From One Photographer to Another

I think as photographers we (among a million other things) are always trying to find the time to have our OWN family photographs taken because we deserve amazing photos too! FYI: It turns out to be quite hard to do by yourself! So now on top of time, you have to find another photographer who's work is not only to your particular taste, but meets a bunch of your other qualifications...and that's a tough bill to fit sometimes! As photographers seeking out another in this heavily saturated field, we look for price, packages, photographic and editing style, consistency in their work and quick, personable correspondence. So when a fellow photographer seeks me out to book her family portraits with me...you're darn right I'm honored!

Meet the gorgeous Kim and her sweetheart Brian

Yes, very honored. It was also exciting and nerve racking! Flattered she hired me, excited to have such a beautiful family on the other side of my lens, but it did make me a little nervous...just a little. I felt like I had a big bill to fit, but she made me feel right at home throughout the whole session. And their three boys seemed to like me right away...yeah, cause I'm super cool with the kids. I didn't even need to bribe them with candy! Well, that's because they were previously bribed with dinner at yummy Big G's! I seriously had so much fun hanging out with their handsome boys : )

Meet Tyler...very outgoing and hilarious

And this is Christian...a bit shy, but full of smiles

And finally, Dominic...quite the character and uber adorable

Have I mentioned how perfectly well-behaved their boys were? Making me laugh and smiled without being told. Even though they were ready to bolt at ANY second knowing a delicious dinner was awaiting them, they still gave me 100% and it helped make for a quick, relaxed session. I almost didn't want it to end! There was a slight chill in the air, but a refreshing breeze and glowing light at a beautiful location. It was honestly perfect! In fact, check out some of their many family portraits and see for yourself...

Yup, I am totally in love with these images, though I admit I'm probably a bit biased since they were taken by me hahaha but don't you agree? I am counting down the days until their next family session! I honestly pity them at this point. I mean, how are they going to be able to choose which photos will go on the holiday greeting cards? Their profile picture? Framed and hung on the wall? Or worse yet, which ones to blow up into a huge, gorgeous canvas for their awaiting walls? To think, this is only a fraction of the images in their beautiful album! They may have to clear several walls just to make room : ) 

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Ok, I just had to make a small side note here in relation to my secret, personal project I am currently working on. I have gotten several emails inquiring as to what it is and have even blurbed about it to 2 people already! It's getting harder and harder to keep it in! The excitement is honestly going to kill me, I swear! I want to update you that I am about halfway through the process of making it complete. I still have a few more meetings and lots of paperwork, but it's coming along. I am hoping to be able to release full info within the next week or two (fingers crossed). I want to thank all of you that have expressed interest in what I'm doing. It makes me feel so loved and supported. I know you all know how much this means to me even though you don't know what it is yet. It means worlds to me that you're ready to get on board with it already and I know once it's released that the community response and appreciation will blow me down and I CAN'T WAIT : )

Ok, end of tease...

Working on a Dream...

Let me just start off by saying...you are about to be bombarded with images of my son over this past summer with his many dirty, but oh-so-adorable faces! He is the love of my life (besides daddy) and for whom I do everything for! He is a major source of motivation in my life to do better, be better and provide a better future to give him a world he can be safe in and proud of : )

A little over a year ago, I was just starting out in the world of owning a photography business. There was so much I was unaware of and so much I had to learn! Today, I am still learning, but I think that's what keeps you at the top of your game. Always evolving, learning and growing. Making sure I maintain my equipment, take classes and workshops to better my skill, practice every day, ensure I'm using the best printing lab, regulating my gallery, offering products that are fun, modern and of the best quality (while still staying within my clients budget), maintaining my website and trying to blog regularly, preparing and organizing sessions, keeping the books in order (I hate math), searching for new locations...and this is only half of my list! Did I mention I'm a stay at home to a 2 year old little boy? Whoa! Aside from running my house, managing my business and raising my child the best I know how, I have to somehow make time for myself...to keep myself sane and my passion of photography burning! It's a delicate balance, but I feel I am finally starting to get it working like a well oiled machine.

