Heart to heart ♥
So I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last few weeks about my business. I couldn't be happier with the way things are going and I have been busier than I ever have before. Although, this is all great, I have to keep in mind that I also work a full-time job during the day, and I have to be a wife to Andy and also the best mother I can be to the two most beautiful kids I know! We just moved this spring into a new house and this is the first time in three years, we have lived together as a family (Andy has always been in the Army, while I stayed home with the kids) and I really want to make our house, a home. Not just for me, but for Andy and our kids. They deserve it. Juggling all of these together is quite difficult at times and I don't want to push any of them to the side...
After last year, I got completely rundown at the end of the year. Trying to get everybody's family pictures in before Christmas and it wasn't worth the stress on myself. I came to the conclusion that this year, I would only be doing ONE photoshoot a week, no more than two if it came down to it. And to much of my surprise, I have really been sticking to it! It has made my life a lot simpler and I'm also not spending hours on end working on pictures each night after the kids go to bed. I set my own guidelines when working on pictures. Typically one session will take me (give or take) around 6-7 hours to edit. Most people don't think about this time, besides the one hour of me actually taking the pictures. I refuse to edit pictures while my kids are awake because I want to spend every single moment with them that I can! Therefore, that leaves me with many restless nights after the kids go to bed and gradually it wears me down over time.
Over the last few weeks, I have had many newborns in the studio! Newborns and children are my absolute love and for anybody that knows me, would agree. I am obsessed with kids! This summer I will be traveling out to Indiana go attend a weekend workshop specifically for newborns and how to make my newborn business better. Out of all this rambling, I have decided that I will no longer be booking any weddings. Although, I will fulfill the weddings I already had booked for this year, I will not be booking any new ones. I personally do not have the time to devote to weddings so it is not fair to my family, nor the newlywed couples! Going forward, I will be specializing in just newborns, children, and families. That is where my love is and I see this as a step I need to make for myself! I hope everybody will understand this decision, as it was hard for me to make because I do enjoy photographing weddings, I just do not have the time to devote to such specialty.
This is from one of my last weddings ♥
500 Fan Giveaway WINNERS!
First of all, THANK YOU to each and every one of you for entering my little giveaway! I really wanted to do something to show my appreciate for all of you! Below each vendor will be the WINNER of that item. I will send an email to each of you and if you don't hear from me, please send me an email at [email protected]
Crafted by Jenn- Hello Kitty Bow
WINNER: MEGGAN DIRKS
Lilypad Bowtique- Tutu and Matching Bow
WINNER: LIZ BRUNS
Monique's Craft Corner- Pick one headband
WINNER: KIMBERLY CONRAD
The Yarndest Things- Bear Hat
WINNER: BRITTANY RANDALL:
The Yarndest Things- Women's Hat
WINNER: RACHEL MIEDEMA
16x20 Canvas Print by Sweekit, LLC
WINNER: JEN CURRY
500 Fan Giveaway!
Whoa fans!! I can't believe I have hit 500 fans on my Facebook page. Seriously, I am so humbled that so many people follow my page! Photography has always been a love of mine and for me to be able to make my love become a business has been some really exciting times for me! I hope you enjoy my little giveaway and on with the rules, guidelines, and items:
YOU CAN WIN:
Adorable Hello Kitty Bow
Matching Tutu and Hair Bow
Pick ONE Headband- All are Newborn-3 Months
Beautiful Newborn Boy's Bear Hat AND Women's Newborn Hat
16x20 Gallery Canvas Wrap (Over $150 Value)
That's it folks!! A lot of great items made with a lot of love and care! On Sunday, April 1st, a winner will be chosen for each item.
How to Enter:
- Click on each of the vendor's names and 'LIKE' their page. This will be required! After you have 'Liked' all 5 pages, please leave a comment at on this blog post that you have done so and leave your name & email address.
- Additional Entry #1: Share this link or the Sweekit, LLC page on your personal Facebook page or on Twitter, please leave another comment that you have shared the Giveaway so your friends can enter too!! This can easily be done by clicking the little Twitter, Google +, or Facebook icons at the top of this blog post!
- Additional Entry #2: Purchase something from one of these vendors with the week of the giveaway, you get an additional 3 entries. Please leave 3 blog post comments that you bought an item and who it was from!
Now, go head-- ENTER :) :) :)
LEGAL STUFF: This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You will not be notified publicly via Facebook if you are a winner. You MUST be 18 to participate. You MAY NOT reside in Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India according to Facebook rules. International players may enter but may be responsible for the shipping in order to receive their prize. Prizes do not have cash value, and are non-transferable. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items. You are providing your information to Sweekit, LLC for the purpose of this giveaway; and not to Facebook.
How to make colored chalkboard paint!
Chalkboard paint seems to be a huge craze right now! I have to admit, I think it is pretty cool myself. I like the idea of painting a wall for kids to draw on, painting a board in the kitchen for things you need... and more importantly-- for this blog's purpose... for my photography business! I have those big numbers that don't ever seem to stand up right next to kids when they turn a certain age and they are kind hard so instead of using my big numbers in my last photoshoot, I decided to paint myself a plaque in chalkboard paint so I can reuse it over and over!!
List of Ingredients:
- Non-sanded grout (buy the smallest container possible...)
- Acrylic Paint
- THAT'S IT!!
I mixed two small containers of acrylic paint with 2 teaspoons of grout and then painted it on the surface. The consistency of the paint will be a little rough but it seemed to paint on just fine. I painted 3 coats of paint on the plaque and had a TON of paint left over so if I were do it next time, I wouldn't make as much OR-- paint something larger than I did!!
That is all you have to do! Prep the surface, which I just rubbed chalk all over it and then washed it off :) I plan on making a ton more of these but it was a great start!
Ava Turns One!
Wow!! I'm not sure where the time goes? Do you remember this sweet little baby just one year ago?
And then again six months ago??
Well here she is now... just beautiful as ever! She has grown up to be such a beautiful lil girl :) I can't wait to watch her continuously grow and prosper!! She has big things ahead of her!!
And then comes the cake smash... oh so much fun!!
