Changes to the Biz!

A few weeks ago, I sat down and revised my business plan for 2013.  This year, there are a few changes, but they're minor....  Don't panic! :)  These changes will be implemented beginning January 1, 2013.

Here's what's new for the new year:

~Due to being stood up on multiple occassions, (even after confirming sessions), there will be a NON-refundable deposit when you book your session(s).  This will be taken from the total of your session, so it's not an additional cost.  The remainder of your balance will be paid on the day of the session.

~Prices are going up slightly on a few of my Sessions. 
Family Sessions: $200
Senior Sessions: $350
Weddings: $1,500

~Large family group prices will be determined by the number of family members in the photos. Large family groups will not be considered for my regular Family Session price.

~Mini Sessions are scheduled for specific days only.  If you cannot make it to a mini, I will not schedule you on a different day for a mini.....UNLESS there is a family emergency or event that otherwise is considered an 'emergency'.  No, Razorback games are not emergencies;)  lol

~All Mini Sessions will be $50, EXCEPT my Halloween Sessions.  Halloween Minis are $25 per child. $5 extra for each additional child if you have multiple children.

~Sessions are specific.  Meaning, if you book me for a Kids Session, ($150), but you and your husband want to jump in for a few, the cost goes up to a Family Session price, ($200).  If you book a Newborn Session, ($200), but want to have some done with your other children as well, the cost goes up by $25 per additional child.  (Parents are automatically included in my Newborn Sessions).

~I will be booking Saturdays.  When Saturday's are full, I will move on to Sundays.  I am trying to keep Sunday's for family time.  However, during my busy seasons, I will fill both days.

~THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT!!  Payment is due at the time of your session.  I WILL NOT hold your check until payday.  If you do not have sufficient funds, please cancel/reschedule your appt. so I can make your time slot available for paying customers. 

~I will be getting 'Square'!!  So, beginning in January, I will be able to take debit and credit cards!  Yay!

~Tax must be paid on each session.  If your session cost is $150, there will be tax added.  Mileage is also added.  I will be more disciplined to charge tax in the coming year.  I have to pay it monthly, so it's a necessary 'evil'.

There will be more changes coming down the line, but these are primarily it.  See?  Nothing major! :)

Bring It ON!!

It's begun!!  My busy season is in full swing and I'm loving it!  I took it slow this summer, mostly due to the crazy head, but also because I really enjoyed spending time with my kids and working on lots of fun Pinterest projects;)

I still have a handful of spots available this fall/winter, so it's not too late.  Don't procrastinate any longer! 
Here are a few images from the past week.  Enjoy!  Then call me and book your's!!

It's That Time of Year!

There needs to be an official 'Back to School' song celebrating the day that our kids go back to that lovely institution of learning!  If there was such a song, I would have played it all day long........dancing around the house with my hands in the air and maybe even jumping on the bed!  Don't get me wrong......I LOVE my kids!  They are my world.  BUT after one hundred and four days of summer vacation, (hey, wait...isn't that Phineus and Ferbs song?), I was ready to let go.  heehee

It's been two weeks since they've been back and I'm happy to say, they're loving every minute of it!  The boys are in middle school now, so they feel much more independent and grown up.  Bailey is in 9th grade and is enjoying her friends and all of her classes.  We're so proud of her!  This is her second year in honors and AP classes.  She gets her brains from her dad!

And me, well, I'm enjoying the quiet days of cleaning the house, (and it stays clean for more than 30 minutes), editing sessions, marketing my business and well, just laying around the house some days watching the Hallmark Movie Network.  Life is good.

My real reason for posting today is to remind you of this:  It's that time of year!  Time to look at your schedule, (and the Razorback game schedule), and pick a date for those annual family photos!  I teamed up this year with Living Social and they brought in so much business that my calendar is just about full!  I can't believe how crazy it's been answering calls, emails and messages on facebook!  My date book is filled with both old and new clients and friends and I am so grateful and blessed!  So, don't put it off much longer!  I want you to have the opportunity to enjoy a fun morning or afternoon with me!  (I've been told by my clients that their sessions were fairly painless;)).

