2019 Year in Review | Photography for the Modern New York Woman
Photo Credit by Marcia Coronado
2019 was a year for the books. It’s hard to believe how much I crammed into one year, and can’t believe it’s already new year’s eve! It truly was the Best Ever Year of Brooklyn Boudoir, and I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you who follows along regularly and trusts me with their boudoir experiences.
Here’s a short review of the year!
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
Some of my favorite images (that clients have given me permission to share) from this past year:
AND OF COURSE, MY OWN MATERNITY SHOOT WITH THE FABULOUS LOLA MELANI
INSTAGRAM TOP 9
It dawns on my that 3 of these images weren’t taken by me! Top 2 by Lola Melani from my own maternity shoot, and middle right by my bestie / LA wing woman / behind the scenes genius Ashley Glacel.
TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS
With a surprise(ish) pregnany this year, I wasn’t able to travel as much as I would have liked, but I did make it to LA twice for my west coast contingency, and to Paris with my mom and daughter for my 40th birthday (four months pregnant). So far for 2020 I’m working on dates for my next LA trip (sometimes mid-winter), a trip to Austin for a friend’s wedding and to be photogarphed by my mentor Kara Marie, and a big family trip to Greece to celebrate my mom’s next milestone birthday.
Photo by @Paris_pics_
WHAT'S NEXT?!
I’ve never been much of a New Year’s Resolution girl. I pretty much try to be my best self ALL of the time and don’t care to beat myself up over a lapsed resolution. HOWEVER, I do have lots of ideas and plans for myself both personally and professionally and my goal is to achieve at least some of them this year.
In 2020 I plan to...
*HOST MORE PAST CLIENT EVENTS
Last year I hosted 2 events for past clients only - shooting fine art nudes and also fresh faced portraits. I love re-connecting with women I’ve worked with before and giving past clients the opportunity to refresh their images in a more bite-sized and cost effective way. Each time we shoot together the results get better and better, so be on the lookout for these opportunities via Instagram and my newsletter (which you can sign up for on the sidebar to the right if you haven’t already —->) Sorry ladies, these events are for return clients only - first timers really need the whole experience before diving into mini sessions.
*GET PUBLISHED
i have a lot to say about Beauty and Boudoir photography and I’m ready to start spreading the work. Last year I was interviewed for a film about working mothers and I was recently interviewed for a newpapser piece on the subject. Now I’m working on my own pieces that I hope to have published onlne and/or in print.
*TRAVEL as much as I can.
Traveling has always been such a big part of my life and something that always brings me great joy. I am so grateful to have traveled as much as I did before I had kids, but I still feel that itch to do more — there are still so many places I’d love to see! Luckily my little one is great on planes so I want to get more adventurous with our travels both for business and pleasure.
*HAVE MY OWN BOUDOIR SHOOT
Every year I try to be photographed by another photographer - I find this really important, particularly as a boudoir photographer. In 2019 it took the form of a maternity shoot but in 2020, before I turn 41, I plan to be photographed by my mentor, Kara Marie, who is arguably the best boudoir photographer in the business right now, and I.CAN’T.WAIT.
*PUT MYSELF OUT THERE MORE
Guys, I’m all about straight up instagram but the other social media platforms are just not my thing (I’m still waiting for someone to explain snapchat to me, sorry if that makes me sound like a grandma). I love making connections with my clients and realize I can start that process even earlier by getting on Instastories and showing my face a little more. I’m going to need some help with this one so feel free to keep me accountable!
*OFFER MORE MENTORSHIPS
I had some incredible mentees last year and just love sharing MY love of boudoir photography with others. My mentorships are a very thorough and customized experience that covers business coaching as well as photography techniques. If you are a fellow photographer looking to step up your game, give me a holla and let’s chat!
*CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE $%&@! OUT OF MYSELF.
I have always loved being a student — and a good one at that. I really love to learn and have studied with some of the best boudoir photographers out there, and I plan to continue to study photography for as long as I'm shooting. I want to enhance my technical craft, and continue to push my creativity to keep my work fresh and improving it every year. This year I’ll be focusing not only on photography but also on retouching.
*GIVE EVEN MORE TO MY CLIENTS. I'm always looking for new ways to make my clients feel extra special. From customizing a location just for them, to following up with them years down the road to congratulate them on new life events....client relationships are really important to me. That's not just something I say. So, in 2020 I'll be continuing to fine tune the client experience even more to give them alllll the warm and fuzzies.
*HAVE MORE DATE NIGHTS WITH THE HUBS. Being a working mom is hard, and in an effort to take better care of myself, my clients, my kid and my business, my husband tends to get the boot. Something’s got to give of course, but I miss the days when we would go on weekly dates. However busy life got, we always used to go out on Fridays and often did something unusual around the city. Weekly dates aren’t really feasible right now (the cost of a babysitter doubles the cost of the night!) BUT I have to believe that a monthly date will be good for both our relationship and my psyche.