Here's Looking at You, 2019!

This time of year I feel all reflective - I think a lot of us do. I mean just take a look at TV…there's the best movies, best moments, those we lost, momentous events… The closing of the year is a good time to look back and reflect on what went right and what could have been better. Not as a form of regret, but as a way to launch into 2020 with a strategy on how to make it even better than last year.

So in reflecting on my 2019, I decided to share with you my greatest success, and my biggest struggle.

Let's start with the struggle - I like to get those out of the way. This year - the entire year - I was officially self-employed. Now I could also put that in the success category, I mean it's certainly been a goal of mine for a few years. But it ended up in the struggle category. Why? Well because it really was.

I've been an employee my whole life. Since I was 16 and had my first job at the Dairy Whip. Yep you read that right. I've done my job, and received a paycheck every 2 weeks. Like clockwork. Well now, I work harder than I EVER have in my entire life. The learning curve is steeper than I've ever experienced - yes even in college. AND no paycheck. Sure I made a little money in my business last year. But if I calculated my hourly rate is would probably be somewhere around 3 cents/hour. Am I complaining? Oh hell no! I loved every minute of the work I did in 2019!! OK, that might be an exaggeration - I loved MOST of the minutes of work I did. 

One of the reasons I decided to start PhotoFluent, was helping friends of mine (like Kelly here) with their travel photo journey.

For the first time in my life, I have been creative. I designed my days, my website, my marketing plan, my marketing materials. I created art. I learned more software systems than I can even count. I am excited to get up in the morning and don't always want to stop when Neal gets home from work. But my brain just won't let me work all night…and I would miss my husband. So I stop, and have evenings with my family.

The struggle part is mostly in my mind. The feeling that I'm not contributing. That I'm not succeeding fast enough. That I should be doing more. Now let me say for the record, that NONE of that comes from my husband. He is completely supportive and says we're in this together. A team. And it takes a few years for a business to grow. It's ME that gets impatient. I want it all now. Well actually yesterday. So I have to regularly talk myself down and get back on track. I'm learning and growing every day. It will come. I am going to make a living doing what I love. I just have to be patient. Hence the struggle category.

Sure a little metaphorical here - a path leading to somewhere, which is what I’m on right now…but hey it’s reflection time so no judgment.

Now let's talk about my greatest success of 2019. In 2018 I started a personal photography project. I have ALWAYS wanted to do one, but just didn't…have time, know how, know what topic to choose…you pick the excuse. But in 2018 I studied with a mentor, Kirsten Lewis. And part of the mentor program was to do a personal project. I decided to do my project on the Sacramento SPCA Volunteer Program.

Why? Well my dear friend, Kelly Godfrey, volunteers there. She goes - like clockwork - every Saturday, and works her ass off walking dogs, filling Kongs with a delicious peanut butter concoction. AND she says it's her favorite day of the week. Well I had to go and see what all the fuss was about. I was a little hesitant. I mean, it's heartbreaking to see dogs and cats waiting for adoption - no family to love them. But then I went through the first volunteer training. 

A volunteer socializing one of the dogs to get her ready for the perfect family.

These people were a whole different breed. Dedicated and loving, they give SO much of themselves to make a better life for these animals. They give time, energy, love, and sometimes sadness. But boy do they give it. So when I experienced this place, this energy, I knew what my project had to be about.

For 5 months I photographed the volunteers in as many capacities as I could possible manage. Bailey, the volunteer director at the time, gave me a list. If you want to capture what our volunteers do, here is what that means. I knew I had my work cut out for me. So I jumped right in.

One of the volunteer activities is to help host birthday parties at the SPCA. Yep that’s right, birthday parties. This little guy is one of the party attendees and is having a sweet moment with a kitty.

I scheduled appointments, followed people around (not so much in a stalker way, more of a photojournalist way), went to volunteer's homes, to a college campus… I photographed volunteers walking dogs, syringe feeding kittens, neutering feral cats, socializing bunnies. I could not have been happier.

And in January of 2019, I completed my project. I sorted through 1000's of photos to choose the ones that best tell their story. And I added in some music. What better way to tell the story, than adding some heartstrings yanking music ? In January the Sacramento SPCA hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. I was given the opportunity to introduce myself and my project, and then play the slideshow for all for them.

My goal was to show them how much they do. How much they give and how much they love. And from the feedback I received, I think I did just that. You judge for yourself - here's the slideshow. (I STILL cry every single time I watch this! I just clicked play and cried AGAIN! Hormones? Or am I just a big sap?)

I would love to hear yours.  Comment below and let me know what was your greatest challenge and greatest success in 2019…I really want to hear them! I truly think we can all learn and grow from each other, both mistakes and wins.

 And in the spirit of making 2020 even BETTER than 2019, take this chance to grab the free Camera Settings Cheat Sheet to help you get over the hurdle of technology confusion with your camera. This is your year!!