Taylor is my oldest nephew.  I've watched him grow from a baby into a young man. I can't believe its time to take his Senior pictures!  We went to a few different locations, downtown Indy and two places in Avon.  As always, he is fun to be around and full of character! Congratulations Taylor!! I'm so proud of you.

 

 

I want to have a little heart to heart with you.  As of late, I have felt the need for some changes to my business and so I wanted to write this post in order to share them.   I have high hopes these changes will make this business better and rekindle my passion for what I’m doing.  So please hang in there, as I explain these feelings.

Recently I’ve been in a slump.  I’m not sure if it was this busy fall season that drained me, but I’ve been hard-pressed to find my usual inspiration, drive, and yes that passion I mentioned above.  Please don’t misunderstand me. In my heart of hearts I still love photography. I love meeting new clients, having those continued relationships with returning clients, exploring my creativity through photography, the giddiness at coming home from a session and finding those images that I just can’t wait to edit and share with you. Lastly, my favorite part is reading just how much I’ve touched your hearts through my work.

But herein lies the problem. I’ve been stretching myself far too thin.  In addition to photography and full time job, I have 3 marvelous children at home.  For every hour I spend taking pictures I spend many more editing and doing everything else it takes to get them to you.  When I decided to share my love and passion with you all it did turn into a business and every business needs to reassess itself on occasion to stay viable.  I am the primary supporter of my family and my time away from them is more valuable to me than I could ever hope to put into words, as any parent can understand.  Children grow up far too fast to take for granted the time we have with them.  If I’m going to continue to share my talent and passion, I feel that I need do a better job of aligning how I go about charging for my talent and more importantly my time.   This is where I have trouble however, because I loathe the “business” side of having a business. 

When I first decided to take my love of photography from a hobby to a business I wanted nothing more than for my prices to be fair and affordable to all families who wanted to be able to preserve loving memories.  I truly do not want to lose the bonds I have developed with you all. I’ve so loved being allowed to experience and document so many of your little ones from the time they were newborns until now.  As anyone with a business does, I feared that by raising my prices, my current client base would stop coming to me and find someone who charges less. My hope is that people will choose me because they love my work, talent, and style and not only that I’m the cheapest around.  This love of mine never started out about the money and honestly it still isn’t.  That’s why I’ve decided the best way to go about this is to adjust how I charge for my time. 

By this point I am sure you are all wondering what the changes are so here you go…

1. Instead of offering a mini session and a full, I will now only offer one length of session and will be limiting how many images you will receive.  It will be up to one hour of Lifestyle photography for $200 and one high resolution CD of 25-30 edited images.  This fall I overbooked myself, not allowing me enough time to do my edits in a timely fashion, causing you all to wait longer to receive your pictures.  I need to be or should say want to be “at home” more with my family and not spending all my time there editing.  By shortening the time, I will have fewer photos to edit and more time to edit the ones I do take. This really is a good thing since it means I can focus more on each session giving them the time they deserve. It will still include everything else I’ve offered in the past.  However, I may still offer seasonal mini sessions.

2. I will be limiting the number of indoor sessions I offer.  Most of these are done during the winter and therefore the school year.  I just don’t have the time to put in each week like I did in the past.  This one is really important to me.  My two oldest started kindergarten and I absolutely love to volunteer in their classrooms, I want to be able to have the time to do that & to help with their school work at night.  I’ve learned that my true passion is in Lifestyle photography; going outside into nature, tromping in the mud, lying on the ground, scaling a wall or doing whatever else it takes to get the shot.  These sessions are my absolute favorite!

Thanks for taking your time to read this!  I sincerely hope these changes bring a brighter and better future for me and my business.  Thank you so much to all of you who have allowed me to be a part of capturing your memories in the past.  Without you this business wouldn’t be as rewarding for me as it has been.

We got lucky to have such a beautiful day for this session.  Reid, Michelle and their two sons met me at Hummel park for another family session.  My first session with this family was when Michelle was pregnant with her youngest.  Such a beautiful family and so fun to be around.  

Kelli and I met at work over at IU West.  Her and Sam asked me to take their family photos last year when Lilly was about 6 months old.  We took these photos over at Friendship gardens.  Kelli had her maternity photos taken here when she was pregnant with Lilly.  It was a beautiful, but chilly day.  Lilly gave me lots of smiles as any little girl would with the loving parents she has.  What a fun morning with this family :)

 

Last year when I met this family for the first time, Jennifer was expecting her baby girl, Kenzie.  These two girls are so adorable.  Katelyn and I had a lot of fun exploring Washington Township Park.  What a beautiful family inside and out :)

 

Meredith and I have known each other for about 10 years.  She is a dear friend and I was so sad when she moved out of state several years ago.  She's back in Indiana and I was so happy to get to see her and meet her sweet kiddos!!  Charlie was full of energy and excitement.  Rhianna wasn't too peppy this morning but I loved that I captured her in her quiet, sweet state.  They sure do love their mommy as she does them! :)

 

This beautiful girl was a treat to be around.  Just a few weeks prior I photographed her best friend, Lindsey.  We met up downtown Indy and walked around the canal.  So many beautiful places for photos!  

