hey hey

I’ve noticed this change in attitude towards New Years Resolutions over the last couple years but it really took a turn this year. Lots of screw it don’t do em. You never keep em anyway. Waste of your time.

Um… bullshit.

Ok probably not bukkshit to the ‘you never keep them anyway.’ Thus the change in manner towards them. But honestly that’s on us.

Call ‘em what you want but ultimately these are goals you want to achieve for the year. And the New Year is the perfect time to start them. It’s a fresh start. It’s a NEW year. Great time for us to reflect on the previous year and where we want to be this time next year, what we want to accomplish in this next chapter. You should reflect and write down new goals.

We fail at keeping them or crossing them off the list for a few reasons –

1. You didn’t actually make a list. Just came up with some things in your head. Or you’ve put them out there. Telling people about them is great but also put them in writing. You can’t cross them off if they aren’t there to cross off. Write them and talk about them. You might even find those you tell can really help you with them! But do both. Your’e more likely to stay accountable to them.
2. They’re unattainable. Trust me I live in a bit of lala land and think world peace could happen if we just all tried! Haha. But if you don’t set actual attainable goals for the new year well then you set yourself up not to reach them cause they aren’t attainable. I’m not saying don’t dream big. PLEASE do. I’m saying when you write down a goal be realistic in is this something I can do this year, this month, this week… or is this a 2 or 5 year goal. Keep it but don’t give up on resolutions all together because you put an unattainable 5 year goal on your list and you obviously didn’t achieve it in 12 months.
3. We forget to think smaller. For whatever reason we feel these must be grand. But truthfully big changes in our lives result from the smallest acts. And sometimes we just need to write it down & share them to get started with it.
4. The biggest reason we miss the mark on new year resolutions…. we never set up any strategies or tactics to accomplish them. As if putting it out into the universe it will magically happen this week. And sometimes we get lucky and that does happen. But if we want to be intentional with our goals you must include a plan, a map per se, to get there. If you don’t know what direction you need to go how will you ever get there, and how on earth will you know when you’re off track if there wasn’t one to get on?

I get it. I’ve done all of those things. Many times. I’ve finally just hit a point that I’m over it. It’s time to be serious about what we want. And listing off how much of this I want, and I want to go do this, and I want… I want… I want… with no strategy isn’t being serious. There are even times I find myself writing the same goals or a slight variation so it doesn’t appear to be the same, but in fact, it is.

Enough with that. Let’s be intentional with our lives and our desires for it.

Here are my tips on achieving goals –

1. Prioritize your List – You’ll probably find on your list that if you accomplish some of the goals listed they’d actually help you with another one. And leaving all of them to just hang til the end of the year in hopes of getting lucky isn’t productive. Prioritize them. Some to start to now, and the rest for different times throughout the year.
2. Actually follow up each goal with an action. At least one way you think you can accomplish it or set you on the right track to get there. 3 ways is better. We do fail now and again 😉 Doing this you’ll actually create a to-do list for your prioritized goals. Already this feels much more manageable right?!
3. Recognize that each strategy you list might in itself include several tactics to achieve just the strategy. If you don’t recognize and set these up then that bigger goal will never get the golden checkmark.
4. Think small. As said earlier, every goal doesn’t need to be huge. Or maybe you’ve now recognized you need to just get started so bring back a notch. Maybe you’re original goal was to get healthy, but after some thought the biggest area of health you want to work on is getting enough sleep & consistently good sleep. So instead you have this smaller goal now of getting to bed by this time and using an app to track sleep quality and trends from day to day and you’re going to do it until it’s a habit. (which is only 21 days by the way!) It’s not about making “easier” goals. It’s about making them attainable and setting yourself up to succeed. This is actually the same thought process for creating strategies & tactics!
5. Still dream big. It doesn’t all have to accomplished in 2016. You might find just by prioritizing your list, and creating actionable items these 2 and 5 year goals are attainable even sooner!

