2022 Year-End Review

2022 has been an amazing year!

Thank you so much for your continuous support! I’m so lucky to do what I love and I couldn’t have done it without you – my followers, my clients, my referral partners, my friends, and most importantly, my family.

I have learned so much this year about myself and my business. I’ve gained more confidence and accepted that I’m a business owner and I belong here.

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” – Margaret J. Wheatley

This month, I will be reflecting on my past projects and accomplishments as well as what I want to do in 2023. I hope you will do the same. You did great and now it’s time to reflect and celebrate!

Past projects:

• I had the privilege of partnering with Estro Communications on several projects, creating branding photos for their clients’ new websites and social media marketing.
• I’m a contributor photographer with the Pascack Valley City Lifestyle magazine.
• I worked with some amazing clients this year, from a natural hair care product maker, to authors, coaches, and more.
• I got to photograph some milestone events for my clients – a Navjote Ceremony, a small backyard wedding, and a birthday party.
• I hosted 2 Mini Branding Session events in 2022. My clients get a library of branded images to use for their marketing in just 30-minutes and they love it.

Accomplishments:

• I’m volunteering as the Communications & Marketing chair for the National Association of Women Business Owners – North & Central Jersey Chapter. I enjoyed working alongside other chair members. They are amazing women business owners and we are passionate about helping other women business owners grow their businesses and fight for advocacy.
• Seeing my work printed in the Pascack Valley City Lifestyle magazine monthly has been exciting.
• My business is growing and I’m so grateful!

Client Celebrations:

• A client used a branding photo from our photo session when she was featured in the 201 Magazine.
• Branding photos have increased a client’s social media engagement.
• Many of my clients have launched their new websites or rebranded with their new branding photos from our sessions.

Lessons learned:

• My mental health is more important than anything else.
• It’s ok to say no to projects in order to protect my time and my energy, so I can focus on the things that bring me joy.
• Trust my instinct, it is always right.
• Stand firm for what I believe in for my business and personal life.

Plans for 2023:

• 2 mini headshot sessions.
• 2 mini branding sessions.
• A retreat focusing on business growth and marketing, including a mini-branding session.
• Offer branding photography templates for branding photographers.

Networking and blogging have brought me the most business. I highly recommend making time to network and build relationships. Take note that I said “build relationships”, not “sell”. No one wants to feel like you’re only talking to them to make a sale. The best way to build relationships is to offer value to whomever you meet. This is a great way to showcase your expertise as well as boost your know, like, and trust factor.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring.

I wish you and your family a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year! Thank you again for your support.

All the best, Charissa

Charissa is the owner of Charissa H. Yong Photography, LLC. She is a personal branding and portrait photographer who is passionate about helping her client show up confidently and authentically in their photos by creating a fun and stress-free photography experience.