The School Sessions

A One Day Portrait Event

At the end of 2014 I wrote a short note in my journal, "How can my business exist to bless others?" I felt a tug on my heart to be more generous with my time, finances and talents but wasn't exactly sure where to start. When fellow photographer Jamie Delaine reached out to see if I would like to be invovled in something she and her husband Randy were starting called the School Sessions, I couldn't help but jump on board. It was the perfect fit!

If you're a DZP newsletter subsciber then you were given a sneak peek into the School Sessions and what they are all about last night! The School Sessions, is an incredible one day portrait event happening across the globe on Sunday, April 12, 2015, aimed at raising $200,000 to build a school in Haiti. Jamie and Randy's hope is is for photographers all over the world is to sign up and photograph a session on this day, donating 100% of the proceeds to the School Sessions. The goal is to raise $200,000, which will be used to buy land and also build a ten classroom school for 220 students. The previous building was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake and these children (ages 3 to 16) are in need of an earthquake and hurricane-proof school to learn and grow.

I don't know about you, but the idea of a global wide initiative of photographers across the world coming together to help serve and care for others sets my heart on fire! Wondering how you can get involved? Check out these ways below! 

1. If you're a photographer, contact the School Sessions and get signed up!

2. Share this post and the School Sessions website to help spread the word and encourage participation!

3. You can donate directly to the School Sessions, visit their website to get set up!

AND FOR THE MOST EXCITING PART!

4. On April 12, 2015 I am offering one portrait session at a special rate with 100% of the proceeds going to the School Sessions. If you're interested and would like the opportunity to have your pictures taken while contributing to a beautiful cause, contact me today!! Please email deborah@deborahzoephoto.com, subject : The School Sessions.

The School Sessions from The School Sessions on Vimeo.

Thank you to Jamie and Randy for leading the way!! I hope that you've been inspired to jump on board and participate! Let's use our talents and gifts to help better the world, create opportunity and build a community of giving!! If you'd like to grab your spot for the Apil 12 portrait session email me toda, there is only one spot available!

Friday Fundays, Intentional Time Together

Friday Fundays, Intentional Time Together

In the early days of Jonathan’s childhood my friend Danielle started sharing the Friday adventures she had with her toddler son on Instagram. I was a intrigued. As a stay at home Mom, Danielle followed a particular structure throughout the week and yet on Fridays she threw structure out the window. She picked activities that encouraged spontaneity, adventure and fun with her baby boy. She did this every Friday and her husband often joined in as well. Friday Fundays, I absolutely loved the idea.

It was around this same time that I had become increasingly busy at work and found great frustration in blending my life as a Mom and an entrepreneur. I desperately wanted a way to bring a little spontaneity into our lives while being intentional in creating memories and adventures together. I realized that I needed to create boundaries to ensure that I made time to do this, otherwise I would just be tempted to work and work and work. I knew that I wanted more quality time with Jonathan and that I would have to be intentional in HOW I went about creating that time. Friday Fundays were the perfect fit!

It’s over a year later and we are still going strong with our Friday Funday tradition!! On Fridays, especially if I am shooting a wedding or doing some sort of work on the weekend, I always try, no matter what, to take Friday off to be with my nugget. A simple yet well worthy boundary to maintain a little bit of balance in an otherwise crazy and busy schedule.

Sometimes we get ice cream other times we head to the park or drive around looking for fun. Maybe we watch Curious George together or head to playgroup. Fridays are our non-scheduled, dedicated time to be together. It is hands down one of my favorite days of the week. And because I’ve dedicated this day of the week to be with my son, it allows me to work harder, be more productive, and function more efficiently throughout the week.

I have to thank my friend Danielle for being a beautiful example of what it means to be intentional with your family. Because of her desire to serve her family and love her son well, I was inspired to do the same. In those early days of blending Mommyhood and business, I knew that something needed to change so I could find joy in all the chaos. Thanks to Danielle, I was able to find a better balance, one that gave me freedom to be a Mom, to have fun with my darling boy and to serve my clients well. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about for me!

The Art of Balance, Creating Intentional Time Together by Deborah Zoe Photography.

The Mentor Sessions

Moving Forward Together

Registration for the The Mentor Sessions Spring 2015 can be found HERE.

A week ago I sat with Mandi to talk about the dreams and goals she had for her budding portrait photography business. Having seen the leaps and bounds she she's already accomplished I thought I knew where photography was taking her. But boy was I wrong! This girl has a grand vision for her business and I am beyond excited for the amazing things in store for her in the coming months!

By the light of the Starbucks fire place (oh so cozy!) we got down to business. We chatted everything from blogging to branding to business formation and more. There were a lot of lightbulb moments happening and I just love that! Being able to share and help another photographer grow sets my heart on fire! Watching as other photographers chase after their own dreams for their business, well it's incredibly exciting and humbling to be a part of!

