It has a lot to do with the way our brains are wired: humans have a tendency to lean strongly optimistic or pessimistic (I really just made that up - I am guessing it has almost as much, if not more, to do with life’s experiences). Regardless, I heavily weigh toward optimism. And when I am having moments or days filled with negative head talk, I back up from the ledge and choose to search for the good.
And 2020 is no exception. For the sake of where this blog is landing, I am going to stick with a business angle.
I’d be lying if I said there weren't more than dozens of sucky 2020 moments. I had lofty but realistic dreams. After all, I’ve had high hopes of 2020 since I was just a Little. As a child, 2020 seemed so far far away. I had visions of being Judy Jetson zipping around space with my dog Astro. My husband had visions of Star Trek coming to fruition. Fast forward and both are more of a reality than not - that’s for sure.
At Photography by Misty, my dreams included the wishes of my associate photographers to create financial freedom for us all and focusing on individual areas of interest in the photography realm. Our gameplan included almost doubling money in the door. The goals of the past year will now with a few twists and turns be our 2022 achievements.
So now to the good stuff. When I first started Photography by Misty in 2002, high-school seniors, family sessions, anniversary, and birthday celebrations were my jam. As the world progressed, headshot photography and corporate work became my bread and butter. Unless someone sees the value in wall portraiture, my team and I very rarely pick up a camera for personal photography sessions.
However, starting about April, we received floods of calls for anniversary portraits, birthday celebrations, and adult graduation photography. It became obvious that as people were slowing their roll, they became focused on what matters most - celebrating themselves and their loved ones. It also helped my bottom line that the big-box store next door (somehow known for small portrait sessions) stoped answering their studio phone, ultimately locking their doors. While these sessions were not paying as well as corporate gigs, when mankind celebrates, I celebrate. I met and got to know so many great people last year, joining in on their celebrations, new ventures, and even their tears.
Headshot sessions were as prevalent as any other year. A lot of people career hopped (either by choice or not), while others had more time to reflect and decided to venture out on their own. Seems a little cray cray when almost every aspect of life was uncertain. However, in the podcast “How I Built This,” it amazes me how many uber-successful companies started in 2008. I am guessing we’ll see similar results from 2020.
We actually took more product photography last year than collectively in years past - again people started turning their dreams into reality. Who knew you could have a relationship with a beer glass, promotional products, and other Amazon-related items? Inanimate objects are a lot of fun to pose, and, hey, we never hear “I am not photogenic” from an indoor golf mat.
In 2020, I had more organic clients with darker skin than cumulatively in my 18 years of owning Photography by Misty. By organic, I mean people coming to me individually and not a part of a larger corporation. If you know me at all, you’ll realize this is coming from a very genuine place and not just trying to be one of the team. Honestly, I believe it was a God-thing. I cannot explain it any other way. Even as I peck away, tears are welling up in my eyes. I have had numerous sweet, gut-wrenching, and enlightening conversations. Deep questions and conversations have evoked. I only thought I was empathetic a year ago, but I feel richer, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before.
Those conversations led me to check in with long-time friends and even strangers. And my favorite stranger has led to a fantastic friendship.
One dark morning while walking my pups and praying, an idea hit me in the head like a pile of bricks. In Photography by Misty’s 10-plus years of taking Santa portraits, it never occurred to me (feel free to judge me) to offer a Black Santa experience. When the sun welcomed a new day, my first call was to Legacy West, to whom I owe a huge thank you for, without hesitation, saying, “yes, of course” to Black Santa!
Finding a Black Santa was an endeavor within itself. In my quest, I found Find Black Santa app. However, that platform, started by a DFW mom, doesn’t aid photographers in their search, but instead helps other mothers find a Black Santa experience. I did find one local Santa but his fees are $5000/hr. Nope. I ended up finding the perfect man for the job in a Plano parking lot selling barbecue. We made beautiful pictures together with a plethora of children from various races, adults, and even a few pups. We didn’t do it for accolades, but people were so very appreciative of the experience as well as the variety of Black Santa offerings (from balls featuring Black Santa to sweet Christmas books highlighting black children to A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories) at Santa’s Pop-Up Shoppe, run by another new friend Miesha with Gold Soul Candles and her sister Tinesha.
Of all the verbal notes of appreciation from our Santa experiences, the one I keep going back to is “I have been asking God to bring a Black Santa into my life.” Santa, his Photography by Misty photographer Jenny, the LW crew, and I, never fathomed we’d be an answer to a prayer. However, it was an absolute pleasure and an honor to offer a Santa who looks like so many in our community. It was reiterated to us that details which are often perceived as small can create the biggest impact.
Thank you, 2020, for all the goodness and people you brought our way.
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