I'm so excited for the rest of this new year to see what the Lord has planned for the business. By this point, we're a couple months into the year, but I thought I'd share my list of goals that I had made for myself and Emilie Alexis Photos.
In January, I posted a TikTok saying what my goals are but I wanted to make a more in depth look and explanation of what I hope to accomplish in 2026.
Switch from Pixieset to Unscripted
Now since making the list, I have changed my mind on this. The reasons I wanted to make the switch were 1) I wanted to pay the one time lifetime fee, 2) I like the aesthetic of the site, and 3) I liked what the app offered. It would be nice to have, but I just can't justify the $600 pricetage. I also prefer having everything I need in one place. I also appreciate that Pixieset offers a website builder and allows me to blog. I hope in the future Pixieset does more with the mobile app to offer a few more things the way Unscripted does.
Get more friends and family in front of my lens
I feel like this goes without saying! I got so excited every time a friend or family got in touch for a photo shoot with me. I had the opportunity to photograph my cousins baby shower and it was just so much fun and super special (she's doing amazing things online right now, so give her a follow). I hope to convince more of my friends and family that they need and deserve good photos.
Connect with previous clients
Every time a client contacted me again for another shoot it really made me start giggling and kicking my little feet in the air. Because what do you mean you loved my work so much you wanted more?? And ESPECIALLY when they're not related to me at all haha. Here's to booking with even more past clients.
Get on top of testimonials
The last step of our session together is me emailing a testimonial questionnaire to you. It's completely optional but of course greatly appreciated. The goal for this year is to actually collect all of those filled out testimonials and get them up on my website and socials. I don't know why I'm being so lazy about it, it's not even that hard haha.
Book 2 weddings this year and start second shooting
Can I get a drum roll, please? I did this one!! I actually got both of these things crossed off back in January! I have a wedding coming up in April and then another in October. My April bride is actually the sister of a previous bride, we love referrals. My October bride is a friend of a family member who's elopement/engagement photos I took!
And then I'm so excited about this, I'll be working with the photographer who did my own wedding photos at some of her spring weddings! I highly recommend checking her instagram and her website out. Sarah is fabulous for a more airy and true to color vibe.
Book more seniors and grads
I'm still trying to figure out what my niche as a photographer is. I feel like I know which direction I'd like my business to head in, but I still am so young and really want to dip my toes in more things before I make up my mind. I really enjoyed photographing college graduates and high school seniors last year. I did 4 grad shoots and 2 senior shoots. One of my seniors has since become a repeat client and I have her on the calendar for her graduation photoshoot in June. This year I already have 3 college grads booked (and one more in the works). I plan to start posting in some Facebook groups I'm apart of to remind people to book their seniors. If you're a senior and you're reading this, don't forget to book!
Connect with more local photographers
As I said earlier, I'm so excited to have connected with my wedding photographer and can't wait to work with her in the future. I had actually reached out to her a couple months ago about a wedding inquiry asking if I offered a second shooter. I reached out to Sarah asking what her thoughts about it were and she agreed!
I love reaching out to photographers I see on Facebook or TikTok as well. Especially if they're trying to build their portfolios or are looking to update their branding photos. I was able to trade services with a girl I saw on TikTok up in northern NH, check out her Instagram too!
I'd love to grab a Starbucks or meet up and trade services with other photographers in the future!
More bts
I've been on and off with my bts lately. I got a phone mount for my camera but sometimes I forget to record when I have my inspo photos pulled up or just forget it all together. For Christmas, my husband got me the Ray Ban Met glasses and I actually remembered to use them, thank goodness haha. My goal is to get better at taking video with them at shoots. Especially at weddings this year.
Get family photos at the family farm this year
My favorite fun fact about myself is my family owns farm land in Pennsylvania. We try to get there every year but last year it just wasn't doable with my son having been born earlier that year. I was fine with that because this year I have better gear and have bettered my craft so when we get there this year, I'll be able to take some fabulous photos of everyone.
Upgrade to a 24-70mm lens
Another goal I've already completed! Buying this lens was a WHOLE situation. I ordered the lens off of ebay for around $660. I ordered it during a snow storm so even though ebay said three day shipping, I wasn't expecting it in three days, at least four or five. So I waited the four or five days and was just so confused because I hadn't received any updates since the email saying the seller had shipped it out. On day five, I checked my email again and there was an email that said it had been delivered the DAY BEFORE! Now I'm freaking out. I did NOT get it. I was home at the time the email said it had been delivered to the front door and I know it hadn't been because I saw the mailman come and he didn't come up. Monday I called the post office and they told me "Oh, that tracking number went to that zip code but the address wasn't yours. There's nothing we can do because we delivered it to the right address from the seller." Perfect, wonderful, great. I had to wait three more days before I could get ebay involved. I had already contacted the seller but realistically there was nothing they could do. On day NINE, ebay sent me an email that I didn't qualify for a refund because the seller provided proof it had been delivered. HUH? WHAT? I don't think so. I started sweating. I called customer service, I was on the phone for almost an hour with some dude who didn't help me at all. He told me, case is still open you'll hear from us in 24-48 hours. Oh ok. 10 MINUTES later, another email saying not getting a refund. I called them AGAIN, and I talked to this nice woman who listened to me and immediately said "I believe you. Moving forward with your refund." THANK YOU MAAM. Phew. I ended up buying from another seller for over $800. Ugh it is what it is. But I got the lens and that's all that matters.
Plan more styled shoots
Last year I did a styled shoot with my cousin for Halloween. We wanted a spooky witchy vibe and it was so good that I keep thinking of other styled shoots I want to do! Keep an eye out on my socials because I plan to advertise these shoots in the future ;)
Make $5k+
I made a TikTok for new years being very candid about what I made as a beginner photographer. My total came out to $4,126.80. Which I am so stoked about for my first year. But of course, I want to try to beat that goal so $5,000 is what I'm aiming for this year.
More photos of my baby
My son is now 13 months old and I've been loving taking his pictures. It's been a great challenge for myself because I don't post his face on social media (just a personal preference of mine) so it's fun to figure out different poses to avoid his face.
Set up valentine's day minis and Santa minis
This is 50% complete. My Valentines Day minis were so fun! I held them at Little Glass House Studio in Salem, NH. Her studio space was BEAUTIFUL and I'm so excited to visit there again.
Last year I was emailed by someone who had just graduated from 'Santa School' I had never heard of this but we decided to keep in touch for this year and I hope we can work together towards the end of the year.
Add more session types to my portfolio
Like I said earlier, I'm still trying to figure out my niche. I'm very grateful to have been able to add a lot of different session types to my portfolio but of course there are still things I'd like to do. If you're a potential client reading this post, maybe I'm hoping to offer this service for you. And if that's the case, I'd like to offer a discount for any of these:
. Maternity
. Fresh 48
. Proposal
. Gender Reveal
. Baby Announcment
Add more locations to my list
One thing I like to do for my clients or even for other photographer friends is post where I'm shooting. I don't like to gatekeep this info! On my website, I have a WHOLE PAGE dedicated to locations. Here's the thing, not every location on my list I've shot at. I like to post a little photo to go along with the description so everyone can see what the place looks like and this year I want to get to more of the locations on my list checked off so that I can add those photos.
And those are my 2026 goals. My to-do list, if you will. It does seem like a lot but it's already March and I've made good headway. Again, I cant wait to see what happens this year and get these crossed off the to-do list.
xoxo
Emilie Alexis