 

It was a chilly morning at Friendship Gardens in Plainfield when I met up with these two cuties!!  They didn't mind the cold at all and had all smiles for me.  I loved the sunlight this morning, it was just right :)  The stuffed doggies are Brooklyn's favorite furry friends.  

 

This amazing group of women are a part of 5 generations.  What a wonderful reason to gather for some photos!!  It was a beautiful day at Friendship  Gardens in Plainfield.  I loved being a part of such a special event :)

 

Lucas has been a big brother for 2 months now.  He is full of energy and has a great imagination.  We had a great time running around the property exploring.  Aly is so precious!!  Love, love, love taking pictures of little ones!

 

 

 

It was so nice meeting this family.  We had a lot of fun on this beautiful day!! We captured some pictures of sweet Sanaya with each family member.  She did a great job smiling at her photo shoot :)  Loved her halloween costume.  Little lady bug! 

 

I went to High school with Dawn and during this photo session I met her husband and children for the first time.  This is actually their first time trying an outdoor photo shoot.  We all had so much fun getting to know each other!  Those kiddos are so stinkin cute :)

 

What a beautiful day for this family photo session!  We headed out to some property near my church and took these photos.  I have had a session previously with Jessica, her husband and son,  and just met the rest of her family this day.  Everyone was so laid back and fun.  I really enjoyed being with this group :)

 

Sylvia has been a close friend of mine for many years.  I have watched her family grow and with these photos I realize just how old I am! Her family truly is beautiful inside and out.  With that said, we always have a lot of fun at our sessions and usually end up belly laughing at something funny one of her kids says or bloopers that occur during the shoot.  I am honored to be Sylvia's friend and absolutely love being asked to photograph her family.

 

Taylor is so sweet and beautiful.   We had so much fun at her grandparents house taking these photos!  She has been involved with 4H since she was  little and so we wanted to place some of her ribbons in a photo.  She also has been an editor in her Plainfield High School news magazine, The Quaker Shaker for the past 3 years.  I was so honored to get the opportunity to photograph her :)

 

This beautiful girl was so much fun to photograph!  We walked the canal downtown Indianapolis and found some great locations.  It's that time of year where senior pictures are popular and I love taking them :)

 

This shoot was so much fun.  Something I've never done before.  These brothers enjoy skateboarding so I met them at the skate park to capture them in action.  Looking good guys!

 

I have known and been friends with Jenny since working at Methodist 13 years ago.  Her and I would have conversations about not having kids.  Well look at us now! :)  Jenny and Jon have 2 beautiful children and I was so honored to photography them all together.  Seeing the love in this family brings such a big smile to my face.  I love watching their children grow up.  Thanks to our friend, Michelle who let us use her beautiful property for the session.  

Super sweet family!  I have known the Peters for quite some time.  We both go to the same church and Stacey was my high school math teacher.   Isabelle and Simeon are full of energy and a blast to be around.  I could photograph Isabelle's beautiful eyes all day!  Simeon was my little helper as you can see him holding the reflector so I could take a picture of his daddy :)

 

I had the honor to photograph Ryan and Carley's wedding last weekend.  These two were high school sweethearts and an adorable couple :)  They were married in Beech Grove at Simple Ceremonies and we ventured out to a park a few miles down the road for some group portraits.  They continued their celebration with family and friends back home.  What a fun group! 

 

It was a very hot day, but the location of this wedding was absolutely beautiful! Avon Gardens was breath taking and I loved photographing their wedding there.  Thanks you Ashley and Stephen for allowing me to be a part of this special day!

 

Heather and I went to church together when we were kids.  It had been years since I've seen her and so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of her wedding day!  The Valle Vista in Greenwood was absolutely beautiful.  The color scheme of Canary and Orange was perfect.   The bridal party was so much fun to photograph.  As you can see from one of the photos, they are huge football fans.  The last one is one of my favorite pictures :)

Stephanie contacted me to photograph her intimate wedding and I immediately fell in love with her personality.  I couldn't wait to meet her and her soon to be husband.  This couple met, moved away from each other then eventually found each other again and decided to spend the rest of their lives together.  Must be fate ! :)  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Scandura!! 

 

I took this families photos last year when Cara was pregnant with Lexy.  I love being called back for a photo session as I get to see the children change and grow!  This family is wonderful.  Jason is full of energy but so much fun to "explore" with :)  

 

I love going to new places for photo sessions!! Crystal recommended this awesome bridge in Danville.  I didn't even know it was there.  The lighting was perfect and the colors and contrast were beautiful!  It was a hot day, but we all had fun :)

 

 

Angela and I worked together at Methodist hospital.  I got the privilege to photograph her maternity pictures, newborn photos and now family photos of all three of them!  I love their fun spirit and relaxed demeanor.  Little Kase is one of the cutest little guys I've met.  This family is full of love!

