Sweet Things

Oh my goodness, you guys.  It has been *way* too long since I’ve posted on my blog.  You might remember, a while back, I decided to take a break from photography to focus on my health and family.  Well, it didn’t take me long to miss everything about this job.  Well, most things at least.  😉  So I’m back!  The truth is, I’ve been back for about a year now.  I’ve just been failing miserably at posting to my blog.  I am going to try to get better at this, but for now, you can check out all of my recent work on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/sweetthingsphotography

And for a little eye candy, here are some previews from my most recent fall mini shoots!  Enjoy!

Oh my, I have been sitting at my computer for a long time now, wondering where to begin. This is so, so hard for me to write. It’s so hard because I’m still struggling with whether I’m making the right decision. But I’m trusting my heart this time. I am writing this note to let you know that I will be closing Sweet Things Photography.

When I started this business 4 years ago, I was a brand new stay at home mom. I had left my corporate marketing job at The Nielsen Company so that I could enjoy my son and watch him grow. And perhaps one day open a photography business. Little did I know that being a stay at home mom was much MUCH harder than I ever thought it could be and that the photography business I dreamed of needed to become a reality, if nothing else but for my own sanity.

I started shooting for friends and family and the referrals quickly came in. This business became a learning opportunity for me, provided me with a break from motherhood, allowed me to have something for myself, and introduced me to so many amazing families who became my friends.

Over the last 4 years, though, a lot of things have happened personally. I became a mom to another sweet baby boy, I faced some serious health concerns, my kids have grown and their schedules have become more demanding, and my husband has taken on much more responsibility in his career. All of these things have caused stress in balancing my business and family life.

I am no longer finding it easy to edit photos during nap times, schedule shoots around my kid’s and husband’s schedule, giving up weekends to shoots instead of soccer games and swim lessons, skipping the family dinner to edit and email. I know these are struggles that every mom can relate to. I always wanted to keep my photography affordable and accessible. However, with the cut that Uncle Sam takes from me each year, the financial benefit that I get from this business is not enough to make up for what I’m giving up. Because of this, recently my heart just hasn’t been in it.

I have worked hard over the years to build my clientele and my skills. I know how much effort went into building this business. Therefore, there is a chance that I may regret this decision one day. However, I know that I won’t regret for a second having more time for myself and my family. Maybe I’ll even pick up the camera for myself for a change. The bottom line is that right now I am needed elsewhere. But this doesn’t mean it’s forever. Perhaps one day down the road I will find myself with more time on my hands and I’ll be able to start again. I have loved this job so very much and am hopeful that I will be able to pick it up again one day in the future. Only time will tell.

I want to thank each and every one of you who has trusted me to capture precious memories of your sweet families. I’ve watched your babies grow from tiny newborns to spunky toddlers to little adults, big brothers and sisters. I’ve seen you go from two expectant parents to families of three, four, and five. Many of you have become friends and like family to me. The thing I will miss the most is all of you. Without question, that is the hardest part. I hope that our paths will cross again. For everything you have done for me and my business, thank you.

I know, I know.  I’ve been slacking over here on blog posts.  The reality is, I have been keeping very busy and have chosen to temporarily skip the extra step of adding a blog entry for each shoot.  I do hope to get better about this.  For now, though, feel free to head over to my Facebook page to see what I’ve been up to!

https://www.facebook.com/sweetthingsphotography

And go ahead and “like” my page while you’re there!  🙂

If you would have told me 2 years ago when I started Sweet Things that I would soon have more clients than I can handle, I wouldn’t have believed you.  Yet, here I am, 2 years into this gig, completely humbled at how my business has grown.  I am so thankful to have so many loyal clients that not only keep coming back to me, but also keep referring me to their friends and family.  I have been keeping busier than ever lately.  While this is amazing, with it comes the need for me to find a balance.

Between taking care of my boys during the week while my husband works, going out on shoots on the weekend, doing all of my editing during my boys’ naps or when they’ve both gone to bed, plus trying to carve out a little time for myself to get back in shape after delivering a 10 pound baby (!!!), there is very little time left at the end of the day.  Working different schedules also leaves my family with very little time for us all to spend together.  Any parent knows that children grow so fast and time passes much too quickly when your kids are young.  So I want to be sure to soak in as much of their childhood as possible.

