2022 Wrap Up
Last year was easily the busiest year that I've ever had - to put it into perspective, I shot more weddings in October than I did in total for the year before. Some highlights: I was lucky enough to shoot at quite a few venues that I hadn't previously. I met and worked with a bunch of wedding vendors that will be making it to my recommended vendors list, I won some awards, got on TV and I invested money into myself for a change.
In the first couple of months for 2022, I was a completely different person in a completely different place to where I am now. I was studying Cyber Security full-time and working Monday to Friday driving a school bus for disabled students while still shooting weddings. At the beginning of March, a serendipitous opportunity for a marketing position in real estate came my way. Thinking that it aligned more with my passion for photography, I jumped at it. The skills and experience that I have picked up from working in Marketing for other businesses have helped my efficiency and confidence within my own business and I am very grateful for the ongoing opportunities that arise from this.
About half way through the year, I had shot over 30 weddings. I was so stoked at the photos that I had captured for my couples and I was really looking forward to the second half of the year where the bulk of my bookings were. Just before the busier months came around, I was fortunate enough to invest in more high-end camera equipment. I was a little nervous as I had been shooting with Canon gear for over 10 years, but the new gear that I got was all Sony. I remember the first wedding that I shot with the new gear and it was an absolute game-changer. The quality of the photos were next-level!
Throughout the year, I had reconnected with some mates from school who also work in weddings - Nick (Creativa Weddings) and Jordan (Crottison). Though we all have our own individual businesses, we realised that we have similar styles and approaches and we have a lot of fun together. We started assisting each other shooting weddings and again, I think it has taken my work up another level. I've never had more fun shooting weddings and the quality of our service has been met with amazing reviews.
Approaching the end of Spring, the Wedding Industry Awards (formerly Brides Choice Awards) came around and I was lucky enough to come away with Highly Commended for a second year in a row. This year, myself and Tracy from Norah Head Lighthouse were approached by NBN News for an interview regarding our awards and working in weddings. It was outside of our comfort zone, but it was pretty cool to be acknowledged for our efforts! Not long after this, I was invited to the Local Business Awards as part of the team at Norah Head Lighthouse. We were lucky enough to take out an award for our category of Specialised Business. Another accolade that we are very grateful for.
By the time December rolled around, I won't lie - I was cooked. Luckily for me, the weddings that I had in December were all pretty laid-back and the couples, venues and weather made my job easy. I took some of my best ever photos from the last few weddings of the year.
In 2022, feel that I significantly improved in my business, skills and attitude in all areas. I have also identified areas that I need to improve on - one of them being actually updating my website more regularly and posting blogs like this one! I'm aiming to do at least one a month, unless special events or news comes up.
I'm looking forward to what 2023 brings and I wish everyone all the best for the new year.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jacob
