Personal, Business, and Faith Goals I’m Bringing into 2026

Personal, Business, and Faith Goals I’m Bringing into 2026

January 1 has always felt special to me.

When I recorded this episode, my Christmas decorations were still up, my house still felt festive, and I wasn’t in “teach mode.” I wasn’t outlining a system, breaking down a workflow, or walking through a marketing strategy step by step. Instead, I wanted to slow down and reflect.

I’ve always loved the beginning of a new year. January feels like a fresh page — not in a pressure-filled “new year, new you” way, but in a reflective, honest way. It gives me space to look back at what worked, what didn’t, what stretched me, and what I’m genuinely looking forward to next.

These are the nine personal, business, and faith goals I’m bringing into 2026. Some are deeply connected to my work. Some are about my family. Some are about my health. Some are about my faith. All of them shape how I show up in my life and business.

If you’re entering this year craving clarity instead of chaos, I hope this encourages you to pause and reflect, too.

To watch the YouTube Version, Click Here 🎥

To listen to the podcast version, click here 🎙️

Otherwise, keep on reading the blog version! 

1. Growing the Family Photographers Marketing Society in 2026

One of the biggest highlights of 2025 was the launch of the Family Photographers Marketing Society.

When I opened this membership, I honestly didn’t know what would happen. I had never run a membership before, and I wasn’t sure how it would feel to show up weekly for other photographers in that way. What surprised me most was how much I loved it.

I genuinely enjoy helping family photographers think like marketers. I love walking them through consistency rather than panic marketing, helping them plan ahead, and showing them how Instagram and email marketing work together rather than in isolation.

Why this membership matters to me

By the end of 2025, I was serving around 30 photographers inside the membership every single week. That may sound small to some people, but for me, it felt incredibly meaningful. Thirty business owners choosing to learn, plan, and grow with intention is not something I take lightly.

In 2026, I’m looking forward to growing this membership thoughtfully. Not fast for the sake of numbers, but in a way that allows me to serve well.

What’s coming next for the membership

Now that I’ve found a sustainable rhythm, I’m excited to add monthly SEO strategy calls at no additional cost. My goal is to help members build long-term marketing foundations, not just short-term visibility.

If I can double the membership by the end of 2026 and consistently and with care serve 60 photographers, I would be incredibly grateful.

2. Fully Revealing My New Branding from Duo Collective

Another major thing I’m excited about in 2026 is finally revealing more of my new branding.

This rebrand was not a quick project. It started in 2025 and took months to complete — not because the designers were slow, but because I needed space to think, process, and make decisions thoughtfully while still serving my clients.

Why I chose to rebrand

As my business evolved, it became clear that the systems and workflow side of my work needed to feel more elevated and cohesive. I knew who I was talking to. I wasn’t trying to speak to everyone anymore. I was speaking to family photographers who wanted to get serious about systems, workflows, marketing cadence, and sustainability.

My branding needed to reflect that clarity.

What I’m excited to share in 2026

The work with Duo Collective is complete, and the site is live. In 2026, I’m excited to finally give you a full tour, share behind-the-scenes insights, and talk more openly about what the rebrand process looked like from start to finish.

3. A Long-Awaited Family Trip We’ve Been Praying About

This goal has nothing to do with business — and everything to do with life.

My husband and I are planning a meaningful trip with our boys in the summer of 2026. It’s something we’ve prayed about for years, and while the details are still coming together, it already feels extraordinary.

Why this matters so much to me

Some goals don’t need to be shared loudly or fully explained to be deeply meaningful. This is one of those.

Knowing that something we’ve prayed about for so long is finally becoming possible feels like a gift. I’m holding this one with gratitude and anticipation, and I’m excited to experience it as a family.

4. Planning Travel and Family Rhythms Ahead of Time

One practical thing I’m incredibly thankful for as I enter 2026 is clarity about school schedules and breaks.

Having access to school calendars early allows us to plan spring break, summer, fall break, and winter break intentionally.

How does this support my business and my family?

When I know when we’ll be traveling or resting, I can plan my photography calendar realistically. I don’t have to react out of panic. I don’t have to overbook myself. I can build my year with structure instead of stress.

This kind of planning helps me show up better — not just as a business owner, but as a mom.

5. Leading the Black Friday Summit Again in 2026

In 2025, I co-hosted the Black Friday Summit for the first time, and the response exceeded every expectation. Over 400 business owners signed up, and the feedback confirmed something I already believe deeply: people want preparation, not pressure.

