have a plan have a life · together (because let's face it, running a photography business can...

a gift to you from

2016 YEARLYPLANNER

HAVE A PLANHAVE A LIFE

2016 YEARLY

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wELcomE

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And yes, we know this page usually comes at the end.

By then, you’ve read the whole thing and only THEN find out who you’ve been ‘hanging out with’—and since we’re about to start asking you some rather personal questions, we thought introductions were in order first!

HI! I'M LISA DIGESO owner of milk and Honey Photography + founder of The milky way

I LoVE photography...but, that wasn't always the case. when I got started 6 years ago, I was so frustrated that my images didn't match my vision—at all! (Perhaps you can relate?)

my goal is to help create a community of kindness to learn together (because let's face it, running a photography business can get lonely!).

HI! I’M ERIN BRÛLÉthe not-so-silent partner at The milky way

while I’ve spent some time behind the lens, my heart (and degree!) is in business and marketing. And hope this planner inspires you to take care of the business side of things too, even if you feel photography is more fun! (Because you know what else is fun? Having a profitable business!)

we are on a mission to create a safe learning space for photographers to grow and lift one another up (while loving every minute of the journey!)

Welcome to The Milky Way!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

http://milkandhoneyphotography.ca/

http://www.themilkyway.ca

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RANDOM FACT ABOUT US

...you really didn’t need to know, but we’re sharing anyway!

G we have a learning addiction.

G It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s possible we are on the verge of information hoarding!

G Lisa is freakishly flexible with long arms. She also can't sleep without first building herself a nest of pillows.

G Erin is genuinely scared of the dark. And she used to sail the high seas with captain Hook (yes, for real, and no, she doesn't think the two are related).

DID YOU KNOW?

Take a class... give a class!

when you sign up for one of our classes, part of your registration funds a child's schooling for an entire month! Learn more here.

http://themilkyway.ca/giving-back/

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BEFORE WE START DREAMING ABOUT 2016

We love fresh starts, and we bet you do too.BUT... before we get to that...

Here's the thing: you don't want to go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

HowEVER, there is real value in taking an honest look at your last year and reflecting on the highs, the lows and the moments in between.

while you could just skip this section entirely, you will be missing an awesome opportunity to celebrate your wins (which is so important to do!) and learn from your mistakes (because when you learn from them...they aren't really mistakes, they are just learning opportunities!)

Keep in mind, this is for your eyes only. So be totally honest with yourself.

{ soul-boosting activity }Before moving on, here’s what we want you to do.

Dig up some photos from the beginning of 2015. Select a few that you think are pretty representative of what you were shooting at the time. Now pull up some of your recent photos. Notice a difference?

we’ll bet you do.

Give yourself a pat on the back. A high-five. A big hug.

Now...let’s get to it!

L isa + Erin

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REfLEcTING oN 2015

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TIME FOR A LOVE FEST!

What made 2015 awesome?

Spend some time thinking about how you have grown throughout the year. Take this time to celebrate the wins...big/small, business-related or not! It’s time for one big happy LoVEfEST!

If you run out of room on these two pages (and you should!), grab another sheet of paper!

2015 was wonderful because...

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The areas where I really grew + improved are...

Things I did that pushed me out of my comfort zone are...

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Our path is rarely a straight line.

It’s not always BAD when things don’t go as planned! (But if there is a lesson to be learned...make sure you take the time to learn it so you don't go down the same path in 2016!)

TIME FOR A LESSON FEST

Some of the setbacks (and epic failures) were... (this is a good time to release any guilt or bad feelings...just let it go!)

My takeaways from these setbacks are...

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Things I wanted to do and / or learn but didn’t in 2015...

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Now take another look at the list on the previous page of things you wanted to do and learn in 2015 but didn’t. circle the ones still on your wishlist.

Of those circled, which are the top priorities to move your business forward?

Which ones would be the most fun? (yup...it’s pretty important to ensure you make fun things a priority too!)

What parts of your business did you LOVE the most last year?

What parts of your business sucked the life out of you?(you know, the things you would put off doing by puttering around on facebook + Pinterest)

Keep these things in mind when the time comes to plan out 2016!

SOME MORE REFLECTING

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NumBERS

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LET'S TALK NUMBERS

If you are going to move forward this year, you HAVE to know where you’ve been! If you don’t know these numbers off hand, first...take a guess (sometimes seeing where you think you are vs where you actually are is very enlightening! And motivating!)

