To start off, I have to say that this past year has been pretty amazing. I have met some wonderfully awesome people and have grown as a photographer more than I ever thought that I would. I am so glad that I chose the journey I have, and I am so blessed that God has led me to where I am today. There is a quote that I read recently that talks about how life isn’t about the destination, but about the journey. That couldn’t be further from the truth, because if you are focused on getting to the destination, then you’ll be happy where you are which makes you completely stagnate and stale really fast. That is not the life that I want to lead. No sir!!! However, I have come to realize that I have felt like I had “reached” my destination of becoming a family and wedding photographer, and in turn it caused me to be lead by my business and not me leading my business. The weight of it all was insurmountable.
After deep soul searching of what I wanted to do, be, and where I wanted to go with my little family I decided that I have to stop taking every little odd “photography” job that came my way. I decided that the little voice inside my head that was telling me what my business is supposed to be might actually be right, and I’ll never get to be the best family and wedding photographer (yes, this is my goal!!!) by photographing whatever comes through my email. I also decided that I needed some sort of break from photography so I can come back to it each time refreshed. ***Insert new job here!!!*** Yep, I have taken another job. Why??? Well, Wade sooo needs to play and learn with friends, I wanted the security of awesome benefits and reconnecting with friends I previously worked with, and the opportunity was seriously brought to me from God.
I can’t begin to tell you the thousands of questions and doubt that filled my mind after I decided to go back to work. Would my photography business suffer? Would the number one thing that I love to do be put on the back burner? Each time these questions would arise, I always felt a calm. No, it won’t. It just gives me the best opportunity to choose the right jobs for me from clients who truly want me to photograph their wedding or quiet (or crazy fun!) family moments. I’m so excited to be given the chance to focus on the parts of photography that pulls at my heart strings!!!!
In order to make it all work there is going to be some shifting and major cut backs on how many weddings and family sessions I can commission per month and year. Also, in order to respect my time away from my family and time slots that other families could have booked, I will be requiring a nonrefundable retainer on all family sessions. I will be setting up a link on my website to complete booking your session by submitting your retainer. Have no fear, this retainer will be applied to your session. :)
What about the studio??? Oh the studio is soooo staying open! Of course, as always it is by appointment only, but I have some awesome things that will include the studio in the future. I really can’t wait for all the goodness that is to come! It is so funny how cutting back has forced my business to grow in ways that it might not have if I hadn’t decided to listen to God. Such a blessing!!!
Speaking of blessings, this is Miss Avyri! She is sooo cute!
