Oh, Good Grief!!

I did it again.......like, for the millionth time.  Nothing like spacing my blog entries out by 4 months at a time.  Luckily, I'm pretty sure not many people actually READ these, so I'll take comfort in that little fact.  Kuddos to all you bloggers who sit down everyday and come up with clever, inspiring and interesting things for the rest of us to read!!

I really need to get better, so I'm putting it in my calendar.  THURSDAYS are blog days!  (We'll see, right?)  Haha!

So, I recently got a new baby!!  It's a 100m.m. f2.7 L Macro lens!  And it's spectacular!  So, I'm going to share a few images that I recently captures in my daughter's room.  I am IN LOVE with this puppy!  The plan is to create images for stock, so we'll see how that pans out!  I've already sent in an order for small greeting cards from a new print company I'm trying out!!  So excited!

Without further ado...........

Oh, Good Grief!!

I did it again.......like, for the millionth time.  Nothing like spacing my blog entries out by 4 months at a time.  Luckily, I'm pretty sure not many people actually READ these, so I'll take comfort in that little fact.  Kuddos to all you bloggers who sit down everyday and come up with clever, inspiring and interesting things for the rest of us to read!!

I really need to get better, so I'm putting it in my calendar.  THURSDAYS are blog days!  (We'll see, right?)  Haha!

So, I recently got a new baby!!  It's a 100m.m. f2.7 L Macro lens!  And it's spectacular!  So, I'm going to share a few images that I recently captures in my daughter's room.  I am IN LOVE with this puppy!  The plan is to create images for stock, so we'll see how that pans out!  I've already sent in an order for small greeting cards from a new print company I'm trying out!!  So excited!

Without further ado...........

Worst Blogger EVER!

I'm the worst. blogger. EVER!  My last post was in May....MAY!  Ug!  Ok.  I've come to terms that I will probably never earn money by doing this.  I would love to say that I've just been soooo busy that I haven't had time to log on and write....but, that would be a lie.  Basically, I'm just lazy and forgetful:/  Someday I'll get it in gear....maybe.

So, I thought I would log on and just give a little life update of our summer.   It was short.  The end.  Man, it flew!  I had so many things planned in my head to do with the kids...never happened.  I kept busy shooting, editing, cleaning....and repeat.   We took a couple trips to Illinois to see family....that was the high light of the summer.  We got to see my sweet new nephew, Josiah.  And, boy, is he gorgeous!

 

Now, the kids are back to school, my schedule keeps filling up and there's always an iron in the fire, it seems.  As Farris Bueller said,  "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." 
So, that's the plan....to stop and look around once in awhile.  I encourage you to do the same!  Life is too short to get weighed down with 'plans'. 
Have a great week!!!

Hot Fun in the Summer Time!

SCHOOL'S OUT!  It's summer break and we're loving it! 

Every year, I'm amazed at how quickly the school year goes, but this year it seems like it just FLEW!  Am I the only one who's thinking this??  My kids will be in 7th and 10th grade....how did this happen?  As I'm writing this, I'm watching my 15 year old daughter clean the kitchen and mop the floor......WITHOU BEING TOLD.  Um, I may just completely die here! Are the years of hovering and telling them OVER AND OVER AND OVER to do their simple little chores over with?  Could it be?  For the love of God, I hope so!
But in reality, I highly doubt it.     BOOM!  The dream is over....I just had to tell my son to pick up the dirty sock that he kept stepping over as he walked through the living room.  I mean really!  When does it sink in that dirty clothes floating across the middle of the living room floor isn't the normal in this house?!  Or that if you blow your nose, the kleenex gets disposed of in the trash can......NOT on the coffee table.  No one like a pile of snot wads sitting in the middle of the room for all to see.  Ug.

In other news:
This summer we have a couple trips back to Illinois planned and are gearing up as we speak:)  I can't wait to see my little sister who is expecting her third baby boy!  We are also building a new deck so we can actually enjoy our back yard.  A pool would be nice, but we'd have to sell one of the kids in order to afford one, so we'll pass......this year. ;)

Sessions have really picked up this year and my summer looks steady.  Not raging busy, but a nice even keel.....I like it.  Fall Family Sessions are already almost full!  I'm still in awe by that wonderful fact.  And I have lots of new things up my sleeve.  New props.  New locations.  New, new, new:)

And that about wraps it up:)  My husband took the day off to work on the new deck and he just poked his head in to let me know that he needs my help.  Of course he does!  I just managed to sit down for the first time today.....that automatically insures that someone needs me.  HAPPY FRIDAY!