{ for another day }

* Take a HARD look at your expenses. which ones were necessary for business growth? which ones were not necessary?

Now, go figure out those numbers.

....no seriously...go figure them out (we are in no rush!)

You really must, must know these numbers (and you really should be keeping an eye on them every month so you can adjust your game plan as needed!)

Note: if you are just starting out, there’s a chance your expenses might be moRE than your sales.

This is the time to be vigilant with your purchases.

- =

2015 total sales 2015 expenses* 2015 profit (or loss)

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At the beginning of your photography journey, it is easy to fall into the “I just need this one more thing” to be successful. first focus on getting consistent images for your clients.

Perhaps you still have some lessons to learn about lighting, posing or editing (shameless plug coming!!).

If that’s the case, you might be interested in learning more about Illuminate (studio lighting), Enlighten (outdoor natural light), Beanbag and Beyond (newborn posing), or Purely Polished (editing).

BUT...often what you need is just more practice! (And that, my friends, is FREE!)

No amount of reading and watching can take the place of doing.

So be sure you are setting aside time to experiment and play!

Let's talk more numbers.

while we are in ‘practical number mode’ go ahead and note these figures!

How many sessions did you have in 2015? _____________________________

What was your average sale? _______________________________________

What was your highest sale? ________________________________________

What was your lowest sale? ________________________________________

How many hours/week did you work? ________________________________

How much time did you take off? ____________________________________

(as in...really took off...no work at all..and yes, that means no facebook updates!)

http://themilkyway.ca/illuminate/

http://themilkyway.ca/enlighten/

themilkyway.ca/beanbagandbeyond

themilkyway.ca/purelypolished

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mARKETING

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LET'S TALK ABOUT MARKETINGBefore you jump into planning next year’s promotions and marketing activities, take a moment to look back on 2015. which ones rocked? which ones tanked? which ones were rather ho-hum? And which ones did you ‘mean’ to get to, but just didn’t pull off because you thought of them too late! (ahem...that new holiday promotion idea you came up with early November! write it down now before you forget!) ALL of your 2016 promos should make it in one of these categories.

Promos that ROCKED! (definitely should do again!)

Promos that TANKED big time.

(skip these for 2016...unless you know what to do differently to turn them around!)

Promos that sort of worked, but didn’t really get you or your clients jazzed up.

(can you think of a way to modify them to make them more fun for you and your clients?)

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Promos you had wanted to run (but ran out of time or thought of too late).

Any good lessons learned in terms of the timing, pricing or lead up to the

promotion? (e.g.: Valentines minis needed more lead-in time to sell to clients, need to have sample products on hand AT sessions if I want to upgrade packages, etc)

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ONE MORE THING

... and it's rather important.

what is your big wHY? As in, wHY do you want to have a photography business? How do you want it to add to your life? How do you want it to make you feel?

It’s so very, very important to understand wHY you are doing all this...so you can make sure that when you are setting up your goals, it is supporting your ‘wHY’ (re-examine your whys at least once a quarter...they can change, and you want to be sure that the business you are building still supports them!!!)

List all your WHYs here (and please don’t get altruist here...if you want to have your own business to work less, or make more money, or be with your kids more, list it here! You need to know what you are working towards!)

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A NOTE FROM LISA

Before we get to planning and dreaming about 2016, I want to re-share five lessons I learned the hard way (so you can watch out for them!). (I say re-share because I've shared these before). However, I find I need to remind myself often, so I encourage you to review!

The five lessons I want to share are...

1. why you need (and should want!) big beautiful boundaries2. the reason should-landia is NoT a place to linger3. how comparison is the THIEf of joy...and how to avoid it4. finding ‘happy places’ and ditching ‘soul suckers’ 5. why you need to uNPLuG to recharge

1. Boundaries! (Yes! You need them!)

I really can’t stress this one enough. You NEED to have clear boundaries...not just for your clients, but for yourself (otherwise, you’ll end up driving yourself—AND your family—crazy!).