Don’t skip writing down goals because you failed to set yourself up to succeed. Try again. Write that list. Go back to that list, prioritize and enter strategies. Shit, add more goals to it!!! It might be the 3rd week of January but it isn’t too late. It never is. These don’t have to happen just at the new year, and they shouldn’t. But it’s a great time to remind us to start fresh and try again or go for more. 2016 is your year. It’s yours for the taking. But you have to act on it. Take it. We even have an extra day this year…. look how much extra time we have for activities!!!! Just don’t give up.

XOXO

 

 

 

 

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Follow My Life on Instagram | Check out the Website

After an awesome summer that constantly had me on the go photographing the best clients in the world I’m headed back to Canada!! I’m so excited to spend a couple weeks back in my favorite city, Vancouver. It’s been a while VanCity, I miss you! And I get to experience my very first Canadian Thanksgiving!!!! All of my Canadian friends call me an honorary Canadian and it just feels right to celebrate their Thanksgiving with them. And I’m on the road today. Mini roadtrip. Some snacks. Lots of music. Big coffee. This is the life. Excited to see some friends I haven’t seen in a while, shop, laugh. Even head out to the Sunshine Coast for the holiday and I’ve never been there!!! Then a week in the city of relaxation, more shopping, yummy food, sunsets galore and on and on.

Technology is kinda crazy. To think that I actually wrote this out this morning but I’m posting it later from my phone. The things we can do with mobile devices these days!  I sat in a circle of my peers just a few years back discussing with our website company owners about the desire for html5. They didn’t tell us no outright, but said not now. At the time only a few people owned iPads and it was a very small percentage of people viewing my website on mobile devices. Shortly after they came up with an html5 option. It worked but wasn’t great. It was my exact site on mobile, although the galleries didn’t work just right but it was better than nothing, or our previous option of building a separate mobile site that didn’t match my website. Until now. I’ve used SHOWIT for my website since I started photography and I’m alway impressed with their way of asking us our wants and needs and then making them happen. And voila. Customizable mobile sites. What we had before was ok. But really my site was designed for a computer screen in horizontal form but tablets and phones are vertical. And I’m so excited to announce the new mobile site which matches my website but gives you all the deets and images on mobile in a beautiful way!!!!!

Go check it out – www.jacilynm.com

Slide down, slide up, slide left, slide right. Ohhhhh I love it.

Now to get back to jamming in the car and making my way across the Pacific Northwest!!  The best 😉

 

 

 

 

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Follow My Life on Instagram | Check out the Website

One of the most common questions I get asked is how do you balance everything? How do you have time for everything in business and in life. Truthfully, I don’t have enough time for EVERYTHING. So I don’t do everything 😉

But I get you. I hear what you’re saying. I’m a single mom and a full-time business owner. It’s a struggle. And I must travel often or I lose my mind. But I also know that when I get asked how do I balance it all you’re looking for some magical answer that says I do this at this time and this at that time and schedule this this way and my life is complete! But that’s not the case. And frankly the answer that I think you’re looking for just doesn’t exist. There is no magic equation to acquire that balance.

I’ve come to realize that having balance means that I’m happy. It might be the most chaotic in terms of organization but if I’m truly happy with life then I feel balanced. Nothing else matters.

Here are three ways I keep the “balance” –

1. Priorities. What are your priorities in life. I love when people ask how do you find time to workout so often. Ok well I don’t just find time. I didn’t pull a chance card today that said I get 2 extra hours, SWEET I’ll work out. It’s either a priority or it isn’t. My main priorities in life are my daughter, my business, and travel.

You’re top priorities should fill you up. Not pull you down.

When I’m with my daughter I can’t help but think about that one thing workwise I could be doing. Or when I’m working I can’t stop thinking about where to go next or playing with my kid. When I’m doing one I’m missing the others. Because these are the things in life that fill me up. These are my life loves.

2. Your calendar. I’m the type of person that loves and hates my calendar. Calendars used to just look like traps to me. Telling me all of the things I have to do. I use google calendars and I have multiple calendars. One for work. One for personal life. And one for my daughters schedule. But I always view my calendar with all 3 calendars ON. I can see my life in a snapshot of sorts. It allows me to “balance” it out. If I see alot of work happening and no personal thing I schedule in some fun with my daughter. Or these 3 days without my kid and no work but I’m swamped the week before. BOOM those are off and I’m going somewhere. When it fills up with fun stuff in work, my kid and travel I no longer feel trapped by it. I actually get excited to look at it and see all of the work I have, and fun stuff to follow. Choosing to fill my schedule and view it as a good thing.

