The Year of the Fox
On the very first day back at work after the holidays, I was greeted by a pair of foxes. It’s still a bit of the wild west around my building—landscaping is unfinished, and the area isn’t fully developed yet. I see wildlife daily—deer, crows, the occasional jackrabbit.
But foxes? So close to the door?
I’m taking it as a sign. Foxes are smart, adaptable, and a little mischievous—qualities I’d love to channel this year. So, instead of setting rigid resolutions that I’ll forget by April (resolutions, who? Never met her), I’m focusing on loose, guiding intentions. A mindset for the year, inspired by my new foxy friends (who I’ve affectionately named Fiona and Freddy).
Be Lighter, Bolder, and More Playful.
I adore the playful energy of foxes, and honestly, I’ve been craving more of that lightness in my work. Foxes know how to adapt, explore, and have fun—and I want to channel more of that into the work I do. That means creating experiences that feel fresh and vibrant, not just for my clients but for me too. Sure, I’ll always get the safe shot, but I also want to nudge my subjects (and myself) out of our comfort zones. The goal? Keep my creativity sharp and be ready to roll with whatever comes my way.
Let Them.
Mel Robbins has been everywhere in my world lately and, apparently, in yours too. It feels like every other conversation I have comes back to her Let Them Theory, and honestly, for good reason.
At its core, Let Them is about releasing control over what others do, think, or expect. For me, that means letting go of the imaginary expectations I think others have for me. My clients hire me for a reason—to bring creativity expertise and maybe even surprise them once and in a while. But you’re not surprising anyone if you’re too busy overthinking what they might want.
This year, I’m focusing on trusting myself and doing the work I know I’m meant to do. And maybe—rather than just hearing Mel on every podcast under the sun—I should actually read the book and see what other wisdom nuggets I can pull from it.
Strive for Excellence, Not Perfection.
Foxes are clever, resourceful, and quick. They don’t hesitate when chasing something great. I want to take that same approach—pushing a little further when I know there’s more to give. Whether it’s refining edits until they feel just right or taking one more shot because my gut says it’s worth it, I’m trusting my instincts and going all in.
Say No (And Mean It).
I’ve gotten better at saying no over the years, but I still catch myself thinking, Well… maybe I could? only to regret it later. This year, I’m fully embracing the art of the confident no. If it doesn’t align with my energy, values, or creative direction, I’m out. No second-guessing.
Prioritize Energy Over Hustle.
A fox doesn’t rush—it saves its strength for when it’s time to move. I want to do the same. Instead of glorifying busy, I want to focus on effective. That means working smarter, listening to my body when it says pause, and making space for ideas to actually breathe.
So here’s to 2025—the Year of the Fox. Smart. Strategic. A little playful. And full in the zone.
Let’s go.
A Soft Rebrand + Other BTP Updates
About every other year, I get this uncontrollable urge to rebrand.
Y’all, it's a bit of a problem.
Sometimes, I feel a little like Alexander Hamilton—never quite satisfied, especially when it comes to branding. Britta the Photographer is so tied to how I’m feeling in the moment, and when the aesthetics don’t match that, I just can’t shake the need to change it.
This year, instead of completely overhauling everything, I decided to give things a little tweak. I updated my colors to match the lighter, more fun vibe I’m going for in 2025 and simplified my logo. I also spent a good chunk of January refining my website, and, you guys, it’s starting to really feel like me! There’s still some backend work to do (updating galleries, sharing more client stories, etc.), but I’m getting there—and I’m so thankful for the slower pace of midwinter to make these updates happen.
Along with the rebrand, I’ve been focusing on other marketing efforts, including committing to a monthly newsletter for BTP and a quarterly one for Studio Borealis (the first one set to go out on Monday, Feb 3). I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and I think it’ll be a great way to extend my reach beyond the shackles of social media. I’m treating it as an extension of this series, with helpful guides, client spotlights, and yes, the occasional deal or two.
Stuff I Can’t Stop Thinking About
Hey. Yah. Remember when I attempted a series like this last year? I think I got a little caught up in trying to always share the exact same number of things, and then I got super frustrated when I couldn’t think of anything five amazing things to share.
Such a Britta-error.
I love it when people share the random things they’re obsessed with—it’s always a surprise how something can be useful in your own life. So, the series is back because I’m fascinated by so many things and need an outlet to share it all.
Monsitat Chaffing Gel as Face Primer
Weird, right? Isn’t this stuff supposed to prevent chafing in, you know, those sensitive areas? But the r/MakeupAddiction subreddit I follow can’t stop talking about Anti-Chafing Gel as a makeup primer, so for just $6, I figured it was worth a try. OMG. Best primer I’ve ever used. And the big bonus? It didn’t aggravate my rosacea. Huge win.
Closet Reorganization
I spent a big chunk of a super cold January weekend going through ALLLLL of my clothes. I usually try to do a reset every season or so, but this time, I really committed to trying on everything and parting with items that either didn’t fit or didn’t resonate with my style. Sure, I put some clothes I couldn’t quite let go of in a drawer I’m calling “clothes purgatory,” but for the most part, my closet is now filled with pieces I actually want to wear and that make me feel good. To keep things on track, I’ve been photographing myself every workday and tracking my aesthetic mood to see which clothes truly feel like me. Hopefully, it’ll help hone in my style even better so I make wise attire purchases.
Daylio
Oh my gosh, y’all, I’m obsessed with this app! Daylio is the perfect way to track my mood and daily updates. It’s a visual mood tracker and micro-journal where you choose your mood and log activities like work or exercise. It generates a color-coded calendar and shows trends over time, making it easy to see how your day affects your mood. It’s also super customizable—like tracking goals! My big goal last month was to commit to dry January, and clicking “No Alcohol” daily kept me on track!
Plant(s) of the Month: The Prickly Sisters
A little over a year ago, my daughter made a great observation. She said, “Mum, you have a bunch of plants and no employees. Why not make your plants your employees and have a Plant of the Month?”
Um, brilliant? Yes.
In 2024, I picked a new plant of the month each month, and since I have more plants than most small businesses have employees, I’m continuing the tradition into 2025!
So, without further ado, January's Plant(s) of the Month are… The Prickly Sisters! Mavis and Muriel have been part of the crew for a while, but Maude and Myrtle are the new kids on the block. They’re not fans of being touched, but they absolutely love the sunshine.
Ten Snaps from January
And, as always, to end the post, here are ten images taken in January - work or otherwise.
1: UnStuffy Team Headshot of Sydney for Hairology. 2: Sweet Newborn Jack. 3: UnStuffy Content Work for Timberland Partners. 4: UnStuffy Content work for Sagency. 5: UnStuffy Team Headshots for Ronald McDonald House Charities (CEO Jill Christopher in this image) 6: Vogel Law’s NDSU Alumni. 7: Company Headshots for Brandt Hospitality Group. 8: Quarterly UnStuffy Content for MLGC in Enderlin. 9: Snap! Headshot for Danielle. 10: Late afternoon at Studio Borealis.