So, let's get together!  Call, email, text or message me on facebook!  I'd love to hear from you! 
501-303-7383

Can I Go Back, Please?!

Oh, the beach!  I miss it terribly!  Vacation this year was absolutely amazing and wonderful!  We headed down to Orange Beach a couple weeks ago, (the week during tropical storm, Debby), and ended up having the most relaxing vacation we've had in years!  The first two days were a little nerve racking......Debby was looking a bit intimidating and seemed to have her sights on ruining our vacation, but she took a turn on day 2 and headed the opposite direction.  So, we were able to enjoy lots of sunshine and wonderful weather!

The waves were gnarly from Saturday until Monday.....after that we spend every waking hour just sitting in our beach chairs or jumping the waves.  So much fun!
We spend one day sight seeing in Historic Pensicola, which was right up my alley!  I majored in American History, so we had a lot of fun!

We also caught a dolphin tour again this year.  The kids loved it:)  We were able to meet up with our close friends from back home in Illinois, Mike and Danita and their girls:)  I love it when we can see people from home!  We had a great time getting together throughout the week for dinner and visiting:) 

It was so hard to come home after a week of wonderful family time!  I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things!  I will add more vacation photos later.  It's taking forever to load these images today.  Have a wonderful day!! 

Sweet Summer Time!

Good Morning!!  Summer is in full swing and vacation is only 3 days away!  The beach is calling!  But until then, I'll be shooting and editing until my eyes cross! ;)  It's been a whirlwind week!  Just one day off in the past 7 days!  And I love it!  The best way to keep learning is to be behind the camera as often as possible!

Since summer break has begun we've been incredibly busy!  My baby sister's wedding, the boys' graduation, a 10 day visit from my parents, VBS, braces on Alex, a fun day on the lake with friends from Illinois, swim parties, baseball games, dentist appointments, dog grooming.......and a slew of summer sessions!  And with a week long trip to the beach coming up, we've been cleaning, doing laundry, detailing the cars, and, again......a slew of summer sessions! :)

A few fun things have been going on with the biz:)  I was asked to do an ad in the Benton Football Program again this year....(that's a pretty big deal for local businesses!).  AND the Jr.'s on the Benton Cheerleading squad asked me to shoot their official Jr. Cheer Pictures for the ad:)  A few parents have also hired me to shoot their kids for their personal ads in the program.  It's so fun meeting these kids:) 
I'm also building/planting an outdoor 'studio' garden at 312 Downtown Boutique.  It's a slow process, but it's coming along:)  It will be nice to have a cool outdoor spot that's all my own:) 

Well, edits are calling today!  I'll be headed downtown later this evening for another football ad shoot with a gorgeous high schooler;)  HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

It's Been Too Long!

OK!  Starting today, I promise to discipline myself to get on here and WRITE!  Nearly 5 months is way too long!  ARG!

So, where to begin? 
Business is, well, amazing!  I haven't slowed down since my Chrismas rush back in November of last year:)  I have the best clients in the world!  They come back time after time and refer me to their friends and family......the circle is getting bigger and bigger and I'm meeting so many new faces!  I'm so excited to see what the rest of the year will bring!
Because of the mild winter we had I was able to shoot outdoors throughout the year, which was so great!  My studio is also being put to good use with a decent number of newborns and little bitty kids.  Love that! 

Business aside, life is amazing:)  Summer break is about to begin.  I get to shoot my baby sister's wedding next week. The calendar is full of fun summer activities.  All around, it's a wonderful life!  We welcomed a new little one into our home back in February.  His name is Jack and he's terrific!  He's a sweet 4 lb. yorkie and he fits into the family just fine. 
Sadly, we lost our sweet black lab, Shadow in April.  She had cancer and faded fast!  It was heart breaking!  We cried for days and we're still getting use to not having her around:( 

Well, it's Saturday and it's raining.  So, my sessions for the day have been rescheduled.  Laundry is calling, but I'd rather stay snuggled up on the couch on this soggy day. 
I'll be writing more frequently.......I PROMISE:)   Happy Mother's Day Weekend!