And know your workflow. Have it down solid and be confident with it. This allows me to easily look at my calendar and go that’s a wedding day so the next few days I have a blog post, editing, etc, and go just like this. I know exactly how long it takes me to get it all done so I can schedule it and not get behind.

3. Say no. I’ve written another blog post about this here, so I won’t drag this on. But every time I say yes to everything, especially those things that don’t fill me up. I pull myself down. I say no to myself. Life’s to short to throw off my happy balance doing something that doesn’t fill me up. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to say no. But balance can’t exist if you say yes to everything.

I’m sure there are tons of organizational wizards out there that can talk more about time and how to split it. But if you ask me, this is my answer. Balance is happiness. And when you’re happy, remaining happy is all that matters.

 

 

 

 

Photo up above by Laura Anne on a night out at the market shoving food in our mouths! More on my latest adventures to come!

 

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Check out the Website

A couple months ago I attended WPPI. While there I was on a panel along with my great friends, Meg Courtney & Jeremy Kester, discussing the Shoot & Share model of business.

If you’re unfamiliar with Shoot & Share I wrote a blog post a while back about it, as well as check out the community.

After getting home I was excited to receive an email from a writer for Photo Professional Magazine UK telling me he was writing an article on Shoot & Share and would love it I’d be willing to share some images with him. Heck yes!!!

Well, the article is out!!! So stoked to have a magazine featuring me and my business model. Now if I could just find it in print!!! 😉  It’s a UK magazine and one bookstore in town carries it, although they’re 4 issues behind! What is that?! I’m on the road this week and I’m stopping at every bookstore until I find it! Someone has to have it and the newest issue, right?!  If you happen to see it somewhere, let me know! 🙂

And, check out Heather & Travis lookin’ all fine at the lake 😉

 

 

 

 

Contact Jackie  |  Join the Facebook Fanpage  |  Check out the Website

Family photos are chaotic. I love chaos 🙂  I often encourage chaos. But on a wedding day, on a timeline, with hungry people we need to keep things rolling, especially during family photos. <- Is that a run-on sentence? I was never good at english. Let me help you organize this chaos and keep everyone happy, including yourself!

A couple years ago I had a conversation with some other photographers on how we dreaded family photos on a wedding day. At first I thought ‘SWEET! I’m not alone, we all dread them!  But then it occurred to me, what is wrong with us!  We must be doing this wrong. They’re such a small portion of a wedding, yet so important to the family. And if I’m dreading it and not enjoying it, well then the family is not going to be enjoying it either. How can I make this better.

After a few hours of reconfiguring my approach to family photos I had set up the perfect plan. And it’s worked like a charm since. Family photos rarely take longer than 15 minutes, doesn’t matter how big the family is. We all have fun. Get every image they want. Even the ones they think won’t happen, think split families.

As I’m starting to prep things for my first wedding of the year next month  I’ll be putting together their family photo list and thought that many of you may love this process if you had a “plan of attack.”

– Make a plan!

When I first started, prior to the wedding day we’d discuss when during the day we were going to do family photos. But, we didn’t discuss which photos they wanted, who they wanted to include, an idea of where. Make a plan!  When you gather a group of 20 people and don’t have a plan of the photos, they all have an idea of what you should do. And crazy chaos ensues. By the end you’re exhausted and hangry. Yes, hangry. You’ve been go-go-go and you’re so ready for dinner. And after the demands of 20 people and what photos they want and how to do it you’re so hungry you’re angry. Also known as “hangry.”

– Guide your Bride & Groom

Chances are this is their first time getting married, they haven’t done this before. They don’t know what family photos to get, not get, who should be in them. And if you don’t help them through this Mom is going to take control and tell you that you need to take a million and ten photos in the most unorganized way and then chances are they don’t even print all of those. Love you, Mom’s!! Just keepin’ it real 😉

I send out a questionnaire to my couples a month before their wedding with questions specific to the wedding day. I wait until a month before as things change in the planning process but a month before things are pretty set in stone. I send my questionnaires through my studio management software (I use Pixifi). They’re all online so couples can jump on at any time and make changes if needed. In the questionnaire I have a checklist of the basic family images. It gives us a starting point. And after the checklist I ask if there are additional images they want. Usually they answer with one of both of their families together, or both mom & dad’s sides of the family, or one of them with all of their cousins and aunts and uncles. We now have a starting point to our plan!

