Sarah is a planner. She contacted me nearly six months in advance to schedule this session in the Fall. Well, joke was on us because it was a balmy 80 degree October day! Nonetheless, we were able to return to one of my favorite photo locations in Olmsted Falls to grab some fun shots! Little J was about to turn 2 but was definitely a rockstar this day (especially with those molars coming in). And hey, only one of us managed to step in dog poo this time 
Be prepared to fall in love with this family. Little Liam won a contest I hosted on Facebook in 2010. His mom decided to wait until he was closer to one year old to do his session so we could use a local school campus in the Fall. Great idea, Mom!
Well, I waited patiently for Andrew to arrive after his mom and dad’s maternity session. I got to spend a quiet Sunday morning with these three and I can’t even fathom on how he is over six months old now.
Well, keeping it a shade under six months since these photos were taken. And only a month over when I said I was going to blog more.
Let me put this out there, despite the fact that I took a bit of a hiatus in the Fall, my clients still received their photos in a timely fashion, I just never got to the blogging phase. My NEW goal is to get caught up with blogging before my wedding season begins on April 14, 2012. I am leaving it up to you all of YOU to keep me on track. You can always check out my Facebook page for sneak peeks and more up-to-date album postings.
Anyway, let me re-introduce you to one of my founding families. Literally. You may remember them more recently here or here or even way back when I didn’t even have a blog to call my own. Needless to say, I feel as though I have grown with this family and I love hanging with these guys! This was the first time we ventured away from their home for a session and I think we chose a great spot!
Hunter had started high school THAT week.
Owen was freshly three years and I just love the mischief in his eyes.
Miss Quinlin is forever trying to catch up with her big brothers.
Well. Heyyyy there. Happy New Year! And Merry Christmas! Oh and Happy Thanksgiving. Did you have a Spooktacular Halloween? Figured that should cover the main holidays since I last blogged. Without going into much detail, sometime around September, life got pretty messy. While I was still trying to cover sessions and weddings on top of the messiness and the rest of my personal/day job life, blogging was just put on the backburner. I unfortunately, hit a wall in October and opted to take a self-inflicted hiatus for the rest of 2011( excluding the last two weddings I had already scheduled) . Although it was an extremely difficult decision for me; I truly believe it was the right decision for me and my family.
I would like to thank my clients for being completely understanding and so thoughtful during my hiatus and I am excited to see what is in store for me this year. You are all awesome.
So, that’s where I was and here is where I am today. Any photographer will tell you that January is a time to watch other photographers’ blogs listing off goals for the upcoming year. Well, here is another one. Lucky you!
I am not a resolutions type of gal, but I am a mom now and I find that writing things down is now a necessity in life.
1. Develop a better workflow. I know some photographers may gasp at this, but I just installed LightRoom last week and I have no idea how it works. Oh and? The last version of Photoshop I used was CS2 and CS5 scares the crap out of me. This is what I do know, it is 9:00 pm before I can sit down at the computer to start editing sessions or weddings and I need to stick with a 11:00 pm bedtime (as long as my children stick with a 5:30 am wake up time). My hope for 2012 is to learn (and apparently) love LightRoom and cut my post session editing time in half. Granted, there have been many times where I am so excited with what I am working on, I don’t get to bed to 1:00 am and this is when I need a kick in the pants. So yeah, I need to get that under control.
2. Network with other photographers. Dear Colleen, Stop being overly shy and get your tushy (mom alert) out there. I am lucky enough to have access to such a wonderful network of professionals in our area and I just need to go to the monthly gatherings. Granted yes, that whole “messiness” can come into play. But in 2012, I really want to get over my fears (whatever they may be) and get there.
3. Blog Faster. Pretty self-explainable given my last blog post was September 25, 2011. Are my avid blog readers sick of seeing Sara + Craig’s wedding at the top? More on the way, I swear!
4. Develop a brand. I have spent the better part of the last four years figuring out what I want to do in the photography world. Although I have weaned it down quite a bit, I still don’t have much of an online presence nor a brand to associate with that. I am a big fan of spirit fingers, so I am going to work on that.
