New Year
This past year has been truly amazing!! My website has been down since last July and I haven’t been able to blog for so long, I feel like I need to do a quick recap! Here’s what my 2016 looked like in a nutshell…I :
Became an Aunt
Got Married (finally!)
Went to Australia & Fiji
Bought a House
Got a New Puppy
Shot my First Wedding (actually two!)
Tripled my Clients
Doubled my Income
Doubled my Instagram Followers
Whew! Needless to say, it’s been an incredible year for us. I love being an aunt (seriously, my niece is the cutest!), and I love being married to my best friend! We had an incredible honeymoon in Australia and Fiji, despite some major luggage issues (more on that in a later post). We bought our first home in August, and it was hectic — but we are SO happy to be in a bigger space! Our little apartment in Chapel Hill was just way too small. In addition to all of this, my business grew in so many ways that I never thought possible. Figuring out how to manage my business within the first year was so challenging, I didn’t think I would ever be able to take on more clients, let alone increase my income.
New Website
In June, I had to be honest with myself about the direction my business was headed. I realized that I was spreading myself too thin, and that I simply didn’t have the time to do everything really well. I was trying to be a photographer, editor, and retoucher all at the same time. Traveling for shoots cut into editing time for clients, and I was overwhelmed with the workload. I had to make a change, so I decided to stop offering photography services, and focus on editing and retouching.
It was a really difficult decision to make, but I know in my heart it is the best thing for my business. Since I decided to stop offering photography services, I have been able to take on eight new clients without feeling overwhelmed. It’s an amazing feeling, and I am so happy that my business is finally growing in the ways I always hoped it would. Besides, I still get to take some photography opportunities — I just have to be a little more selective!
New Brand
After figuring out the new direction for my business, I officially REBRANDED! I keep referring to it as a “rebrand”, but it’s technically the very first true brand I’ve ever had. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting to officially brand my business. For years I operated under graphics that I did myself. They were fine — but not great. This time around, I worked with a professional who actually knows what she’s doing! I am so excited that I got the chance to work with Alyssa Joy & Co. and she was just amazing to work with! Take a look at the brand board she put together for me below:
Alyssa put together a perfect brand for me — I could not be happier! I am so excited about the new brand and website, and I can’t wait to see where this new direction leads!!
Yes! I am LOVING the new site! Congrats!!
Thank you so much, Sarah!
Congratulations on your new branding/site! It is absolutely beautiful. I am so excited to see where the future has in store for you…
xo, Stephanie
Thank you Stephanie, you are so sweet!!
I love your branding. So beautiful, whimsical and sophisticated.
Loving the site. Super clean!!
So exciting! Congrats on the new site and rebrand! It all looks amazing
Love the branding!
And being an aunt is the best!!
Beautiful! The look of this is absolutely gorgeous!
You’ve had an exciting year! Love the new branding!!
Girl! What a crazy and exciting 2016! Love the new site too. Congrats. I’m sure you’ll kill it in 2017!!
great new site and branding!!
Nice!
Sounds like 2016 was pretty amazing…and I am sure 2017 will be even better!
What a year! I love your branding! Can’t wait to see what 2017 holds in store for you.
Wow!! Congrats!! Thanks for sharing everything that has been going on. Your website looks great!
Love the branding and congrats on having such an awesome year!
Love the new site! Congratulations!!
http://www.notokthatsokcoach.com
That’s quite a year! What was the best thing of all? The puppy? 😉
Wow such an amazing year congratulations!
So excited for you, love your new brand. I just went through the same process about a month ago and it feels so good operating under new skin! Good luck!
I love your focus and redirection of your path. An inspiration to someone who is spead too thin. Love your crisp, clean style!
Wow!! I got exhausted just reading all you accomplished during the year!! Go you!! And the site looks so sleek and clean, looks great!!
This site is so gorgeous!! And congrats on your marketing techniques~~ You’re doing great!!
Love the new site! Everything looks so great and polished! Sounds like you had a great 2016, hope 2017 is just as memorable!
New branding is so fun! Congrats!
Looks amazing. Good luck in this new journey. I’m sure it will be so fun.
What an eventful year you had! I’m sure 2017 is gonna be better than ever. Your site is beautiful.
Damn what a huge year of milestones!!! Congrats!!
I love the color scheme you used, your new website is so beautiful!
Love the look back and look forward.
Yay for good changes!!
Color scheme is on point! It’s beautiful! Congratulations :)🎉
Such an exciting year! The rebranding looks fabulous!!
Sounds like you had a great year!
You know what you are doing! love it!
Congrats on your new branding! I love how clean and modern it is!
Congrats on the new website!
Beautiful turnout! Your brand is very stunning! Congrats!
Love the new branding!
Emily, I am so proud of you!! And I love watching your business flourish into something amazing.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog audience have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?