A Year in Preview

Even though I know it's cliche, I can't help but feel a renewal at the beginning of a new year.  Really any time is a good time to reflect on past days and what's to come, but something about seeing a "1" on your calendar makes it all too real.  

However, as much as I like looking back and reliving memories, I like to think of a new year as a great time to set some goals.  Many lovely photographers I follow have posted "A Year in Review" of their favorite moments and pictures from 2013.  I love looking through those blog posts, but the nostalgia begins to creep in in a time that should be more about looking forward.  

So this year one of my resolutions this year is to do "A Year in Preview."  I want to list all the things I want to accomplish with my photography in 2014.  I will set these goals and hopefully on January 1, 2015 be able to say "I DID IT!" And that seems more gratifying than looking at where I've come from.  

Julia Kauffman Photography's "A Year in Preview":

1. Rent a lens. This is a great way to experience new equipment without breaking the bank! I want to try a wide-angle lens soon.
2. Make a Julia Kauffman Photography Twitter.
3. Do a re-branding.  I've been thinking about changing everything from the logo to the business name as a "fresh start" here in Maryland.  Do you have any suggestions?
4. Second shoot at a wedding. I'm not quite comfortable with tackling a whole ceremony and reception, but I'd love the experience.
5. Try out my ring flash. I got a great ring flash for Christmas that I really need to try.  This goes hand in hand with...
6. Work on indoor photography techniques!  Natural light is my best friend, but I've turned down way to many photo shoots because they would be indoors.
7. Grow my Pinterest followers and post more frequently.
8. Take a really nice portrait of my parents to give to them.  I loved taking my sister's senior pictures because seeing her as a client, instead of family, was such a cool experience.  I would love to do the same for my mom and dad.
9. Have my first Maryland photo shoot!  It has been hard to find clients in my spare time, but I would love to try to grow business here.
10. Get to 300 likes.  It doesn't sound like much, but I would love my Facebook presence to consist of people who are actually interested in what I'm posting!

So there you have it.  Do you all have any New Year's goals? I'd love to hear them! 

Here's to 2014!

-JKP

What's Going On?

Some of you may know, but Julia Kauffman Photography has some big changes to announce!

At the beginning of June, we officially relocated to Ellicott City, Maryland.  A few days after graduating from our respective colleges, JKP and boyfriend made the 10 hour trek in search of real world jobs and a fresh start! Although we really miss the beautiful Charleston beaches and weather (not to mention family and good friends) it is exciting to get a taste of big city life from being so close to D.C. and Baltimore! 

Boyfriend quickly got a job as an engineer and JKP has just started a job as an online marketing/SEO intern.  It's very exciting to get to learn the behind-the-scenes tech stuff that goes along with marketing your brand.  JKP is getting lots of good info that will help find new photography clients in Maryland.  

The plan is to start putting out some exciting images again soon so that all you JKP faithfuls can "visit" Maryland through pictures! Please bear with us as it may be slow-going until we can build a client base in a brand new town.  

In the mean time, here are some photos that capture what our last few months have been like!

a beautiful trail we found by our house

a rainy DC United game

the famous Ellicott City bridge!

date night!

a snap of our apartment

boyfriend's birthday celebration

What have you all been up to?  I'd love to hear what's been happening since many of my readers have just graduated college.  Leave a comment if you like!

Here's to a new start! 

Love, 

JKP

Corey and Arley {portraits}

Meet Corey and Arley!

Corey and Arley met at Furman freshman year and have been together ever since.  They are both very dedicated students, active in their greek life, and very loved by their friends.  After graduation they're headed to UVA law school and Washington D.C. to take on the world!

 I was so glad I was able to shoot them in the spring time, with so much sun and color!

I was so excited they wanted to shoot on this cute bridge, and we got some really nice shots on it!

(they're always laughing)

After a sunny walk around the lake, we moved to the belltower to get some classic Furman shots.

(Seriously, how cute!)

Check out Arley's killer shoes...

I had such a blast with you two, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your special relationship! 

The Importance of Less-Than-Perfect Relationships

"Aha!" moments are wonderful windows of clarity, and I was fortunate enough to have one today.  Killing time on Pinterest, I came across a quote I'd heard a thousand times and promptly written off:

  "If a relationship doesn't make you a better person, it's the wrong one."

