Well, we made it friends. The shortest month of the year flew by in a snap. I’ve always found that the dreary month of February can be a challenge as those pesky winter blues creep up due to the never-ending winter (especially with the yo-yo of a balmy 40-degree day followed by a blizzard). But, within the blasé of Feb is this amazing chance to reflect, rejuvenate, and prep for the year ahead.

A year older, only slightly wiser

Earlier this month, I celebrated my 41st birthday—just one more than forty (not that I’m keeping track). Truth be told, stepping into this new decade has been an emotional challenge for me.

I felt very much at home in my 30s. It was a cozy little nook full of slow realizations, a decent metabolism, and some emotional growth. Sure, we went through a global pandemic and my hair started falling out, but it was safe and comfortable, and I liked it there.

Last year, as I entered my 40s, I felt a bit out of place. Perhaps I’ve been influenced by culture, or more likely my own bias, but I think I’ve been telling myself that 40 was the threshold between young and old. Now, I don't necessarily think I was afraid of aging in the traditional sense (my body is still working fine and I’m not afraid of a few grey hairs), but rather it’s this sense of uneasiness about being irrelevant—a perception no doubt tied to societal expectations and my own ego.

Feeding this insecurity has been an ongoing battle with self-esteem. Whether it stems from feeling rejected as the shy new kid in 4th grade or from generational baggage inherited from my ancestors, the feeling of not being enough has always lingered. I’ve come to realize, however, that part of these feelings originate internally and may not reflect how others perceive me.

A recent chat with a pal demonstrated that this is not just a “Britta” issue. My friend shared how she’s always viewed me as self-assured, which is totally not the insecure persona I often feel I present to the world. But, she then shared with me that she saw herself as hesitant and a bit risk-averse, 100% not what she projects outwardly.

For about a year, I’ve been obsessed with 'The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,' an amazing little book filled with invented words that speak directly to the nuances of the human experience. It’s filled with so many profound concepts, and one, in particular, has stood out to me in this time of introspection: 'sonder.' Sonder is the awareness that every person we’ve ever encountered has a life as rich and complex as our own. A life filled with their own struggles, joys, and stories they tell themselves.

This idea has gifted me with an amazing sense of humility. Are the things I say about myself true? Maybe. Does it matter? Nah. Everyone else around here is too busy living their own stories to care much about mine. Recognizing this, I feel empowered to change the stories I tell myself. After all, no one is really paying attention anyway. I'm just a small part of their story, so I can focus on shaping my own narrative without worrying too much about their judgment

Each birthday, I adopt a new theme to focus on for the year ahead. Last year, it was all about embracing change as I navigated shifts in my business. The year prior, I aimed to embody confidence and resilience by embracing my inner badass. Now, as I enter my 41st year, I'm taking on the task of challenging the assumptions I hold about myself and questioning whether my perception of the world aligns with reality or if there's room for a fresh perspective.

Hello Headshots

Aside from reflecting on my relevance in the world and my relationship with my perception (NBD), I have been busy with actual work things too.

Between shoots, I’ve been busy jazzing up my services, developing workflows, and, most importantly, thinking about how I do things and for whom. My main focus has been on my headshot offerings.

When I was an eager newbie, I never imagined I'd become a headshot photographer. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and here I am, primarily focused on headshots. And you know what? I love it. It’s been amazing to meet so many people and to capture them in a way that truly represents them. Everyone deserves a portrait that reflects their identity and the essence of who they are, and that's my goal for every person I photograph.

Headshots have felt somewhat like the doldrums as they’ve settled into my routine, and I've been itchin’ to revitalize my offerings for a while. So, this month I took some time to give them a makeover. Coming up with these new options was like developing the perfect recipe – I had to think about what my clients wanted while adding my own flavor. I believe these new options show off what I can do and give my customers even more bang for their buck.

As part of these changes, I've reintroduced UnStuffy Headshots as my primary offering for individuals, while also giving clients the freedom to opt for a more traditional session if they prefer. Additionally, I'm excited to announce the return of SNAP! Headshots, which are available once a month for those seeking a quick yet still fun headshot session. Regardless of the option, I'm sticking to my promise that every session will not only be painless but also, dare I say, a bit fun.

Nerding out on Workflows

With the changes in my headshot offerings, I've had the opportunity to streamline my client workflows. I use a business management software called 17hats to handle all my inquiries, calendars, and invoicing. It's a great tool, but I hadn’t fully utilized its potential.

With a burst of get-shit-done energy, I tackled all of my headshot offerings and created workflows in 17hats for each. This included developing invoices and emails, setting up prep guides, and automating follow-ups. The goal was to guarantee a smooth experience for my clients throughout the process.

We'll have to wait and see if these workflows are truly effective, but the cool thing is that everything is adaptable and simple to modify

A month of contrast

On the homefront, February has been a month of contrast.

On the one hand, it's been a fantastic month filled with meaningful connections. I’ve had a few cup-filling conversations with friends. My social club (like book club but we make it social) made the most of the Plains Art Museum's extended Thursday hours where I admired the remarkable work of Oscar Howe. Additionally, my family and I went on a cozy getaway to the woods with our friend-fam, where we played many board games and indulged in much food.

Sadly, a few days ago, my grandma June passed away. She would have been 90 in April. Over the last few years, she had been in pretty poor health, and her tiny body was actively fighting against her. Always the life of the party, Grandma June was a social butterfly known for her love of Margaritas and feisty sense of humor. I’ll always look fondly on laughing with her as she belted out old country tunes. She was a gem.

And that was the month that was February. As I embark on this blog journey with y’all, I’m trying to find the balance of professional and personal. I’ve found as a solo business owner in a creative field, these two things often blend. Thank you for allowing me to be a bit vulnerable and long-winded as I hone the style of this blog. I’d love to hear your feedback on whether the emotional exploration is of interest, or if I should just stick to business.

March will bring more adventures with friends, a push for my headshots, and the brewing up of more service refining. And, hopefully, it’ll bring a bit of spring too.

Until then, here are 10 snaps taken in February, work or otherwise.