Shakin things UP!

Things at Photerica have been going really well for the past 4 years.  I'm busy, I LOVE my clients, I'm enjoying running a business (as small as it may be) on something that I love and am interested in.  I love being my own boss.  But I want to grow...I want...NEED to start making more progress towards my long term, and some short term goals.  It's so easy to get frustrated when certain things aren't happening at the speed I want, or if some days I feel like I'm not improving.  I get sick of writing down my goals over and over and over...because it seems like nothing gets checked off the list.  So this is the year I've decided to change that.  

It's been beyond a great year being at home with Aaron.  A challenge handling multiple things at once, but I am as happy as a clam.  I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to be home with him and take photos of him every.single.day <3

However I have the itch to shake things up for my business.  Get things moving, get MYSELF moving again.  One thing I've wanted to do for a couple of years now, but have just been too nervous to push the button on, is to take an in-person mentoring class with a newborn photographer that I've admired.  I have so many questions and am craving that hands-on experience that will hopefully connect the dots and send me down the road to accomplishing my goals.  Last week I finally decided to sign up for a mentoring session.  I'd had it with wishing I had the guts to do it...so I did it!  Just me, 2 other women and...JACI FORTSHAY PHOTOGRAPHY!!!  Jaci is amazing.  Please take a few minutes and check out her site and FB page.  It's a 2 day hands-on workshop that I am beyond excited for.  I was so nervous to hit the "submit payment" button to confirm my spot.  With this comes flights, hotel rooms, a second payment for the session etc...it's not cheap.  If I take this workshop, spend all this money and I don't improve, well...I'll be disappointed in myself.  And I HATE that feeling.  But I'm tired of NOT doing things because I MIGHT be disappointed. Things won't change, I won't grow, unless I try new things and step outside of my comfort zone.  So I took a deep breath, and did it (with my eyes closed as I clicked SUBMIT).  Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night with all the excitement and adrenaline running through me!  A big thanks to Jay and my dad for cheering me on the days before. <3

So yes, next year there will be new, fun packages for you to purchase and different props to choose from...but there will also be a reinvigorated, rejuvenated Erica, hopefully dying to show you what I learned ;)  There will also be (at least) one goal I can cross off my list. BOO-YAH! Since this workshop is focused on newborns, I will also be featuring a special for newborns in the month of February.  Stay tuned...!