Reflecting on 2023 and Welcoming 2024 with Open Arms

As I sit down to pen down my thoughts on the last year, I can't help but marvel at the whirlwind of moments that made up 2023. Adventure and boundary-pushing would definitely be the words that sum up my 2023.

A Year of Unforgettable Moments:

Travel Tales: It was a year of travel and discovering new places.

New Orleans was my first time on the US mainland, and what an introduction! This crazy city is very me. And going to Jazz Fest with my cousin is a highlight of my year. And to, unexpectedly, be able to share my first few days there with a friend made it even better.

I then headed to New York for a week—yes, a week! I helped make a YouTube video, had a Skal lunch, attended a travel trade show, and made fabulous connections.

The kids weren’t forgotten. We went to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Yorke Peninsula and a few trips in Frankie (www.frankiewho.com.au). I love giving them the experience of travel—even if they do leave me wondering with frustration, why sometimes.

I also took many trips to Melbourne and Sydney, mainly for work. However, on one trip, I had a very special few days on a friend’s boat, sailing around Sydney Harbour. If you get the chance to do this, do it. Sydney is incredibly amazing from the water.

Each place left its imprint on my soul, and I can't wait to add more pins to my map in 2024.

Career Growth: The most significant and most exciting part. I hired Jeash; he is helping me with my retouching, video editing, social media, and stock keywording. He’s freeing my time so I can concentrate on the things I love - photographing and meeting with you!

I’ve continued to work with Tourism Australia, various accommodations, councils, government departments, and food businesses. Two successful tours through the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island were completed. I’ve loved working every quarter with Foodland, photographing their recipes for the Mighty magazine.

I’ve connected with people in Australia to New York. Watch this space.

2023 was full of networking opportunities and exploring different avenues. 2024 will continue but with more focus. I want to continue to inspire people to travel - with clients all around the world.

More Faces of La Bomba is another mammoth project that raised much-needed funds for my Hands Across the Water bike ride in April 2024. This project saw me photographing dancers in a place they feel ‘at home’, a place they love. I had a beautiful launch party and exhibited at Cue Bar in Norwood, followed by a hanging at La Bomba Studio in Findon.

Personal Growth: I finally started seeing myself as others see me (current-day Heidi) rather than as little Heidi. This process started when I attended Tony Robbins's event, Unleash the Power Within, where I walked on glowing, hot coal, and continued at our final Business Blueprint conference, where I broke wood with my hand.

Plans for 2024:

More Adventures Await: Thailand, the Philippines, and a surf trip in Sri Lanka are all on the cards. Add in a Frankie road trip or two and a sailing holiday. Life is for living.

Professional Prowess: Career-wise, I've set my sights on expanding into new markets outside of SA and Australia. It's time to inspire more people through discovery, travel, and living their best lives. I’ll be growing my stock photo site and offering social photos to help businesses showcase their unique destinations also.

More tours will be scheduled through all SA regions in 2024, working with the RTO and operators.

Wellness Wonderland: Health and wellness are big in 2024. More meditation, journaling, and slow days. Maybe even a health retreat, and definitely more time for surfing and dancing—my moving meditations.

Bucket List items to tick: I’m going to learn some Spanish! I speak Brazilian Portuguese (or, at least, I used to), so Spanish is a great following language. Maybe I’ll finally be able to understand more of the lyrics to what I’m dancing to. Also on the agenda are skydiving, playing golf, and relaxing on a sailing holiday.

As the clock ticks over to 2024, I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the cherished moments, and the people who made it all worthwhile. Here's to bidding adieu to the old and welcoming the new with open arms. 2024, I'm ready for you; let's make it a year to remember!

The end of a decade... adventure and excitement is waiting

I have spent a fair bit of time over the new year reflecting and planning on what is to come. I've never spent enough time reflecting and celebrating my achievements, so I thought now would be a good time to start. Better late than never, right?

Overall, 2019 was all about growth, new experiences and learning.

I bought a house right by the beach — a long-time dream.

I raised $5000 and rode 500km through humid 43-degree heat in Thailand for Hands Across the Water (riding with Business Blueprint).

I went on my first ever solo surf camp.

I worked with Flinders Ranges and Outback tourism, photographing, well, everything.

I worked at Innamincka (and journeyed up the Strzelecki). I flew up in a small plane and worked at Birdsville. I flew to Kangaroo Island for a few hours of work in a four-seater.

I flew over the Flinders Ranges from Parachilna in a helicopter.

I bought a Mal.

My photos printed on trams and buses for a major campaign.

I worked with South Australia Tourism Commission.

I presented many workshops, teaching people how to take better photos.

I built myself a garden in my backyard.

I was asked to be on a photographic festival panel, helping create the event through participant selection.

I was asked to exhibit my Cuba prints in Southern Flinders Ranges Photo Festival.

I photographed the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail with talent for a few days.

My kids came out surfing with me. Most of my work came from tourism - another long-time dream.

I'm so honoured clients ask me to tell their story through my eyes.

