This month has been the perfect way to close out what has certainly been a wild and crazy 2018. When I first started in photography and learned about WPPI, I became a member and started receiving their magazine Rangefinder monthly. It has always been a dream to see my photos and name in their magazine, and that dream came true in a different way when I was able to write an article after Hurricane Florence they published in the recent December issue. I found out back in October I was getting published in Rangefinder Magazine but received the email with it laid out on my birthday. Rangefinder is considered one of the go-to magazines for professional photographers so it was truly an honor to have my article published in there! You can check out the article here.

For me, it wasn’t just about having the article published, but about putting myself out there and going after something, in this case, a goal that I had been sitting on for years. With so many changes in my life the past year a half, this year has been about focusing on my goals and seeing them through, no matter how big or scary. What I have learned through this is you have to be willing to do the work, and sometimes just getting started in the hardest part. I encourage you for 2019 to not just write down a few New Years “Resolutions”, but to really envision what you want your 2019 and beyond to look like and what those goals entail. Write them down, say them out loud and share with your closest friend or confidante so they can help keep you accountable. If you want to write more in 2019, start by writing a paragraph or a few sentences a day to get into the habit. If you want to be a better photographer, start spending an extra hour or two a week working on a new skill such as lighting with a friend/spouse/partner/neighbor/pet/creepy mannequin head. If you want to start training for a marathon (like WHY I ask but okay) then start with just getting out and moving your body each day. Find a couch to 5K program and work your way up from there.

There are a lot of day planners out there now to help keep you on track, but if you start smart and set smaller goals along the way to your dream, you will be surprised what you can accomplish. If you can’t afford an expensive planner, just get a cute (yes, I said cute) notebook that you will want to open and write in. This notebook from my friend is a favorite of mine and makes me smile every time I pick it up (thanks Jennifer!). I also encourage you not to wait until January to start thinking about your goals for next year. Set some time aside now and get to work. Here’s to a great end to 2018 and to what I know will be a fantastic 2019!