By nature, I like to say “yes!” far more than I say “no”—and I am a ‘people-pleaser.’ without clear boundaries, this is a recipe for disaster! Sliding in an extra two sessions in an already full schedule...oh sure, no problem. Get your images back in 24 hours because Aunt mary is going to be here? oh..oK! A client emails me a question at 6:30Pm on a Saturday, well, of course I’ll zip to my office to get back to them RIGHT then, instead of enjoying the meal with friends (without my iPhone flashing notifications at me).

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Any of these sound familiar? Yeah...time to get boundaries set! Remember, these don't have to be set in stone (if you happen to resist routine like I do!) I realize your schedule will vary week to week, but having some general guidelines is a good place to start.

Work days (and no...checking all seven days here is NoT a good idea!)

☐ monday ☐ tuesday ☐ wednesday ☐ thursday ☐ friday ☐ saturday ☐ sunday Work hours

Times I respond to emailYes...your client may have emailed You at 9Pm, but, do you really NEED to email back within 10 minutes?

Types of sessions I’ll take

Turnaround time for client galleries: __________________________________

Studio policies on deposits + product orders:

Facebook time: __________________________________________________

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2. Should-landia is no place to linger!

Ever find yourself living in “Should-landia?” You KNow what I’m talking about!

I should have a better workflow to stay organized. I should make a better file naming system. I should be making more money by now. I should be eating healthier. I should have starting doing “X” in my business four months ago.

Yeah... “Should-landia.”

Also known as the-land-that-holds-no-purpose-in-our-lives-other-than-to-make-us-feel-bad-and-rob-us-of-energy-to-move-forward.

Seriously. Here’s the thing. “Shoulds” usually surface for one of two reasons:

1. You take on what you feel other people believe you ‘should do’ (whether real or imagined) and add it to your own ‘should do’ list.

2. There is something you REALLY want to do, but moving forward on it pushes you out of your comfort zone (so instead, you stay in the safe zone of ‘should’)

I want you to write down every single ‘should’ statement you’ve had (and keep this paper handy...because when a ‘should statement’ pops up, I want you to write it down!).

Thoughts living in ‘Should-landia': I should...

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Now, ask yourself, this....

“Dear self, do you REALLY believe this “should” statement?Does it feel right TO YOU?”

If the answer is no, toss the thought aside (why carry guilt about something you don’t even believe in?).

If it’s YES, lay off the excuses and mAKE. IT. HAPPEN.(yes...that is my loving kick in the pants!)

3. Comparison is the THIEF of joy! (~ Theodore Roosevelt)

You know exactly what I’m talking about. You start feeling pretty good about your photos...then you take a peek at a couple photographers you admire, and suddenly, you feel lousy.

G why don’t my images look like that? G I wish my editing style was similar. G I can never get newborns to relax into props. G my maternity lighting is so boring compared to that. G and so on...and so forth

my friends, please, please pretty please do not compare your chapter 1 (or 2 or 3) to someone else’s middle. I know that’s cliché, and you hear it all the time. But please. Take one minute to really absorb this.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

when I started out, I literally had to ‘un-follow’ dozens of other photography pages because each time one of their images popped up in my feed, I felt deflated (and then...jealous—eek! The green monster!)

After I took a bit of a newsfeed break and focused on mY work, mY style, and mY growth, I suddenly began feeling a whole lot more secure.

And I was able to look at photographers I admired, and feel excited to push myself (but that only happened once I got past the need to compare my work with theirs). I’m not saying this is an EASY thing to do...but oh so necessary.

So...when you find yourself feeling jealous or deflated after seeing someone else’s

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work or hearing about their business, first ask:

G wHY am I feeling this way? G what part of this story am I longing for? G where am I feeling insecure right now?

See if you can pinpoint it...and work on it!

If knowing what part of the story resonates with you and motivates you to take action—awesome!But, if it just makes you feel lousy, cut it out of your life.

Seriously.

unlike their page. Stop looking at their blog.

focus on You!

4. Happy Places and Soul Suckers

The internet opened up a whole new world for us. Information, tutorials, online classes, and forums are now at our fingertips (24/7).

we can connect with other photographers on their journey. There is, however, a dark side to the great big interweb, and it’s what we refer to as ‘soul suckers.’

These are the things / people / online spaces that deflate you.

Places that undermine your confidence. And bring out your own negative nelly!

These can totally sneak up on you. what started as a space of growth and encouragement can quickly spiral into a negative vortex.

