Every week I have thought of something I wanted to share with my TOP followers. And every week I think, “Oh my gosh, it has been SO long since I’ve posted to The Organized Photographer”… so I don’t post it. Can you relate at all to that scenario?

I owe my followers a bit of an apology for falling off the face of the TOP planet. I launched this business full of gusto and then had the wind knocked out of my sails when beloved dog, Obadiah, died of cancer unexpectedly in May. Between the devastating loss and the surge of wedding and portrait photography season, I redirected all my energy into grieving, self-nurturing and making sure I was showing up for my wedding and portrait clients.

What I so often wanted to write about here was the necessity for recognizing what it TRULY important for you in the moment. Being willing to let go of things you want to do and feel obligated to do to focus on the bare essentials. I spent the summer and fall stripping away everything but the basics. Sleep, food, garden, therapy and the least amount of work I could get away with.

You wouldn’t know that by reading through the Recherche Photography blog, but I keep that space very professional. No need for my clients to know I’m experiencing a personal crisis and doing as little work as possible. But that is the beauty of an online presence. You can present a professional, positive image to the world while sharing your heartaches with just the closest most trusted souls in your life. David Jay just posted on FB, “maybe it’s selfish but I usually don’t post about the moments I cherish most.” I do NOT believe that is selfish, David. That is creating healthy boundaries. As an artist I need to protect my heart so I can continue to be inspired, so I have a place to go when I’m tired, a retreat. Once I said this out loud years ago, my whole approach to business changed: “My heart comes first, my business comes second. Without my heart my business will crumble into dust.”

Which reminds me of another analogy I like to share: put the oxygen mask on yourself first and then assist those around you- including your children. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you help those you love?

That being said, I put the oxygen mask on myself this summer. And then I went to ITALY!! My first international trip just for me. No weddings, no documentary sessions- just a trip with my husband. Visit the Recherche blog to see the images and slideshow!

Food for thought: What is something on your to-do list that you could just let slide this week? What is one way you can put the oxygen mask on yourself and create some healthy boundaries to protect yourself?

I’m a list-making-fiend. I have no problem at all scribbling down every idea that comes into my mind. But unless I take the time to PRIORITIZE the very most important items on that list, as I go through the day getting distracted, re-directed and overwhelmed, I can easily get to the end of the day without a single item being crossed off.

Today I met with Julie Harris for a one-on-one coaching session. She just got back from Mexico and leaves for Italy on Sunday. Sounds dreamy! But, as a ten year veteran of destination weddings, I feel justified in saying that traveling is NOT as romantic as it sounds. She’s smack in the middle of wedding season and has a trillion ideas rattling around in her head of things she needs to do before jetting off to Europe. (i.e. edit wedding, prep for client viewing session, get brows waxed, find new bookkeeper, shoot  six portrait sessions, shoot wedding, call Katie about ShootQ, etc.) And then there’s the daily onslaught of phone messages, texts, emails, and appointments that generate more to-do’s. Whoa. Sound familiar? It’s a lot.

Here is my advice for making sure your high priority tasks get done:

1. Make a ONE big list of everything in your head, in-boxes, post-its, voice-mails, etc.
2. Go to a coffee shop or other quiet, neutral spot with the following: your list, several different colored highlighters, a thick sharpie & your calendar.
3. Systematically assess your list. Which of these items are of utmost priority? Like your business would fail if you didn’t get it done. Highlight those one or two items with your favorite color.
4. Now determine which of the items are mission critical. As in very important for your business & you personally. Highlight in a different color.
5. Which of these items are just flat out unrealistic and in the whole scheme of things don’t even matter? Yes, there will be a few. With a thick black sharpie, cross them off the list. I call this “de-cluttering my to-do’s.” Clutter amasses in our brains and in our to-do’s just like it does in our closet and our junk drawers. It is universal. NOTE: if striking this item off the list makes you feel queasy, put it on a different list to be considered later. I keep a list called “comprehensive to-do’s” which are all the things I think are good ideas but are not a current priority.
6. Assign an estimated amount of time to each one of the high priority items on the list. If it is a big project, make sure to break it into the different steps. i.e EDIT WEDDING: 1st run through (60 min), final selections (60 min), fine art tweaks (30 min), uploading to Pictage + creating client slideshow (20 min).
7. Plug the high priority tasks into your calendar. I recommend scheduling a 3-4 hour block of uninterrupted time each working day. NOTE: It is just as important to book these tasks into your schedule just as you would a photo shoot or an appointment with your bookkeeper. Unless you create the physical space in your life to accomplish your tasks you either won’t get them done (leaving you feeling like a failure) or cutting into your personal time like sleep, workouts, time with your family (i.e. workaholic).  I’m speaking from personal experience here on both counts.
   
