ON THE BUSINESS SIDE: A Milestone :)

long post warning......)

So today is Friday the 13th. Unlucky? Just a regular day? Maybe both, depending on who you are and if you're supersticious. For me, it represents a milestone.

Although I've been doing photography work more seriously for a few years now, it was November 13, 2008 that I officially started 'Picture Your Life Photography' and registered my business after probably about 6 months of trying to come up with a name.

So today is the 1st Anniversary of 'Picture Your Life Photography'!! woohoo :))

What a year it's been. The part I'm most amazed about is how quickly it has gone by. There are so many things I've done, yet my white board is full of projects that I have on the go that I have to complete before Christmas.

I think the biggest challenge for me this first year has been managing my time between my full time 'day job', my part time Photography business and my family. I think my life has been managing me vs. me managing my life. So change in that area is definitely high on the priority list for 2010. :)

The most exciting thing for this first year has been developing the business and defining what 'Picture Your Life Photography' is all about, as well as developing my own preferences and style. There are so many photographers who inspire me in one way or another, and the world of Photography will continually be a learning ground for me. Having said that, though, I was actually pleased (and maybe a bit surprised) on a few occassions where I was actually inspired by my own work and the progress that I did make in the past 12 months (well....really in the past few years, but the progress was more aggressive in the past 12 months). And it's that, along with clients who are happy when they see themselves in a photograph that I've taken for them, that make me sure that I'm heading down the right road.

But getting to where I am now after the first year was achieved with the help of a huge team of people, some who have been involved for much longer than this past year. If I tried to name them all, I would miss some for sure, so I'm not going to attempt that, but there are a few who would be on my staff if I could only afford staff. LOL :)

My Uncle Pete, who passed away this past September, and my Aunt Phyllis were often my reality check and helped scrutinize my business plan as I was developing it, to help ensure that I always consider all of the key areas.

My awesome critics and providers of feedback, whether I asked for it or not (just kidding!! haha), Jane C, Al McP., Chris B, are always there to provide me with a different perspective than I might have.

My patient friends Aimee, Debbie & Renee, who agreed to be guinea pigs for me as I tried out new lighting, photography and post processing techniques, as well as my family guinea pigs Matt & Robyn who helped me try out new locations. I promise I haven't forgotten about the proofs I still haven't finished editing for you and I'm still plugging away at them.

My online Photographer friend Sheba, from Denver, whom I've never yet had the opportunity to meet in person, provided me with more guidance and inspiration than she probably realizes, as I've watched her travel down a very similar road to the one I'm taking.

And there are tons of my family members and friends who have helped in each of the above areas who I also can't thank enough. :)) They have all been very patient as so many of my personal photography has had to take a back burner this year. But I hope to catch up with things in the next few months.

Last but not least, I can't forget my hubby Paul and my sweet peanut Ben who put up with my craziness and lack of attention on a regular basis. I am so lucky that Ben likes to be in front of the camera (most of the time) and that he also seems to be showing a small interest in photography as well. How cool is that?! :D

One of the things that was on my list of things to do for year 1 was to sort out my Branding. So I'm working on that with Graphic Designer Lara Vujanic. I'm so excited to launch my new logo today for Picture Your Life Photography......................

This is the main version

This is the reversed version that I'd use on a black background

Thank you everyone who gave me feedback on the various logo options. Even if the one you liked best wasn't the one I ended up chosing in the end, your input was very helpful and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to give it. <3

I wanted something fun, fresh and not traditional and I think Lara has helped me do that. She's also working on some other Branding components for me, so stay tuned for some changes between now and 2010. I'm soooo excited about it :)

So thank you for reading this and all of the other posts you read and comment on, both here and on my facebook business page. I hope to be able to see more of you through the lens in 2010 (I'm all booked up for 2009 now...).

I can't wait to work on all of the new projects I have planned for year 2!!

-- Lisa P. :)

(PS, if anyone notices that I've forgotten to thank someone, please let me know. I don't want to miss any of you but I'm getting old and my memory sucks when time is travelling at the speed of light! LOL)