5. Sleep more. See # 1.
6. Better photos of O + E. Yeah, those are my kids. Twins in fact. Staring 2.5 in the face and I often get texts from my husband saying, “I need new pics of the kids.” My last reply was, “Me too.” This is a large conflict for me. I try not to shove my photography job in my family’s face. I was told not to bring my “big” camera to the zoo this summer because I start to worry more about settings and getting a shot than enjoying the time with my family. Noted. So I leave it at home and shoot quick shots on my point and shoot and then complain the quality at home. I have actually done really well at this…Maybe too well. When it comes to their milestone birthdays or events or even the dreaded Christmas card, I often find myself rushing to get their photos done. Then the reshoot. Then the proclamation that I will just take them to the Big Box Studio to have their picture taken to relieve the stress. Then I don’t. Then I settle. Then I am sad because I settled. Just get over it! Right?
7. Balance work, family + work. Yes, I still have a day job. For just a shade under a decade now, which is not too shabby given I am nearing 33 years old. As I mentioned before, I have a husband and two kids, a cat who thinks she is a dog, a house. Then I have this other job where I go and capture people’s memories while sometimes I feel as though as I am missing my own. This is where it gets hard because I enjoy summer cookouts or hitting up the local Fair. One of the great parts of doing photography in addition to another forty-hour a week day is that I don’t feel the need to say yes to everything. ::waits for my husband’s eye roll:: Ok, so yes, I have had years where I HAVE said yes to everything, which has lead to a super fun anxiety attack and a lot of sacrifices from my husband, our families and especially E + O. In 2012, I have to toughen up and not book every, single opening I have. Whereas I do appreciate the business, I should hope that client could appreciate the importance of time off as well.
8. More sample albums. I just need them.
9. Quit worrying. A good friend of mine, who is also in the wedding industry, once said to me “your biggest competition is yourself.” Seriously, this was a huge light bulb moment for me in 2011. I had been pinning over other photographers, how they are “better” or how I will never get to “do something there”, how they have better equipment, more flexibility. Blah, blah, blah poor me. After my friend said this to me, I knew that a.) I was annoying her with this and b.) it’s just not healthy. You know the crazy mirrors you see at Funhouses (or really just episodes of Scooby Doo)? That is how I was looking at my work. My friend’s comment was just the kick in the pants I needed and I have been working cut out the crap since. So thanks, you know who you are 
10. New headshots. Yeah, not a fan of being on the other side of the camera, but a necessity. Oh and new family photos, because our last ones were taken when the kids were 9 months old.
So, take that 2012 . Let’s see how you roll.
Bennett is the little guy that kept me on my toes and arrived before I could blog about his parents’ maternity session. This little cuddler is quite the charmer and definitely gives a new definition of “full head of hair”.
Congratulations Krista + Dave! May Bennett love Hot Wheels as much as Ethan does! Check out some more favorites and love over on Facebook!
I recently ran into James‘ mom at a store. She excitedly says to me, “We need James’ 18 month pictures.” Score. “Oh and some family pictures.” Double Score. “And by the way, James is going to be a big brother!” Trifecta!
Always a pleasure seeing those baby blues! Cannot wait to meet the new guy!
To see more favorites, visit Facebook.
Remember Owen with the poofy hat and his pup, Patches? Well, he’s back and my goodness, he is nearly a teenager. I am kidding, just seven months. Owen is looking good and ready to show off his summer wardrobe!! However, I arrived to this face…
Which I like to call, “Camera lady, you crazy. Get that thing out of my face. Or else. ” His parents called it his Grumpy Old Man Face.
Then, Owen kind of warmed up to me. Just kind of.
And seriously, the last shot of the day. Seriously.
“I have won, Camera Lady!”
To check out more of Owen’s session, take a swing over to my Facebook page! Don’t hurt yourself!
Wow! It really has been a baby explosion around here!! Well, no worries, here comes the next installment of baby cuteness. Luca’s mom was telling me how she takes hundreds of photos of her newborn, and I cannot say I blame her. Not to be outdone, big brother, Bruno, had to make an appearance as well.
I found this when I arrived.. Slacker.
Can’t get enough cuteness? Be sure to become a fan on Facebook for the inside scoop and previews!
No pun intended… It’s always a big deal when the little ones make their debut on this blog, but there is always a WOOT WOOT when they come back for more! I had a great time with an early Saturday morning with Sophia last week….and those cheeks!
The first outfit Sophia wore was her mommy’s.
And finally, my new favorite image
If you like what you see, pop on over to my Facebook Fan Page and check out more images from Sophia’s session.