As part of our time together we headed outside (into the cold chilly rain!) to practice shooting and posing skills. You would never have known that it was 30 degrees and raining, Mandi was a rockstar! I love these headshots, especially of her laughing. Mandi has a beautiful, warm heart and so that had to come through in her images, only smiles for this girl!

It has been on my heart for quite some time to begin meeting with other photographers and like minded business owners to encourage and equip them to take their dreams and businesses to the next level. With that, the Mentor Sessions were born!!

Each session is up to 3 hours of intensely focused time catered to your unique business and goals for the future. At the end our time together, we'll head outside for a mini headshot session for images to use on your website, blog and more! Following our time together you'll also recieve an action plan to help take your dreams and make them a reality! If you're outside of the New England area and would like to get participate, Mentor Sessions are also available via Skype! 

If you've been wanting to take your business to the next level OR are looking for guidance on where to even begin, this is for you! I am offering 4 unique sessions this spring, email me at deborah@deborahzoephoto.com or click HERE for all the details! I can't wait to connect with you!

Recent Features

Well Wed Magazine & Southern New England Weddings

The end of 2014 was an exciting time for DZP! Two print publications were released that featured lovely DZP couples... a dream come true for me and an honor for my clients whose beautiful weddings were highlighted! I was delighted that Southern New England Weddings loved Mark and Marlo's Newport wedding as much as I did! I couldn't imagine a better couple to share in the fun of my first full feature wedding in print! 

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Add to the fun my first print ad was also featured in WellWed Magazine! I've been a huge fan of WellWed since the inception of my business (it's the perfect resource of the Bride planning the perfectly preppy New England wedding). To be a part of one of their issues is a HUGE honor. I'm even more delighted to have been able to share Pat & Lauren's wedding. (It's one of my fave images, ever!)

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Thank you so the many amazing vendors who contributed to each couple's spectatular wedding days as well as the fantastic publications that featured these amazing couples! For a complete list of vendors and venues please explore these posts below : 

Mark & Marlo's Nautical Newport Celebration

Patrick & Lauren's Preppy Cape Cod Wedding

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A Weekend Away

Goal Setting & Dreaming Together

Over the weekend Dave and escaped to the Lake (Lake Winnipesaukee for those who don't live in New England) for a regroup. After the holidays were finished and the New Year had begun we found ourselves to be exhausted. We had been running on all cylinders (professionally and personally) and just felt a tug to take a pause on life. Just for the weekend. 

Thanks to amazing grandparents who babysat (and puppy sat!) we had the luxury of spending the weekend together, away from the hustle and bustle with ample time to focus on family, marriage and rest. I even forgot my computer which ended up being a blessing in diguise. It was exactly what we needed as a couple. 

Dave and I have never been the best at dreaming together as a family. We find it "easy" to committ to things and are very dedicated and loyal to relationships, responsibilites and tasks. But we've always had difficulty dreaming for things. Perhaps it's our New England backgrounds, always practical, realistic and prepared. Or maybe it's that we don't have a lot of practice stretching our "dream" muscles. Any time we have sat down to do something like this we always aim for achievable goals that quite frankly we we're planning on accomplishing anyways. Here's a funny quip on the nature of New Englanders;).

Despite our Purtian roots and our staunchly Yankee ways, we tried our best to break out of our rut and really dream big for our family this past weekend. We even came up with a mission statement and vision for where we wanted to go together. My heart so desperately needed this and though we fought tooth and nail through it, we finally came together on something that made us both excited.

It can be so easy to come up with goals and dreams for a business. I find it incredibly easy to think of all the things I'd like to see my business accomplish over my lifetime and how it can grow to bless others. Easy peasy. It is MUCH harder to dream with your spouse, to dig deep and chase after the things God has for you and your family. So much harder. Why? It forces your pride take a back seat. It makes you think beyond your needs and desires as an individual. You have to work as a team and bow your will to God. Woa, heavy.

It took all weekend and several "arguments" later to get to the heart of our marriage and family. To be frank, I'm a little tired! But I'm equally as excited and feel such a sense of relief. I feel a deep satisfaction to be chasing after God together and doing our best to stick to the unique path He has set out for our family. It's not going to be easy but I know we're in this together and that makes it a joyful and wonderful experience. 

I don't want you to get caught up on the fact that we went away. If you're heart is longing for this kind of pow wow with your spouse, you can do this easily in the comfort of your own home. But if you do have the opportunity to spend an evening away, I'd highly recommend it. Not only does it give you a chance to reconnect but frees you from distractions and can help you foucs on the things that matter most.

