This was 2021 • Highlight reel for documentary photographer in DC
Do you like to look at end-of-year reviews like I do? No matter what the industry, I like to see the accomplishments and celebrations of the small or big wins. This is literally what I do all year capturing your families anyway so I love me a good round up to reflect on the past year.
For JFP, 2021 was my biggest year for growth:
I did all that but also managed to carve some time for myself and not be overwhelmed in the thick of the season (aka Fall). As you can see above, the vast majority of my sessions happen between September and November. It’s partly because I have all the school photos in September and the mini sessions in October. I need to change that a bit for next year.
Even though I do all the editing, marketing, blog writing, social media, sending newsletters, it’s a team effort. I hired a bookkeeper in January (Shenedra Hall from Reassurance Financial Services, based in MD) because this is what stresses me the most! I also have an accountant (Amy Northard, CPA), and my friend and client Paula P. answers all my legal questions and review all my contracts.
I also have a housekeeper, and try to book massages as often as possible ( but 😤thank you😤 pandemic for getting in the way big time). Absolutely NO child care though. The last time I hired a babysitter was… way too long ago (looking at you AGAIN pandemic!).
Lastly, a big THANK YOU to my husband who helps behind the scenes, especially for the tech issues. He’s very patient with me (even when I sound like my mom in front of a computer #IYKYK) and doesn’t complain too much when I talk endlessly about business strategies or my last marketing ideas! He also makes sure we keep the kids alive and well fed.
Ok, if you’ve read this far: MERCI! And now a few images from 2021 with -almost- all of the people I photographed. Each client has been special in their own way. MERCI x1000s for being there and trusting me with your family photos. They will become more and more meaningful each year (especially when the kids will be raging teenagers). Thanks for taking the time in your busy schedules to make that happen. Preserve your images safely!
NOW WATCH 2021 IN PICTURES BELOW
A YEAR IN REVIEw - 2021
January
I hired a bookkeeper because this was taking too much of my time and energy and was really stressful. Now I have somebody to throw my questions (and anxiety) at!
February
I booked an Airbnb for a few days to work on my business goals and take some time to myself. One of my highlight this year TBH! I also attended a conference (online) The Family Narrative. Since then, I have met bi-monthly with some fellow photographers in our accountability group. Life changing.
March
March was slow but Antoine and I kicked off the planting season by sowing seeds and thinking/ designing/ expanding our garden. It is complicated to find good organic seeds/ plants though.
April
For the first time, I offered mini sessions in the Spring: “Motherhood minis” to celebrate moms and their kids because we can never have too many photos of them with us.
May
First time meeting with my girlfriends in person for a picnic at the arboretum to celebrate Krissi’s 40th birthday. I hired a photographer so we could have photos of us together. I was fully vaccinated by the end of May (big relief). I had some branding photos/ headshots taken by my friend Peggy!
June
I launched my photo membership called Photo-fetti Club. Once you’ve worked with me you can join the club to get family photo on repeat. It comes with lots of perks like all the digitals, reduced price and overall VIP treatment. Payments are spread over the year so it’s easier for you to manage and I receive monthly payments which help me to stay organized.
July
We stayed for a few days at the cabin we rent every year by Smith Mountain Lake, VA then flew to France for 6 weeks after a 2 year hiatus. It felt so so good to reconnect with friends and see our families. And travel! I also bought a film camera (Nikon AW AF) and had fun photographing France.
August
I hired a French photographer to have our family photos done while in France. The goal was also to include Antoine’s grandmother (she turned 100 in February) who was frail. She passed away 2 weeks after we came back from France.
September
Kids were BACK TO SCHOOL! What a relief for them, for us, for our community. We had no bus driver for a while but everything got better as days passed. I started offering sessions during weekdays. September was also filled with school photos shot on my driveway. I had a blast.
October
Busy season with 1-3 photoshoot a week. But I managed to take 2 weekends off (kids had no school) to visit friends in NJ and VA. One thing this pandemic has taught me is to grab every chance you get to do things. You never know how things will turn out. I also shot 15 mini sessions at Canal Park and at the Kennedy Center in DC and met lovely new families I hope to see again soon.
November
84% of my family sessions took place in the Fall so I was busy editing, designing albums, and sending galleries off. My kids got their first vaccines and I got my booster shot. Thank you science!
December
I had to buy a new iMac as mine died suddenly. I lost almost nothing but had to rethink my whole system and backup. I also bought a new camera (Canon R6) and a new lens (SIGMA Art 24mm f/1,4). I finished the year strong and enjoyed down time with my family.
I am now looking forward to 2022!
Every family is different and your uniqueness should be celebrated! It means YES to bed hair, non-matching socks, re-heated coffees. Like you, I am a busy mom trying to do #allthethings while keeping a record of it. I have a system to make sessions low-stress, artful, and perfectly unposed. You just have to slow down and enjoy the simple fact of being together.
I am also an eco-friendly business that tries not to harm the earth more than necessary by limiting plastic (or disposing of it correctly), finding sustainable products, reusing packaging, and contribution 1% to carbon removal.
You are one email away from having a realistic and artful record of who you “actually” are. Contact me now.