Seniors!

Seniors!

Social Media FREAK! Yep, That's Me!

I grew up in the 80's. The days when home video cameras were huge and weighed about 30 lbs. or more! And they cost a fortune! My family never had one, but my grandpa did and we LOVED hamming it up whenever he turned it on. (I'm sure we were annoying, but when the camera turned on, so did we!)
Oh, goodness! If there were iphones back in the 80's, I would have been in trouble! Talk about a huge distraction! LOL I have a feeling I would have spent most of my jr high and high school life grounded from any kind of technology involving pictures, videos and status updates! hahaha!! But now... Oh! Now I'm a grown up and I can do whatever I want! And being a business owner, I have found that social media is the best, most absolutely wonderful way of advertising, communicating and sharing!

Facebook, Instagram, Vine, Twitter and Keek. My husband calls me a social media freak;) And I embrace it;)
So, if you haven't yet seen my posts concerning Keek...... Oh, who am I kidding!? I'm sure you have;) And I'm loving it:) Keek is like Instagram, only with video. So, now I'm sharing my little videos with you thru Keek:) I post some of them on my Facebook, while others I just upload to Keek and let my followers/subscribers see. The content is random... I share my family, photography, Pinterest projects, pets, well, a little of everything:)

I'm also having Flash Sales on Keek. What a great way for you to save some CASH!! I'll be selling half priced gift certificates, prints and even discounts on sessions! But you have to be a follower/subscriber. The Keek app is available from the app store and is totally free:) Just download it to your smart phone and start following me at tiawind1973. Boom!

I would ABSOLUTELY love for you to be a follower/subscriber!! And I'd love to follow you as well! Please, for the love of all that is holy, (and so you don't have to listen to me beg), get the app and follow me:) I'm also on Vine, Twitter and Instagram;) I hope to see you ALL soon on Keek! My goal is to get every single person who has 'liked' my page to follow me. I know that's probably not going to happen, but the more, the merrier!
AND for every 50 follows, I'll be having a $50 gift certificate giveaway!
SEE YOU ON KEEK!!!!
~Tia

Building a Business....It's Kinda Hard.

Business owners/fellow photographers:  Have you ever wished for a time machine??  A chance to go back to the beginning of your business and re-do the way you run things?  Me too!!!

I started out, (and this is embarrassing), giving away my sd cards so clients could just go plug them into a kiosk at a local retailer to get their prints.  (I can't believe I said that out loud!).  I only charged $30 for Kids and Families, $70 for Senior Pictures and a wedding was just $300.  But as I gained confidence and my images starting improving I raised my prices and went to burning discs for my clients.  At first, I was burning over 100 images. Then I 'narrowed it down' to 80....LOL.  When my husband staged an intervention, (not really....but kinda), I whittled it down to 30 images....and that's where it was last year and into the beginning of this year. 

Up until last fall, I thought I had a good thing going!  Clients LOVE getting a disc with their images/printing rights!  And for good reason!  For me, it was somewhat easy....take the pics, edit, burn, mail disc, done.  But then I booked more and more....and more.....and WAY MORE sessions than I've ever taken....EVER.  I was spending my entire weekends shooting from 9a.m. Saturday morning until sunset on Sunday evenings. Monday's thru Friday's were spent editing from 6a.m. until 9 or 10p.m.....sometimes 2a.m. if someone needed their disc in a hurry.   And all the sudden, my business was suffering.....as was my sanity.  When my family was playing a game or watching a Christmas movie, I was at the table in the other room working on edits.  It was sad.

My husband and I sat down and figured how much I was making per hour based on my rates.....and I think I cried.  (I can't remember clearly due to the lack of sleep I was getting at the time).  I think it ended up being the pay rate of a sweat shop in China.  And due to the fact that I barely took a break to eat or go to the bathroom, I looked like a sweat shop worker, too.  Not cute.

