Confessions of a Photographer: Tiny Tasks

Well, something VERY exciting happened for me today... We've made our office official on the building's directory! 

This was a big deal for me! And the craziest thing is... how long it took me to do it.

The year of 2013 has already been unlike any other year we've had here at Jennifer Christi Photography. Granted, we officially turned 3 in March, but still.

Let me explain:

Every February-April I've been able to really focus on the business; revamp our product descriptions, rework our pricing, do any and all "improvements" that need to be done to our business.

This year was different.

My plan was to do all of the things mentioned above, and I have a whole list to prove it. 'Add photos to the website' ... 'create new brochure for weddings' ... and 'get in the habit of blogging' and more are all on this list.

But instead... I had more opportunities to do my favorite part... TELL STORIES! We were so blessed to have a much busier early spring. But this kind of threw off my 'groove' you might say. And because of this, I realized that MANY things got put on the back burner.

This blog would be the perfect example. I was SO proud of myself for how good I was being, how well I was keeping up, but when I got just a little too busy I backed off and let it be.

Why?

Because it's a 'tiny task'.

You all know what 'tiny tasks' are. Those things that'll only take a little bit. Those list items that you can wait on just a bit longer because it'll be so fast and easy to do once you sit down to it. 

The questions is; WHEN WILL YOU SIT DOWN TO IT?

Finally getting our name on the directory literally took me 3 minutes. It felt SO GOOD TO DO. After I did it I really started thinking about everything else I've got on that list.

My challenge to you today, is to start doing at least ONE 'tiny task' a day, if not more. I am amazed at how good it feels to check those things off; the things that are just so minuscule, so tiny, so easy. And most of the time, they really do take only minutes.

That's all Loves,

Jenny

Confessions of a Photographer: Life Altering Question

I've decided to make these confessions a weekly thing. It is mainly a peek into my life beyond the pretty images and everything that you see... this is a behind the scenes look into my brain, my life, my job. So welcome to the brain of Jenny.

For a long time I've seen what I do as something I love. And I feel so honored and extremely blessed that I have this. I know that not many get to do a job they love and have a true passion for, I encourage you guys to find what you love and MAKE IT SOMETHING.

Doing some film shots in the streets of Paris. Taken by Joel.

I've been doing photography for years, and we are now coming up on Jennifer Christi Photography's THIRD birthday! It seems like we've been around so much longer but at the same time... it doesn't feel like its been that long at all.

A couple months back Natasha, one of my best friends and lead photographers, asked me if I ever just sit back and look at a photo and say, "Wow... I took that!" And you know what? I answered by saying, "To be honest; no. I just have never thought of it that way. Its something I love and do. Its a part of life. I mean, sure I have photos I'm really proud of... that I feel I got just perfect. But I guess I don't really freak out about them..."

But AFTER she asked that she got me thinking... I guess more like realizing... that what I do is so much more than what I've had in my head!

When we travel we always have our cameras! In Rochester, NY.
Taken by Bethany of Joy Studios.

It may sound funny but it finally clicked in my brain that people are paying me to tell their stories because THEY LIKE WHAT I DO. They are paying me to tell stories that will be on their walls for years. Right now, you may be thinking "DUH!" but seriously... I just had this revelation.

The reason I say all of this is because it made me have a new appreciation for my clients. I hold my job in such an even higher position now. I get even MORE excited about a great photo, because I just know that this is someone else's story. I feel like I've told the story in a way that my clients will cherish.

This isn't just something I love... this is something I have the honor of doing. Telling your stories.

Thank you for that.

So for those of you who don't have a friend like Natasha who asks ridiculously awesome, life altering questions; I challenge you to take a moment and ask yourself this question, "What is it in my life that is so much more important than I give credit to?" It may just change the way you do EVERYTHING.

Confessions of a Photographer

A Bit of Raw Honesty

So here's the deal... I am TERRIBLE at blogging... as most of you can tell.

My reasoning:
1) I have so many other things to do
2) Its not that hard so I'll post it later
3) People don't even look at my blog...
4) I can just post on facebook
5) I just need it to be really good and fancy... and its not so I can't do anything yet

Arguments agains my reasoning (in order of original statement):
1) Nothing to argue here... Statement #1 is the truth... but I'm learning PRIORITIES
2) I will never post 'later'. I had a photog friend tell me that she posts right when she is done with a shoot. I believe this will be my goal this year.
3) Some people DO look at my blog... but lets be honest... when there are no posts... why would anyone look?! Silly me.
4) Facebook is nice... but I can use blogging as a much better outlet. Between keywords and whatnot I know I can reach a much larger audience... so that needs to start!
5) You have to start somewhere! Just posting SOME photos is better than NONE photos!! 
*For the record... I used incorrect grammar PURPOSEFULLY.

Ok. My rant is over. I've pep talked myself.

All this being said....

The blog is getting a revamp, it no longer fits the website (www.jenniferchristi.com) and I'm going to be honest... it kind of hurts my eyes.

Also... it will be posted on quite frequently this year. So you'll proooooobably want to follow us.

......but I understand if you test me on this first. I'm just letting you know.

Love, Jenny