Who are you as a couple? As a family? What are your values? What do you long to achieve together as a team? These are not easy questions to answer, but they are worth the effort and time to think about. Life is better together and though it might not always be sunshine, rainbows and kittens, having something that you stand for together will carry you far and bring you much joy!

Why Invest In An Anniversary Session?

A week or so ago Dave and I welcomed a friend over to dinner, a friend that we had not seen in years. Late into the dinner conversation we found ourselves talking about photographic experiences. Our friend recounted how he and his wife had a less than stellar experience with their own wedding photographer and because of this, four years after their wedding day, decided to fly in one of their favorite photographers to have an anniversary session. More than just a redo, their anniversary session celebrated their relationship, honored their marriage and brought them closer together as a couple. Dave and I looked at each other with a knowing glance...because we did the same exact thing. Like our friend, four years after our wedding day we flew in one of my favorite photographers, Katelyn James, to document a session for us. 

Incredible that even six years later, the emotions and meaning behind our anniversary session are just as powerful today as they were then. Katelyn made us feel like our relationship was something to celebrate; she deeply understood how important this experience was to us I will be forever grateful for that.

To be able to create a First Look and to see my Hubby for the "first time" in my wedding dress was a moment I will never forget. The way that the looked at me, the way that I felt and to know it was all captured in a photograph makes my heart feel like it could burst. The images are a representation of our marriage and all that it means to us. Investing in an anniversary session has been one of the greatest blessing to our relationship. Every time I look at these images I am flooded with emotion and gratefulness.

And now with a growing toddler who often looks at these images I am once again reminded of just how important these images are, not just to us but to our growing family.

Because it's Throwback Thursday I couldn't help but share a few of our favorite images from our anniversary session. Looking at these makes me all weepy and emotional, so excuse me as I go look for a box of tissues....

I truly believe that every marriage deserves to be celebrated and an anniversary session is the perfect way to do just that! If you are interested in celebrating your commitment with an anniversary session, please email me for all the details. I would be honored to celebrate your love with images you will cherish for years to come.

Staying Healthy while Balancing Business and Motherhood

Staying Healthy while Balancing Business & Mommyhood

In 2015 I committed to living a more active lifestyle. As the owner, sole employee and lead photographer of a wedding photography studio, I find myself sitting in front of a computer, A LOT. And when I'm not wearing my business hat I spend the other half of my time being Mom. All this to say my days are VERY full and leave little time for anything else. I'm guessing there are just a few MANY of you out there who feel the same way.

What I noticed towards the end of 2014 was that I wasn't moving as much as I wanted to feel healthy. Yes, I was running around after my toddler. But I didn't feel challenged physically, especially since the other half of my day was spent sitting in an uncomfortable desk chair. My neck and back were hurting and I was starting to sleep less regularly at night. Add to that my up and down diet of healthy veggies one day but then a slice of pizza the next, I knew I needed a change and that changed had to start right away. 

So how does a busy Mom and business owner find the time to move, exercise and stay invigorated physically? Below I'm sharing several ways that I commited to moving more and staying healthy in the new year.

1. Scheduled Breaks

I work best in small chunks and so my first goal towards a more healthy and balance lifestyle was to schedule breaks throughout the day when I would step away from the computer, take a stretch, head down stairs, pet the dog, etc. These breaks were aimed at getting me to stand up and move away from the computer. I can no longer go for hours upon hours of sitting in front of the computer. And though sometimes I literally have to pull myself away, I know that these scheduled breaks are essential to my well being. I schedule them (about every hour or so) and put them into my daily timeline so that I am held accountable to it.

2. Workout At Home

Before Jonathan was born I belonged to a gym near our home. But after baby there was little time left to workout. I had to figure out how to make working out a priority with this new routine. No longer did I have the "luxury" of driving 20 minutes to the gym, taking an hour class, driving 20 minutes home, taking the shower and then starting the day. Working out had to happen in small bursts of time. We started by purchashing a used treadmill from a friend so I could train for my 1/2 marathon, which worked out perfectly and allowed me to train indoors during the brutally cold winter months. I'm also an exercise DVD junkie so we hooked up a DVD and TV in our basement and created an area where I could work out comfortably at home. This was a game changer for me. Suddenly I had the time to workout with minimal commute and disruption to my day. I could easily fit in a 30 minute workout before the day started without sacrafising any time with Jonathan or in my business. Jillian Michaels & Shaun T have been our DVDs of choice and are fantastic, challenging workouts in 3o minutes or less, perfect for the busy mom and photographer.