Why I’m excited to do it again

In 2026, we’re starting earlier, planning more intentionally, and laying the groundwork well ahead of time. Black Friday changes every year based on trends, culture, and the economy, and business owners need space to think strategically — not scramble at the last minute.

I’m excited to steward this summit again and make it a blessing to even more business owners.

6. Strengthening My Body with Consistent, Realistic Workouts

Health looks different in every season of life, and for me, workouts need to be realistic right now.

I’ve been doing at-home strength training and shorter workouts through Nourish Move Love, and it has been incredibly life-giving.

What consistency looks like in this season

My goal for 2026 is not perfection. It’s consistency. I’m aiming for five days a week, knowing full well that life with kids requires flexibility and grace.

Feeling stronger — physically and mentally — matters to me, and I’m committed to continuing this rhythm in a sustainable way.

Plus, when I’m 70 years old, I want to be active for my kids and grandkids (Lord-willing), and everything I am doing NOW is impacting my 70+ body, so you better believe I want to make wise decisions! 

7. Continuing to Grow My Family Photography Business

It has taken me years to find my voice as a family photographer.

My editing style, the clients I serve, and the type of work I produce finally feel aligned with what I’ve been aiming for all along. That didn’t happen quickly, and that’s okay.

What growth looks like for me now

In 2026, my focus isn’t on adding more offers or doing more for the sake of growth. It’s about refining my client experience, improving my ability to pose larger families, and serving well.

According to my bookkeeper, my business has grown by about seven percent each year, and that feels sustainable, realistic, and good.

And if you are looking for a tangible way to track your business’s financial numbers, I want to invite you to check out my bookkeeping template for creatives. It is the literal emplate I still use alongside my bookkeeper (she appreciates that I have a pulse on my business’s numbers). So if you want to establish a system for your business numbers, go all in with the bookkeeping template for creatives.

8. Going All-In on SEO and AI

SEO and AI are not trends for me. They’re tools that support better systems in both business and life.

SEO has changed how I approach marketing, moving from burnout to consistency, and AI has helped me build workflows that support my season rather than drain me.

How I’m approaching this in 2026

I’m continuing to invest in learning, testing, and refining how I use both SEO and AI. I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and what I’m learning along the way. I’m both excited and nervous about this goal!

9. Reading Through the Bible Again with Intention

This is the anchor of everything else.

I’m committing to reading through the Bible again this year, continuing a rhythm that has shaped my peace, discernment, and growth for years. In 2026, I’m focusing on the Old Testament and planning a deeper dive into the New Testament later in the year.

Why this matters so deeply to me

Growing in wisdom matters — not just for me, but for my family. I want my boys to see what it looks like to pursue faith intentionally, imperfectly, and honestly.

Every year I read through the Bible, I learn something new. And every year, it brings peace that grounds everything else.

If you are interested in growing deeper in the Bible, too, check out The Bible Recap here. 

So in summary

This year doesn’t need louder goals or faster plans.

For me, 2026 is about clarity, consistency, faith, and giving myself permission to move forward thoughtfully. If you’re entering this year feeling reflective, tired, hopeful, or unsure — you’re not behind.

Sometimes the most meaningful progress starts with slowing down. 

Meet Your Favorite Launch Planner for Small Biz Owners & Marketing Strategist for Family Photographers (Dolly DeLong Education)

Hi! I’m Dolly DeLong—a Nashville-based family photographer turned systems + marketing educator and Fractional CMO for family photographers and solo business owners.  After years of juggling motherhood, running a thriving family photography business, and helping other creatives behind the scenes with their launches and marketing, I realized something: the backend matters just as much as your booking calendar.

Now, I serve two kinds of faith-driven creatives:

• Family photographers who want to stop ghosting their audience and finally stay consistent with Instagram + email marketing.

• Solo business owners (sometimes family photographers) who have a digital offer they want to launch, but feel completely overwhelmed by the pre-launch phase and the marketing phases.

Through my weekly podcast, YouTube channel, and blog, I offer strategic (but doable) content on systems, workflows, launch planning, and consistent marketing rhythms that won’t burn you out.

I’m here to help you stop duct-taping your backend together and instead build systems that support your life and values—whether you’re marketing mini sessions or launching a digital course.

When I’m not strategizing a launch calendar or batch recording content during nap time, you can find me photographing families in and around Nashville, watching reruns of Survivor, eating something sweet, or walking with a podcast in my ears. (Yes, I’m that girl.)

Are you Ready to finally market with intention and launch with clarity?
Let’s get started because you don’t have to do this alone.

👉 Work with me to plan out your launch
👉 If you are a family photographer needing marketing help, click here