To my dear friends and clients...

It's so hard to believe that the holiday season is here and this year is coming to an end. The year has just flown by, and it's definitely been a ride! I've meet some incredible new clients, some of which I can call friends. I've documented their love stories, little additions, milestones and memories. It's truly been rewarding to capture all this for my clients. I have loved working with all of you!

As some of you may know I have limited the amount of sessions I can take per month. I made this decision so that I could cut back my work load and focus on my family, and homeschool my children. With weddings and fall sessions my work load has been busier than ever! Even though cutting back didn't happen like I planned It's all been a blessing.

These past few months have been challenging, and my eyes and heart have been opened. I faced some personal health issues that made me realize just how precious spending time with family is. Definitely was one of the scariest moments of my life so far, but thankfully everything turned out okay. I had tremendous amount of prayers and support from family and friends that I will forever be grateful for.

With this year coming to an end and a new year approaching I've already began thinking about change--the new year always feels like a fresh start or a chance to make improvements. But there is one thing that has been weighing on my heart for awhile --my job. I am my own boss and while that does come with perks it is sometimes difficult and demanding. My plan was to make lots of changes to Photo Essence--a full make over for the new year. Name change, pricing change, better policies, more products and services, etc. It's all so exciting to think about and it makes me feel giddy! Buuuuut--yes there is a but--I need to step back. I know I said I wasn't going to do that but after much thought it is what I need to do.

I will be closing Photo Essence at the end of January 2012 and taking an indefinite break. Now those of you that are still anxiously awaiting your photos-don't panic! I am working as fast as I can to get everything completed and will have everything caught up within the next few weeks. I will still have all the photographs I've ever taken in business and if you need to place an order for prints or CD's after I have closed that is totally fine and I will be available for that. However, I do suggest you try to place your orders before the end of January as I won't be checking my business emails and galleries as frequently as I do now.

This was an extremely hard decision but I know it is the right one--at least for now. Can't say I won't ever return to this job, I love it, but my first job is a mommy and that is what I need to focus on. I know you all will support me through this and I am so grateful for all the clients I've met and worked with. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hope that you all receive many blessings!

a few changes to annouce:

This year so far has been amazing, I've been blessed with so many new clients and opportunities that my cup has runneth over. I've captured love stories, precious moments, milestones, and memories. I've made new friends and met a lot of great people. My work has grown and I've learned so much. Photography is something that I have admired, loved and obsessed over since I was a child. And even though it's cheesy to say; photography is my passion. I strive to be better with every shoot and to deliver something that can be cherished. I can't imagine my life without a camera and photographs.

With all this said, I do have to admit some things that have been weighing on my heart for awhile now. I am human, I'm only one person, I am a mom and a wife.I have learned that I cannot be a super mom. I give a big high five to all you super moms out there, because I don't know how you guys do it! I tried, I thought I could manage a house, a husband, kids, college, homeschooling and a business. Well, it all seemed like a good idea and I could do it--so I thought. I was wrong. It's easier to say than do. The business grew and I got busier and busier, I started to let my responsibilities go and let the business come first. I have ignored my kids and husband in order to get things accomplished with the business. I let their schooling fall behind and I have been a terrible housekeeper (I'm lucky that my husband hasn't fired me!). I let my passion come first, instead of my priorities.

One thing I want to say, and this is especially important to those who may be just starting out in this business is that you really need to sit down and think about how much time goes into owning/running a business. Now it may be slow at first but once you get your name out and you are getting more shoots/weddings, etc you really need to consider the time you will spend working. You have to consider the time it takes when shooting, transferring images, editing images, designing, uploading images to online galleries, corresponding with clients & new clients (emails, calls, etc), updating your social media sites, blogging (and if you've checked out my blog, you know I never have time to update!), book-keeping, ordering, and also travel time involved in running errands or going to shoots. There is so much more involved than getting out your camera and snapping photos. That is just the easy part of it. It's more than a full-time job--in my opinion.

If you are a photographer you probably understand this, but some of you may not know what it is like behind the scenes. Unfortunately the chain studios make "photography" seem simple. They take your photo, you look at it on a screen right after, you pick out what you want and then in a few days or weeks your prints arrive. Simple right? But how do they look? Did they remove a blemish or a wrinkle, what about that drop of drool from your babies chin, or maybe a bruise, or a piece of fuzz that was stuck to your clothing or a fly away hair. Nope, doubt it and if they did they charged you extra right? I care about the photographs I take. I spend time on them because I want to give my clients the best.

So if you are still reading this really long blog post, I want to announce that I will be making changes to Photo Essence. I am stepping back a little. I'm not going anywhere but my family needs me. With a new homeschool year approaching I will be limiting what I do with the business. I will only allow 3-5 sessions per month. Also, as for right now I will not be taking on any weddings for 2011-2012 except for the ones already booked. The decision wasn't easy, but it's what I need to do as a mom and a wife. My kids are growing, it's hard to believe they are now 5 & 6. They are only little once, and that's not something I can get back. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post and for all your support!

with love,

Kristen

Nayeli [sneak peek]

Facebook is at it again, so here I am to give you a sneak peek of a darling little baby, Nayeli. You may have seen a few shots from our first session a little over a week ago, if not here is a refresher.....



First baby to use my new (well, new to me!) 1950's baby buggy!



Love her smile!

Our first shoot ended early so we picked this gorgeous day to do a few more...




I just want to pinch those adorable cheeks!



And she's off!

Anna [sneak peek]

When all else fails...blog! Facebook is having issues so I am blogging the sneak peeks from today. This may be a good thing because as you can see I have been neglecting my blog! I really need to start using this thing more!

Anna...pure joy and a sweetheart!


She was such a good sport today, it was a beautiful day but soooo windy! Her hair was blowing like crazy! Luckily we managed to get some good ones!




After some fun at the big town of Rocheport, we headed to Anna's house to get a few more shots. She's a natural with her poses! =)





Wow, I used a lot of exclamations in this post! lol