– Get names!

On that same wedding day questionnaire I ask for some names. Bridal Party to start. That helps me know and remember how many are in the party as well as I remember all of their names better when I’ve already seen them before. But I also ask for immediate family members names. Parents (which includes step parents if they have a split family), siblings, and grandparents. Since those are the main people included in the photo checklist. Which leads me to my next point….

– Make a list that flows, WITH NAMES!

When you send your assistant off to find family members they start yelling out titles. Father of the Bride is talking with friends and the guests and they shout “FATHER OF THE BRIDE” First of all he’s a man, they have a hard time listening (sorry guys, but you do). By the time he realizes someone is shouting to get someone’s attention he only hears “BRIDE!” well that’s not him and he carries on with his conversation. But if someone were to say “MIKE!” he’d turn his head and raise his glass saying “YA! That’s me!”

Next thing, don’t send your assistant to find family members. Your assistant has no idea who Aunt Jan is and their search through 200 people turns into yelling their name over and over and over, or asking a bunch of people they don’t know if they know or have seen Aunt Jan. It’s inefficient. And as much as we like to say telling the family a set time beforehand…. it never works. You’re always missing someone. Instead I pull the Bride & Groom’s best friends. Best friends generally have been around for quite a while and know the family. And if they don’t know the crazy uncle that rarely comes around they know enough of the guest list to find someone who does know the crazy uncle. When I make the family photo list I make a list at the top of just names. I print it and have it on my phone. I give the paper to the one best friend and my phone to the other and send them out into the masses to bring back the people. While Bride & Groom are still hugging and gushing with their friends and parents who are there.

The list. Make it flow. Unless the couple has requested a large group photo of both of their families together I start with the largest family. So if the Groom’s family is bigger I start with his side. The quicker I can get people in an out of photos and onto drinks and appetizers the happier they are. And therefore, the happier I am! I start with the largest group photo and weed it down to the Groom & his mom. And then I move onto to the brides family. If the couple has requested the ENTIRE family photo I will still start with whoever has the biggest family. In this case the Groom, but I do it backwards. Start with him and his mom and end with his entire family. Then, add in the Bride’s entire family and work from there.

And knowing their names is so important. They really respond better to “Mike could you move slightly to your left? Perfect!” Or “Mike will you hop in here?” Or “Mike could you hop out of this one?”  People appreciate hearing their name. And in using it they feel like you care about them. Which makes them love you. People who love you, talk about you 🙂

– Become familiar with your list!

I always know what my next 2 photos are going to be. I know who’s hopping in and who is hopping out. That keeps me from staring at my list figuring out where we are. And the family is more comfortable with having someone who knows what is next, what is going on, and has control. They want these family photos but they don’t wanna miss out on food and drinks to get them 😉 Know your list and keep ’em moving.

– Respect their wishes.

Family realize last minute that one person they didn’t think was coming ended up coming or there is this one other photo they’d love. And they ask for it. If you have a list, a plan, a workflow that runs quick and smooth then you have time for those 1 or 4 other photos that have been requested. It’s usually a parent that sneaks up in my ear while I’m working through my list and says could we get one of so, so, and so. To which I always reply- “Absolutely! Just have them all here and when I get through the main list we’ll snap a few quick ones.” Now they love you even more.

– Let Grandma get her photo.

I alway find a location that has great light and isn’t right next to the ceremony site or cocktail hour. That’s to help keep it organized and moving without 150 guests adding their requests in 😉 But because I always have all of the family there, they want photos of their own. For some it’s the first time they’ve all been together and they are excited. You start taking photos and they start gathering around with their cameras. I set up my photo and then I talk to grandma and the cousins & fam, and say “Ok, I’m going to count to 3 and I want all of you looking at my camera. I take 3 quick photos and then I’ll tell you to look over here towards Grandma for her photo. Cool?!” Everyone is down with it. And Grandma is so excited she is getting her photo. The cousins and aunts all gather around Grandma with their cameras and are ready for their chance. And literally it’s that quick. So and so in, or so and so out. Come together. 1. 2. 3. Click. Click. Click. Now look at Grandma! Clickity click. Ok now so and so in or out. It moves and everyone is excited.

