Finding art in things the ordinary eye would think mundane is what photography (to me) is all about.
I love the "art" in it. The way you can freeze moments in time and turn them into something magical, taking a series of images and telling a story with them, and letting the mind revisit old memories through photographs is why I do what I do.
Yet, lately I feel like i'm in a photography rut. The lack of ideas and creativity is not the problem though, its the fact that I am a business owner, and pleasing my customers has to come first. So, my creative juices sometimes get shut off in order to give my client what he or she wants. Before sessions, I have all these ideas and how I envision the session going, and all the props (that I spend way to much money on) that I am going to use. But when I arrive, the client has a completely different idea and a totally different vision. As much as I try to get a feel for what they expect and what they are wanting before the session, it doesn't always turn out the way we discuss. Which is fine, I want to do everything I can to give my client what they envision for their photos that they are investing in, but my "artistic side" gets shut off.
When I first started on my photography journey, I was absolutely head over heels in love with it. I got so excited for every session and couldn't sleep the night before.
I still get butterflies in my stomach before sessions and I do get excited, but its starting to feel more like a job. Which it very much is, a very hard one at that. Running any business is hard, especially when you run it from home, and you have to juggle taking care of a toddler, an infant, and keeping up with housework. Its overwhelming.
I spend a lot of time and energy in my business. There are days when I sit at my computer, ignoring my kids, trying to get editing done. That's not really how I want my kids to remember their childhood. But, if I wait till they're in bed at night that leaves no time for my husband, and my marriage is just as important.
And if I'm being 100% completely honest I don't always LOVE the sessions I do. And I want to.
I need to make more time to shoot the things I love. For fun only.
I need to take more pictures of my own kids, not just everyone else's.
I've always heard, "Shoot what you love, and don't worry about anything else."
I need to take this advice to heart, or eventually I will get burnt out and that will effect my photos.
I never want my photography to feel like a job, ever. And I don't want to be one of those moms who's always on the computer, which has been my life lately. So, with that being said, I am making some changes that will be effective January 1st, 2013. Some before that, but here are some of my thoughts.
I will only be taking 4 sessions per week, period. I tend to be way to nice, and I hate turning people away, so I WAY overbook myself. Which is not good, because I can tell it effects my work.
I will be shooting mainly during the week, and only 2 Saturdays a month, and will close on Sundays. I will not be editing, answering emails, or returning phone calls on Sundays. That will be my one and only day off to spend with my family.
Any outdoor sessions I do will only be held 2 hours before sunset. ( This does not include studio sessions) I will not be offering any other times than that. I notice a huge difference in my photos when I shoot at this time. It produces the best possible photos.
Studio sessions will be limited to newborns and children 1 year and younger.
I will mainly be marketing Senior, Maternity/Newborn, Engagement and Babies under 1 year old. While I will still be excepting families and older children, I will be limiting these sessions.
2013 will also be a great year of learning for me! I will be attending a few workshops from Wish Photography, Baby as Art, and possibly a few others. I feel like I need to take my photography to the next level and I really feel education will do that!
So, to all my past, present and future clients, thank you so much for taking this journey with me, I wouldn't be here without you guys!! I look forward to an awesome new year!
