BRRRRRR! I feel like I have been shivering for the past 2 weeks! I cant ever seem to get warm and this weather has DRASTICALLY had an effect on both my business and mood! I am 100% one of those people that is wildly affected by the weather. I NEED sunshine to function. I NEED fresh flowers in my life, blue skies, warm salty air breeze and flip flops. I guess I am officially a beach girl!

In this deep freeze, I can’t help but relate it to so many business owners out there that are feeling stuck. Frozen in a rut. The holidays are over and that “special something to look forward to”….that “special person you waited all year to see”….its all over. Gone. Family and friends have returned home. Gifts are opened. Resolutions made. And now, nothingness! In a resort town, which is where I live….almost ALL businesses are closed. Maybe weekend openings here and there, but mostly SHUT DOWN! This is such a hard time for photographers as well…considering its INCREDIBLY cold to ask clients to be outside. Everyone’s noses are turning red and running, so flattering pictures are tough. The deadness of the landscape and grey skies over the water….it just doesnt make for a pretty picture without any snow. 

This is what many of us officially call the “OFF SEASON”. This is when we are supposed to spend time catching up on blogging, organizing the office, files, updating and cleaning equipment, working on new client materials. Sure…we NEED time to do all this, but we also CRAVE and miss that human interaction. For me…I miss gushing gorgeous brides in white gowns and lavish parties. Being trapped in an office under a blanket is NOT my fave part of this business!

So as I sit here (under my blanket in my office, still in PJS I might add) I thought of a few tips and tricks to getting out of our OWN deep freeze both mentally and in our businesses:

1) Use this downtime now to create a routine/a schedule. It will help you stay organized and stress free in the busy season. Maybe write ALL your blogs for the week on a Sunday so during the week, they can automatically publish. Then blogging will be less daunting during the week.

2) Organize your inboxes and hard drives. Go through and back up your images and organize them into folders. (2013 weddings, 2013 families, 2013 maternity, etc)

In your inboxes, do the same (2013 inquiries, 2013 business emails, 2014 brides, 2014-2015 inquiries), this will so help you in the future! Discovering the “labels” tab in gmail has been life altering for me. AND its even color coated! : )

3) Go through your vendor images. Send images to those DJs you loved working with and seeing time and time again all season. Send those images to florists. March is the beginning of booking season. Everyone just got engaged over the holidays and are looking to book now or after hitting up a few bridal fairs! Be proactive and get those images out to those vendors so they can use YOUR images in their pamphlets, offices, booklets, and more!)

4) Network time! Be social. All those photographer friends you see online that you haven’t been able to catch up with during busy season…NOW IS THE PERFECT time to set up a coffee or lunch date. You never know when that ONE network connection could save your hinny in a busy season or be a great source of referrals for you!

5) Plan a personal shoot! Set up a styled shoot with local vendors, turn it into a workshop, shoot to get published…just shoot something that ignites your soul and gets you even more excited for the upcoming season and prevent yourself from going stale!

I surely hope these 5 tips inspire you to un-freeze both in your personal life and business life. I hope to have coffee with many of you and I so hope to see many of you at my styled workshop in February.

Stay warm!

xoxox, Kaitlin