– Make them love on each other.

This is the last thing. For some this is the first formal photo of their family. Or first in a while. They want that nice, everyone-looking-at-the-camera-image. But they love and appreciate an image that shows them really loving each other. Especially dad’s with their little girls, and mom’s with their boys. With these images and siblings I take that formal photo and then say “Oh come on love on one another!” They hug tighter. They kiss each other. They laugh. This truly captures them. And the family loves these special images.

This list might seem long. But really that’s it. There isn’t much to it. Guide your couples on what photos they should consider. Gather names. Create a list (doesn’t take long). Enlist best friends to gather. And have some fun snapping away. These images are printed more than any other. Family members go crazy for them. So let the chaos ensue, just organize it a bit 😉

 

 

 

 

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Check out the Website

Yesterday I had to drive out of town for a photo shoot. I love getting on the road. Traveling. My mind runs wild. It’s where I “think” best. And yesterday I started thinking about our human nature to want to be loved by everyone. We do. We want people to love us. And how we always put our desire for others to love us before loving our selves. Saying “yes” to them while saying “no” to ourselves. Kinda seems backwards.

Since specializing my business it’s been much easier to refer the “wrong” clients to someone who fits them better than I do. To clear the air, there aren’t wrong clients. But there are potential clients that are wrong for me. I’m doing what I love. And it’s only fulfilling for me if I’m doing it with people who make me happy. People I connect with. The ideal client. And we’re not all right for each other. And although it’s easier to say we aren’t the right fit and say no, that doesn’t mean I still don’t struggle with it. The struggle is real, people!! 😉  This whole thought process came along as this last week I made the hard decision to say no to a potential client. It wasn’t easy, I even had to get some support from friends that it was going to be ok. And you know what, it was. I referred them elsewhere. And they emailed back thanking me for my time, completely understood and how they looked forward to connecting with one of the people I had referred. Saying no is so hard because of our fear that they won’t love us. But really, ladies…. how many times have we asked a man, as he sat on the couch watching the game, if he would go shopping with us? And then he responded…. No.

As a complete sentence.

Just no.

How many times? And, how many times does that really truly bother us. How many times have we stopped loving them because they said no? … Never. Haha. They don’t even refer us a friend to go with, they just say no. AND IT’S OK!

We strive to find our own balance and happiness in life. Every single one of us. This isn’t just a photographer issue. All of us want to live happily. But here’s the truth…

Yes to balance and happiness can ONLY be achieved by learning to say no.

Say yes to yourself.

 

 

 

 

A Montana sunset while on the road. It doesn’t suck. Taken on my trusty iPhone 😉

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Check out the Website

 

I choose to live in a world of possibilities, not probabilities.

A few days ago I had the privilege of hosting Shoot & Share Live Chat. It was AMAZING!!! I had some incredible viewers with lots of great questions. But during the discussion I started to notice a serious trend.

The fear of hearing ‘No.’ 

I remembered feeling this way at one point in my business. Holding myself back because I thought I’d probably be told ‘No.’ And in telling myself this I let myself miss out on possible opportunities. But then there was this switch in thinking. That even if I was told ‘No’ what would happen? What would change for me? Nothing. Yes it might be a downer for half an afternoon. But I have a candy stock I can raid for some chocolate and then get back out there. Hearing a No here and there is good for us. One, it may not have been the right opportunity. Two, it makes us stronger.

If you let the fear of hearing ‘No’ hold you back, you’ll NEVER hear ‘YES!’

You are worth it. Go after what you want. Put yourself out there and believe in a world of possibilities. That things are possible rather than what you think might be probable. And you’ll begin to fly.

 

 

 

 

The Shoot & Share Live Chat was recorded so if you want to check it out you can WATCH IT HERE!

