End of the Year Christina Tundo Photography 2023 Wrap-Up

Another year is coming to an end at Christina Tundo Photography. Every year, I sit down to do this wrap up blog and it’s such a special time. Honestly, it sounds super dorky but this is like my own end of year holiday party. Join in the celebrations as I recap how 2023 went for CTP as a Maryland and DMV family photographer this year!!

This year I had a total of 80 photography sessions which comprised 65 amazing families. My goal was to do fewer photography sessions and work with amazing families more frequently. 57% of these families were repeat families. 12% of these families I photographed twice or a third time. It was so special to see families again and again throughout the year. 

50% of my signature sessions took place in-home for either in-home lifestyle or new life sessions. Going into homes and getting to know families, on top of documenting their truth, makes my job the best job ever. I absolutely love those special, cozy moments we document at home. 

WORD OF THE YEAR

This year my word was SIMPLIFY. It was important to me to make my client process even easier for my families this year. Booking family photos shouldn’t be stressful. It should be fun and a chance to capture memories. This year, I had 45 mini sessions, which was the same as last year. You can read more about my streamlined approach in the 2022 end of year blog post.It was also my first year offering Christina’s Click Yearbook Membership, giving them an easy process for booking and 12 automated monthly payments.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDUCATION 

I truly believe that it’s important to grow as a business owner and an artist year after year. Investing in education is one of the best ways to improve my skills. This year, I focused on a few new educational opportunities: 

• The CapABLE Community – Education on photographing families with disabilities was important to me. I want everyone to feel comfortable and safe during our sessions together. 
• Mentorship with Leah of Firefly Photography – We are diving in on our work together this month and I am so excited! I can’t wait to learn from such an amazing resource in the community!
• Jeanna Hayes Photography Education – I started 2023 with revisiting a course I had taken previously and also served as a beta tester for her new family art course. Jeanna is such a giving photographer and wonderful person and I cannot wait to learn from her again! 

CELEBRATIONS for 2023

There’s been lots of reasons to celebrate this year at CTP! Here’s a few of the highlights: 

• Building a community: This year, I really found a group of great photographers in Howard County, Maryland. I am just thankful for those in my community to support, talk to, scope locations, and to cheer each other on. It was a tough Fall season with the rain reschedules and illnesses and I would have not made it through without their kind words. I also have to get a shout out to the lovely photographers in the DC area that did check-ins during the busy seasons.
• My own family was professionally documented twice this year from NPS Photography and Arpasi Photography. You know that I love being able to display our own memories at home, too! 
• I got my first compliment from a client about being such an amazing business woman. I believe more women should be loud and proud in what they do because we are setting the stage for future business women. With that, I am proud to share my own financial successes. I went up 14% in revenue and I doubled my profit from 2022!!! 

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN

Kristina of Dot the I Outsourcing has been helping me to create meaningful and valuable content for all of you here on the blog! I’m so grateful for her help every month to show off my sessions and help write helpful posts to prepare you for those sessions! 

Cat Granger- Editor – Cat literally saves my life. She has the BEST EYE and always makes sure every image is my signature editing style. I’m so thankful for everything she does to get beautiful photos in the hands of my clients every week. 

Jennifer – Choose Your Solutions Virtual Assisting – Jennifer just joined my team right before fall season geared up. Jennifer runs a virtual assisting company and assigned me a VA, also named Jennifer, who is a former teacher and photographer. She can read my brain and help complete tasks to save me time and energy.

Assistants for Mini Sessions – Both of my mini session assistants are part of the #ChristinasClick. They both kept me on schedule, supported the families, and had the best energy for all of our photos!

Spring Minis- Cristi with Cristi Robinson Photography

Fall Minis- Cassandra with Gallivant DMV

CFO/CPA Rocco Tundo –  My husband Rocco does the bookkeeping and taxes. He helps me feel on top of my business financially and makes sure all of my earnings are being put to the best use. He’s also my support system at home, too. There’s always lots of solo parenting days in the buys fall season and I’m thankful for everything he does. 

Thank you to the families who allow me the honor to document and preserve your family’s love. Happy new year!

PLANNING FAMILY PORTRAITS? FIND TIPS HERE!

What to Wear for Family Portraits – Client Closet

Privacy Options for CTP Families 

Heirloom Products to Enjoy Your Portraits