Ok! We are officially one month into the year, and I want to ensure you’re staying on track with your business goals.
Whether you’re running a photography business, growing your skills, or pursuing creative projects, setting the stage now can make all the difference in 2025. So I want to share 5 things you should do to make this year the most epic one yet.
A well-organized year means less stress, more profit, and a better work-life balance.
From refining your portfolio to embracing new technology, taking intentional steps can set you apart in a competitive field.
To help you stay ahead, here are five essential steps every photographer should take to make 2025 a game-changing year.
1. Evaluate and Plan Your Marketing Strategy
Marketing is the backbone of a thriving photography business, but success doesn’t come from guesswork; it comes from strategy. Take a moment to analyze your previous year’s marketing efforts. What worked? What didn’t?
- Look at your booking trends. Which sessions were most popular? Which were most profitable?
- Identify slow seasons and create a marketing plan to fill those gaps.
- Set up a content calendar for your website, social media, and email marketing to stay consistent.
By understanding your audience and past trends, you can refine your marketing strategy and attract more of your ideal clients this year.
2. Create a Realistic Budget for Business Growth
Your budget should be more than just an afterthought; it should be a tool that guides your growth! Beyond taxes and equipment, plan for investments that will elevate your business.
- Allocate funds for education, workshops, and conferences.
- Budget for website and hosting fees, cloud storage, and marketing tools.
- If you’re considering a shared studio space or opening your own, start planning your finances early for this!
Many photographers wait until there’s an emergency to budget, but by planning ahead, you’ll have the financial stability you will need in case something happens. Plus, you’ll have less stress throughout the year!
3. Map Out Your Time—Including Personal Priorities
As photographers, we can definitely feel burnout from time to time, and it can really hurt our business. A well-planned schedule helps prevent burnout and allows you to be intentional with your time.
Think about both business and personal commitments when planning your year:
- Do you have kids? Plan around their school breaks and summer vacations.
- Want to take a vacation? Block it off now before your calendar fills up.
- Hosting workshops or retreats? Choose the best seasons and allow plenty of prep time.
As a mom, I know that summers are a bit more limited because of my children’s schedules. I also know that I want time off during the end of the year to do my own planning and decompress. Looking at my time during the year allows me to incorporate this time.
4. Prioritize Self-Care—Put Yourself on the Calendar
As photographers, we spend so much time documenting others’ lives that we often forget about our own. This year, make sure YOU are part of the plan.
- Schedule branding photos for yourself and your business.
- Plan time for personal milestones—your birthday, anniversaries, and holidays.
- Block out self-care time, whether it’s a spa day, a workout routine, or even a regular coffee break with friends.
Burnout is real, and the only way to avoid it is by setting boundaries and prioritizing yourself just as much as your clients.
5. Prepare for Major Financial Commitments
A successful business requires financial planning beyond daily expenses. This year, try to budget for larger investments and annual renewals and see how big of a difference it can make for your business!
- Mark renewal dates for Adobe, Dropbox, and web hosting services so you’re never caught off guard.
- Plan ahead for conferences like WPPI or other industry events so you can save and book early.
- Review your bank statements to identify unnecessary expenses you’ve made in the past, and work on spending less on what isn’t important.
Being aware of your finances helps you to make smart decisions that keep your business running smoothly without last-minute stress. This might be one of the best tips to follow!
Bonus Tips for an Even More Productive Year
- Plan with your family: I often do a planning day with my husband so we can incorporate work and business schedules; it helps when I need to travel or do anything that is outside of my kid’s school schedule.
- Find an accountability group: Connect with other photographers, business owners, or fellow moms to plan together. Sharing ideas can spark creativity and keep you motivated. Sometimes, you just need to bounce ideas off someone!
- Use the right tools: Have your desired planner ready before you get started. I prefer writing in a paper planner first and then transferring everything to Google Calendar for easy alerts and accessibility.
This year, don’t just hope for success, plan for it. By taking these intentional steps, you’ll set yourself up for a thriving photography business and a balanced, fulfilling life in 2025!
I have a planning group both on Facebook and Face to Face and the f2f meets in January so if you’d like to participate feel free to connect with me, I’d love to have you.
