New Year’s Resolutions – Keeping it Fresh In Landscape Photography

"Nubble Sunset" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of sunset at the Nubble Lighthouse in Maine. It was on my target list for 2022. Click on Photo to Purchase

New Year’s Resolutions – New Beginnings

Do you ever make New Year’s resolutions? And more importantly, do you keep any of them longer than two weeks?

This thought comes to mind as I am thinking about my photography trips this past year and what I accomplished. I am now making plans for trips for next year and thinking about where I want to go and what I want to accomplish while there. There are many questions in my mind such as…. do I want to improve my drone photography? How can I improve my website? What landscape photo opportunities are on my bucket list?

"Twenty Mule Team Canyon" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of the colors in Death Valley. Another that was on my target list for 2022 that was finally captured. Click on Photo to Purchase

Why Make New Year’s Resolutions

There are many reasons people make New Year’s resolutions. Some people view the beginning of a new year as the time to make positive changes in their lives. They are looking for a fresh start.

Or, you may want to set some new specific goals that you want to accomplish such as losing 30 pounds or quitting smoking. There is something about a “new year” that encourages us to look for new beginnings.

"Emerald Lake Sunset" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of winter at Emerald Lake. This was another one that had been on my list for years that finally got checked off in 2022. Click on Photo to Purchase

What is Important about Making New Year’s Resolutions

Regardless of your reason to make a New Year’s resolution, the result is New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to motivate yourself and improve your life.

For example, you may want to take up a new hobby or spend more time on a hobby you currently enjoy. Landscape photography has evolved in my life from being something I merely enjoy to being a true passion. Even if your photography interest is iPhone photography, this would be the perfect time to make a commitment to learning more about this style of photography and what you can do with it.

"Denali Colors" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of fall color in Denali National Park. 2022 was the year of making it up to Denali to capture the amzaing fall colors. Click on Photo to Purchase

Tips for Making Successful New Year’s Resolutions

Try to be very specific—make it number-focused—something you can measure. Instead of saying I want to exercise more, you might say I want to walk 2 miles 5 days a week.

Be realistic and make it something you can achieve. If you are a couch potato, saying you will climb Mt. Everest is not a realistic goal. But saying you will take a 15-minute walk every day after dinner is most likely a resolution you could keep.

Keep a journal or written record of your progress during the year. There are many apps today that allow you to track and record actions such as the number of steps you take a day; your food calories; and so forth.

"Beach Dunes" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of dunes on the North Carolina Outer Banks. I had put this trip off for years, but finally made it there in 2022. Click on Photo to Purchase

A Wildlife or Landscape Photographer's New Year’s Resolutions

If you are interested in photography, what would be some resolutions you could make? You could challenge yourself to take one photo every day. It could be of a tree as you track its changes in the seasons. Or, perhaps you could have a theme such as flowers or insects. Challenge yourself to capture a moment each day and by doing so, you will start viewing the world through a different lens.

Another resolution would be for you to learn new skills. You could try to shoot at night or use photo editing software. Learning about a new technique would be a good New Year’s resolution. It would enrich your life.

Or you could change your photography style. Take black and white photographs – or try sepia-colored photos. You could resolve to educate yourself – learn about drone photography or macro-photography.

For me, one of my resolutions this year as a landscape photographer is to continue going to those locations to get the images that have been on my "bucket list" for so long. I've done well on this the last few years and I want to keep it going.

"Morning Path" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of sunrise at Smathers Beach in Key West. I finally found a way to squeeze in a trip to Key West in 2022 to capture some amazing images. Click on Photo to Purchase

Adding Fine Art Photography to Your Home Decor

Whether you are a serious art collector or a homeowner looking to decorate your home, you can make New Year’s Resolutions that will help you improve your knowledge and appreciation of fine art. There are several things you can do.

You can visit local art galleries, and art museums, and attend art festivals during the year. This will help you determine what you like and are interested in. Do you prefer landscape photos or are the colors seen in the fine art print more important to you?

You could expand your fine art collection and purchase new and different wall art. You could also reevaluate your decorating goals for the year and determine your priorities.

You could update your home’s lighting which can have a big impact on your wall art.

"Ocean Tunnel" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of the view under a new pier. I wanted to be one of the first to shoot this new pier and in 2022 I was. Click on Photo to Purchase

New Year’s Resolutions – the Reward

New Year’s Resolutions are about setting goals and working toward them. It takes planning and self-motivation and stick-to-it-ness but the reward can be great. Just make sure your New Year’s Resolutions are specific, achievable, and measurable.

You can improve your health; relationships, or career. You can begin a new hobby or interest such as photography that will enrich your life. New Year’s Resolutions are a great way to reflect on the past year as well as a way to inspire you to improve your life in the coming year. The key is to create resolutions that you will enjoy and truly want to achieve.

"Craggy Gardens Fog" - A Limited Edition print of 100 of an iconic tree at Craggy Gardens. This one had also been on my list for years and 2022 was the year I finally got it. Click on Photo to Purchase