We then sat down and figured out how much I would make per year if I had filled my calendar COMPLETELY at the rates I'm charging..... Let's just say it didn't move me out of 'poverty level' income.  ARE YOU KIDDING!?  Not kidding.

So, things had to change.  Quickly. And they are.  And it's good! 

My Beautiful Girl

I can't believe my inspiration for starting my photography business is going to be 15 years old in March!  My sweet daughter, Bailey, has been my little muse since she burst on the scene.  I took her out a few weeks ago for a quick session and the images I brought home blew me away.  It's official: my little girl is all grown up!  We're so proud!

 

Welcome, 2013

Hello, 2013!!  I can't wait to see what this new year will look like!  So far, it's been pretty fantastic!  I've been behind the camera quite a few times already and have had a BLAST capturing some really fun images.  I'm venturing into more Lifestyle sessions and I'm loving the response I'm getting.  What is a Lifestyle Session?  Think fun, layed back, easy and adorable images of your kids, family and even pets in your own environment....whether it be your home, a sporting event or a day at the museum!  I tag along and capture images of your day....priceless!

I was planning on uploading some images from my sessions so far in January, but blogger isn't cooperating..... grrrr!

Huge Awesome News!

I'm so excited!

Beginning next week I will be offering prints through Zenfolio!  What does this mean for you and what changes will be going into effect?

Here's how it's going to work:

~About 2 weeks after your session, you will receive a flash drive with 5 edited images plus printing rights.
~All other images, (30 total), will be loaded to your Zenfolio gallery.  You'll be able to pick and choose which images you'd like to print/enlarge. 
~One of the best things about it: You'll be able to send friends and family to your gallery and they'll be able to order the prints they want.  No more passing discs/flash drives around to family members.... No more worry about losing your disc/flash drive.  No worries about uploading images to your computer, then to mpix or shutterfly and navigating their websites to order your prints.  Everything is at your fingertips for quick and easy ordering.
~I'll be able to set my own prices.  Don't worry!  I won't be charging an arm and a leg!!  You're NOT going to spend $50 on an 8x10..... More like $15 for a basic print:)
I'll be offering canvas', stand outs, mounting.....and other products! 

Don't like the new changes?  That's ok.  I can keep everything 'as is' for you: 30 images on a flash drive with printing rights.  BUT, the cost of your session will increase by $50.  Which isn't terribly expensive in the long run:)  You can't put a price on memories!! 

I hope that these changes don't throw you for a loop, but rather get you excited for the prospect of better service to you and your family! As my business has EXPLODED in the past year, I find it necessary to grow and change with the eb and flow.  It's been an amazing ride so far!  I'm looking forward to even bigger and better things!

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!

Merry Christmas!

Oh, Dear Lord!!  It's been WAY TOO LONG since I was on here last!  Sometimes I get so busy I forget about the blog!  That must change!!

I just wanted to take a couple minutes to tell you all how much I appreciate your business and friendship.  I'm wrapping up my second year in business here in Arkansas and I'm blown away at how it's grown.....all because of YOU!   Last year at this time I was struggling to get all my Christmas appointments filled.  This year, I booked them all by the beginning of Dec. and I'm busy, busy, BUSY!  My goal for next year is to book my year FULL by May or June.  It can happen:)  I'm so excited to see where this year will lead.

I'm offering my pre-booking special from now until the end of December.  If you call this month and book your sessions for 2012 you will receive $50 off.  I've had several people call and book their weddings,  child's Birthday Sessions and even a few Babies First Year Sessions:)   You may want to get ahold of me soon......I'm counting on filling up fast! 
I won't be shooting many outdoor sessions this summer, (unless the excessive heat stays away).  Most summer sessions will be shot at the State Capitol building where it's nice and cool.....or  any other indoor facility that's well lit:)  Plus, my kids will be on summer break, so I'd love to spend as much time with them as possible:)

My busy seasons have been spring and fall/winter.  I'm also taking names to place on a waiting list for my Spring Sessions at Wye Mt.'s Daffodil Festival in March.  If you're interested, let me know.  The festival is usually announced a few weeks before it begins.  You just never know when those daffodils are going to bloom. 

