The lessons I learned in 2021- and what 2022 will bring.
Andrew Parr, SJB Melbourne Interior Director.
OMG! It's almost Christmas!! Aside from the fact that I feel like I'm limping to the finish line, I feel like I have accomplished some career goals this year!
At the start of the year, I managed to sign up to Ease Seekers, a course to help you set up Dubsado facilitated by the best in the business Charlotte Isaac. Of course, it took me much longer than the proposed time (hello, small children and home renovations), but I got there, and now I have Dubsado set up! If you are creative and dread sending quotes to clients, this is the program for you! I was finding there was always some confusion at the start with prospective clients. Dubsado forces you to streamline your processes. It has been a fantastic resource for my business and me this year! And as a result, I have more time to work on the other parts of my business.
Like my rebrand and print shop! Luckily I have a very talented friend, a graphic designer, hello Jessica Ibbett. I managed to convince her she was the woman for the job. I know I'm not the easiest client! Jess asked me some great questions about my business and made me think about where I see my work. EEK! What a question, I have never really thought about it! I have always just been very thankful to do work that I love. This is a great attribute, but having some purpose or vision is even better. I have never thought about my work this way; I think it's called strategising? Jess helped me work through this process, but I gave her the impossible brief - SIMPLE! And she nailed it! I LOVE my new branding and website.
I had a grand plan for my passion project Creative Women's Business, but COVID got in the way of some of those plans. But, at the very least, I managed to start shooting some very talented creative women in their workplaces so we could share their stories with others. It has been a fantastic personal project, and next year hopefully, I will be able to fulfil our dreams of taking it to the next level.
One absolute highlight of this year was shooting Rose Byrne for The New York Times, I have no idea how I ended up with this job, but I was so happy to get it! Rose was a pleasure to shoot, and it's always so lovely to see your images in print, especially in THE NEW YORK TIMES!
This year, one of my big successes was to have the guts to show up on socials. Last year I posted photos of myself. But this year, I started making reels about how I shoot which has been a fun exercise, and I know it has helped some of you with your photography. It was hard at first, but I'm so happy I made myself do it.
Another success would have to be learning more about myself as a photographer. It has been a year of massive growth for me; I have tried to let go of what should have been and embraced what is. But I hope next year is different. I'm very keen to pursue my passion for telling other women's stories through CWB and sharing my story and expertise. The stop-start of this year isn't great for anyone. See you 2021 has been an emotional ride!
Katie xo