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Photography Goals for 2013
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photography goals

Each year I sit down and make goals just like everyone else. Like always, I call them goals rather than resolutions. I just feel like goals are more attainable. I make goals for a lot of areas of my life, my personal life, blog, and photography goals.

I feel it is really important to sit down and think about what you want to accomplish this year. When you have a hobby like photography, whether you want to turn it into a business or just become a better photographer, you need to figure out what you should focus on. You can read my photography goals for 2012 here.

Photography Goals

1. Stay on top of editing and printing.
I’m embarrassed to say but 2012 was probably my worst year when it came to editing. I have lots of excuses like having a baby and moving across the world but none the less, I have unedited photos living on my computer and that drives me crazy. My goal is to upload my photos daily and spend a few minutes editing or culling them right away. I did this in 2010 and loved it! I will print my images once a month and place them in Project Life albums.

2. Edit and print 2012 photos.
Another huge task but I WILL do this. I will use my secret weapon to help me tackle a years worth of photos. I will then print them and put them in my Project Life albums.

3. Complete another Project 365.
Like I have said many times before, this was the best thing I did for my photography in 2010. I tried another one in 2011 but quit in July. Not this year, I’m going to take a photo everyday, edit it, and complete a full 365. If you want to link up and support others who are doing a Project 365 or Project 52 week, you can do so here.

4. Learn to use my ExpoDisc and nail white balance.
This was a goal last year which I worked really hard on. I used Kelvins for white balance this past year and had a lot of success. This year I’m going to try out an ExpoDisc.

5. Find my style.
This task seems quite daunting to me but one I need to figure out.

6. Re-do post workshops and ebooks.
I believe I have taken 8 workshops through Clickin’ Moms. I received a Kindle Fire for Christmas to help me have my lessons easily at hand. I plan on focusing on one workshop and the skills taught once a month. It will be a good way to drill these skills into my everyday shooting.

7. Photograph the kids together.
I said it last year and I definitely want to focus on it again this year. I want to have more photos of all of my children together. I am guilty of photographing them by themselves often, let’s face it, it’s easier. I want to capture more of them together and their interaction/lifestyle type shots.

8. Continue to do self portraits.
You know I’m a huge advocate of getting in front of the camera. It is so important for your children and family to have photos of you in them as well. You were there as well, you need to document it. Lacey Meyer’s just wrote a great guest post with pull backs on how she accomplishes self portraits.

9. Continue to shoot for me.
Even though I want to capture photos for my kids, ultimately, I am shooting for myself.

10. Create a portfolio.
This one goes with my dream of applying to CMPro. I want to produce portfolio worthy images.

Big goals:
Apply for CMPro.
Create an in person workshop.

I had both of these goals last year but never got my tail in gear to do it. This is my year :)

What are your photography goals?? If you need some ideas of photography projects, check out yesterday’s post.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance if you purchase something through one of these links and support Click it Up a Notch.

30 Comments
  • Bre
    January 1, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    I like this! I bought a remote shutter trigger but only took self portraits to try to take family pictures but I only took pictures of myself to test out the remote. I need to practice that more. And take pictures of other things than just my kiddo. At least adults who will sit still and let me practice posing and photo composition.

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:40 PM

      I hope you do jump in front of the camera more!! You will be so happy you did and your kids will love the photos!

  • January 1, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    I love your blog and have adopted some Photography Goals of my own for 2013. Thank you for the great idea.

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:40 PM

      That is fantastic!! Hope you wrote them down so at the end of the year you can cross them off!

  • Stephanie
    January 1, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    Oh, I hope you make your goal of becoming a CMPro!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:41 PM

      Thank you!! (me too :) he he

  • Jeni
    January 1, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    I also would love to learn how to use my Expodisc. I tried it when I first got it and it was a challenge, but I took an amazing photo! Do you know of any tutorials or workshops about the Expodisc? Thanks!

  • Daniela
    January 1, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Courtney thanks for sharing your goals!! Do you mind sharing which CM workshops you have taken? Thanks!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:51 PM

      Sure!
      I took these workshops in this order.
      Shooting 101: Best Beginner Workshop
      Shooting 101: Intro to natural light
      Shooting 201: Beyond the Basics
      Processing 101: Lightroom start to finish
      Shooting 301: Creativity and Composition
      Shooting 201: Mastering Natural Light Indoors
      Shooting 301: Elements of Design.
      Processing 101: Photoshop Fundamentals for Photographers

      Yikes! Let’s not add up the cost or tell my husband :)

  • Cheryl
    January 1, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    I loved your idea about the albums because I have too many photos on my computer and don’t have them printed. I’m afraid Amazon won’t ship the albums to Australia though :( Do you or anyone else know of a similar system that will ship to Australia?

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:52 PM

      I thought I remember reading that Project Life did ship to Australia. Mmm…I don’t know anyone else. Maybe contact Becky Higgins (creator of Project Life) and she may be able to help you.

      • Cheryl
        January 7, 2013 at 9:57 PM

        Thank you so much for your reply :) I found out that they ship to Australia via New Zealand and already have an order on the way! I’m looking forward to a year of printing out my photos finally.

        • Courtney
          January 7, 2013 at 9:58 PM

          Yay!! So glad to hear that!! Hope you love it :)

  • January 1, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    Thank you for sharing your goals with us Courtney! I always feel so inspired when reading them and the rest of your blog. I can’t wait to see what the new year brings and to get more amazing information and inspiration from you and your blog. Good luck on your goals, you will make an amazing CMPro! :)

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

      Thank you!!! Good luck to you and your goals as well :)

  • January 2, 2013 at 2:04 AM

    CM Pro status is on my list for this year, too. I had hoped to do it last year, but I felt like I was still finding my style and not quite ready with the portfolio images. I’m hoping to get there this year, though!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

      I hear you on finding the style!! That is my biggest challenge right now :)

  • Rachel
    January 2, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Go Courtney go! :) you’ve got this!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

      Thanks friend!

  • January 2, 2013 at 11:25 PM

    Love this list!! If I wrote out my goals (which I should do), it would look pretty similar to yours:). I, too, have MANY breakouts that I need to read:). Love your Kindle Fire??

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:55 PM

      I actually do LOVE my Kindle Fire. Hubby bought it for me solely for me to read all my photography e-stuff on. It’s great for it :)

  • January 5, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    You will love love your expodisc!
    I’m doing a 365 this year, but one of my goals is to print out my best from last year and decorate my walls! and to print out the ones I love from last year and place them in a book. somewhere. somehow!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:56 PM

      I love the idea of you covering your wall with your images!! You can do it!!

  • January 7, 2013 at 12:35 AM

    I loved reading your goals last year and I love them all still this year. You know what a great site you have here right? And how much it has helped new photographers like me. You do a wonderful job keeping in touch, interacting with your readers and most importantly keeping your content fresh and relevant. That’s a skill and talent not many have. So if no one has told you yet this year, you are rocking this little momtog world of ours with your site and personality. Thank you for that.
    By the way, I cannot believe you’re not a CMPro yet. They’re missing out on some serious talent from you.
    Happy New Year to you and your family!
    -Adel

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 9:57 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words!! It means so much to be :) You are so sweet!! THANK YOU!

  • June 11, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    I think because this year has been nothing but unexpected things happening like me going to training for 3 months which will move my photography into a photo journalism arena. Which I’m okay with. I think I’ll make goals next year when our lives are a little more stable!

    • Courtney Slazinik
      June 17, 2013 at 5:00 PM

      Yes, just do what you need to do when life gets crazy! Goals for next year sound great!

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