As you can see, 2012 is going to be super full, super busy and super AWESOME! :)  I look forward to seeing my old clients and meeting new ones!  You are my advertisers.  My business is powered by word of mouth, facebook, my website/blog and the logo on the back of my Dodge Carivan;) LOL  I have enjoyed every minute of this past year serving you and I look forward to doing  more of the same in 2012!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wild Ivy Salon & Day Spa

On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting Leia Vick and her team of stylists, esthetician, massage therapist, make up artist, salon coordinator & manicurist for a fun photo shoot.  I offer businesses the opportunity to hire me to  take pictures for their websites, social networks and their work spaces.  This one was one of my favorites.  The ladies & gentleman were up for anything, so we made the most of it and had a wonderul time.
Here are a few images from our day......   I don't want to post all of them, because you need to head over to their website at www.wildivysalon.com once they get their favorites uploaded:)

Owner, Leia Vick

1940's Vintage Photoshoot

Oh, to live in a world where hair, makeup and clothes were highly fashionable and works of art.  That's how it was back in the 1940's.  Pin curls were the norm and women dressed up just to clean the house.  Or so it seemed. 
In today's society, we see young women shopping in their pajamas, (I'm guilty of that one!), hair pulled up in a knot, (again, guilty), and no makeup, (did it last week).  The stylists at Sassy Shears are having an AMAZING promotion!  All you have to do is email them at sassyshearssalon1@yahoo.com and tell them why you'd like to be picked for a 1940's makeover followed by a photoshoot with me:)  Only 8 to 10 people will be chosen!
Have your email sent to them by September 19th along with a snapshot of yourself.  You may just win!  We had fun last weekend 'practicing' hair and makeup and followed up with a mini shoot in the salon:)  What a blast!  Enjoy these images and then head over to Sassy Shears to email your entry!  It'll be the bee's knees! ;)

Back to School!

Where in the world did the summer go?!  And why in the world haven't I been keeping up on my blog?!  I'm tellin' ya, it's been SO busy around here!!  Lots going on and lots on the schedule for the rest of the year!

Well, Mom and Dad's visit was wonderful:)  It was great seeing my little sister as well!  She brought her prom dress for a fun 'Trash the Dress' Session and we had a blast!  Here's an image from our shoot:

She was such a good sport sitting in the freezing creek:)  What a trouper!  I can't wait until I get more calls for Trash the Dress Sessions!

After my family went back home to Illinois, we headed to Perdido Key and had a WONDERFUL time!!  We spent every day on the beach and got plenty of sun:)  Here are a couple images from our trip:

So. Much. Fun!!  A few weeks later, I headed up to Illinois to see my family and spend time relaxing with everyone before all the hussle of the upcoming school year hit.  We spent a lot of time sleeping in and hanging out on Mom and Dad's deck.  Aaahhhh!  It was a breath of fresh air! 

My sweet Layla!  You have seen MANY of this little one's images on my website and blog over the past 3 years!  We were  able to stop by and visit Layla and her mommy when we went home to Illinois:)  WE MISS YOU, LULU!!

After our whirlwind of visits, vacations and road trips it was time to get back into the swing of things. This summer has been so INCREDIBLY hot that shooting was put on the back burner a bit.  I have only been shooting in the early mornings and early evenings.  With the heat index at 125 degrees, its just been too TOO hot!

I also started a part time side job at my good friend's salon.  You've actually seen her business profile on here:)  Sassy Shears Salon is a hopping place to be!  I work 3 days a week for just a few hours each day, but I absolutely love it!  The girls are so great and I LOVE meeting all the wonderful people who come through the doors!

Right now I'm gearing up for cooler weather and have been booking lots of Fall Family Sessions, Halloween Sessions and even a few Christmas Family Sessions!  LOVE IT! 

Life is busy and wonderful and I'm loving every minute! 

Well, that's a really quick summary to update you on what's been happening in my neck of the woods:)  I'll be posting more very soon with everything that's going on!  Stay tuned to see some very cool 1940's vintage inspired 'pin up' pics!  Just a little project we're working on at the salon and it's going to be FAB-U-LOUS!