I don't use this blogsite often. I really should be...
So here we go with my big announcement!
I love every sweaty moment that goes into a newborn session... sweaty, you probably think that's weird, but if you have had a newborn session with me you know what I am talking about. Over the past 6 months I have really found my style and how I want my work to look. So I have finally come to the decision that it is time for me to do what I really love. Photographing babies.
I LOVE babies.
I love brand new babies
Babies that just lay there and stare at you and sometimes smile
Babies that have just learned to sit up
Babies that crawl
Babies that are stumbling around with their first steps
Babies that only run
Any babies at all
I love them
It definitely is baby season (with new babies on my schedule every week) and some people may think it will slow down... but my hope is that it doesn't and that I will continue mostly working with babies- ages newborn to 2 years.
There will be some exceptions for me not photographing babies but I will no longer be booking family sessions or weddings. The exception to this is that the family has a baby in it- and also that families are sometimes allowed during my Mini Sessions. It will be announced if families can be booked at my minis. I plan on doing seasonal Mini Sessions. I will no longer be booking Boudoir sessions except for the one time a year that I will be doing a Boudoir Marathon for Valentine's Day.
I will occasionally be booking Seniors and Couples (yes, I know these aren't babies). The exception to me photographing children is going to depend on my schedule or if they are past clients or have a baby plan with me.
So, some of you may think what is the big fuss? Turning away work is kind of a big deal! But I finally feel I am at the point where I know what I want and I am just going to go for it. Sure, there will probably be slow times where I don't have many babies- I might pick up other shoots during that time, or I might spend that time with my family. This brings me to the other change that I have made today. My pricing. Yes, my prices went up... dun dun dun. A lot of people may think I charge too much, that photography is a cheap business and it shouldn't cost much... but it does.
Equipment (cameras- yes I have 3!!! computers, batteries, memory cards, camera repairs. Photoshop!)
Studio expenses (office supplies, printer ink, cds, cd cases, postage, studio lights, blah blah blah on and on)
CHILD CARE eeeeeeek
TAXES. BARF (at least 35% of my income goes to the government. jerks)
Licensing and insurance- yeah, I am legit like that (to cover my butt and yours)
Props (yes, I am a prop junkie- I am aware these are not necessary but it goes with my style of work and I just can't get enough)
The list goes on and on and on and on. I won't bore you with the rest.
The reason for me adding the non-refundable retainer to my packaging is to unsure that I don't have cancelations and also will help to cover the taxes that I am not charging in addition to the package price.
FINALLY one of the most important reasons to raise my prices is to allow me to spend the much needed time with my family. Over the last 4 years as my business has grown I spend 6 nights a week up late editing. This allows me to try to spend most of my daughter’s awake time not sitting at the computer. I never go to bed when my husband does and we usually only spend one day a week together with me not shooting or editing. I don't want to come off as complaining at all, because I LOVE my job and am very thankful to do something that I love, but I love my family more. I have struggled with balance and try not to complain, but have come to the point where I want to break down because of the work load. Balance is something I think I will always struggle with, but I think that narrowing the type of sessions that I do can help... and also help with the fact that it is what I love to photograph the most. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all of my clients. You all are what have made my business what it is today... I could not be as busy as I am without you guys coming back to me and telling people about me, I appreciate each and every one of my clients... but I need for myself to learn balance and start having some. SO, I think with all that I have said I have kind of explained my announcement. It may not be exciting to everyone but it is very exciting to me. My site and page will be going through a little change with mostly babies being shown- since that is what I will be working with the most. I hope that this change goes well and thank you for anyone who is following.
Sincerely,
Brenda