How do you know when you’re in a negative vortex? You'll see posts that are:

G complaining about clients who are cheap/don’t value work/are unreasonable G blaming new “shoot n’ burn” photographers for wrecking their business G knocking of other photographer’s editing/posing/pricing...ANYTHING! G those silly ‘you really think we charge too much’ posts (read our thoughts on

those here!)

http://themilkyway.ca/freebies-e-courses/


http://themilkyway.ca/lets-put-an-end-to-this/

http://themilkyway.ca/lets-put-an-end-to-this/

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Generally speaking, you have accidentally found yourself in a group that may have some insecure individuals, who are feeling a little burned out, and are unwilling to ‘step up’ in their business and life. You might say they’ve adopted a wee bit of a ‘victim mindset.’

However, YOU have the power to change your business. And your life.

{ side note } I once found myself in a forum that quickly turned into the place to complain about ‘new shoot n’ burn’ photographers and...clients! (what!?!) Now, you can’t control other people, but I can tell you this...when you are in a space filled with positive, nurturing, supportive people, Negative Nellies don’t linger! And, when you are in a space filled with people caught in a negative vortex, your positive people run for the hills (which tends to make it an even BIGGER negative vortex).

So, if you found this has happened. No worries. Just get the heck out!

A note on receiving feedback online.

If you wANT constructive feedback, ask for it. Then be prepared to accept it (yes...it can sting. But you will learn a lot faster by seeking input). If you just want to share an image you are proud of but don't want ‘feedback’ on it—say so!

A note on giving feedback:

Remember you are speaking to a real human (with feelings!) Help them grow.

There is no need to sugar coat, but try to find something you love about the image, then offer a tip to improve it. If someone hasn’t asked for feedback (especially if it’s on their business page)—for pete’s sake...don’t chime in with your two cents! (How do you think the client feels when they read something like, “oh..too many props in that one!” or “I wouldn’t have tucked in the shirt.”)

we know You wouldn’t do that...but if you see a colleague doing it, maybe send a little note of encouragement to leave that kind of behavior behind!

And when someone is GIVING you constructive feedback, remember, they too are a human (with feelings, who have taken the time to provide you with their thoughts).

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But soul suckers aren't just found in the form of online forums. As I mentioned in #3, perhaps there is a particular blog you follow that leaves you feeling frustrated or unsure of yourself.

maybe there are some particular photographers you follow and admire...but instead of feeling inspired when their work fills your newsfeed, you feel bummed out. my friends...it’s time to limit or cut off your exposure to these things.

List all the places/online spaces that bring you down (limit your time here...or better yet, cut it out entirely if possible!):

Now...list all the places/online space that LIFT YOU UP (spend your time here)!

This year...focus on filling up this second list and deleting those things on your first list! ImPoRTANT: also remember to take responsibility for the energy You bring into a space. If you just had a really bad experience, perhaps the space to vent is one-on-one with a close friend (not in an online forum!)

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5. Unplug (to recharge)

we all NEED to unplug from time to time.

Not only for our sanity and our relationships, but to be productive at work.

we talk about how being constantly plugged in is one of the biggest productivity killers. You stay in a constant reactive state and your own original ideas and creativity are smothered by constant messages.

We’re calling for a group intervention—the Unplug Challenge!

Here’s what we propose you try!

G checking email: three 10 minute checks throughout the day (morning, noon, and 4pm)

G facebook: three 10 minute check-ins throughout the day to respond, comment and share info

G random inspiration browsing: two 15 minute blocks throught the day G two days per week comPLETELY (and we do mean completely) unplugged

In between those reactive tasks, you should try to create blocks of productive work. That could be a 90 minute editing session, a 2 hour blogging spree or one hour of examining your customer experience process to see if there are things that need tweaking.

We can’t multitask. That’s simply being distracted.

one task at a time. (This is soooo hard for me!)

Here’s the second part of this equation though…and it’s something we need to collectively work on as a society.

We must stop expecting an immediate response. And we need to be ok with it!

Seriously.

we need to call off the (slightly unreasonable) expectation that everyone will respond to us immediately (and getting really annoyed when it doesn’t come).

Ever find yourself tapping your foot impatiently because you had to wait 20 minutes for an email response. How about waiting a whole day?

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(hey…we’ve been there…we’re not proud!)

