2020 achievements
Launching a business isn't easy especially during a pandemic but I am extremely proud of what I have achieved in 2020.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a member of the Lei Lei Clavey Photography family. I have poured my heart into every aspect of this business and it means a lot to have your support.
While 2020 has been an extremely challenging year for many of us personally and professional, I admit that it has been remarkable for my business. There is no way that if life was going along as 'normal' pre-2020 that I would have made the progress I did this year.
This time last year, I was struggling to find my niche and direction. I was ploughing ahead alone, without a tribe for support or community. I was seeing steady growth, editorial and wedding bookings were coming in and I was happy with how things were going. But then we were forced to stop, to pause, to reflect. We were forced (in Melbourne) to have infinite minutes, hours, days and months of Groundhog Day ahead of us.
This is where it changed for me.
I made light of the situation and used the one thing I have always thought was against me to my advantage - time. Endless amounts of it. I put numerous hours, early mornings and late nights, finding every moment I could around caring for my 1-year-old boy to work on my business. Every cent I made I funnelled back into the business knowing that investing in myself would make all the difference to my success. So far I am not wrong.
My top nine posts on Instagram in 2020
My 2020 Accomplishments:
I enrolled in Jai Long's Business Map course to educate myself on all things wedding photography and stumbled upon my tribe AKA the Six-Figure Business Map Facebook community who are the most supportive, positive and encouraging group I have ever experienced via social media or beyond! If any fellow sailors are reading this, you are a big reason why I’ve reached these goals in 2020! 2021 let’s reach for the stars!
Found a wedding photography mentor in Bek Smith who has over seven years experience and now I shoot as one of her Head Photographers (!!)
Invested in new branding and new website (this one!!) with Hello Hello Studio. They did an amazing job and I’m oh so proud to show it off to you!
Organised an epic styled editorial shoot with the most incredible group of wedding and fashion industry vendors. You can check out the shoot here!
That same styled editorial shoot has been accepted into The Lane my all time favourite bridal publication!! This was one of my goals this year so I am over the moon about it.
Worked with wedding videographers Annette and Dani to create an About Me/Behind-the-scenes film. You can watch it here!
Created a comprehensive 44-page Wedding Photography Guidebook which every couple who books me receives. This has been on my list since July and so finally completing it feels like quite a feat!
Grew my email list from 0 to 189 subscribers in the last six months. While it’s small compared to some, I am very proud of that achievement! If you would like to subscribe, you can do so here.
Booking overseas weddings for 2022 which is another goal of mine - to become a leading destination wedding photographer.
Oh, and my niche found me… Tailored editorial wedding photography for the stylish at heart.
Much of my motivation for this year also came from you. I thank you for your virtual/socially distanced support this year, kind comments on my social posts, lovely emails that land in my inbox, and emoji-themed encouragement.
I am really looking forward to 2021, I already know it will be an incredible year but I am also not going to dismiss 2020 too quickly, it definitely had its positives.
Know that if you ever have questions or want to say hi—I’m only an email away!
Lei xx
