(once like a spark) photography::our resolutions for 2012
Here at (once like a spark) photography, we do a lot of dreaming and visioning and talking about what we want our company to stand for. We hosted our annual OLAS retreat at the end of 2011 and spent most of the time talking about how we would be intentional in 2012. This week is always SUCH an amazing time of rejuvenation and inspiration (not just because of all of the Diet Coke, wine, and baked goods that are involved), but because it feels good to regroup and enter a new year with a new set of goals. We made some resolutions for (once like a spark) for 2012, and it occurred to us that we should share these with you, our (once like a spark) family. All of you, whether you’re a former client, a current client, a fellow photographer, a personal friend, or just an observer, make up the heartbeat of who we are as a community, and we want your help in achieving our 2012 resolutions. Have an idea about how you can help contribute? Know a contact that may be interested in one of the resolutions mentioned? Have something you’d like to add? We want to hear from you in the comments section or at info@oncelikeaspark.com. So here they are….our 2012 OLAS resolutions.
1. OLAS will truly give back (and give back big!) We believe that photography is powerful in validating the essence of a person, a relationship, a family, etc. and we want to provide that to others. We’re considering contacting local Habitat for Humanity chapters to offer free family sessions and prints for the families who are the recipients of new homes, so they have something meaningful hanging on their walls from day 1. Have any other ideas? Know a way we can help? Email us at info@oncelikeaspark.com
2. We will expand to new markets around the country, add to our family of crazy-talented photographers, and provide a community where our photogs learn and grow from each other. Any aspiring OLAS photogs out there? We want to hear from you as we grow! It’s not only our resolution to add to our photographer family, but we want to create an OLAS photographer online resource center where our handpicked photographers can learn and grow from each other.
3. We will work with more of you. Plain and simple. We can’t wait to meet and love on an entire new set of amazing couples this year. If you’re interested in working with OLAS for your wedding day (or if you know someone who is!) be sure to email us at info@oncelikeaspark.com or through our website.
4. We will be a source of inspiration for couples who are planning their weddings. We see a lot of weddings (a LOT) all over the country, and are consistently amazed at the creativity and resourcefulness of our amazing couples. We want to share all of that with you! That’s why we’re committed to a few different things in 2012.We’ll be pinning our favorite ideas to our Pinterest boards (you can find them here), and we’ll be blogging a LOT more often. Not only will we be showing beautiful weddings, but we’ll be giving tips, tricks, and advice. Lastly, look out later this year for The Spark Guide – a weekly dose of wedding prettiness delivered directly to your inbox.
5. We will offer resources and workshops for other wedding vendors starting their own businesses. We’ve learned a lot in the past few years, and we’ve learned how to market and manage hundreds and hundreds of weddings a year. If you’re a wedding vendor and are interested in learning more about branding and marketing, managing workflow, connecting with your clients, etc. look out for an OLAS workshop near you this year. If you know that you’d be interested, please email us at info@oncelikeaspark.com asap.
6. We will ensure our couples are featured in more blogs! Our brides and their weddings are awesome, and everyone should see them! Be on the lookout for our brides to be showcased around the blogosphere in 2012!
7. We will be more green. We’ve made a commitment to running our company as “green” as we can – we work remotely/co-work, use all electronic documents, and work with Finao (one of the most environmentally conscious album providers in the industry), but there’s always more we can do. We’ve made some important shipping changes, and are going to continue to make going green a priority in our business.
8. We will establish an internship program. As we’ve grown and expanded, we’ve come to realize there are some excellent real-life learning opportunities for college students and recent grads interested in entrepreneurship, marketing, art direction, finance, and sales. We’re excited to offer internship positions in 2012. Stay tuned for more info, or if you know you’d be interested email us at info@oncelikeaspark.com
9. We will support other small businesses in every capacity possible. From choosing Etsy vendors for our whimsy package contents to networking with other wedding vendors, we are committed to the growth of small businesses in any way that we can.
10. We will help YOU get to know US better. We’re considering hosting fun social events in our markets around the country with our photographers, former clients, current clients, or anyone else who wants to chat with us. Happy hour anyone?