This past year has been CRAZY. (Do I say that every year?? I might! ha!) I started off this year with BIG goals. This year was my 10th year of being in business! I planned to hire an office manager to help handle some of the day to day tasks. I wanted to narrow down the photography services I offered because I was feeling like I was bouncing all over the place and overwhelmed most of the time. I needed to be able to focus my time and energy on the areas of my business that I truly felt passionate about. I planned to start consistently blogging and start a monthly newsletter. I wanted to simplify, simplify, simplify.

Finding my True Passion

Awesome! I was heading into the new year with clear business goals. I managed to do a lot of the things I set out to this year. But after a photography conference I went to in March, I sat down and really thought about what I like to shoot and what I do not. I went into the new year thinking I would be focusing solely on weddings and newborns. But when I was really really honest with myself, I realized I didn’t like photographing newborns that much. (Who knew??!!)

Don’t get me wrong, babies are great. Those snuggly sleeping shots are to die for and capturing the next step in some of my wedding couples’ lives is amazing! But, and here’s the but, a posed newborn session takes a TON of patience and a TON of blood sweat and tears. To be honest, I was struggling with them and was frustrated with myself. I compared my work to others and for some reason I was trying to make something work for me that just wasn’t really working at all. Also, I realized that I felt way more full-filled when I was shooting a boudoir session. It is an amazing feeling showing a woman how beautiful they are. As a result, I found what truly sets my soul on fire (no pun intended!!) – Boudoir Photography!

Alison Marie Photography Wedding and Boudoir Photographer

I’ve been shooting boudoir sessions behind the scenes since I started my business. I just don’t broadcast it much since I was also doing newborn sessions. Grandma doesn’t want to see some woman’s bum right next to a shot of her precious little granddaughter’s ya know what I mean?

Also, what many people don’t realize is that it’s really hard to photograph so many different genres. I was shooting weddings and newborns and cake smashes and mini sessions and boudoir and maternity and engagements and seniors… and… and…. ack!!?? How can I focus on one particular area doing all of these things? You can’t give something your all when you are doing everything!? Since deciding to focus strictly on weddings and boudoir, so much pressure has been lifted off of my shoulders.

I learned a ton last year, about both myself and my business. That means I’m going into 2019 with clear goals once again and I am SO excited to see where the new year takes me!

If you’re a woman interested in knowing what Boudoir is all about, join my private group on Facebook – Alison Marie Photography | Boudoir. You must be 18 and a woman to join.

For more information about Alison Marie Photography’s Boudoir services, contact us HERE or alison@alisonmariephotography.com.

Looking forward to seeing & meeting you in the New Year!!