3. Steals and Deals & the Local Gym

Now that it's January the shooting season has slowed (only just a little!) which has allowed me small bit of flexibilty in my schedule. Read : small. But regardless, this little extra wiggle room in my schedule is just enough to allow for time to workout on a regular basis. Jonathan is also older now, sleeps regurarly and takes an afternoon nap. All this means I have found time again in my schedule to leave the house and work out. Thanks to an awesome Groupon deal I found, I was able to attend classes as our local gym, literally a minute down the road from our house. A perfect fit for my schedule and desire to exercise and move regularly. The only reason why this works for us is that a groupon made it an affordable option and that it does little to distrupt my schedule thorughout the day. If you're motivated by a gym class and like the companionship of working out with others I would highly suggest finding a local gym to join. And if you're restricted by budget, check out Groupon! During this time of year many gyms and local clubs are offering steep discounts to get you into their gym, take advantage and get moving!

4. Food Journal

I've never been good at nutrition and have struggled in this area my entire life. From an eating disorder as a teenager and young adult to yoyo dieting throughout, it's been a bumpy road. This year I felt compelled to take control in this area and at the promptly of a nutritionist I began journaling what I consumed each day. It's not a diet but simply a way to document what I'm taking into my body and the nutrients I'm receiving. Wait, coffee doesn't count as a nutrious breakfast? Ha, just kidding...sort of. You know how it goes, you sit down to your computer coffee in hand and come up for air hours later only to realize that it's 2pm and you haven't eaten yet today. You run to the kitchen to find something quick to eat (usually the first thing you see) only to head back to the computer to work. A vicious cyle that leads to an unhealthy lifestyle. By journaling what you eat (or don't eat) you can gain a better sense of where your diet is lacking and how you can properly fuel your body throughout the day. Which in turn will give you more energy and stamina and desire to move more!

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(Above, the local gym.)

So what does this have to do with balance? To be our best (whether as a Mom or business owner) we must make time for our own health and well being. This can seem like an incredibly daunting task, especially when we haven't made time for this in the past. Start small. Maybe it's simply commiting to taking a walk every day or eating a more nutritious breakfast. Perhaps it means joinging a gym or running with a friend. Or maybe it just means taking time each day to pray and meditate.

To be completely honest, it's incredibly hard. I struggle with feeling self indulgent when I make time for things like working out. But the truth is to be our best, we have to make time for our health and well being. I know it can seem overwhelming. Start small, those small changes can lead to big results! And you don't have to join a gym or track your meals like I do. Find what works for you, something that you can make a habit and work into your daily routine. Your clients will thank you, your loved ones will thank you and most importantly your body will thank you for taking the time to invest in your health!

4 Ways to Market Your Business with Pinterest

4 Ways To Market Your Business with Pinterest by Deborah Zoe Photography.

Oh Pinterest, where do I begin? You cause me to stay up at late, pinning all the foods. I spend hours searching through thousands of images, looking for the inspiration that will spark my creative juices. And I'm not alone. Millions of users are searching Pinterest every day for their own snippet of inspiration, including Brides. Pinterest is a huge marketing area for photographers, especially those who photograph weddings. There is a huge opportunity here to share your work, connect with Brides to Be and to serve your very own clients!

There are lots of ways that you can use Pinterest with your business, as for me I like to keep things simple. There are 4 distinct ways that I use Pinterest for my business which I'm sharing here today. Use Pinterest in the way that best suits your business and your clients, but bottomline...start utilizing this social media outlet! Pinterest is growing and doesn't have any signs of slowing down!

1. Share Your Portfolio 

One simle way to use Pinterest to market your business is to share your images in a Portfolio style pinboard. Have a favorite image? Share it here. Collect images from your blog or website that link directly back to your sites and push traffic towards you. As new images are posted update your Pinboard. Starting out from scratch may seem like a daunting task but once you've laid the groundwork, updating this board will easy and a simple part of your workflow.

2. Inspiration Boards x2

In addition to a Portfolio style pinboard you can use your own images to create an inspiratoin board for clients and Brides searching Pinterest. Inspiration boards curated with your own images allows you to showcase your own photography while providing desired inspiration for the Bride to be. Additionally it gives your audience something to follow and garner excitement for your next pin to be shared. 

You can also create inspiration boards for your own clients to evoke style and inspiration for your booked shoots. I've implemented this technique this past year for portrait and engagement sessions. It gives both myself and my clients a place to gather inspiration and to curate a vision and style for each shoot. This has been a game changer for my sessions by communicating visually the type of images I desire to create wtih my clients. Do you have a unique vision in mind for your next engagement, portrait or styled session? Use Pinterest to visually communicate your creative perspective to clients, models, vendors and any one else involved!

3. Submit to Blogs

Blogs love to share their content on Pinterest and so do their readers. One sure fire way to get content sharing on Pinterest is to have your work featured on a publication. Style Me Pretty, Heart Love Always & Elizabeth Anne Designs are just three publications that do a great job of sharing and promoting curated content on Pinterest. Sharing content with blogs not only ensures your work is seen on the blog post but throughout Pinterest, which means many eyes are seeing your name and your beautiful images!