You see, someone might have decided to take the afternoon off. or the day. or even Two wHoLE DAYS away from the computer.

That’s oK, right? I mean, if it’s for something that’s an incredibly urgent, there’s usually a phone number available—right?

So, part two of the pledge is to be oK when people take time to respond.

We’ll all be happier for it—promise!

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2016 INcomE GoAL

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You DID complete the previous sections right? Especially the section on your numbers. If you skipped over it, head back. Really. otherwise, you are flying BLIND!

We’re creating a 2016 PLAN here... not a ‘someday I might do this’ list.

Listen, we are all for BIG THINKING, but you also need to be a realist, and ensure you outline concrete action steps to get you to your goal. In order to be actionable...they need to be do-able...so think big, but plan small steps!

first, we want you to identify one word you want to fEEL about your business. write it in the space below. It might be creative, joyful, busy, successful, calm, inspired...there is no right or wrong answer. The key is to ensure that you set up your business to fulfill YouR desires.

_______________________________________________________________

And now...write down your 2016 sales goal:

WOOHOO! LET'S BRING ON 2016!

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GETTING THERE

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NOW... HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?

oK, the goal has been stated! Are you shaking a little? Yes? Good...that means you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Now, let’s start thinking about how you are going to reach this goal.

What is my current average sale? ____________________________________

How many sessions will I need to do to reach my goal given this average sale?

Is this a manageable number of sessions? ☐ YES ☐ No

What can I do to increase my average sale?

(And/or) How can I increase the number of times a client books with me in a year?

{ side note } Remember the Pareto Principle...which, when used as a rule of thumb in business suggests that 80% of your sales will come from 20% of your clients. for me, that isn't *quite* accurate, but I definitely have loyal clients that come back serveral times each year! So, it would be worth some time brainstorming ways to get your current clients back more!

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On Page 8, you identified the top priorities you need to work on to move your business forward. Re-read that list. Are there any other priorities you want to add for 2016? If so, add them here.

Do any of these items require you to learn new skills? If so, list the skills you need to work on this year: (eg: selling techniques, marketing, website, studio lighting, outdoor lighting, newborn posing, editing, etc)

Start researching different resources to help build up your skill set: (e-courses, in person workshops, books, forums, websites, mentoring opportunities)

Remember...sometimes what we really need is PRACTICE (not another course!) we sell courses, so we obviously love them—but, if you already have the knowledge, don’t spend more time and moNEY until you’ve practiced what you've already learned! Budget money and time according to your needs. we are quick to run out and buy the latest action set, prop or template design...but rarely will that move our business forward! Prioritize based on what gives you a return on investment!

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TImE mANAGEmENT

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IDEAL TIME MANAGEMENT VS REALITY (PT. 1)

we usually have pretty good intentions of how we are going to spend our working hours. This rarely involves scrolling through facebook for hours on end, and yet...that can happen when you aren’t mindful of your time.

In the following pages, fill in the timelines showing what typical activities you are doing on a shoot day, an office day and a play day (you Do have those, right?). You may wake up before 6Am, and go to bed later than 10Pm...but, we put those times in because we want you to really, REALLY think about how much (or little!) sleep you are getting. Being overtired is a dangerous thing...it wreaks havoc on our bodies!

Get out some coloured markers! How do you feel when you see how your time is spent? See any adjustments you would like to make? If you do not see any large blocks of time scheduled, you may be wasting time ‘multi-tasking.’ Instead, try setting aside blocks of time to get editing, newsletters, blogging, etc done! Don't forget to schedule in time for learning and practicing...seriously...those things don't just "happen on their own"—you need to make them happen!

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Shooting Day

6Am

7Am

8Am

9Am

10Am

11Am

1Pm

2Pm

3Pm

4Pm

5Pm

6Pm

7Pm

8Pm

9Pm+

NooN

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Office Day

6Am

7Am

8Am

9Am

10Am

11Am

1Pm

2Pm

3Pm

4Pm

5Pm

6Pm

7Pm

8Pm

9Pm+

NooN

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Play Day

6Am

7Am

8Am

9Am

10Am

11Am

1Pm

2Pm

3Pm

4Pm

5Pm

6Pm

7Pm

8Pm

9Pm+

NooN

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2016 plan

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LET'S PLAN 2016

On the pages that follow, we have some monthly planning sheets, along with a 2016 calendar (in case you don’t have one you can scribble all over!) We recommend printing them out, putting them in a binder, and reviewing OFTEn!!

