MIA

Missing In Action

I have so much to blog about, the return work, Harrison, Miles, life in general. Lots of updates to come now that I have my new photography website/blog up and running. With lots of frustration and about million tutorial videos I was pretty sure I would be 100 before I ever got it going; apparently I won the fight, it's up! Check it out by clicking HERE.


 

A ME Moment

I have had this finished CD of our maternity photos sitting on our dining room table for a week, unopened.




Why?





It's not because they aren't fabulous shots, my friend and photographer mentor Jenna shot this session and her work is anything less than stellar.


No---this envelope remain sealed because I didn't have the time...or more like I didn't make "ME" time.

I love photography...don't hear me wrong in any means (in fact someone better lay me to rest one day with my camera). But photography does get stressful. For the most part clients are great, especially those that keep coming back to me and all the new families I meet, exceptionally fun. I truly feel blessed that I have been given this gift to do what I do.

But on the other side it's not always bright rainbows and puppy dogs.

There is where life pulls you in every direction, it's the expectation to do it all---And it's not just doing everything at once, it's doing that everything flawlessly.

I am wife, a mother to a little boy, 2 cats, 2 dogs, expecting baby #2 next month, I work full time and part-time and somehow have to find time to cook, clean and sleep and prepare for baby and spend time with family.

One thing I am learning and I am sure I'll be learning probably for the rest of my life is it's impossible to do it all. It's like that movie with Jim Carey--"Yes Man." So... I've convinced myself to start saying no. I have to admit, saying no it's getting a little easier, especially when potential clients are trying to make you feel guilty for saying no (hello, I am 8 1/2 months pregnant--still high risk), or if it's the fact they just think you should be available and don't have a life or something.

The fact I am letting people make me feel guilty for wanting to have
"ME" time is ridiculous, and needed to be spelled out on this blog so I keep reminding myself of it. I shouldn't feel guilty for taking moments to capture my own life and putting it before clients. The reason I picked up that camera for the very first time was to capture my own family, my own life. If I have to feel guilty about doing that, than I shouldn't be doing what I am doing.

Today:

• I spent time watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse snuggling with my pre-schooler
• I made breakfast, and actually sat down to eat it
• I cleaned Miles (baby #2) room, organized his closet
• Washed Miles teeny-tiny clothes and packed them his diaper bag
• Finished packing my hospital bag
• Made a "house" out of blankets
• Viewed the images from our maternity session
• Finally opened up the diaper cake my friend Amanda dropped off a month ago
• Played with the dogs
• Dropped Harrison off at pre-school for a few hours to put my feet up
• Went on Pinterest to look for things for Harrison's Mickey in Space birthday party.

and it's only 1:00 pm and my next photo session isn't until 3:30 pm---Dare I say a nap?


Nap. There, I said it.



 

About Me

About me...Yes you read correctly.


Two years ago this month I started to pursue photography from more than a hobby to career. By no means is photography my full time job. In fact I hate to even call it a job because it's something I love so much. (The details, colors, lighting, moments, love it all). It's such rewarding work, not only do I get to meet new fantastic couples and families but it's also rewarding seeing how I have grown as a photographer.

With only two years under my belt, I have several, several more years to go. I follow a ton of cool blogs, numerous Facebook Pages and only aspire to improve with every session. I have also admitted I am a Pinterest addict which I think goes hand in hand with photography these days!

Have you checked out my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE LATELY? Have you become a FAN? You can check it out by clicking HERE.

I have a website...but between work, photography work, and family it's badly outdated. It will however undergo a makeover when I am on maternity leave, so hopefully I will be welcomed back into the twenty-first century after that.

One of my favorite things to capture is everyday moments. I know I have said it before, but worth saying again. I love those goofy faces and not quite perfect photos that make the capture perfect. Another thing I love is having this blog to post those moments and not so perfect photos. I spend about a quarter of time editing my own photos as I do clients. Lighting, colors, clarity and quality don't seem to bother me as much as I focus on the actual capture itself. In fact the less time I spend editing our own photos, the more time I have to hang out with my family.

Last weekend I planned a client bubble bath session after the cake smash. I called in Doug to be my assistant carrying several 5 gallon buckets of water up a hill. I also asked him to stay for the session and grab a few shots of behind the scenes. I plan to get some professional shots done next spring for my website and pages when I can fit into my skinny jeans again.

This first image? LOVE IT! And yes, that my new hair cut/color, another love.

 Here is a preview of few sneak peeks of clients I have photographed in the last few weeks.

What I have learned thus far in this field is self taught and with the guidance of my friend Jenna who was a pre-school teacher turned photographer. I only wished we lived closer. Over the last few weeks she helped me with the color and design of my new logo. I can't thank her enough for working on this for me, I love how it turned out!

Now it's time to order packaging and updated business cards.