Are you looking to improve your photography? Then one great way to do that is to write down your goals. I’m a firm believer in making goals and writing them down. There is something to be said about writing down you goals that make them stick with you. I encourage you to write your goals down, either in a blog post, or even better, on a piece of paper and stick it somewhere you can it each day, by the computer, bathroom mirror or kitchen sink.
Ever since I started this blog, I have made photography goals each year. A lot of them stay the same but I try to add new ones each year. Below is my list of photography goals for 2014.
1. Complete a Project 365
I have said this every year since I completed my first one in 2010. I have failed each year after that but this is my year. I miss shooting daily, and though it is a pain in the rear sometimes, I notice a growth in my photography when I shoot daily, even if it is only for 30 days.
Read more: 11 tips for completing a Project 365
2. Take monthly pictures of my 3 girls
I started this last year and am so glad I did. I used to be so worried about them ONLY having pictures of them together that I ended up not taking many of all 3. Plus, let’s be honest, trying to get a photo of 3 kids 6 and under is a challenge in and of it’s self. But now, how I have a selection of images of my girls together. Part of the reason I have been able to keep up with this goal is because I’m in a blog circle where we write monthly letters to our children. In my letter, I post my image of all 3 girls and write to all of them.
Read more: 10 tips to photograph children together
3. Edit daily
I say this each year and again, since 2011 I have failed miserably. I’m so behind on editing my photos and I need to get better. My goal is to sit down and edit my images that I take as soon as I upload them. I will set the timer for 15 minutes and hopefully be able to finish them all. If I finish early, I will go back to 2012 and try to catch up on those with my left over time.
Read more: Lightroom and Photoshop editing tips
4. Apply for CMPro
This is another one I have said for several years. I’m hoping with shooting daily again I will be able to find 150 images that I love to use in my application. Plus, I’m pretty sure my friend Amber may fly back from Korea and beat me up if I don’t apply this year ;)
5. Write another ebook
I had a love/hate relationship with writing my first ebook. Turns out I’m a procrastinator (not that that is a surprise). I already have plans for two other ebook ideas. Excited to work on my first one in a few weeks when things settle down.
Read more: My first ebook The Unexpected Everyday
6. Print my 365 images in my Project Life Album
I want to have all the single images I choose for my Project 365 in one place. I figure printing them as 4×6 and placing them in the Project Life album with a little handwritten note about the photo will be a fun way to keep up with it. That way my photos are getting printed and the girls can look at them as we go. I hope to print a month’s worth on the last day of each month.
Read more: Photo Albums – What to do with all those photos – part 2
7. Organize the additional images in a Blurb book, either weekly or monthly
I had the pleasure of taking one of the Photo Book workshops offered by Stacey Wiseman. I have all the tools to create my own layouts for Blurb and I hope to take all the edited photos from the month and place them in the template. That way at the end of the year, I can print our 2014 album with all our images and stories.
Read more: 5 Blurb Book Layout Tips
8. Monthly photo of me
I am a firm believer of getting in front of the camera. Some months I get in with all the girls, or maybe just one of them. Some months I may just choose to do an individual self portrait. Either way, at the end of the year there will be at least 12 photos of me. My goal is to take them on the 26th (the date of my birthday) that way I have a date each month that I know I need to do my photo.
Read more: Self portraits made easy
9. 30 day in June
If for some reason I end up quitting my 365 (and I hope I don’t) then I will do a 30 day project in June. I did this last year and plan to do it each year. I want to have a month long project that shows our everyday. It will be fun to look back on our month of June over the years and see how things have changed. I choose June because that is my birthday month but you can choose any month to be your month. The key is picking up the camera to capture your life one month a year.
Read more: Shoot daily #clickaday
10. Day in the Life of for myself and each child
During the birthday month of each of my children I want to do a one day Day in the life of project. This will be a fun way to focus on that child and what a typical day at that age looks like. Again, another project that I think will be fun to look back at in 20 years.
Read more: Day in the life of
11. Create an Instagram project
My husband suggested a few months ago that I should start an IG project where I photograph the American flag as I see it on different days. I love first off that he even thought of a photography project for me but it really got me thinking how fun it would be to focus on one subject for a year. I see the American flag all over the place so as soon as I come up with a catch hashtag I will start that. It won’t be a daily photo but more when I see the subject then I’ll snap a photo. Feel free to leave hashtag ideas in the comments for that project.
Read more: iPhone photography: 7 essential tips
Photography goals from 2013
As I mentioned earlier I create goals each year. I know that I will probably fail at some of these goals but I’ll never know unless I try. A few people have asked me to share which goals I was able to keep with last year. So here is a break down of my photography goals from 2013.
1. Stay on top of editing and printing. Nope
2. Edit and print 2012 photos. I wish, notice this as another goal this year. Someday I’ll do it ;)
3. Complete another Project 365. Nope
4. Learn to use my ExpoDisc and nail white balance. Yes, for the most part :)
5. Find my style. I’m getting there :)
6. Re-do past workshops and ebooks. I tried to do one and that was fun :)
7. Photograph the kids together. YES :)
8. Continue to do self portraits. Not as many as I had hoped.
9. Continue to shoot for me. YES :)
10. Create a portfolio. Nope, not even close.
I love this! Your 2014 goals are great & very real! They have inspired me to write out mine and possibly even blog them too. Maybe that will hold myself more accountable! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Writing them down makes a huge difference.
