Hey friends. Melissa Kelly, Master Photog., CPP from Andover, KS here. I want to take a moment to be honest and frank.
It’s a new year filled with new possibility. Opportunity awaits around every corner, BUT that also means that January has come and gone. February was gloomy. I know with March there is hope on the horizon. Right now it’s still gloomy, and I long to see the sun warm my face.
This happens every January and lasts until about mid-March. There’s a feeling that creeps in, especially if I don’t attend ImagingUSA or we have a hard winter here in Kansas. It’s the feeling of loneliness, uncertainty,and let’s just call it what it is, seasonal affective disorder. For me, it causes depression and self-doubt.
If I were a betting woman, I would say that happens to a lot of us in the photography community. Research shows that highly creative individuals, particularly writers and artists, are more prone to depression andmood disorders than the general population. Studies indicate that creative professionals may be up to 10 times more likely to suffer from depression, with factors like extreme sensitivity, intense introspection, and high-pressure work environments contributing to this. National Institute of Health.
There’s also what I refer to as the “end of year trap”. From April to December, we are workaholics. We are scheduling clients, photographing clients, completing sales sessions, processing orders, and ensuring eachorder is perfect & packaged. I love the pace and the hustle. Then, around January 5th it hits. Where is everyone? Why isn’t my phone ringing? It doesn’t help that it’s cold outside – so I hibernate. I know I personally get tunnel vision this time of year too. During this time, I plan out the entire year, reflect on theprevious year, and strategize solutions to make the whole year more successful (or more balanced).
Maybe you feel this way year round. Maybe the socials have you down. There’s lots of arguing over there on Facebook. Tik Tok easily pulls you in with doom scrolling.
What’s the solution?
I have started to notice little things around me. I found Tik Tok is an app based off engagement. Now, you may already know that. However, I did not. I made a post about me and I could not believe the thousandsof people that engaged, and messaged
me saying, “same girl, same.” Then, I received an email from Professional Photographer’s of America asking to continue engaging in the conversations from ImagingUSA during their new First Exchange Call.Finally, I got another email from Texas Professional Photographers to join a Zoom meeting Coffee Talk. Ithought to myself, “Pay attention, the universe is trying to tell you something.”
I started making changes this winter. In regard to the socials, I am filtering out anything negative and changing my algorithm to be more positive, fun. & engaging. This year, I am not relying on social media to promote my business. In the sea of photographers, I feel as though my business is lost. Honestly, reviewing the analytics of ads is frustrating. Perhaps, people don’t really understand that I am full service studio. I am going back to the basics.
I have been reaching out to some fantastic colleagues across the country. Great things have happened from reaching out to photographers I have met at ImagingUSA and Texas School over the years. We talked, we listened, shared ideas and created solutions. Those are your hype people. Those relationships arepriceless. It’s important to stay in contact with those people.
Next, I made a list of businesses I frequent and value. There are a couple I partner with already. It was easyto call up these businesses and ask when a good time would be for me to swing by. Something I learned from my pharmaceutical sales days was that everyone loves treats. So with a box of cookies, I called on each business. Thanking them for the impact their business had on me and the community. I also inquired how their business was going and if there was anything I could do to help their business. My goal was to come from a place of value, and again, we shared ideas and created solutions.
I am also making commitments to attend Open Houses, Chamber of Commerce events, and Success Builders groups. The benefit of this is greater than business. Do I hope this contributes to bringing clients in the door? Absolutely! But something happens when we connect. We create stronger relationships, building trust, and rapport. We increase our oxytocin and reduce stress/cortisol levels when we come together as a group. I know this has certainly helped me feel less isolated. Making these changes, I feel more hopeful and excited for this new year.
If you feel the same way, I hope some of these tips will help you get started. There’s lots of possibility out there!
