Everyone seems to begin the New Year with a rush of enthusiasm. We certainly notice it in our business, here: more inquiries in response to our ads, and an overall improved response to our mailings with a larger percentage of "lookers" becoming customers.

Part of it's due to the time of year, of course. The winter season is one when more people find time to page through magazines, discover new possibilities, and plan.

And we, you really, do need to plan, in photography, as in any other business.

While I question the idea of goal setting, as such, I do believe in having a vision: of seeing in one's mind's eye where one is going and just what it will take to get there.

Let's look at it from your point of view.

You're interested in photography. You're also interested in making money with your camera. But how do you see yourself accomplishing this desire? Does it involve any specific area within the field? What group of people comprise the customers you want to reach? Do you envision working on a local, regional, national, or international level?

What is it that you want? Is it a busy portrait studio? A thriving stock photo business? Weddings? Magazine assignments? Commercial accounts? You name it, whatever it is you want for your business, SEE IT, and the steps necessary to get you there, then take those steps.

Since I know a lot of you are interested in stock photography, let's use that as an example. Let's assume you want to build your agency file with several hundred strong photographs this year.

What you will do first is see yourself building this file in your mind. Visualize the process and what you will need to accomplish this.  Envision the deed, complete, and the steps you will need to take to get you there. Write them down! They are more than goals, they are a plan, a blueprint that will guide you through you're project's completion.

What will you photograph?

Determine the steps you will need to take to get those photos (several hundred strong photos) into your agency's files, and plan your action... that is, plan your photography. What will it involve? What will you need to do? Write these down. That's right, SEE what you want to accomplish, then write down the steps for getting there. Make sure that what you will do will take you where you want to go. Know what you will photograph. Know what you will do to get those photographs.

Will they involve props and models? What kind? Will it involve travel? Where to?

See yourself taking the pictures. SEE yourself preparing them for your agency, sending them off, and in your agency's files.

Visualize just what it is you will be shooting. Write down, schedule, then take the steps necessary to make that vision relaity.

Making some kind of New Year's resolution, such as "I'm going to place 500 photos with an agency this year", won't get you very far, if you don't see what it is you need to do then involve yourself in the process of getting there.

To use an analogy, converting raw film in your camera int strong images in your agency's files is like getting from point "A" to poing "B" in your car. Sure, you use a map in unfamiliar areas -- but around town, you visualize the route you will need to take to get there, and take it!

In photography, there are any number of guides or "maps" for uninitiated travelers venturing into new territory. The guides on this site are among them. Still, these are only general guides, since your success is your creation and depends on you. As such, these guides can only tell you what to do in very general or very specific terms. But only you can use that information to get where you want to go. After all, you're behind the wheel, aren't you? So take control!

Larry Stepanowicz