal that I am excited I made happen was going to the Showit United Conference in Arizona! I am so glad I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and attend the conference because I really started feeling like I was on this journey alone and the amount of love and encouragement I got from the conference on top of the amazing workshops, lessons, and shoots really fired me up for my business! It made me feel like there was still hope for me and that my business was worth investing in. To read more about my experience, feel free to read that post here. The other goal I had for my business was to blog 2-3 times a month and aside from the month of December, I hit that goal as well! My personal goals didn’t quite go how I wanted either, but I did more than I thought I could, so that made me happy! Over the last year, we moved from our apartment to a house, managed to take a 12 day vacation, and went to more concerts than we had in awhile. All in all, it was a pretty good year even though we both got sick right after Christmas and rang in the new year at home because we still weren’t feeling very well. The biggest thing that I wanted for 2017 in my business and personal life was to be more intentional and I think I did a pretty good job of that. Not a perfect job by any means, and I want to continue with that even more in this new year. A lot of my friends and family always comment on how busy I am but I never want to be too busy for the people and things that matter to me. And thats where being more intentional will really pay off. Some other things that happened which I was pretty excited about and they weren’t even goals in the first place! Like hitting 1,000 followers on Instagram, becoming a Lillian & Co affiliate, launched a new system for my clients, and launching my new website!
To quote my post from last year, because I still feel that way and don’t think I could say it any better… But this year, I have decided to be even more intentional with my life. I have one life and I want to live it well! (any Switchfoot fans?) I want to make the things that matter, like spending quality time with my family, fueling my passions, building community and growing my business, happen. Even though I haven’t completed my Power Sheets for 2018 and narrowed down all my goals, I thought it would be fun to share some of the ones I can easily think of off the top of my head. Aside from my personal goals that consist of enrolling in a dance or pilates class, reading 10 books, settling into our new house, start attending the 2nd Saturdays art walks in Midtown Sac, going to Paris for our 10 year anniversary and planning at least 1 inspiring outing a month, I thought it would be fun to share my goals for Sarah Schweyer Photography with you. They are very similar to last years but I like the idea of putting them out there in the world! So here they are (list subject to change ;):
SSP 2018 Goals:
Book 10 Weddings (including a destination or Disney wedding)
Create a welcome gift for my SSP brides
Create the SSP Wedding Experience Magazine
Blog 2-3 times per month
Host the first annual SSP Christmas Party for my couples (Leave a comment and let me know if you would attend something like this)
Attend a photography or business workshop/conference (I’ve already got these 2 booked!! Woohoo! I will be attending Showit United again in November and I will also be attending the James & Jess workshop next month in Santa Barbara)
Continue going to the Sacramento Tuesdays Together group
Don’t book any sessions past December 1st
Read 1 business book a month
Here are some of my favorite photographs from 2017! I had the immense pleasure of working with so many wonderful couples, families, bloggers, and overall incredible people!!! I am so thankful for the people who trust me to stand in front of my lens and let me capture them in that moment in time.
To get your own Lillian & Co Disney Inspirational Bracelet at 10% off, click on the photo and use code SSPDREAMERS at checkout!
Thank you to all my clients and readers for all the love and support last year! It’s wonderful people like you that make what I do so worthwhile! I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s and are ready to kick off 2018 with a bang!!! I hope all your dreams and goals will come true in this new year! Leave a comment with some of your goals! I would love to cheer you on!! 2018, we’re ready for you!!!
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You are such an inspiration! Watching as you focus in and work towards what you’re going after – all while being honest about your journey – is so encouraging and such a reminder for me to not give up or grow weary, and when I get discouraged, to speak belief over myself as I hear you speak! Your heart is beautiful and I value your voice, your input, your vulnerability. It’s inviting, comforting, encouraging and inspiring! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Here’s to all that 2018 has in store!!