Loving Our Selfies-The Doldrums Season

I was having such a hard time thinking of anything interesting to say for this week’s “Loving Our Selfies”. It’s March, our Michigan weather is all over the place from below freezing at night to (GASP!) actually hitting above 40 degrees during the day and we are even seeing the elusive sun, what that means however, is crunchy melting snow and mud. Lots and lots of mud.To many people, spring signifies a fresh start. For some reason, I’ve never loved spring, at least early spring. It’s fickle, finicky, and just kinda “bleh” to me. It’s this time of year I also feel “bleh” about business; not because I’m not supa dupa pumped about shooting the class of 2016, mind you, it’s because it seems soooooo faaaaaar awaaaaaaay still.(I'm dying for these shoots again below!)This is also the time of year that I get panicky. I get nervous. I look at my calendar that isn’t quite full of fabulous clients (yet!), and I have to remind myself, “If you build it, they will come.” My self-confidence this time of year isn’t the greatest because of this. Anyone else with me on this? Or am I an island? I see many of you out there whose class of 2016 sessions are almost full and I’m going to admit, I’m jealous. Sigh. There, I said it, I’m jealous. NOT in a, “Why her and not ME???” whiney kind of way. I LOVE seeing people work hard and know how to get their clients booked early; it’s fantastic. I’m jealous in a, “Now, how can I make that happen for myself?” kind of way.After moving from one city to another, and then back to the original city in two years and having a baby, I need to remind myself that it takes time to build up clientele, especially after deciding to specialize in seniors (and a few weddings a year). Patience is not generally one of my virtues when it comes to the success of my business. I guess I’m a typical American in the sense I want success and I want it NOW!So what am I doing about it, you ask (or maybe you didn’t ask, but guess what? I’m going to tell you anyway)? I’m busting my behind to completely redo my senior welcome magazine. I want it fresh, fun, and full of information for parents and seniors. I’m working on making it so awesome any potential client who sees it will have to hire me right away (at least I keep telling myself it will be that amazing. Wink! Wink!).I created a Flipigram of photos and information and posted it on Instagram and Facebook and also asked former clients to regram it for me. I’m offering some early booking incentives for the class of 2016. I’m adding another hair and makeup artist to my team to ensure I have enough session dates to make scheduling work not only for myself, but for clients as well.And most importantly, I have to stop allowing my self-esteem to tank. I have to believe in my work, my vision, and my success. I KNOW I am a good photographer. I KNOW clients are happy with what I’ve done for them. Now, I just need to keep hustling like the LADY BOSS I am. And keep working it until I’m where I want to be. BOOM! Holy crap, I seriously think I just gave myself a pep talk, I’m suddenly all ready and rarin’ to go and feel like I need to shoot something, with my camera that is.I hope you are too, ready to get out there and tackle the class of 2016. It may seem far away for some of us, but there is light at the end of this long, dreary winter tunnel.