Tag Archives: new year

Things I did and did not do in 2019

December 29, 2019 Sharon 4 Comments

I think most people take time the end of year looking back and considering what the years end signifies for them. What did they do? What did they want to do but did not? Last year, I did a year end blog. As I read through it now, I realized I didn’t even put my goals for 2019 on it! But that’s okay. I don’t remember them now. But I will tell you what I did do and what I hope to do in 2020.

Travel

Early 2019 brought quite a bit of travel for me. I had several pieces in a juried show in NYC, so my husband and I took the train up for the opening reception. We stayed several days in a very cold and rainy New York. The train trip up was amazing and definitely something I would love to do again.

We also spent a couple of days in Pensacola Beach for a memorial service for a family member. We visited downtown Pensacola and spent some time walking on the beach.

I visited friends in Boston and Providence, learning a great deal about my country’s history, good and bad.

Something New

Around mid-summer, I came up with a new idea, a travel podcast. So, not being one to research or plan, I started one! It’s called Tourist in your Town. It started out to be just about what to see and do when you visit a place. But it quickly evolved into a combination of travel and history. Check it out!

I did talk about starting a commercial photography studio in that late 2018 blog. I sort of did that. I have the gear and the space. I even did some freelance work over the year. But I discovered that I had two options. One was to leave my full-time paying job and hope that I could get enough work to pay my bills. Or two, stop taking freelance work, keep that full-time gig, and pursue my true passions, travel and art photography in my spare time. I chose the second option. Probably because I’m not the kind of person to take big chances. I would, of course, take the right kind of freelance work if it landed in my lap. But I’m not pursuing it and I am saying no to things that just aren’t worth it. I value my time too much for that.

My aha! moment

I did spend most of 2019 angry and sad about losing that dream that I didn’t know I had (lost job in 2018). But towards the end of the year, someone posted a meme on FB that said something like what would yourself from 10 years ago think of yourself now. And my brain popped. Myself from 10 years ago had no clue of any of the things I’m doing now. That person’s goals looked very different from my current goals and wins. Now, I all I can think is how excited I am for the next 10 years!

Goals for 2020

So, what are my goals for 2020?

Grow the podcast
Be more present
Make better art

Feel free to share your own goals in the comments or just post a link to your own blog!

Photography, Year End

First and Last Images of 2018

January 1, 2019 Sharon Leave a comment

At the end of 2017, I wrote a blog about my first and last images of the year. I thought I would do the same this year. It’s a great way to see where I’ve been and if I have gotten better or worse or about the same.

The first image I uploaded in 2018. I love fantasy books and art. I have been attempting to create some of my own. Silver keys hang from an overgrown vine, just waiting to be plucked. It has the feel of a dream.

The last image uploaded in 2018. This started out as an image created for a stripes image challenge. But it turned out to be more about the hands. I see a series of hands coming soon.

Be sure to share your own 2018 retrospectives in the comments! Feedback is also welcome.

All images are available as prints. If you click on the image, it will take you directly to my shop.

Photography, Year End

Things I did and did not do in 2018

December 25, 2018 Sharon 1 Comment

Every January, I set goals for myself. Sometimes those goals are small. Sometimes they can be far fetched and high reaching. In January of 2018, I set 3 goals for myself. I did not do any of them. However, I don’t feel like I failed myself. Because life changes, it’s important to be fluid and willing to change direction. So instead of completing my original goals, I found myself meeting goals I did not even know I had.

Bohemia Moravia Prague Travel Map by Sharon Popek — Bohemia Moravia Prague Travel Map

My first goal was to create a training video. I have developed a strong desire to share my knowledge with others. But I guess I’m having a hard time convincing myself that people want or need that knowledge. I know that I should do it anyway, it’ll make me better at what I do. On a side note, I did create a video of my work flow for my new job. But cannot share it on here.

Speaking of jobs, I lost my job in July of 2018. This changed things drastically for me. I had to find a new job and so will not have actual vacation time until next year. That means, there was no beach trip for me. However, when I was unemployed, I was able to help a friend and go to New York City for a couple of days. This helped create a huge opportunity for me. I took some great photos and even got a couple of them into a juried show.

Ellis Island by Sharon Popek — Historic Ellis Island against the NYC skyline ©Sharon Popek

The loss of my job did give me a little kick in the butt and I have started my own commercial product photography business. So, that studio that I was going to set up? When I was out of work, I started really working on that. I bought new strobes and have done several freelance jobs. However, now that I am back at a nine to five job, it’s hard to get myself motivated to finish it. It’s also difficult to pick up work, since I can only work after hours or weekends.

So, I find myself at the end of 2018, goals unfinished. As I said before, it’s important to be willing to change direction when life tells you to. So, 2019 will have new goals. I may not meet those either. But I have no doubt that I will still do some awesome things!

Hopeful ©Sharon Popek — Reflections and rainbows and hope by Sharon Popek

Photography

2018 Goals

January 1, 2018 Sharon 7 Comments

Looking back on 2017, I realized that I didn’t set any goals for the year. I thought maybe that’s why I felt so much like I was just floundering about and not getting anywhere. So, I decided to set some goals and share them. These are simple, attainable, clear goals.

Create at least 1 training video

After attending Photoshop World in 2016, I have wanted to share my passion with others just starting out or anyone interested in my work and how I do things.

©Sharon Popek — A composite map of Budapest with an antique map and a recent photo of the Budapest Parliament Building

Go to the beach

We used to go to the beach every year. I have not been to the beach in years. It is time. The ocean needs me.

Set up my studio / office properly

My office has been a catch all space and it is difficult to work there. I need a clean space for taking photos, writing, working on heavily Photoshopped pieces. A cluttered space does not help me work.

Purple Rosemary