Sunday, September 4, 2011

Our new adventure

Well tomorrow begins or new adventure....well okay not totally but sort of. We are moving to Memphis, Tn. Hubby leaves tomorrow to start his new job. We are hoping that he can come home most weekends. We are going to miss him. I am starting to brainstorm on ways to build my business in Memphis now. Starting over again...whew.

The leaves are starting to change and I'm starting to feel something different in the air....oh yeah....it's not 100+ degrees...we had a very hot summer but as those of you who know me can attest...I don't complain about the heat because I detest winter! I know before long I will have to endure my friends doing the dreaded snow dances.

Well with the cooler temps come changing leaves...and that makes a beautiful backdrop for those outdoor fall portraits. If you need a session just give me a shout.

Until next time.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Here it is....summer and I am loving it. The warmer days and evenings, the longer days. The kids are loving being out of school.....E is taking an orientation class this week with many other BIG 6th graders....hopefully it will alleviate some of the anxiety that is sure to come knocking in August..I can't believe my baby is in Middle School. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday they were laying that 7 lb skinny little love bug in my arms.....it is bittersweet. Although I am loving watching him grow up to be a compassionate, warm and loving young man just like his dad...it hurts to see them growing up so fast. This next year is going to be an interesting ride so I am just going to buckle up and hold on. His sister is the one that scares the heck out of me...she's a whirlwind....with a mind of her own. She's a little beauty and has so much self confidence....I wish I had that kind of confidence when I was younger. She is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with for sure. It's kinda scary how time flies...I see it in the kids for sure. It's going to be 2 years in July....25th to be exact that we have been in St. Louis....I cannot believe it, and although I thought things would be very different by now in terms of my business...we are all doing well. Starting over coupled with the economy have not been so kind to me in that department. I have done a few sessions and they have gone quite well with the clients being pleased but it's just so inconsistent. I need to get really serious and figure out a plan, execute it and if it doesn't work...well throw in the towel I guess. It just seems like it's been a thorn in my side...I love doing it but there just isn't business. It is so frustrating and really affects me emotionally because it's what I want to do. It's hard to feel value when there isn't anything I can contribute to the household income. Don't get me wrong I know I contribute but for someone with a college degree who worked in the corporate world for so long suddenly doesn't.. it leaves it's mark on your emotions. My photography business filled that gap and I miss all my clients back in Oklahoma....let me just take this opportunity to say Thank you for all your support there. What I wouldn't give to have you all here...

There are other things that are keeping me busy...it seems like our summer was booked up with activities before school was even out. The kids have a couple of camps they are doing and for the most part our weeks seem somewhat quiet but our weekends are crazy. This weekend we are all walking in the STL Race for the Cure. It is especially important to us because I have a dear friend who is a SURVIVOR!!! :) We are all walking to show her and all the others who have dealt with this monster called CANCER how important she/they are to us and that we are so thankful for her and her sweet family. We love ya Kara!!!!

Jimmy keeps telling me that I need to write a book but when I sit and ponder that idea I come up empty...a book about what??? I must admit I have had some adventures....one of which was a wild and wonderful weekend just a few weeks ago with a lively bunch of women...:) floating the Buffalo river in Arkansas but I digress. Perhaps I should for a moment...it was a hoot and one weekend I won't soon forget. Thank you ladies for all the laughs and encouragement. We can now say that we floated the Buffalo at flood stage and loved it. I added that to my Bucket List after that weekend and proudly put a checkmark there. I was terrified....I just knew someone was going to get hurt...thankfully no one did and we all had a blast..but the last words I heard before embarking in the water were from the forest ranger....."I wouldn't go and river is 6 inches from flood stage".......OMG....could we be any crazier???? Yes I suppose we could be. We would have regretted not going. These ladies have done this float trip every year for the past 20 years and they included me this year and I have to say, I felt like I had been a part of this group as long as they had...they welcomed me with open arms. It's not often that you can join a group with that kind of history and fit right in. I truly believe that people are put in your life for a reason, either you need them or they need you....well I don't know who got more out of it but I feel like I got the best end of that stick because I now call some amazing women my friends. :) I don't think I have laughed that much or that hard in two years.

Maybe I should change my FB status and see what all my friends think I should embark on next...maybe I should write a book, maybe I should go a different direction now...I don't know. I think I should blog more often....I think I should get serious and write out that bucket list and see where that leads me. Can you put things on your bucket list that you have already done...I think I should....it makes me feel like I'm making progress toward a goal. Well I don't know what is next but I do know it won't be that long before my next post. One thing I definitely want to do before summer is through is get some updated portraits of the kids....maybe we will see you at a park this summer....

Until next time........