Vincent stole a massive piece of cake! I vacuumed the crumbs all afternoon! : ) 

Being passionate about what I do is always at the top of my list. It's what sets me apart. I strive to make it visible in all I do. And because I'm a super-sappy, mushy-gushy kind of girl deep down, I get very sensitive to the things that occur around me. For example, I ran a contest to win a free mini session with me a couple weeks ago and the huge response I got from everyone saying they haven't had photos done in years and not being able to afford them was heartbreaking. I wish I can give everyone free sessions...but it won't pay my bills unfortunately :( But it did keep me up at night for almost a week and then one night...I had a dream! Now, this isn't a blog where I tell you exactly what the dream was about because I want to keep it a secret until things are final, but I wanted you to know why I haven't been blogging lately and why I seem to have become very quiet. It's because, even though, I had this dream, I wasn't going to act on it for a few years...but then something happened...

I can't remember what he ate that day but by the look of his face, it was delicious! : )

I was promoting my name around town with my friend, Maribeth, when I saw a sign that I had seen a couple months ago and was reminded to take action. The last time I had been there, the place was closed, but this time it was open! I walked in and hesitantly announced my arrival. Maribeth and I spent the whole afternoon with these ladies and one thing led to another. The conversation we had went in a direction that I never would have dreamed! I still get goosebumps just thinking about it! It's so amazing how fate plays such a huge role in our lives. How things snowball and blindside you sometimes (in a good way). If I had met these ladies a couple months ago (prior to having my life-changing dream) I would have never had this conversation! It just blows my mind! (And yes, I wish I could tell you all about it in grave detail...but I am still putting the pieces of this dream together and I don't want to jinx it!)

His big smile after eating his first ice cream sundae! : )

Needless to say, it was amazing! Not only did this conversation result in being given a huge, beautiful studio space to work in whenever I wanted, but these women also want to help me make my dream a reality! Now, it's not going to be easy. I will have to work even harder than I do now...but is it worth it? Without a doubt! Will I need the help of the community to keep this dream alive? Definitely! Am I worried I won't be successful in launching this project? Well...yeah...a little bit. It's a lot to do, but my heart is in it 110% percent so I know I will find a way to do it...no matter how long it takes! That's the beauty of a dream and what you'll do to achieve it! (Have I mentioned how badly I want to spill the beans?! Hahaha)

The chocolate frosting looks almost like whiskers! Vincent is as addicted to chocolate just like his mommy is! : )

Ok, so I hope I haven't made a pointless blog. It's my intention to let you know that I'm still here and working harder than ever! In fact, between everything else in life and starting this project, I have several important meetings lined up to rally support on my project! (Fingers crossed!) And I promise, once I'm pretty confident that the sparks I'm making are lighting a sustainable fire, I will tell you everything! In the mean time just think of me and put me in your prayers. I am working on something majorly important to me and I think that it is something that all of us will admire and many will benefit from. It's coming from the heart and I will need lots of support once it's released! And for the very few who know, thank you for listening to me blab for hours about it, run all of my ideas by you, ask a ton of questions and beg for your opinions and advice! Thanks for your hand in helping me realize this dream!

Mmmmm...apple sauce! Not sure if any made it into his mouth! : )

I think I will leave you with a few quotes that I find very motivating in this matter! Maybe one will strike a cord with you and get your fire burning too! Because, honestly, a life without passion is no life at all : )


"I have not failed. I've found 10,000 ways that it won't work." ~Thomas Edison

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." ~Robert F. Kennedy

"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure." ~George E. Woodberry

"I advise you to stop sharing your dreams with people who try to hold you back. Even if they're your parents. Because, if you're the kind of person who senses there's something out there for you beyond whatever it is you're expected to do - if you want to be EXTRAordinary - you will not get there by hanging around a bunch of people who tell you you're not extraordinary. Instead, you will probably become as ordinary as they expect you to be." ~ Kelly Cutrone

How can you NOT be motivated??? : )