I am going to set some goals for myself for 2024. I’ve never been much of a goal setter but this year I am writing down the things I want to work on.

2024 Top 10 Goals

1. Better Work Life Balance
   I am not good at this. I am a morning person so I’m usually up working at my computer every day, 7 days a week by 5am. I am also a creature of habit so this has become my routine. I need to break this one.

2. Photograph My Own Dogs
   Molly is 10 years old. She doesn’t love being a model but I do want to take more photos of her. I need to take my camera along when she’s out for a walk with her dad. It’s one of her favorite things to do. Jeff is new to us and I want to a better job of documenting his life with us. It’s easier to make photo taking fun for him than it is for Molly.

3. Do More Personal Photography Projects
   I’ve signed up for the next Unleashed Education challenge that starts in the spring. My goal is to use these biweekly projects to create personal work for myself. This would be a great opportunity to use Jeff as my model too. (See Goal #2)

4. Travel and Then Travel Some More
   I am on a mission to travel to places on my bucket list and revisit places I love. The older I get, the more urgency I have to do this now. On the list are: Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Banff and Montana.

5. Take Better Care of Myself
   I need to focus on more cardio exercise and I need to eat healthier. If I want to continue to travel and to be able to continue to photograph dogs, I need to take better care of myself and especially my back. I spent the last couple of months in physical therapy because of issues with my back.

These are all more personal goals. I am always focused on my work but here are my Professional Goals for 2024:

1. Blog. I want to start blogging about my photo shoots. I want to tell the stories behind the photos.

2. Create a new special session. I’ve thought about this for years and the session would involve blue hour / night time photos and using lights. I’m envisioning well-trained dogs working best for this.

3. Plan consecutive, multi-day BARKography on Tour photo shoots in the NC mountains. This is in the works!

4. Learn how to use the gimble I bought last year. I want to take more video and incorporate it into my Instagram as well as into my client photo sessions.

5. Sell my DSLR gear. I have a sentimental attachment to it but I really should sell it.

Are you a goal setter? Do you have any goals or New Years Resolutions for 2024?