4. Description & Keywords

To ensure that your content is found in searches be sure to use detailed descriptions and apporpriate keywords with your images. Photograph a wedding on the coast of Maine in the fall? Describe that scene. Use your description to thoughtful caption your image with the scene and theme of your image as well as any vendors or venues who are invovled. Brides are using Pinterest for their much of their wedding planning needs and are constantly searching specific descriptive words related to their visionf for their day. Use descriptions and keywords in the caption of your Pinterest images to make it easy for potential Brides to find your images quickly and easily!

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I use Pinterest for my own personal use too. It's a super fun way for me to connect personally with friends, loved ones and clients alike. I love seeing what others are pinning and finding new and inspiring content through their feeds. The great thing about Pinterest is that it's a tool for connection!

As with any marketing that you do, make sure that there is a purpose behind it all. For me my desire is to celebrate marriage and family through timeless fine art photography while providing my clients an incredible experience. With that in mind, I can direct my marketing efforts in a purposeful and authentic way, this includes the use of Pinterest. 

I hope that today's post has been encouraging and given you a fresh perspective on how you can better use Pinterest to market your business. Do you have a question on marketing with Pinterest OR an awesome  technique that you use with Pinterest?  Feel free to share in the comments! Happy Tuesday!

Battery Wharf Hotel Wedding | Mikio & Sarah

As soon as they were introdued as Mr. & Mrs. for the first time, Sarah and Mikio embraced...then broke out into their happy dace, literally! Their wedding day was one giant party, appropriate as they were married on New Years Eve! Everyone was in the mood to celebrate and you couldn't help but feel the joy that surrounded this couple on their wedding day. Hues of pink and sparkly details accented their celebration with glasses of champagne for toasting at midnight. Mikio and Sarah wanted an epic party for their family and loved ones and they created exactly that!

Sarah and Mikio, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to document your elegant and SPARKLY NYE celebration!! It was a joy to ring in the new year with you both and to celebrate the start of your new journey together!! Enjoy your images!

Ceremony & Reception : Battery Wharf Hotel & Spa 

Bridal Gown : Maggie Sottero purchased at La Reine Bridal

Shoes : Betsey Johnson

Bridesmaid Dresses : Bloomingdales

Blooms : Madison Floral

Hair & Makeup : Nicolo Salon

Stationary : Minted

Bakery : Cakes for Occasions

Entertainment : Greg Gates

Photobooth : DutcherDigital 

Photography : Deborah Zoe Photography. A huge thank you to Krista of Krista Photography for second shooting & Mandi for assisting!!

What's Ahead For The Blog

The Blog In 2015

In keeping with this week's theme of reflection and goal setting, I wanted to share what is in store for the blog in 2015. In communicating the things I want to share here on the blog, it will not only help me stay accountable but also give you an idea of the kind of content you can expect to see on a weekly and monthly basis! My hope is that you'll be encouraged to stop by frequently, with lots of fresh content and posts to enjoy!

Series. There have been a myriad of series that have graced the "pages" of this blog over the years. In the New Year I will continue sharing the series, the Art of Balance, twice a month on Wednesdays. This series is dedicated for advice and encouragement geared towards finding more balance in this crazy world of business ownership. I will also be introducing a new series called Tips with DZP, twice a month on Tuesdays with content geared towards photography and business related advice and info. In addition I will be bringing back Wedding Love, once a month on Monday, with info dedicated to the Bride-t0-Be as she plans her wedding day! There's lots of fresh content coming your way and I couldn't be more excited!

Frequency. I will be continuing to post three times a week.

Contributors. I would LOVE to bring on contributors for the blog in 2015. Are you interested in guest blogging? Do you have something special to share? Do you have a unique perspective? My desire for the blog is to be a conversation, a place where people can be inspired, see beautiful imagery and learn something new. If you'd like to be a part of that, I'd love to hear from you!

Here are a few ways to get involved :

* If you're a past DZP Bride or blog reader and would like to contribute to a Marriage Monday post with advice or encouragement, let's connect! I'd also love to interview different married couples a few times a year, currently I'm looking for couples who would like to be invovled. 

*If you're a small business owner and/or photographer and would like to contribute to the Tips with DZP series, I'd love to hear from you! Fresh perspectives are always welcome and encouraged... we all have something to share AND something to learn!

*If you're a wedding industry peer and would like to contribute to the Wedding Love series with advice for the Bride to Be, I'd love to collaborate with you!