I have known Krissy since she was a little girl.  Now I'm really feeling old as she is now a high school senior!  Her and Stephanie ventured downtown to take some really fun pictures! Here are a few from that session.

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Westmoreland!  Despite a little rain, it was a beautiful wedding!   Stacy was stunning and Jake was handsome.  They didn't see each other before the wedding but wanted a photo of them holding hands.  I loved the shot we captured of it!  Here are some pictures from their big day held at Barn Swallow Farm!

 

 

Shannon and Kaylee met me at Arbuckle park in Brownsburg for a photo session.  It might have been one of the hottest days of the year, but they were troopers :)  Kaylee has the sweetest smile!  Her and I had a lot of fun hiking around the park and taking pictures. Of course her "baby" had to be a part of it! :)

 

 

I have known Kelly since high school and her sister married my brother so we are now family :)  Her little boy, Levi and Kylie are so sweet.  I had a good time getting updated family photos of them and Kylie even agreed to do some fun confetti shots with me that I've been wanting to try.  

 

I work with Rachel who is a nurse in the ER at West.  I love how sweet she is and how she can always make me laugh!  I got the privilege to photograph her shortly after she became Mrs. Rollings!  Mr. Jack is a sweet little guy and full of personality! :)

 

I met Caitlin as she was going through X-ray school and training at IU West where I work.  Such a sweet girl!  I have had three photo sessions with her and her sister and father and each time is always so much fun.  They are a wonderful group and "Lil Miss" (as they call Makayla) keeps us all laughing.  

 

Stacy is close friends with one of my friends I work at IU West with.  I was honored when she asked me to take her engagement and wedding photos.  Jake and Stacy were a lot of fun to be around.  We went to her property her horses were and were able to get some cute shots of them!  Here are a few from their session.

 

Ashley and Stephen asked me to take their engagement and wedding photos.  This cute couple is so sweet and huge Pacer fans!  They actually just got married last weekend so you will see their beautiful wedding photos up here soon! 

 

If you are related to the Hoppers you can be guaranteed a few laughs when you are together!  I work with Jaime and I love photographing her family. She invited me to come to their large family gathering to take some group photos, but of course I can't just take posed pictures... had to have some fun shots too.  This group was game for anything.  With this mesh of families Jaime decided to name their gallery of photos: Longoriasockridertackettcastellanohopper!   All of their last names together.  I love it!

It's funny how people come back into you life after many years.  I grew up down the street with Andy and went to high school with his sister in law.  It was a wonderful reunion seeing them and their adorable children again.  What a beautiful day with beautiful people!

 

Family photos are always something we tend to put off and getting everyone together can be challenging.  This group was so adorable and fun to work with.  I was loving the evening sunlight in several of their photos.  Oh, and they were wearing my favorite color... turquoise :)

 

I had such a fun time with these two love birds!  They are getting married January of next year and I am honored to be photographing their wedding.  

 

I have known Ally's family for a few years now.  Ally's mom, Kara and I met during volleyball. We were only a month apart, pregnant with our first baby.  I love spending time with the Heggs as they are so much fun!  Ally was adorable as always and big brother got to be silly in a few photos!  Happy birthday big girl!

 

Madison is a sweet little girl I met during her newborn photos.  Her mom, Katie works with me at IU West.  I was so excited to finally get the chance to venture outside for some outdoor photos!  I've been cooped up inside for a long winter and was ready for some fresh air!  Mom and Dad were both there and got in a few of the photos with their little girl.  It was a beautiful day with a beautiful family!

I got the pleasure to meet Miss Lillian and take her first professional photographs!  Lillian's mommy, Jenny and I have known each other since I worked with her at Methodist hospital.  Her little boy, Max was my first photo shoot as a business!  I am so honored to have the chance to capture her children growing up.  Lillian was a great model for me this day!  Such a sweet, sweet face!!

 

 

 

Nathan and Ellen had their first baby 6 months ago and I was honored to take his first photographs!  How time flies as this little boy is half way to his first birthday.  Zac is such a sweet little boy and already has a fun personality.  I loved spending the afternoon with this family.  Zac stayed in such a good mood that we were able to do several different poses.  One of my favorite pictures to take with children this age is titled "bear bottom".  They always look so adorable in this picture!

 

I got the privilege to meet Parker Gillette this week!  She is a sweet little girl born March 22, weighing 7lbs 3oz and 20 inches long.  Parker is Nick and Kristen's first child.  Their other "children" are 3 huskies (Nita, Remus, and Emmett) and 2 cats (Monster and Quido).  Parker did an awesome job at her first modeling shoot!  She's a natural :) Her daddy loves Michigan State Football and the Detroit Tigers baseball so we added some themes to her photos.  Her bedroom is sea turtles so we placed her in a matching outfit.  So much fun!

Thank you Nick and Kristen for allowing me to take Parker's photographs!