Hello, dear fans!
Needless to say, life has been a little crazy here lately. Blog posts and Facebook updates have been minimal as I try to catch up on processing and delivering all of the fabulous sessions and weddings shot over the last two months.
If I can be transparent, it's been an overwhelming two years.
Overwhelming in all of the best and worst ways.
On one hand, this business has boomed at the rate I prayed it might in the time span of 10 years. On the other hand, shooting this many weddings and sessions has me pouring about 90% of my days into my business. And I mean it. If I'm awake, I am most likely checking e-mail, placing orders, editing pictures, putting together packages--and if I'm not doing the latter, I'm thinking about all that I have to do.
I just want to be everyone's photographer, really. I have issues saying "no" to capturing the precious landmarks I'm sought out for. And who can blame me, right? Why wouldn't I want to shoot the wedding of the sweetest people I've ever met? Capture the precious little details of a newborn baby? Engrave this season of your family in photographic memory? Collaborate with incredible vendors to produce a stylized shoot to inspire brides across the nation?
But what it's left me with is sleepless nights and clients waiting anxiously on their images. Two things I do not handle well.
Enough babbling about my issues--here's the solution:
I have to say no.
I don't want to. Every fiber of my being resists the combination of the letters "n" and "o". And even more honestly, I hate that the reason is "I can't handle any more work on my plate." Most days, I convince myself that I can handle anything... but I've been reminded (almost weekly) that I'm spinning too many plates. But--oh, the grip of fear. I feel like people wont like my work anymore if I say no. They'll stop following my blog. Or they'll think I'm a mean person. They'll un-friend me on Facebook. Or hire another photographer... but--wait--that's it exactly. I have to let go of the clients I love so dearly, trusting that the multitude of talented photographers in my area will take care of them with the same heart that I have. Truly, several of them are my friends, and they are SO VERY capable of capturing the precious memories of the families in the area.
I have to trust God with the outcome.
And that's really what it boils down to. I've procrastinated making this decision for that very reason. I have to trust God with my business. With my clients.
With my future.
All of that to say, I am stepping back from family, senior, and baby sessions. That's not to say that I wont ever accept them--just that I can't continue to shoot 3 sessions a week and 4 weddings a month and give my clients (you!) the experience they deserve. So, these portrait sessions will come on a first-come, first-serve basis and will have very limited availability.
Thank you so much for your grace in this transition and for your prayers as this twenty-three year old artist learns the many lessons of being a business owner.
//
Now, [and seemingly contradictory], I would love to show you one of the most beautiful families I've had the privilege to photograph. Tamra and her family (and Tamra's brother-in-law) flew into Savannah from Texas to spend the weekend with "grandma" and it just happened to work out that I was in Savannah for my best friend's wedding while they were there.
I pray you all smile at these images as much as I have. The Dunlaps were SUCH a joy to photograph.
//
Tamra and family,
Thank you so much for reaching out across the states and allowing me the tremendous privilege of capturing your sweet family in beautiful Tybee Island, GA. The weather could not have been more gracious to us! I pray that these pictures serve as a beautiful token of this season of life. Davis is SUCH a beautiful little boy and you all were some of the easiest subjects to grace my camera. Wishing all the best for your family as you continue on life's journey!//
Enjoy, friends.
Needless to say, life has been a little crazy here lately. Blog posts and Facebook updates have been minimal as I try to catch up on processing and delivering all of the fabulous sessions and weddings shot over the last two months.
If I can be transparent, it's been an overwhelming two years.
Overwhelming in all of the best and worst ways.
On one hand, this business has boomed at the rate I prayed it might in the time span of 10 years. On the other hand, shooting this many weddings and sessions has me pouring about 90% of my days into my business. And I mean it. If I'm awake, I am most likely checking e-mail, placing orders, editing pictures, putting together packages--and if I'm not doing the latter, I'm thinking about all that I have to do.
I just want to be everyone's photographer, really. I have issues saying "no" to capturing the precious landmarks I'm sought out for. And who can blame me, right? Why wouldn't I want to shoot the wedding of the sweetest people I've ever met? Capture the precious little details of a newborn baby? Engrave this season of your family in photographic memory? Collaborate with incredible vendors to produce a stylized shoot to inspire brides across the nation?
But what it's left me with is sleepless nights and clients waiting anxiously on their images. Two things I do not handle well.
Enough babbling about my issues--here's the solution:
I have to say no.
I don't want to. Every fiber of my being resists the combination of the letters "n" and "o". And even more honestly, I hate that the reason is "I can't handle any more work on my plate." Most days, I convince myself that I can handle anything... but I've been reminded (almost weekly) that I'm spinning too many plates. But--oh, the grip of fear. I feel like people wont like my work anymore if I say no. They'll stop following my blog. Or they'll think I'm a mean person. They'll un-friend me on Facebook. Or hire another photographer... but--wait--that's it exactly. I have to let go of the clients I love so dearly, trusting that the multitude of talented photographers in my area will take care of them with the same heart that I have. Truly, several of them are my friends, and they are SO VERY capable of capturing the precious memories of the families in the area.
I have to trust God with the outcome.
And that's really what it boils down to. I've procrastinated making this decision for that very reason. I have to trust God with my business. With my clients.
With my future.
All of that to say, I am stepping back from family, senior, and baby sessions. That's not to say that I wont ever accept them--just that I can't continue to shoot 3 sessions a week and 4 weddings a month and give my clients (you!) the experience they deserve. So, these portrait sessions will come on a first-come, first-serve basis and will have very limited availability.
Thank you so much for your grace in this transition and for your prayers as this twenty-three year old artist learns the many lessons of being a business owner.
//
Now, [and seemingly contradictory], I would love to show you one of the most beautiful families I've had the privilege to photograph. Tamra and her family (and Tamra's brother-in-law) flew into Savannah from Texas to spend the weekend with "grandma" and it just happened to work out that I was in Savannah for my best friend's wedding while they were there.
I pray you all smile at these images as much as I have. The Dunlaps were SUCH a joy to photograph.
//
Tamra and family,
Thank you so much for reaching out across the states and allowing me the tremendous privilege of capturing your sweet family in beautiful Tybee Island, GA. The weather could not have been more gracious to us! I pray that these pictures serve as a beautiful token of this season of life. Davis is SUCH a beautiful little boy and you all were some of the easiest subjects to grace my camera. Wishing all the best for your family as you continue on life's journey!//
Enjoy, friends.
Absolutely beautiful Haley.
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<3 Mel M.
I couldn't help but think of Yan when I saw these!
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