The key is to create realistic goals.

They can make you stretch. But you want to ensure that you have a manageable amount of to-do items on your list. Otherwise, it is WaY too easy to throw your hands up and say, “I’ll never get that done!”

Also, it’s a good idea to try to focus on one or two key areas in your business each month (or quarter).

We've moved to the 90 day planning method, as it seems to be enough time to accomplish some pretty large projects, but short enough that you need to be focused to hit your deadlines! However, some projects don't need more than a couple weeks to get done.

For example, if the next thing you would like to work on is refining your newborn posing and reworking your policies, give yourself a reasonable amount of time to work on the tasks. (note: don't give yourself TOO much time...or you'll fall prey to parkinson's law...where "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.") But, make sure you are filling your blocks of time with activities that are productive, not just activities that keep you busy. There is a BIG difference!

If you are revamping policies, don’t just update a few words here and there...really look at each item. What’s been working? What’s been confusing? Have you run into any situations this past year with a client because of an unclear policy? We've heard you should try to mention important points at least three times (people scan!) If this is on your list, you can check out some done-for-you contracts over at ThelawTog.

Working on posing? Or lighting? Set aside time to pRaCTICE! learning about it is one thing, but the real changes happen when you DO!

and, don’t miss the ‘nOT WORK’ related items. It is so easy to keep putting off the dinner with friends, date with partner, massage, etc—but it is critical to your happiness that you don’t!

http://www.thelawtog.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=161_1_3_1)

http://themilkyway.ca/beyondthebeanbag

http://themilkyway.ca/illuminate

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THINGS TO MOVE MY BUSINESS FORWARD

Ensure that the priorities you identified on Pages 8 and 25 make this list. And throughout the year, add to this...then use this list to fill in your monthly plan...breaking it down to weekly and daily plans!

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THINGS I WANT TO DO THIS YEAR

Make sure you have several of these listed in your monthly plan! (You saw what "all work and no play" did to Jack, right?)

{ not business related }

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one final note

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ONE FINAL NOTE

This doesn’t have to be done in one sitting. In fact...we wouldn’t recommend it.

Unless you just become totally inspired and the ideas are flowing out of you! (then roll with it!)

But, be kind to yourself. if you are stuck on some things, leave them for a while. Give yourself some time to let the subconscious go to work. it really is a marvellous, under-used asset!

If you truly find yourself stuck on some areas...seek out help! There are tons of great resources out there!

{ shameless plug }

if you need a little help with your lighting, posing or editing, be sure to take a peek at our online classes.

We have an incredible group of alumni who help one another grow in a kind, supportive (drama-free) community!

if you would like to share some ‘aha’ moments from this planner, offer feedback, or just say hi, drop us a line at [email protected].

Hugs,

L isa + ErintheMilkyWay.ca

http://themilkyway.ca/resources


mailto:lisa%40themilkyway.ca?subject=

http://www.themilkyway.ca

2016 YEARLY

PLANNER

LEARN wITH uS

PAGE 34

OUR CLASSES

Beanbag and Beyond

Enlighten PurelyPolished

Illuminate

OUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO NEWBORNS

In this online course, discover: G how to keep babies safe

+ comfortable G how to create poses parents love G how to incorporate props safely G how to successfully pose multiples G working with siblings

(see full course description)

MILK & HONEY’S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR LIGHTING

In this online course, discover: G how to create feeling using light G working outdoors in less-than-ideal

situations G how to create portraits with feeling


STUDIO LIGHTING FOR BEGINNERS

In this online course, discover: G how to create ‘natural light’ results G how to set up different lighting

styles for newborn, maternity and child sessions

G a behind-the-scenes look at how I set up using natural and studio lights


NEWBORN EDITING WITH LISA + AMY

In this online course, you'll learn: G how to get consistent skin tones G how to give your image that bit of

pop G how to never fear jaundice again


DON'T FORGET!

TAKE A CLASS GIVE A CLASS

when you sign up for one of our classes, part of your registration funds a child's schooling for an entire month! Learn more here.