In this digital age brides go to the internet to find a photographer. Be it through google or asking their 500 friends on Facebook for recommendations. Even if their best friend had a killer photographer they still want to make sure they’ve looked through everyone and that killer photographer is still the best. They spend hours looking at websites trying to pick the best. And it’s safe to assume they find 3-5 that they love their images. What’s next? They email you. And they ask for your prices. It’s the next logical thing to look at and a safe question for them. Now they can compare the photos of photographers, and what they offer and how much it costs.

But what if you stood out before this and through the inquiry process? You can. Here are my 3 steps to rise above the crowd and stand out in their eyes.

1. Share YOU!

What does your About Me section on your website really say about YOU?  Really. As humans there is this natural pull to connect with people. We’re glued to Instagram and Facebook and hashtagging, why? To connect. And you can guarantee when a bride is reading your About Me she’s looking where you two can connect with one another. They don’t give a rip about how long you’ve been taking photos, where you want to photography school, etc. And the VERY VERY VERY few who do will ask you, I promise you.  And saying how much you love love and love photography they’re thinking “well, damn, I sure hope so cause if you’re photographing my wedding you better enjoy it.”  Yet these points have somehow found their way into 80% or more of photographers About Me’s. I challenge you to share things more specific to you, who you are as a person. For example, brand recognition. Before I became very specific on my About Me I had a statement that said “I have no doubt Burton & Roxy make every thing specifically with me in mind.” I’ve had more than a handful of brides say “OH MY GOSH I love Burton gear. I only ride Burton snowboards!” To which I would reply “ME TOO!” Our simple loyalty to a snowboard company made me stand out in a crowd because we connected. Give brides something to connect to!

2. Personalize your emails!

A bride inquires asking if you have a date available and for your pricing. What’s your response? “Hi Bride!! I do have June 21st available. I’ve attached my pricing for you. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Me.” That’s the basic response given. But, if that bride emailed 2-4 other photographers they probably are responding the same way. Your response is the perfect opportunity to stand out once again! There is nothing wrong with spicing up the emails to show some personality. My brand is built around me, who I am. And I’m a little crazy obnoxious and loud. My responses always start with “CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement” followed by a zillion exclamations points!!!!!!!!!!!!! For some of you that may be ridiculous but for some it might not. Also ask in your contact form for their venue. That way in your reply you can comment on their venue. Show them a wedding you’ve done there. If you’ve never been there, look it up. Writing out the 2 extra sentences to tell them their venue is killer and your favorite part shows them that you care a little more about them than the standard here’s my prices. And you should care about them enough to take the few extra minutes 🙂

3. Follow up!

Planning a wedding is a bit overwhelming. Especially in the beginning, which is most likely when they’re contacting you. A couple days after they inquire take a few minutes to check in on them. They get busy and like getting a message saying you were thinking of them. Sometimes they even have some questions, but are afraid to ask. Just send over a quick email –

Hey Sarah!

Hope you’re having a great week, and that your enjoying planning your wedding. I was just thinking about you and Matt and thought I’d reach out to see how you’re doing. If you have any questions let me know. I’m here for you if you need any help!

Happy Friday!

I have booked so many weddings because I took 4 minutes to let a bride know I was thinking about her. It also opens the door for them to ask any of their lingering questions. Which always turns into great conversation between us.

And there ya have it! 3 ways to stand out to those newly engaged brides. And just the right time to start implementing them as all those gorgeous girls who said YES over the holidays are starting to look for the perfect photographer!

Let’s all start 2014 with a bang! 🙂

 

 

 

Photo by Justine Russo Photography

Contact Jackie |  Join the Facebook Fanpage  |  Check out the Website

About a year and a half ago my business coach introduced me to this video. Starting with Why. My mind was blown. I had spent 2 years in business working from the outside in and not the inside out. Working from the inside out inspires others. It helps us attract people who believe what we believe. The ideal client, if you will.

As we enter into 2014 tomorrow (WHOA!) I wanted to share this with other photographers. To inspire you to think differently. To approach how you market yourself in a different way.

Without further adieu, Simon Sinek.  … It’s 6 minutes, ok, I know you’ve got 6 minutes 😉