*Just have something to share but not sure where it fits? Let's chat together about how you can contribute to the blog! Any questions regarding contributing to the DZP blog, please email me at : deborah@deborahzoephoto.com, subject line : DZP Blog Contributor

You. I want to hear from YOU. What would you like to read on the blog? What are the things you want to learn about or be inspired by? Feedback is so helpful as I continue to plan out the schedule for the year here on the blog. I want the content to be directly relateable to you, so help me do that by taking a moment to comment below with your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by this morning to catch up an all that's in store for the blog! I'm so excited for the 2015 blogging year and I hope you are too!

Image by Justin & Mary

15 Goals in 2015

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Yesterday I took time to think about and reflect upon the past year. What a year it was! But if I'm being completely honest, I think there was a little part of me that was ready to say goodbye to the year that was and jump heard first into the year that is. 

I know I probably sound like some sort of cliche, but I very much wanted to take the things that I learned in 2014 and begin applying them in 2015. I wanted to start stretching myself and my business in new ways. The new year seemed like the perfect start for that. 

My friend Anna loves goal setting, especially at the start of the New Year. She's always an encouragement to me on looking ahead, moving forward and never settling. This year Anna has organized a small group to hold each other accountable for our dreams and goals in 2015. And to get a proper start, I figured I should pull together some actual goals for the year! 

Which brings me to today. I am sharing 15 of my personal, business and creative goals in 2015. I'm a firm believer that you are more likely to accomplish, achieve and grow when your goals, visions and dreams are shared into the world. Keeping it to yourself does nothing, but sharing with others is empowering. And encouraging. And also terrifying.

Do you have any goals or dreams for this New Year? What are you looking forward too, how do you want to grow, learn and thrive?  I hope post inspires you to make a list of your own. Share that goal list with a trusted friend and hold each other accountable. Make things happen in 2015!  You can do it, now let's get started!

15 Goals in 2015

1.  Create a more tangile experience.

There will be lots more on this in the coming months, I promise! At the end of 2014 I sat down at my local Starbucks for the afternoon and dove head on into my business. What worked, what didn't. One of the bigs things I walked away with from that time was a desire to create a more tangible experience for my clients. I want my client's images to come alive on the page of an album or in a matted print. I want clients to know what it feels like to see their favorite images hanging on their wall or the joy of sharing a wedding album with a future daughter or son. There's so much to be said here, but for now this is the direction I see myself walking more and more towards. 

2. Learn Kelvin.

This is for all you camera nerds out there. Clients who are reading this are probably like "what the what?" But one of my goals this year is to try to learn Kelvin and incorporate that into my shooting workflow. Do I really want to learn Kelvin, well no, not really. I hate the technical side of photography and the idea of learning a new technique is very overwhelming. Ironic, I know. But if it will make me a better photographer with a more consistent editing workflow, that's reason enough for me.

3. Revamp the website. 

There used to be a thought, is it still a thought? That the less information you put on your website the better. I never really took to that idea and could never understand why that was a good idea in the first place. I've always strived to provide clients with the pertanent information that they need and strive to continue to do so in the new year. My hope is to revamp the website to provide even more information in a new and organized way. No big changes, but hopefully small and meaningful ones.

4. A Space.

As many of you have followed along this past year, you know that I have a home office as well as a shared meeting space in Boston. Both spaces have worked really well for me this past year. However, looking ahead (several years) I want to have a space that is entirely my own, seperate from personal life and dedicated to DZP & meeting clients. What that looks like exactly, well I'm not sure. Do we convert our diningroom into a meeting space? Do I find a space outside of the home? Do I share that space with other vendors? I'd love to answer these questions this year with an action plan on how to move forward toward the end of the year. Will you help me stay accountable to that?

5. Incorporate film.

When I first began my journey in photography everything was film. I learned photography in a darkroom, a real darkroom, with chemicals and enlargers and developer. But as a news photographer right out of college, where the entire staff used digital cameras, working with film was obsolete. And I took that mentality with me into my business. I shoot 100% digital currently, but my hope is to incorporate more and more film into my photography. I love the look and feel of film, the emotions it stirs up, the fine detail. Will I be offering it as part of DZP services, not just yet. Right now this is more of a personal journey but after much trial and error, we'll see where it goes!

6. Portraits.

I elluded to this yesterday, but I'm incredibly excited to incorporate more portrait work in 2015. I loved my portrait clients from this past year and the amazing sessions we had together. I realised that I love this part of my business and while weddings are and will continue to be the meat and potatoes of DZP, I wanted portraits to have a place of their own too. My dream is to create beautiful and artistic portraiture for my clients in ways that stretch me as a photographer.

7. Social Media I

First and foremost I hope to make less of social media in 2015 in my personal life. I hop on Facebook when I'm bored. I mindlessly scroll through Instagram. It's a total waste of time and I really need to get that under control. I let the lives other people soak too deeply into my own reflection of life. Beautiful instagram photos does not a perfect life make, Debbie. Less social media, more appreciating life right in front of me. 

