HOLIDAY VACATION INFORMATION:

The office will be closed December 19 – January 16, 2011.  I will answer emails as I am able, and I will definitely be editing current client galleries and getting them out to you as soon as possible. I will answer your questions via email on a daily basis for those that are anxiously awaiting their galleries or those that have their session galleries and need assistance in ordering or questions regarding your order.

I wanted to come to my blog to let all my clients and potential clients now of the office holiday schedule, current client galleries, and my plans for the business next year. There are many changes going to happen, and I think it will better my customer service, better my turn around time for gallery uploads, and also help me to balance everything with my job (that I love), my two sons, and my home. My husband is moving overseas for a year. He will be “over there” but in a very safe place considering where many go to defend our country and the freedoms that we so enjoy. Many risk their lives for this sole purpose and reason, and I am so grateful for them. It is hard not to feel guilty because I’m so heartbroken about my husband leaving for a year without his family tagging along with him.  We’ve been married 18 years this March, and we’ve never been apart more than a few months – 3 months at best – and it was only a few times in his entire career. So, YES we are very blessed for that reason alone. However, it breaks my heart beyond words. That’s all I can say.

So I will be raising my boys alone and updating and repairing this home as well as keeping up with the other thing in my life that brings me such joy – my professional work and business. I just LOVE meeting new people, families, babies and newborns. It’s a wonderful thing in my life. The backend, the business is the not-so-fun and easy part, but it has to be done in order to continuing doing what I love and what also enables me to be very flexible with my boys’ lives, homeschooling my 14 year old, and attending their many appointments.

So that brings me to my business news. After this year and after being completely caught up (yes, I’ll be working during my vacation time to get my current clients and their galleries ready for them), I plan on getting client galleries out sooner than the typical 3-4 weeks. For family sessions, many edited proofs are shown, so they do take more time. I’m that picky, what can I say? =)  I also want to offer new things to keep my clients happy and coming back for me.

The bad news is that I will have to schedule limited sessions each month to maintain somewhat of a balance in my personal life and to keep my business workflow at its best.  It is very important to me to do the best that I can in both areas. I will not have Daniel here to “pick up the slack” or help me with my children. I must be it all, and I must be strong.  I will be offering only two Saturdays a month instead of my usual three.  So, please book early for next year especially if a Saturday session is needed for you and your family.

I will be showcasing more session images here soon. For now, I am catching up. I have kept my clients waiting due to all the chaos going on in my home right now. My home is all over the place as we purge and move furniture and repair…and the list goes on and on.

Until then, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It’s only 12 days away. I cannot believe it! Can you? I haven’t completed my Christmas shopping just yet. Daniel can’t take anything, really. So, we are going to have a smaller Christmas but a very special one. He will leave soon after.

For those that pray, I would like to ask that you would do so in January when my family will have a big change. I know this is my business, but many of my clients I truly consider my friends and I know many pray for those that ask.

Until next time!

The office will be closed tomorrow, August 19th through Monday August 23rd. It will reopen on Tuesday, August 24th. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Here is more from a handsome one year old boy I photographed recently. I know that I shared one image previously, but I really wanted to share more. It was overcast which creates the BEST photographs and the BEST color. I love it when there is cloud cover or partial cloud cover. It’s as though it’s a perfect “soft box” (soft light) for me to shoot in – near perfect conditions! This family had beautiful green grass too which makes so much difference in the images as well. Enjoy the following large session showcase.

And just so you know. This Mama looks just like Martina McBride (whom I adore) in person! Yes – just that gorgeous!

Isn’t he so sweet! He’s a sweet baby. Yes he’s one now,  but to me, he’s still a baby!

Guess what Daddy’s favorite sport is?  I love this picture!

One of my favorites from his session!

Happy Boy!

Yayyyy!

Until next time!

Hello everyone! I have not fallen off the face of the earth although it must seem like that is the case. I have not had a chance to update my site or blog or show client sessions in so long. It feels like forever, actually. But, I have been extremely busy both professionally and personally – other things had to be on top of the list. But, I had to come to show off this beautiful little girl that means the WORLD to her Mom and Dad. I had so much fun at their house, and it was just a really nice time had by all. I think Mom would agree with me on that.

First, I wanted to let you all know that my husband will be away for the summer, so I am working out additional childcare for my youngest. Due to the change, I do not have my June and July calendar available on my site at this time. If you would like to schedule a session, and I hope that you do, you can email me with dates you have in mind. Saturdays are very limited over the summer regardless of personal schedules. I spent quite a bit of time with my boys while they are out of school. I also take vacation during the month of June. I will do my best to work out the schedule and update on the site as soon as it is more “set in stone” so to speak.

But until then, I hope that you enjoy this beautiful baby girl! She was a HAPPY girl. And Mom and Dad, this one is for you – Angel Eyes…!! (The story behind that is that her Daddy sings her this particular John Wayne song ALL the time, and towards the end of the session and closer to her nap time, Mom was able to get MANY more smiles as long as she sang this song. And no, we didn’t have to know all the words. She just wanted to hear Angel Eyes. I even sang those words for her, too! (giggle Mom!)

And last but not least, the look. Gotta love it!

Thank you all. Have a wonderful week!

Well, I’ve been battling trying to get my newborns born late, early and on time fit into the schedule before I leave this Wednesday for the remainder of the week. It’s been a little tough, and with no disrespect to the Army at all or their families, I really wish they gave the husbands more than 10 days of leave. I think the soldiers AND their wives would really appreciate it, as we typically schedule sessions from 6-10 days old or 14 days at the most if at all possible. When Dads only get 10 days, by the time they are home, that leaves little room to squeeze sessions in during busy “newborn” times of the year. And yes, living in a military town, means that most of my babies are born AROUND the same time. =)

But, I wanted to let those that read my blog know that I will be out of the office from Wednesday, April 21st through Sunday, April 25th. I will be back in the office on Monday but sessions and appointments start up right away! I will check email once I return. I will be unable to check emails during this time away for the most part, so if you need to contact me before I leave, please do so. I’ll do my best to email you back as soon as I’m able to before heading out the door on Wednesday. I’m meeting up with several young ladies that are other photographers and friends of mine from different states. My friend (for so long) and fellow photographer Pam Nafziger of Casual Moments Photography is hosting the get together at her home. It will be full of fun but also full of learning and networking with each other. I don’t look forward to the 5 1/2 hour drive alone though, I’ll have to say, but it will be worth it. Pray for safe travels and good times.

And, I would also like to share a few images from a session I had with a wonderful and beautiful woman recently at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. It was such a great time. It was only for a few pictures  – a very mini session – but what a wonderful time it was. She was so sweet, so funny and a little unsure of having her pictures taken. But, in the end, she loosened up and was so happy  and I pray that she was as comfortable during her session as I was with her and photographing her. What a joy to talk  with an older woman about her life and future and fun times and sad times. It was a little break away from the newborns and children, and sometimes, that’s just what a person needs to get a little rejuvenated. Thank you Jan!