Photography Goals for 2026

New year… same me 😅. In all seriousness, I am essentially the same person aiming to do more and better this year. I started photography in 2019 and I’ve grown a lot, but with all things there’s never a stop to growth. In honor of this new year, here are my photography goals and resolutions for 2026.

Aim for Documenting and Storytelling

I love stories and I love seeing photos that just seem like photo stills from a movie. This is much easier for weddings as I’m truly just there to snapshot things that happen naturally, but I’d like to capture the same feelings for photoshoots. Now, this has always been my goal for my photoshoots, but a lot of people I work with have never done photos and may need more guidance. This is absolutely okay and I’m actually so happy when I get first timers. To get into more storytelling, I want to ensure my preparation before the shoot really builds rapport with the couple and gathers a true vision of what they’re like. Do they go to the beach often to surf? Awesome, bring your boards and let’s do a beach session. Is coffee their thing? Perfect, let’s have a coffee date. These special details will help you to feel more comfortable during your shoot and can help me tell your story in a setting that’s natural to you. 

Creative Fun with Photography

If you’ve been here a while you know that my initial background is in counseling psychology. If you didn’t, please feel free to read about that journey here! Any who, with any passion that turns into a career, it can lose its luster. Don’t get me wrong I still love photography, but I want to continually fall in love with photography. I plan to do more creative photoshoots for fun, for creativity, and to build my skills. I want to create just to create. I also want to dive into taking self-portraits more. I’m not very comfortable in front of the camera despite my extreme comfort behind it, but exploring photography with me as the subject will only help me to help others. 

Continue to Learn About Film Photography

I purchased a film camera last year and have used it here and there. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to develop my film yet so fingers crossed that they came out well 🥴. All in all, I’ve loved working with the film camera. With the practice I’ve had, it has really taught me to slow down and observe more. I can’t just shoot and see instant results. I found myself bringing my camera up and observing the subject through my lens. Most times I liked what I saw, sometimes I didn’t. This is another avenue to create for fun and to develop my eye. I’m not sure if I’ll incorporate this into my services, but I’m here to learn more for myself.

Improve my Client Experience

I love helping the people I work with and I know I provide great customer service. Still, I want to make sure I create more of an experience where the couples I work with truly feel like they’re getting above and beyond and then some. I have some ideas specific to client experience, but it’s a work in progress. 

I think along with this, I want to work on rebranding a little. When I started my business I was a different person. I want to reflect the growth I’ve had and my change in perspective and knowledge. 

Here’s a snapshot of my first elopement in 2019 to my most recent elopement/vow renewal in 2025.

A Little R&R

Okay, this isn’t exactly photography related, but it’s still important. While I want to do more with photography, I also want to make sure I rest and relax from photography. Like I mentioned in my previous resolution, I’m a different person from when I first started my business. I am now married with a family and, to be frank, I’m getting older! I tend to be a person who goes, goes, goes, and works, works, works. I think, for my sanity and my family’s sanity, that I need to be sure to rest intentionally. Fill my cup so I can pour out to my business and the couples I work with. 

If you’ve made it to the end, thank you for taking the time to read something a little more personal. This journey has had ups and downs, but I’m so grateful for making the decision to try something new in 2019. Here’s to more and I’m excited for it to come. 

Kristen Iwalani of Iwalani Photography is a couples, elopement, and wedding photographer based on the island of Oahu. She’s ready to document your love on the biggest day of your lives. Kristen loves capturing the real, raw, and messy moments of your story. Contact her today to start planning your timeless wedding.