Before when I heard this quote, my mind immediately jumped to partner and love relationships.  It obviously still applies; it's not okay to be with someone who makes you a lesser or more unhappy version of yourself.  But because I am lucky not to have a difficult relationship with my partner, today I thought of this quote in light of my other relationships.  

At first, I considered a few people who I have a less-than-perfect relationship with.  The easiest choice would be to leave these relationships in the past, moving on to a chapter with only positive influences.  But that's not life.  Life isn't a one-way roller coaster with increasing altitude, life falls so you can appreciate the rises.  And so it is with some relationships.  Your time may not be spent holding hands skipping through a field of green grass, and in some moments it may be hard to remember how the relationship began in the first place.  

But having a one-sided relationship can teach you how to listen.  

Being in a relationship with someone who takes advantage can teach you what it really means to give.
  

It's important to have these wrong relationships that can teach you important lessons about personal strength, patience and resilience.  

Just my two cents.

-JKP

Thursday's Thanks, Vol. 3

By this Thursday, I had a lot to be thankful for. So, I'm making this post a two-parter!

To start, I am so thankful for nurses.  Before I could go off and enjoy a wonderful spring break with my dad (more on that to come) I had to have some medical work done.  It turns out I'm fine, but I had to go through some pretty un-fun procedures.  But through it all, the nurses I encountered made me feel very comfortable and relaxed.  I know that doctors usually get all the credit, but I have to say that it is the nurses that do the dirty work preparing the patient, and I think their job may be harder.  I HATE needles, in fact I cried when I got shots up until I was about 19, but this week (thanks to the nurses) they seemed to slide right in.  To all the nurses reading this or those going through grueling nursing school, just know that one patient is grateful for you and all your hard work! Thanks for making this past week as much of a breeze as it could have been for me.

With all of that out of the way, my dad and I set off to enjoy the rest of my spring break in Washington D.C.! As we were about one hour away from the hotel, we learned about the coming snowstorm that was supposed to be "the biggest snowstorm in two years."  I rolled my eyes, thinking it was just my luck, and in that moment I was very ungrateful.  The news only worsened as the weather-people predicted that all transportation would be closed the following day, our first day in D.C.  When we woke up the day of the snowstorm, it looked pretty grim except...there was no snow.  Even so, all federal buildings were closed and transportation was limited.  We decided to brave the conditions and we headed into a fairly cold and wet D.C.  We hit up all the Smithsonian museums and pretty much anything we could see indoors.

The next day was beautiful, bright and sunny! And we certainly took advantage of that.  We started our day at 7 am, grabbing a bite to eat before heading to get tickets to see the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.  From there we went to almost every monument and memorial, the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum.  Because my dad was in the active duty military from when I was born until I was in college, this was an amazing opportunity to spend a few uninterrupted days alone with him!  I am so grateful for it, and I had the best time.  I wouldn't have traded this spring break for anything :)

Here are some photos from our trip! Enjoy! And to all you on spring break right now, be safe and have fun!

-JKP

Thursday's Thanks, Vol. 2

When it has rained for a few days straight, it may be hard to be thankful for precipitation.  It's kind of like being thankful for bland food when you have a cold--more of a thanks-but-no-thanks kind of thing.  

But I'm trying to be thankful for the rain this week.  Sure, it soaked in through my sneakers, left my make-up streaky, and made my footsteps sound like squeaky alien voices (I'm just getting all my negativity out of the way now) but I can think of a few ways that it made my week better too.  

The rain made my hot tea taste like nectar of the gods.  As I slowly slipped it, I could feel the warmth spreading outwards towards the tips of my fingers, which were turning a curious shade of purple.  I highly doubt a hot cuppa would have tasted so good on a dry, sunny day.  

Secondly, the rain saved me from killing my teeny tiny, struggling, rose plant over there in the corner of the window.  I had put it outside to soak up some sunshine, but forgotten to water it.  Since it's on its last legs of life due to the cold weather, it might have died if all the rain this week hadn't given it a drink.  

Although those are just two examples, here are some other reasons why I am thankful for the rain this week:

                       -fluffy white duck butts sticking up out of the lake

-exponentially better nap ambiance

                                 -colorful rain jackets and umbrellas on my walks to class

                  -a valid excuse to wear my comfiest sweatshirt!

Has the rain made you grateful this week? What are you thankful for? Post in the comments below!

-JKP

A very special day.

My smile is 1000 miles wide. 

Happy 9 years, my love! 

Here's to 99 more.

Love, 

Julia.