The Power of New Beginnings. Welcome to: The Creative Life
To me, New Year’s feels like a summer wind before a tropical storm…
…where you can smell the rain coming, the electrical charge building in the air, and you feel like a battery that's being filled to overflow. But it can go one of two ways: It can dissipate, the charge gone, the wind settling and it’s just another day. Another month. Another year.
Or, it arrives, charges you up, and you slingshot yourself headfirst into all the projects that light you up – even though you’ll probably hit a bit of burnout because it’s so exciting! And it’s totally worth it…
Last year, I set big goals. Some of them I hit, and some didn’t quite land where I’d hoped.
I made a lot of progress and achieved some great things, but I just couldn’t see 2025 as an extension of 2024.
There’s this pull to move beyond just stock photography, beyond just hitting YouTube numbers for the sake of it, beyond creating just to hit a target. I’m craving more purpose and more challenge. And that purpose is all about living a creative life with intention—one that isn’t just about making things for the sake of making them, but about creating work that truly excites me, challenges me, and brings me fulfillment.
And if you’re anything like me, you probably know that it’s easy to get lost in the pressure of trying to do it all. I mean, the analytics were there, showing me my stock photography videos were performing well, but the truth is, they weren’t my vision. I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into being known as a "stock photography YouTuber." That was never the dream.
The dream was always about inspiring others to live The Creative Life – to not just dip their toes into creativity but to excel at it, and, eventually, turn it into a form of income.
But for years, I spent more time learning and researching than actually doing - I was one of those people who knew all the theory because I’d watched EVERY video on the subject and downloaded EVERY freebie - but was too afraid to actually try things in case I’d missed something important and screwed up. I didn’t let myself fail, because I didn’t want to take that step until I felt like I knew it all. And that just kept me stuck, spinning my own wheels, for years.
But last year, 2024, I took some big steps out of my comfort zone.
I hit 2,000 watch hours on YouTube + gained over 750 subscribers. That’s over half way to being monetised and being part of the top 10% of YouTube creators.
I grew my email list to almost 50 subscribers.
I uploaded over 300 photos to stock which was WELL below the targets I’d set for myself, BUT is still 300 more than in 2023. ;)
And I even made $20 in affiliate sales.
Was it exactly what I envisioned? No. But it was progress, and that’s what matters.
So, what excites me about this year’s new direction?
For starters, I’ve realized that I need to focus on projects that truly fuel my fire, even if it’s messy or uncertain at times. I’m done chasing numbers for the sake of numbers. This year, I want to make content that excites me. I want to work on things that challenge me and push me into new areas.
And after completing my second wedding over the holiday season and booking two more based purely on word-of-mouth referrals, I’m already heading in a way I wasn’t anticipating. Four years ago, the idea of shooting a wedding terrified me – what if I messed up? What if they had nothing to remember their special day cos I screw up THAT BADDD? But now, I’m proud of the galleries I’ve delivered (albeit that I can see that I have a long way to go to be truly a “professional” in this arena), and the client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive - and ultimately, that’s what’s important.
PS: Oh and yes - I’m obsessed with black and white. So my clients just have to be too! lol.
This direction feels right… now.
It didn’t 4 years ago, or even just 6 months ago.
But I’m ready for more, and I’m excited to keep growing as a photographer in this space.
But it doesn’t stop there.
I started my business as Red and the Wolf Photography and Design, then dropped the “Design” bit because - truthfully - it sounded like a mouthful and I really just wanted to focus on photography. But I love design. I enjoy creating resources for myself and for other photographers – from printable client packs to social media templates that make everything feel easy, pretty, polished - and comprehensive, so you don’t have that nagging feeling like “Am I missing something?”.
So, I’m adding design back into the mix this year, AND I’m going to start selling photography-related printables and merchandise on Etsy. Stuff I want to make for myself, and I’m sure there’s others that’ll like it too. I’m excited to combine both my creative and administrative skills into something that serves my audience while pushing my business forward. And, hey, I’m learning Etsy along the way! (Which for my learning-obsessed-teachers-pet-oh-look-new-shiny-thing personality, it’s basically like crack learning something new!)
This year is also about leveling up my photography, videography, and design skills. I’m diving into courses, studying the work of other photographers, and breaking down photos to understand the “why + how” behind the composition and editing. The goal is to continue honing my skills and having stock photography down the pipeline, rather than focusing on basic stock shots and not growing my skills. And, you guessed it, THAT’s what I’m going to be sharing on my channel this year. There’ll still be SOME stuff on stock photography, and if anyone wants to unsubscribe - no hard feelings. But if you want to just hang out with me and talk all things photography and design? I’m definitely going to be your go-to-gal this year.
And as for my creative YouTube outlet?
I want my content to be more than just another “talking head” video. I want it to be something that inspires my audience to take action, to feel seen, and to feel motivated to move forward in their own creative journeys. I love watching creators like Peter McKinnon and Matti Haapoja because they make their content come alive with B-roll, dynamic visuals, and stories that make you feel like you’re along for the ride.
It’s not just about what they’re talking about—it’s about how they bring their world to life visually, and that’s something I want to bring into my own videos this year.
Whether it’s a walk-and-talk video, behind-the-scenes shots, or an interview with other photographers or business tips for photographers working for themselves, I want to offer something that’s not just educational, but that feels real and relatable and inspiring. I hope my audience finds a little reprieve in my episodes, something that resonates with them on their own creative journey. Most of all, I want them to feel inspired, learn something they can implement, and see that they’re not alone on this journey. I’m right there with them, learning as I go, and I hope that’s something people will connect with to stop just passively watching and take action.
And, lets be honest - I’m not promising Peter McKinnon level B-Roll. You’ll be lucky if it fits together, cos I’m still learning - but I’m sure with every upload, and every time I push myself - I’ll get a bit better each time. :)
I’m sharing this because I want you to feel inspired to take your own creative journey to the next level.
2025 is about taking action, but it’s also about learning as we go. I’m not just here to talk about what I’m learning – I want to bring you along for the ride. I want you to see the ups and downs, the wins and the failures, and know that you’re not alone in figuring it out.
Through my YouTube videos, blog posts, and everything in between, I hope to offer more than just tips and tricks. I want to offer inspiration, but I also want to give you something practical that you can implement. Whether you’re trying to grow your photography business, improve your skills, or simply live more creatively – my content this year will be about living the creative life with purpose. I’m still not sure how or where this part of the brand will come in - but we’ll figure that out as we go along… maybe as a series? A podcast? A playlist?
Anyway, I’m excited to take you with me on this journey. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, creativity, and progress, together.
So, what’s your New Year’s super-charge like? Are you going to let it dissipate, or are you going to use it to fuel the next step in your creative journey? Let me know in the comments below, and let’s get this creative year started!