My photo goal is to finish my grandson’s first year scrapbook. He turns 2 Jan 5
That is a great goal! I need to tackle our family year books. Eek!
#starsandstripes or #oldglory #freedomflys
Happy 2014!!!
Thanks for the idea! I’ll check those out and see if they are taken already :)
you are doing such a great job! never behind, just babystep and enjoy the ride :)
You are such a sweet encourager! Looking forward to seeing your photo book goals this year :)
Amber leaves Korea this summer. I’d be careful if I were you! ;)
It would be interesting for us to join you in the IG project. I think it’s interesting how often we see the American flag here.
I know! I may need to move again so she can’t find me ;) ha ha You should totally join in!
These sound like great and do-able goals. WISHING YOU LUCK. I hope to do a 52 project (starting out small to see if I keep up)
Starting small is a great idea! You can totally do it!
You have inspired me to try the 365 project. My husband is a Marine who is currently deployed to Afghanistan. I work full time and have two semesters until I finish my masters… so I am very busy. But every time I read your posts I am truly inspired to pick up my camera. I must admit, I am a little intimidated to commit to it, but I am going to try my hardest to do it. :) What is the best way to connect with others that are doing it? I thought I saw something about how to connect, but then couldn’t find it. Good luck on your goals! :D
First off, as a fellow military wife, thank you! We will keep your husband in our prayers. I think a 365 is a great way for him to keep up with you while he is away and to help pass the time (not that you aren’t busy enough). Don’t be intimidated. Just take it one day at a time. Here is a link of others doing the project – http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
Yes I WILL fly back and beat you up if you don’t apply!! You know it! Also- how about #oldglorydays ?
Ha ha I’m pretty sure I could take you ;) I like that one. Thanks for the hashtag idea!
I love the goals. And you didn’t finish all of them from last year Yeah me…that means I can be okay with not finishing mine. LOL Here’s to 2014!
Of course it’s okay :) It is all about trying! Good luck!
Courtney I love so many of these goals! I may have to jump on the band wagon with a few of them :) looks like its time for me to set some of my own goals!
I hope you do! I’d love to read them and encourage you this year!
I absolutely love your goals. You are very inspiring! My first goal for this year is to do a Project 52!
Thank you! That is a fantastic goal! Be sure to link up here so everyone can encourage you – http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
Awesome Goals!
Thank you!
Those are some ambitious goals :) But it’s always good to write them out…even if they don’t all get accomplished 100%. I decided to do a self-portrait project this year and take at least one picture a month. I don’t have kids or otherwise, I would probably shoot for all of those other goals you listed too :) Good luck with those! I’m a new reader so I’ll make sure to check back in.
Love that you are taking on a self portrait project. I wish I had taken pictures of me before my kids. So they could see I used to be cool ;)
Great goals. I haven’t listed any as I am still trying to get out from the photo rut that I’ve been experiencing. Once the mojo is back, i’ll go with the flow. ;) Glad to have visited your site again. It’s been a while since I last visited here. :)
Maybe goals will help you get out of that rut. I challenge you to take a picture everyday for 10 days and see if that doesn’t help. You’ve been missed :)
What I really love about your blog Courtney is your honesty! It’s so encouraging to read! What excatly is CMPro? You’ve inspired me to set my goals for 2014. Do you mind if I also write about my goals? Have a great evening!
Thank you so much. CMPro is part of the Clickin’ Moms community where you can submit a portfolio of 150 images to be judged and rated by other photographers. I’d love for you to write about your goals. Yay!
Dear Courtney, I’ve not set my goals for 2014 in a blog, you can read it here: http://www.christsna.ch/my-6-achivements-2014-unlock/ thank you so much for inspiring me!
Love you list! Thanks for sharing! Vlogs are a lot of fun. Enjoy!
I started a blog on BlogSpot.com and it just doesn’t look as nicely set up as yours. It is my first attempt. I just read your goals and am about to set mine. I used to sell Creative Memory to get my stuff at a discount. That company has restructured and is now Ahni and Zoe. Panstoria is another company that created the software for digital scrapbooking and memory manager. I just became an affiliate of Panstoria and use Artisan and HIstorian. They are so easy to use and wonderful. I can easily edit my pictures, save, tag, do facial recognition, and the list goes on… I then can transfer them to HIstorian and make a memory book. Ahni and Zoe is coming out with a free app called Inawink that will allow people to tag their favorite photos and then which ever plan they pick, those photos will be printed and sent to their homes. Everyone has photos on their devices and then they don’t do anything with them. This is a nice solution. Sorry to go on and on but thought of this information when I was reading your post.
Thanks :)
I read one of your other posts regarding project ideas and realized I wanted to go a little easier on myself this year. I normally set 12 goals to complete (one for each month of the year), and they are all usually very involved! On top of that, I normally do a 365, too… which can be a pain to maintain when the season gets busy.
This year, I decided I’d read 12 books on photography and work through them on my blog. Now I just need to pick which 12 books…
That is a great idea! Maybe this post will help – http://clickitupanotch.com/2013/06/9-recommended-photography-books/
Thanks! I was misleading as in I already have 11 of the books picked out. :)
But I will definitely check out your list! At quick glance, I think I saw one I was already considering, but didn’t put on my list to read, so I may have to swap out a book or two…
Awesome Goal!