Website, Resolutions, and other Random Thoughts

Well, I got my Christmas orders finished and we embarked upon our much needed vacation at our condo in Myrtle Beach.  We love it the "Beach" and really enjoy our condo here.  We bought it around the same time we bought our commercial property that I talked about in my last post...you know, that place that is now The Studio in the Valley.  Okay, so we may not have the best real estate timing sense, but at least we really love it here in Myrtle Beach, and are perfectly willing to wait this one out until the market turns around...I mean I could think of worse places to wait out a real estate downturn.  

Anyway, part of the plan here is relaxation and getting caught up for the upcoming year.  So it is somewhat of a working vacation. Considering how much I love what I do, working is a relative word.  Besides, the weather has been too cold for golf for the last few days.  First order of business was revamping my website.  I wanted to incorporate more of The Studio into my photography website, and make my blog more visible.  I also updated my gallery. . . so some of my recent brides and parents, look for the updated pics.  You probably made the website.  I would love to get everyones opinion of the reworked site.  I think one of the first thing I do when I get back to The Studio, will be to take a new photo of me.  I am not sure how I feel about my picture on the splash page of my website.  I mean, that is one of the reasons, I am BEHIND the camera!

So here is the splash page from my new website.  Whatdaya think?

Next on my agenda is to actually get my bookkeeping and financial management system in order.  YIKES.  Did I just say that?  It's kind of like starting a diet.  Once you start, you realize it is a marathon, not a sprint.  I even went to a business coaching seminar, and am thinking about using this business coach that taught the seminar. Maybe I will actually find out if I made money this year, and learn to run my business like all my photographer idols say I should.  

Last year perhaps the most influential thing I did was to attend Imaging USA.  For all my non-photographer friends, that is an annual photographic convention and trade show, that is attended by about 10,000 photographers, and is 3 intensive days of seminars and trade show.  I implemented some of the things I learned there and it really changed my photographic life in a huge way.  I resolved then, to attend either Imaging or WPPI (a similarly huge show held annually in Vegas).  I just made my reservations to Vegas in February.  I can't wait.  I also resolve to always learn more.  It keeps me fresh and helps give my work the edge I need to be the kind of photographer I always wanted to be.  There is always more to learn.

So I hope to get back to Virginia, caught up with my jobs (there is always more jobs to complete, even after the holidays), and a little better at golf.   The chances of getting caught up on my work, is much better than improving my golf game however.

In the meantime, I reflect on what a great year this was, and how grateful I am to all of my wonderful clients, for entrusting me with your wedding days, newborns, and  lifelong memories.  I am indebted to you all and totally humbled by your trust and confidence.

I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.  

Pumped up for 2011!

I have always been a the glass is half full kind of a person.  So when the real estate market and the economy went south, and our renter in our commercial Winchester property went out of business, I looked at it as a lemonade out of lemons situation.  There is something else you should know about me.  I am creative, come up with a ton of ideas, and have a hard time focusing sometimes (oooh shiny!).  Thinking things through in a logical order often seems to escape me.   Consequently, I come up with great business ideas, (okay except for a few, like my spending a ton of money to print pictures on chocolate - thanks to my more level headed son for talking me out of that one).  And, once I jump in, I  figure out the business plan.    I am pretty sure that this isn't the best way to do most things.  However, I have a really good feeling about this past year, and especially great vibes about 2011.

Besides having a great 2010 (thanks to all my wonderful clients), things have been falling into place quite nicely lately.   A couple of months ago, a bridal salon moved next door to The Studio.  What could have been better than that.  It's called Bella Bridal, and the owner, Laura Jenkins is a real sweetheart and her place is starting to really shape up.  Check it out next time you come to visit us at The Studio.  The next piece of this whole wonderful "Karma" that seems to be going on is that I met this great makeup artist at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, and now Christy Hurd of You'Nique Chic is going to taking up residence in our studio in Winchester.  We are so excited about our collaboration, and are planning many very exciting events and workshops for the upcoming year.  All we need in our little shopping center is a florist and bakery and we will have our own corner of the bridal world in one place.

So with Laurie and her bridal salon next door, and Christy in our Studio, there is a lot of reasons to be excited about this upcoming year.  I know one thing for sure, I will be putting more miles on the car traveling back and forth "over the mountain", but it is a pretty drive, mostly I use it for staff meetings with myself (maybe I will even develop future business plans first from now on), oh, and I think I have world peace figured out as well.  I haven't abandoned my wonderful clients in the Sterling area, and I will always be available at either location.  The Studio in Winchester is great tho and so much seems to happening for us out there now.  It is very exciting.

I want to take this time to thank all of my wonderful clients and wish everyone a happy and health holiday season.  And to my new friends in Winchester and the Valley, thanks for making us feel so welcome.  As Bogie said to Claude Raines in Casa Blanca (okay now I am dating myself).  Louie, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Bridal Beauty Bootcamp

Ohmygosh!!  I just went to  post on my blog and realized the last time was in October!!  Where does the time go to?  More about that later.  There are things I want to backtrack and update on (like both pregnant ladies in the blog below). But now I want to talk about the event I was a part of today.  Christie Hurd, owner of You'Nique Chic in Winchester held a Bridal Beauty Bootcamp at the George Washington Hotel in Winchester this morning. Christie explained in detailed all the beauty hints and ideas that are ever so important, and that every bride should know.  As a wedding photographer, I can't stress enough how important makeup and hair is to your total look in your wedding pictures.  It's amazing how this is usually one of the last things a bride thinks about booking for her wedding day, and how it truly should be one of the first (of course after the photographer :-D).  No matter how well you think you do your own makeup, the camera really does see it differently, and a makeup artist really does know how to bring out your best for your photos.

Besides giving lots of great information, there were also some door prizes, and one lucky bride-to-be got a complete make-over of makeup and hair.  It was a great trial run for her big day.  She looked so beautiful, we all decided her fiance should be looking for a night on the town tonight.  Can't let the great look go to waste!  Christy did a great job of providing a wealth of information and bridal beauty basic training.  The George Washington Hotel provided the hospitality.  There was food, fun and glamour...what more can you ask for on a Saturday morning.

I look forward to working with Christie on future projects...Stay tuned for more.

Sharing the info

And the winner is. . .

Taking notes necessary to get it all!

All ready for a nite on the town!