So what's happening for Chelsea in 2019?

Good question.

What I do know:

• I am starting my PhD in January 2019 until at least August 2019 and which point I am unsure if I will be full or part time student 
• I am working 0.7 at the University of Alberta plus a little bit of teaching until at least August 2019.

I need to find some balance!

What does this mean for Vitality Images Photography?

• I will be taking on less shoots, less weddings, and charging my worth so I can afford to keep my business afloat. 
• I will continue to be the PPOC-AB North Branch Chair but am stepping back in my other roles like the Annual Magazine Portfolio, writing for Gallerie Magazine, judging, helping with the conferences, etc.
• I am going to continue to work out of my studio - I am not ready to give up the space.
• I am going to continue to strive to do quarterly VIP Education sessions and keep up in the VIP group.
• There may not be as much going on with my social media because my time will be quite limited.

What am I looking forward to?

• I will hopefully achieve my Master's in Photographic Arts by April, 2019.
• I will be competing in the 2019 National Salon.
• I am hoping to attain my accreditations in Pictorial/Scenic and Equine Photography.
• I will be going to Costa Rica to photograph some turtles!
• I will be attending Canadian Imaging 2019 in Montreal to see all my photography friends from across the country!
• I will be travelling to Los Angelas, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. for HiMARC and PhD related work and educational opportunities!
• I hope to visit my assistant and friend, Lindsay, in Italy in November, 2019 while attending the Album Epoca hosted AE Academy. It has been my dream to show my husband this amazing country and I am so excited that I will get to see my friend, attend this amazing educational opportunity, and share Italy with Kevin!

What am I grateful for?

I am not a religious person; however, never in my life have I felt like things are happening the way they are meant to be. The last 6 months have felt like everything is just, "the right place at the right time." I work hard, and have had some lucky breaks, but more than anything I feel like I am thriving because of the amazing community I have in my life. I have incredible friends, mentors, and colleagues through the PPOC community. I have a great team at work with the Department of National Defence and at the University of Alberta. My family, friends, clients, and husband are also so supportive with my newfound academic pursuits. I never thought I would go back to school, but this team and the positive environment I am in has allowed me to think and work at a level I never thought I was capable of. I hope this will transfer to creativity in my photography.

I am so excited and yet so terrified at what comes next. I don't know what that is. I am so fortunate and grateful that there really aren't too many bad options. I know that none of it is possible without my community and especially the support of my husband.

I was going to name people individually, but there are just too many helping me out and lifting me up to name. I don't know what I did to deserve to be associated with such amazing people. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you. I appreciate you more than you know.

There is one more reason I am writing this; accountability. Writing down your goals makes you more likely to achieve them. So if you are reading this thinking, "Why is she telling me this, I don't give a sh..." that's cool. Stating intentions makes one successful. 

2016 and 2017 were very challenging years for my mental and physical health namely because of a car accident (I am still rehabbing from today.) 2018 was an unexpected whirlwind, but I was finally starting to feel better in many aspects of my life that allowed me to experience some personal growth. I expect 2019 to be the same and I can't wait to share it with all of you being creative! Thank you for joining me on this unpredictable ride we call life!

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2019!

Chelsea Jones

P.S. If you are wondering, have made it this far, and are still reading... I ended up with an A+ in statistics... still don't know a thing...