8. Make a list for each day so you are very clear about the absolute must-do’s. Do the highest priority tasks first thing in the day. Or, if you’re like me, before you go to bed (!)
9. As extra random things come up, assess them before you actually just DO them. Consider- is this more important than the highlighted items on my list? Can this get added to my list for next week or is it essential that it get done immediately? For example, a vendor emails: “I’m re-doing my website and need photos of Molly right away!” My response, “I’m excited for your new site and happy to share those images with you! My next office day is next Wednesday so I will get them to you then!” I add that item to my to-do list for NEXT week and archive her email.
10. Make time to plan & prioritize. I do not schedule any appointments on Mondays. It is my planning day. I spend each Monday prioritizing, plugging things into my calendar, calling/email/texting to confirm & re-schedule plans, bookkeeping data entry & paying bills, and all the little annoying misc. calls/emails I want to get out of the way. I then focus the rest of the week on bigger tasks. If I don’t take time at the beginning of each week everything piles up and I am a disaster.

Organizing product of the week: The Action Pad Mini by Behance. A great system for daily to-do’s (once you’ve determined the high priority items) and for breaking down bigger projects! I love the Warm Grey!

I am not a morning person. I’ve run my own photography business for over ten years.  For most of that time I believed I just had to suck it up because mornings worked best for my clients. I am a people pleaser, to the max. It took me about 8 years to finally set working & shooting hours that felt comfortable for ME. And I honestly wouldn’t have done it had it not been for the gentle coaching of Jennifer Hofmann. Now I spend (most of) my mornings drinking a mug of lemon water, sketching out my day and strolling about my garden- pulling out new little weeds, observing how the light is hitting each section of the beds. In the background of my brain I am processing issues I need to deal with, prioritizing, and planning. Not consciously, it’s just a background hum. As a highly emotional and intuitive entrepreneur, I absolutely need this time.

What do YOU need to make more time for in your daily routine?

What is ONE thing you can do today to give your over-worked brain a break?

Please consider writing your thoughts down. Putting it in writing is one big step towards making it a reality!

During ten years of running my own creative photography business, I have endeavored to combine my artistic nature, my commitment to customer service and my passion for organization into a streamlined business. Let me tell you, it did NOT come easily!

I have heard the cries of frustration from my fellow photographers and entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed, scattered and buried. This has spurred me to bring something useful to others out of my own decade of trial and errors, failures and success.

Desiring to share with you the culmination of a decade of experience and creative problem solving I have created The Organized Photographer (TOP). TOP offers photographers a wealth of tools, direction and support in organizing their own creative business.

Organization & Creativity for me go hand-in-hand. A lot of people associate the words “simplifying, organization & streamlining” with “boring, tedious, impossible for an artist.” Not in my world! My mission is to create luscious beauty & calming order in every aspect of my life. I’m excited to help you do the same!

NUTSHELL:

What is TOP about? TOP’s purpose is to help photographers create order and enhance productivity in their business so they have time for what they truly value.

How will TOP do this? By offering group classes, intensive workshops, one-on-one coaching and soon there will be downloadable forms + checklists.

What does this mean to you? If you would like a little more structure, space and sanity in running your photography business start by signing up for the TOP newsletter, following TOP on Twitter, become a FB fan or just visit the new website to read more about the venture.

What if you are not a photographer? TOP will be offering mini classes on de-cluttering and working more efficiently which will be applicable to all. I also offer one-on-one mentoring to help tackle clutter that is burying you. So sign up for the TOP newsletter on the left-hand side of the TOP website.

Need some de-cluttering help stat? Come to TOP’s “Mini Clear the Clutter” workshop on Tuesday, June 1st at Recherche’s home-studio in Louisville! Wine, snacks, tons of tips and ideas and only $35! To reserve your spot sign up here.

Will Recherche still be photographing? Of course! Otherwise this new business would just be “The Organized Girl”.

Please be so very kind as to share this with any photographers in your circle. I would be most grateful if you would help spread the word and connect TOP with people  who would value our service.

I am just giddy! I woke up and thought, “my two favorite things to do are photography and organizing….hmmm….The Organized Photographer!” Ding. Clear as crystal.  I have been a fine art wedding & portrait photographer for over ten years. I require order and beauty. I’ve got my photography business streamlined and efficient. The most natural thing for me is to help my fellow photographers do the same!

When I started discussing the concept of The Organized Photographer (TOP) what really struck me were people’s observations that “organization” is not “sexy.” I felt deflated. Not sexy? Am I a little black duckling? Best friend to the rescue: “Regina, you make organizing sexy.” Re-flated! Checked in with friends whose ducks I’ve helped get in a row and their feedback & testimonials makes me blush and beam. I’m ready to get this party started!

Here are photos of my studio which is where my workshop, Clear the Clutter and Create Simplicity, will be held. Wine, snacks, inspiration, direction and motivation. Promise!! Buzz me with any thoughts, questions or ideas!