Visit The milky way for a list of current e-courses + workshops.

http://themilkyway.ca/beyondthebeanbag/

http://themilkyway.ca/enlighten/

http://themilkyway.ca/illuminate

http://themilkyway.ca/purelypolished/

http://themilkyway.ca/giving-back/

http://themilkyway.ca


2016 YEARLY

PLANNER

learn with us

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OUR E-GUIDES

SHARE

BirthPhotography

SweetExpectations

BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LAUREN GUILFORD

with this e-guide, you'll learn:

G how does “being on call” actually work?

G where should i be standing in the room?

G Gear recommendations + so much more

(read more about the e-guide)

OUR GUIDE TO MATERNITY POSING (NOW WITH VIDEOS!)

with over 100 maternity images to get your creative spirit flowing, this e-guide and posing videos also offer my favourite posing and lighting techniques to make your clients look amazing.

(read more about the e-guide)

so, before you continue on to the planning pages, if you know someone who would enjoy a copy of this planner, please share!

(we just have one itty bitty favour to ask!)

Could you kindly send them the link below so they can get their own copy...that way we can also make sure they receive the extra free printables we're working on!

(Plus...this gift is for our Milky way family—so we want to be sure they are in the family!)

http://themilkyway.ca/freeyearlyplanner

LET'S BE SOCIAL!

WEB • FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM • PINTEREST

http://themilkyway.ca/birth-photography/


http://themilkyway.ca/freeyearlyplanner


https://www.facebook.com/photographyresource

http://instagram.com/milkywayfun

http://www.pinterest.com/newbornresource/

2016 YEARLY

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PLANNERS

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SAMPLE: JANUARY

INCOME GOAL:

THINGS UNRELATED TO WORK THAT

I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS + MARKETING ACTIVITIES

Valentine's Day mini sessions (to get custom Valentine's cards)

Winter Wonderland snow mini sessions

Canvas sale (on any 2016 session)

AREAS TO FOCUS ON TO MOVE BUSINESS FORWARD

(Try to focus on one or two - otherwise you will end up with too many things on your plate and it will feel

impossible to accomplish!)

Learn new wrapping techniques

Add new products to ‘menu’ for clients (canvas + photo blocks)

Work on in-person sales presentation (book one trial! )

Moving my body 3 times a week!

Date night with my hubbie!

Getting more sleep (in bed by 9 twice a week! )

$4500

put school and summer holidays in calendar

look into local biz networking groups

use Christmas spa gift certificate!

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JANUARY 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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FEBRUARY 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



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MARCH 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



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APRIL 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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MAY 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



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JUNE 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



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JULY 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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AUGUST 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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SEPTEMBER 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



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OCTOBER 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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NOVEMBER 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



2016 YEARLY

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DECEMBER 2016

INCOME GOAL:


I WANT TO FOCUS ON:

NOTES:



sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

1

new year's day

2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18

martin luther king jr. day (us)

19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

JANUARY 2016

DECEMBER 2015 FEBRUARY 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29


1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14

valentine's day

15

presidents day (us)

16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29

FEBRUARY 2016

JANUARY 2016 MARCH 2016

S M T W T F S

31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31


1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25

good friday

26

27

easter sunday

28

easter monday

29 30 31

MARCH 2016

APRIL 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

FEBRUARY 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

APRIL 2016

MAY 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

MARCH 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

MAY 2016

APRIL 2016 JUNE 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

mothers' daycanada + us

victoria daycanada

memorial dayus


1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

JUNE 2016

JULY 2016

S M T W T F S

31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

fathers' daycanada + us

MAY 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

JULY 2016

canada daycanada

independence dayus

AUGUST 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

JUNE 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30


1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

civic holidaycanada

JULY 2016

S M T W T F S

31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

SEPTEMBER 2016

OCTOBER 2016

S M T W T F S

30 31 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

labor daycanada + us

AUGUST 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31


1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

OCTOBER 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

columbus dayus

thanksgivingcanada

hallowe'encanada + us

SEPTEMBER 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30


1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

NOVEMBER 2016

DECEMBER 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

thanksgivingus

rememberance day / veterans day

canada + us

OCTOBER 2016

S M T W T F S

30 31 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29


1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

DECEMBER 2016

JANUARY 2017

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

christmas evecanada + us

new year's evecanada + us

christmas day canada + us

boxing day canada

NOVEMBER 2016

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

have a plan have a life · together (because let's face it, running a photography business can...

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