8. Social Media II

The flip of that is that, I would like to be better at sharing on social media. I want to create thoughtful and curated content that encourages conversation. Content that encourages others, that leaves people better. Content that doesn't discourage or brag or portray a perfected life. How do you do that? How do you balance that line? 2015 is for figuring that out.

9. Print feature. 

The end of 2014 brought great news that I had my first full length print feature in Southern New England Weddings magazine! This was a huge accomplishment for my business and I'm still on cloud nine. My hope in 2015 is to have another print feature, maybe more than just one! Truly the aim of this goal is not to just accrue feature after feature but rather to stretch and push myself and chase after dreams that are and scary. Here's to that!

10. Host A Workshop.

This past fall I hosted a workshop for DZP shooters and assistants. In short it was amazing. The give and take we all received by being a part of the day was incredible. To be able to encourage other business owners and photographers, to inspire and equip them is something I hope I can do more of in the future this year. This isn't a "Hey everyone come and see what I know," type deal. I truly want a workshop that lifts people up and that equips them to do the same. 

11. Travel abroad.

Dave and I have the travel bug, badly. With our many friends that live all across the world the heart strings are calling. I'm not sure where travel will take us this year but I would absolutely love to see us traveling abroad, experiencing new cultures and seeing new places. That's where my hearts at, we'll see where God takes us!

12. Decorate our home.

I realize that this might sound like a silly goal. But I love decorating, organizing and simplifying. Call it a hobby I guess. The heart of this goal is to organize and simply our life, starting at home. I also want to create a space that is entirely ours, a place where Dave and Jonathan feel at rest, a haven of sorts. I want our home to be place that inspires us as a family together!

13. Speak on Business and Family.

My heart was set afire this past year with regards to family and business. I really want to see others thriving in their family and business life. I want to encourage and equip others to build businesses that reflect their core values, where they can exceptionally serve their clients while loving their families. My heart is for other woman but of course this idea applies to anyone who desires to find more balance in their life and business!

14. Stop Comparing. 

This is a hard one to put out there. But I compare myself to others...all.the.time. I'm not a good enough wife, mom, business owner, photographer, you name it, I'll complare myself to it. It's just not healthy and has to stop. We each have our own unique set of skills and personalities that contribute beautifully to this world and that includes me. Help me stay accountable to this one, will you?

15. Rest. 

I'm 100% guilty of feeling guilty anytime I "stop" or take a moment for myself or my family. I always feel this tug and pull to keep doing, to keep going, to keep pushing. In 2015 I want to keep growing yes, but I also want to take time out of life to soak it all in. To rest the soul and quiet the mind. Seems to be a theme throughout my goals, of simpliying and staying small. I hope that I can allow myself moments of quiet throughout the year to experience the joy of my family, the peace of God and the healthfulness of resting the body. This might be the hardest goal I have set for the year... 

What are you looking forward to in 2015? What are you goals and dreams for the year? I'd love for you to share...let's keep each other accountable to the things we are working towards! Happy New Year everyone!

14 Highlights in 2014

A Look Back at 2014

While I absolutely hate the frigid temperatures that come along with this time of year, I do love the feeling of a clean slate, a fresh start. I love taking the time to think about all the wonderful things that happened the year before and the dreams I have for the year to come. As a person who is constantly jumping from one thing to the next, I desperately need this time at the beginning of the year to soak in and appreciate all that has happened, how much I've grown and how our family has been blessed. When life is moving at rapid pace, sometimes you need to slow down and be thankful.  
 
That is where I find myself at the start of this new year. 2014 was a good year, a year where I found myself getting back into the groove of things. Life with a baby sure does flip your world upside down (in the best of ways) and by the end of 2013 I was just trying to catch my breath. As we moved into 2014 things felt more settled. And while the year certainly had it's fair share of surprises and ups and downs, in general it was a calm and relaxing year for us. After 2013 which found me pregnant, giving birth, recovering from a c-section, raising a toddler, selling a home, buying a home, moving and running a business, our family was ready for a calm year! 
 
Before I jump into 2015 I wanted to reflect on this past 2014, thankful for the amazing and wonderful things that happened in our life. What better way to do that than with 14 highlights of 2014! 
 
One : Training For and Completing my first Half Marathon.  
This trip and race had been a dream of mine for a long time. To actually cross that finish line and complete this MASSIVE goal was a HUGE personal victory for me. Added bonus : it was on my 30th birthday! It boosted my confidence not only as a runner but as a person. To work towards and accomplish a lofty goal of running 13.1 miles was a defining moment for me in 2014. One of my favorite memories of the year!