As a result, I’ve decided to limit the amount of business that I do each month.  Beginning in June, I will be doing weekend shoots only on Saturdays, leaving Sunday for a much needed day of rest and day of fun with my family.  I will still offer evening shoots during the week to those who are available.  I will do my best to give priority to current clients.  However, it is still a good idea to book early if you have a time frame in mind for photos.

I love so much being able to photograph your families and memories.  I’m hoping that by cutting back a little, it will not only improve my quality of life, but it will also improve the quality of your photos by giving me more time to improve my craft.  There will come a time when I will be able to take on more business, but for right now, I’m choosing to be “mommy” first, photographer second.  I hope you understand!

XOXO,

Amy

P.S. You can’t blame me, right?  These two are pretty cute!

Oh my, I am so behind on updating my blog with all of the family sessions I had this fall.  I promise to update soon.  🙂  But first I wanted to let you know about a challenge that I’m participating in called The Olivia Act.

The Olivia Act, named after one of the innocent victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, was started by a photographer who wishes to remain anonymous. Olivia’s family had family pictures taken a short time before she was killed. I can only imagine how priceless those precious memories are now to her family.

Upon hearing about this, The Olivia Act was created to challenge photographers to give away a 30 minute photo session to a deserving family. I am choosing to participate in this challenge and would like to give away a session to someone that may not otherwise have the means to get family photos taken.

I need YOU to participate by nominating a deserving family. Please send me an email (amy@sweetthingsphotos.com) with the family’s story and contact information. Please do not post information directly on this blog or on Facebook. The session will take place in the new year and will include a 30 minute shoot as well as a disc with full rights to their images. The session will remain anonymous and will show up in the previews as a regular family shoot. I will be taking nominations through 1/18.

This is my way of helping. My most precious keepsakes are photographs of my children and family. I hope to be able to give this gift of memories to a family who will cherish theirs just the same.

Meet Tyler, Caden, & Kylee.  Tyler is almost 6, Caden is 4, and Miss Kylee is coming up on 9 months.  For their shoot, the focus was mainly on little Kylee.  However, we also wanted to grab a few photos of the rest of the family.  These boys weren’t too excited about having their pictures taken, but luckily they caved in for a few.  Kylee on the other hand, she was quite the little ham in front of the camera.  She just might be the most photogenic little babe I’ve met so far.  I just couldn’t get enough of her sweet little grin!  This is one beautiful family, folks.  Check them out.  Here’s a sneak peek!

Like what you see?
Like us on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/sweetthingsphotography

Oh man, I have some sweet little announcements to share with you!!!  First and most importantly, for those of you who have worked with me over the last few months, I want to thank you for your patience!  I know that blog posts and galleries may have taken slightly longer than usual.  I have just not been feeling so hot since, oh, before the holidays!  But for good reason … I have a little, tiny human growing inside of my belly!  🙂  That’s right – baby #2 is on the way!

I am super excited, especially now that I’m starting to turn the corner in this pregnancy and feeling somewhat normal again!  But this brings along some announcements for Sweet Things as well!

My spring shoots are starting to book up fast.  I’m already booking out as far as May, so if you’re looking to book a shoot and hoping to take advantage of the spring blooms, contact me soon!  Also, as you can imagine, being pregnant during the summer months, especially with midwestern humidity, is not a day at the beach.  I’ve done it once before and it appears I’ll be doing it again.  So this means that shoots during mid to late summer will be limited.  I am due in August, so will likely stop doing shoots in late July.  This will affect early fall shoots as well.  Fall is my busiest time of the year, so the timing isn’t all that great.  However, I will need some time to recover and bond with my new baby.  So I will likely not resume shooting until mid-October.  I will, of course, stay active with email & Facebook to keep you all posted, but wanted to give you a heads up.  To make up for lost time in the fall, I’ll likely hold multiple mini shoot days, so that you can be sure to get great family photos for your holiday cards!

So if you’re thinking of booking a shoot this spring or summer, contact me very soon!  Otherwise, I will be able to refer you to other talented photographers in the area in the event I am unable to book your session!

I’m looking forward to meeting all of the new families that have reached out to me already and to seeing all of the growing families I’ve already worked with!  2012 is shaping up to be another great year!

XO,
Amy