2023 has been an incredible year to be a New Jersey Photographer. After a wild first 2 years of parenthood, I feel like I was finally able to come up for air and really put my efforts into bringing my business to New Jersey. The local photography community has been such a gift both as a New Jersey photographer and as a mother. I am so grateful to all of the amazing clients I was lucky enough to serve, as well as all of the photographer friends I have made.
Today I’d love to take a look back over the year and give you a glimpse of what’s to come in 2024.
Here’s what you’ll find in this post:
Table of Contents
A look back on business in 2023 as a New Jersey Photographer
I finally started being able to focus and put more time and effort into my business starting in May of this year. I’m still in shock at the following number, but I was able to photograph and serve over 35 families between May and December!
2023 was a fun year as I photographed both in-home and in-studio newborn sessions. Having the opportunity to photograph in so many different locations was such a fun challenge and I am looking forward to more of both types of sessions in 2024. You can see a snippet of those sessions here and expect more full session blogs coming over the next few months! We have a LOT to catch up on!
I also photographed over 10 sessions on film in 2023 and cannot wait to do more next year! Film has always been such a big part of my identity as a photographer, but with the cost of film going up exponentially each year, and the long turnaround times from the labs, it has become harder and harder to justify using it. This year I started scanning my own film at home which has helped to both bring the cost and turnaround times down significantly. I am looking forward to many more sessions on film in 2024!
This year I became one of the founding members of The capABLE Community and was honored to be featured on their blog. This is an amazing community of photographers (2 of us can proudly say we are a New Jersey Photographer!) who are trained in photographing individuals with disabilities and making each and every photoshoot they do a stress-free, positive experience.
As a mother of a child with a disability, it is so important to me that ALL families feel like they can have family photos taken and that they will be accepted and treated with the respect, knowledge, and expertise they deserve. I know firsthand what it’s like to question if a photographer will be willing and able to work with my (amazing) family, and I want every family I work with to feel confident being in front of my camera. I will be sharing more about The capABLE Community later this year, but please hop over to their website to learn more and see the feature!
Working with the Local Community
This year I became friends with Katie of Katie’s Cookie Nook in Hightstown, New Jersey. My clients have been able to sample her delicious cookies firsthand as they are now a staple in my client boxes! She has been such a joy to get to know and work with and I am looking forward to working together more in 2024. If you are local to Hightstown, NJ, I HIGHLY recommend Katie for your custom cookie needs! Her creativity and talent are unmatched!
I was also able to partner with The Lightbridge Academy in East Windsor, NJ this year as their New Jersey Photographer to photograph mini-sessions and help raise funds for the Lightbridge Foundation.
The Lightbridge Foundation helps to support the local community and has supported both staff and local families in need as well as supporting organizations such as The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation (our personal favorite!), Wounded Warrior Project, as well as local food banks and homeless shelters. The mini-sessions were a huge success and we will be running 2 more mini-session events with the Lightbridge Academy Families this year (the dates are already secured on the calendar!) to help continue to raise funds for the Lightbridge Foundation.
Some Personal Updates
As big of a year as it was for me as a New Jersey Photographer, 2023 was a big year for my sweet Augie! He started walking in May (!!!) and has mastered his shapes, colors, numbers from 1-20, and many of his letters! He constantly impresses not only me, but everyone he meets – not to mention all of the smiles he puts on people’s faces!
This year with the help of our friends, family, and the incredible New Jersey Photographer community we were able to raise over $3,000 for Ruby’s Rainbow. Ruby’s Rainbow is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing college scholarships for students with Down syndrome, spreading awareness of their capabilities, and supporting their dreams of higher education and independence.
We were so grateful for the massive outpouring of support in helping us reach our goal of $3000 and were able to present The August Voda Scholarship in person to the recipient this summer. It was such a great experience to connect with another family who has a child with Down syndrome and to hear their story and experiences. We are excited to see all that he accomplishes this year!
I got back into running which has been huge for both my physical and mental health. I’m just a better person when I run! I became an Athlete Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society and was looking forward to representing NDSS at the Philadephia marathon this year. Unfortunately, a rescheduled surgery for Augie prevented me from being able to run, but 2024 will see me proudly representing NDSS at a couple of different races (hey Rye Half Marathon – I’m looking at you!).
So what’s in store for Kate Voda Photography in 2024?
Well for starters, I’m once again stating publicly that I will be blogging regularly. It’s that one New Year’s Resolution that I pick every year and usually give up on by February (if I even make it that long!) This year though, I have some really exciting things in the works and will be using both my blog and monthly newsletter to keep everyone updated.
Speaking of the newsletter, the goal is to start getting a monthly newsletter in your inbox! This newsletter will include a new style inspiration board each month, a roundup of the featured blog posts from the past month (more motivation to get them posted!), what I’m loving each month as a mom, and what I’m reading. Newsletter subscribers will also receive exclusive access to all public events and any promos.
With a huge surprise event starting on March 10th, I’d love it if you would sign up for the newsletter to make sure you’re the first to get all of the details!
What else is happening for this New Jersey Photographer in 2024? I might be bringing back public mini-sessions! No promises yet, but with how much fun I had with the Lightbridge Mini-sessions, I’m considering bringing them back into the annual KVP rotation! Leave a comment below if you’d like to see fall family mini-sessions (or maybe Spring Mother’s Day mini-sessions) this year!
Thank You!
I honestly couldn’t be more grateful for everyone’s love, support, encouragement, and friendship this past year. 2023 was one for the books and already 2024 is looking even better! I would love it if you would join the email newsletter to stay on top of everything happening this year and to be the first to find out about the surprise event launching March 10th!
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2024!
Kate Voda is a New Jersey Photographer specializing in in-home Newborn Lifestyle photography sessions and Lifestyle Portrait photography sessions. Kate serves Central New Jersey and the surrounding areas.