Two : Traveling to Chicago, Florida and Texas with the family. 
In the first three months of the year we traveled cross country with the babe. These were some special moments for us a family this year, I'll never forget Jonathan's first plane ride or how we meticulously planned every step before we boarded that plane (Fear of screaming baby on plane anyone?) We rallied as a team and I'm incredibly proud of how Dave and I worked together. It might seem like a small thing, but this year especially, it's been in the small moments that we've experienced the most joy. 

Three : The DZP Home Office Makeover. 
I had no idea how popular the home office makeover would be OR the amazing feedback I had from Instagram and blog readers on paint choices, furniture placement, desk orders and more! Thanks to your feedback and help I was able to come up with a home office that feels like home. A place where I can breath, be inspired and do my best work. I love here! The amazing Style Me Pretty feature was the icing on the cake!!

Four : Jonathan's First Birthday. 
My baby turned ONE this year!! Waaahhh. We celebrated with a family picnic on a beautiful spring day. To see so much love poured out to Jonathan made my heart swell. This kid sure is loved and I'm ever so grateful for that! Plus you can't beat that adorable bow tie or the fact that he got frosting up his nose!!

Five : Portrait Sessions. 
I photographed many more portraits sessions than ever I anticipated this past year. And I loved it!! So much so that I am toying with the idea of adding portraits as a permanent part of my brand. All this to say, I've loved the families (near and far) that I've had the joy of documenting this year. It's felt like a perfect fit...more on this soon! 
 

Six : Celebrating out 8th wedding anniversary. 
We celebrated 8 years of marriage this summer...that's almost a decade!! We've grown a lot, together, and I'm incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished. While we have SO much to look forward to and a lot of growing left to do, we took time out to thank God for all he's done in us and through us as a couple. I'm thankful for 8 years of marriage and I can't wait to see what another 8 years brings us!

Seven : My shared office space. 
I had been looking for an office space for a long time, a place where I could meet with clients in a space that was quiet and "my own." In an unexpected turn, the fabulous ladies at Paper Moss approached me about sharing their office space in downtown Boston. Isn't it funny how God presents us with opportunities at just right moment? It's been wonderful sharing a space with Paper Moss team and it's been fantastic having a space all "my own" to meet with clients!

Eight : Traveling to Virginia.  
Another unexpected turn this year was having the opportunity to travel to Virginia (with the family!) to attend a mentor session with friend and fellow photographer Katelyn James. We made a road trip out of it and had a blast together as a family. The business got an added boost from all of Katelyn's wisdom and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to reconnect with this dear friend and mentor!

Nine : Speaking at the Boston PUG. 
A highlight (and knee shakingly nervous moment) for me this year was having the opportunity to speak at the Boston PUG. I shared my heart for work/life balance as well as tip and tricks on growing a business while nurturing a family and marriage. It's something I'm incredibly passionate about so to be able to share that with others, well it was a defining moment for me!

Ten : Deepening Relationships. 
This year seemed to be focused on deepening relationships. From industry peers to old friends to new friendships, I found relationships being strengthened and deepened all along the way. This is one of the things I am most grateful for this year and I pray that 2015 only finds these relationships enriched and strengthened.

Eleven : Hosting the first DZP Workshop.  
It's been a dream of mine to help educate and encourage others through my business and this November we hosted a private workshop at our home for 5 photographers! Wow, what a dream come true! Many vendors came together to help this idea become a reality and it was in short, an incredible experience. I'm so very thankful for the ladies represented here and their eagerness to learn and grow with me!

Twelve :My First Print Feature. 
Eeekk, I couldn't wait to share this one! Technically it's not my first print publication but it is my first full length feature!! Mark and Marlo's wedding is currently being featured in Southern New England Weddings magazine and I'm like a proud mama bear. They put so much thought and detail into their day and I'm delighted to see it getting the attention it deserves! Once I get my hands on a copy I'll be sure to share it here!

Thirteen : Further developing my style. 
It felt like this year was a stretching one for me as a photographer. I felt back in the groove after the birth of our son and I used 2014 as a year for learning. Becoming a Mom changed everything for me and that meant some core aspects of my business and photography changed too. I care about different things, see the world differently. New perspective have influenced who I am as a photographer and business owner. I'm starting to see that take shape in the images I create and boy does that excite me!

Fourteen : Sharing more of my heart of family & business. 
My desire in 2015 is to share more of my heart of family and business here on the blog and throughout all aspects of DZP. My aim is to encourage and equip those who have or are looking to start a family but are overwhelmed with how to "balance" it all. Or perhaps you don't have a family but simply want to have better boundaries between your business and your life. Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of doing something creative, of owning a business AND having a family. And while I don't have it all figured out (that's for sure!) I am learning along the way and carving a path towards the things, people, dreams and experiences that make my heart set fire. I hope you'll join me!