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Wow!!!! I cannot believe that it has been since October since I posted to the blog...whew....and now here we are and school is almost out. Well it's been almost 2 years here in St. Louis and the economy is still trying me and my business....I must be patient I suppose. I did however have the priveledge of photographing a delightful young lady for her HS senior portraits. I will post some of her shots shortly. We had such fun....

I cannot believe that it's 6 weeks before school is out...this year has flown by...and it blows me away that my tiny E is going to be starting middle school next year...ouch!!! I just don't want to believe it...one of the things I need to do now that the weather is nicer is get both of the kids out for new portraits....I really want to go and see the City Garden and also the Botanical Garden....need to do that one of these weekends coming up. Although I love taking pictures....of other peoples children...taking pictures of my kids is one of my biggest challenges...I don't think there is a parent out there that would hire me if they saw me interact with my own kids..:) I'm yelling...stop fidgeting, just stand still...don't move, move your hand, don't look at me like that.....well I think you get the idea...

They both are growing up so fast and it just seems like the puberty train is gaining speed and planning a stop at our house with a layover of about 5 years I think and then we get to do it all over again when S turns 12 or so....whew! Cannot say I am looking forward to that one.

Well, now that spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, the grass is greening up, the trees are blooming and it's just plain pretty again outside, I am getting the bug to be out and about taking some pictures. If you are needing that family portrait updated.....give me a call...otherwise, I may just see you out and about and one of our wonderful parks this summer.

Until next time.
janet

Monday, October 26, 2009














Facebook Party and other stuff

I have a feeling that this is going to be quite a ramble today. The business is starting to pick up and I am so grateful for that. I have photographed two High School seniors lately and I am hoping that they will tell all of their friends about me. I am meeting with a third this week. I have decided to do a Facebook Photography Party. I am offering a professional portrait sitting with 5 favorite images on CD to use on various networking sites for $30. This takes place November 4th from 2-7pm. I hope there is some interest.....we will see.

Well it seems that the biggest challenge right now is keeping all of us healthy.....the flu is causing lots of illness right now...not sure if it's the piggy flu or the regular flu....all I do know is I hope we don't catch it.

I had a beautiful young lady come in for her High School Senior Portraits recently and will post some of her pictures. They really did turn out nice. I have added her to the website as well. I am so glad that the business has started to pick up some because it has really got my creative juices flowing.....I think I have taken some of my best photos recently. I finally took the time to dress my kids up and get some portraits of them as well. It had been far too long since I had them in the studio. We actually did some great pictures outside and the lighting was perfect...I have awesome lighting in the backyard in the afternoon and they turned out so well that I enlarged many of them and hung them around the house.

The weather has turned here in St. Louis and it is raining ALOT!!!! We have had so much rain it's beginning to feel a little like Forks around here. Fall is such a beautiful time and the trees around here are so amazingly colorful but this time of year gets me down.....as many of you know..I am not a winter kind of person and this cooler weather just solidifies the thought that winter is on its way. I need to winter somewhere warm......someone once told me that to combat the winter blahs to rub a little sunscreen on your chest and neck.....I know it sounds crazy but that coconut smell really does lift your mood...although Bath and Body Works, Coco Cabana works too. I think it may be time for a little Coco Cabana....:)

So far we don't have plans for the holidays. Just going to stay close to home and celebrate with new friends and some family that may make it up here.

Well I hope that this posts find you all well and happy. Remember to book your sessions for your Christmas cards in time to have them printed and back to mail before Christmas. Until next time.....

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Well here we are the week before school starts and I have all the schoold supplies purchased, new backpacks, new shoes. I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by. We have been so busy but it's been a good one. I am very excited this week.....I have three sessions scheduled. The one today was a 2 week old little boy....and his 20 month old sister....loved them both...they were both so sweet. It went so well and mom and dad seemed so happy to have found me. I gave them business cards to spread the word. I have a maternity shoot on Saturday that I am really looking forward to...newborns and maternity in the same week...am I dreaming....those are my favorite. You can be so "artsy" with those....I can really express myself artistically with maternity and newborn. This little girl that I had today was just beautiful...she had flaming red hair to die for and the most beautiful blue eyes and the personality of a little princess. I will post some pics soon of her.

As we prepare to start school it dawns on me that it's been ages since I have photographed my own kids...how did that happen. Although I must admit, photographing my kids is so much harder than photographing all of your kids. I think it would be easier to just pay to have their pics taken.....by someone other than myself. They just dread it and I think it's partially because I am not as patient with them and I honestly don't know where my patience goes.....:) My be nice to the customer...just shuts off I guess because they are my kids and they know it. I just want them to do the right thing at the right time and get the perfect picture...you would think they would know that....:) oh well....I should have a little more patience I guess. LOL.

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful first days of school. And when you need your portraits taken will think of me. I am ready to get very busy and start this business over again. Until next time......