And a big realisation - my life is now very much how I have dreamt it to be. Yes, there are some areas that I want to improve on, but I am one happy chappy to be living my dream life.

2020 is going to be all about growing into being me even more.

I am learning to say 'no' more and speak my truth.

I am expanding my business further interstate - first trip to Brisbane in a couple of weeks!

My word will be 'focus'. I am being clear on what I want, maintaining focus and achieving — also celebrating my successes and failures.

I am also getting help within my business in more ways - outsourcing tasks that I don't like or someone can do better than me. I can then focus on what I'm great at and what is most beneficial.

I am travelling more - interstate, overseas and within South Australia.

I am surrounding myself with friends, family and loved ones. Making sure we share love, laughs and moments.

What is your word for 2020?

Songkran - Thailand's water festival.

What is Songkran?

Well, there is a lot of water involved and don't go to Bangkok (or perhaps many areas in Thailand) if you want to stay dry during this time - that's what I know!

In 2019 it was celebrated 13-15th April, and I was lucky enough to land in Bangkok during this time.

Officially, Songkran is a celebration of the Thai New Year's national holiday.

The night I arrive, I'm not sure what I'm walking into. I wander out of the hotel, getting a warning from a soaked guest, to be prepared to get wet. I grab a beer in a bar nearby and watch from a safe distance. I see grown men with huge grins on their faces. I see people squirting random people then running, like kids again. Staff in bars have hoses or buckets to throw over people who walk by. Cheeky and fun. I love it. I want part of it.

Next day, I buy myself a water gun and head to Silom - where there is a huge street party dedicated to Songkran and being cheeky with water. We are all here for one reason - to get wet while having FUN! And do I ever. The grin on my face never leaves. I scream with laughter. But then quickly close my mouth because when I turn from one squirt I'm turning into another squirt. All I can do is look down. And then shoot back.

My gun is ok but I'm now realising size does matter. I should have gone the biggest one, as all the boys did. My gun can only push water out several metres, but it also means I conserve water. Not that water is a problem here. Locals are set up every metre or so selling water refills out of big buckets - often filled with ice. And that's the other surprise - sometimes we are getting wet with warm water, sometimes with icy cold water. Even more screams.

Don't come here and worry about the "non-bottled water on your face" safety warning. Come here with the "I only live once, and today I'm going to have fun" attitude. You will get just that. I love being a kid again for a day... laughing, being silly, screaming, having fun with strangers.

What’s in store for 2017?

Welcome to 2017!

I took this photo while on a walk to The Balconies in the Grampians over our New Years travel. I love the symbolisation of endless possibility. Looking forward. Being open to new opportunities. Moving forward together. And hey, step into the unknown - leap with faith and you will find your feet. Rocky roads lead to green pastures (or in this case, trees).

I hope you had a great, and relaxing, festive break. 

I had a blissful time with family and friends, camping, surfing and doing not much. Perfect. I love summer; I wish I lived somewhere that had longer summers - or maybe not so cold winters. Don’t get me wrong; I love Adelaide, but the cold weather gets to me.

What is in store for you in 2017?

I’m so excited to be here. I have lots planned for this year. 

In March, I’m off to Tasmania for four weeks. I’ll be photographing for stock, shooting a few assignments, hanging out with my little ones while my hubby hikes Cradle Mountain with my dad (he’s wanted to do it since I did it a few years back), and of course, discovering and exploring as much as I can. If you want to catch up while I’m there, or want to get photos done, let me know. And of course, if you know anyone that needs pics, I’m offering the amazingly insane $400 Editorial Package. Check out some previous blog posts here for sample pics. Who wouldn't want that?!

The Philippines towards the end of April is a possibility for a business conference - although I may need to add on a few more days for some exploring!

Better Pics for Business will have another two live intakes. It’s a great way of learning, as you get the advice and support of others doing the course also. I’m keeping it open for enrolments all year, but only doing two live intakes, the first being in March. I’m enjoying helping people get their photographs looking better. The feedback from participants has been great - and I already have some extra content being added. 

In 2016 I also ran a few photography workshops. I’m going to be doing more in 2017 - on food and general photography. I’ll keep you updated as I finalise details. Of course, if you have an idea for in your area, let me know.

On a personal note too...

Ashton will be starting school. It’s a very exciting time, with both kids at school now. He is so ready and loves the teacher he has been placed with. Belle will be in year two. She's not happy she has been separated from her bestie - but I know they will both be fine. 

We are going to the snow! A group of friends (and families) want to go together - I think it will be a great intro for the kids, who have never seen snow. I’ve only been twice in my life - once to Mt Hotham as a child and once to Andorra as a backpacker (yep, worlds apart), so I’m just a teensy bit excited too.

My bestie also mentioned a cruise holiday. More to come here. It’s only an idea at this stage, but an awesome idea I’d love to do. If not this year, but next. 

I’m going to practice surfing, salsa dancing and yoga more. My fave hobbies. Hopefully, I'll get much better! I had to laugh at myself when I saw photos from a recent Bali surf trip. I had a poo stance while holding my nose (wiping water away I'd presume). I was going to buy one, but...