Starting this year off right, Taking photos for myself, rebooting the website, and posting blogs again starting with my overview of the past year.

Here is a recap...

Happy with my location shooting. Working on improving images by making creamier bokeh backgrounds.

I photographed only one maternity session. Never did the model calls I wanted to do. Thinking maternity is not my thing. Instead I want to start focusing on portraiture in the studio using one light keeping images very simply.

I photographed a total of 14 newborns this year. Much better then in 2016. I still need to be consistent with my work. Bean bag and family/baby shots are my trouble areas. Purchases Meg Bittons 'Simply Newborn' & 'Newborn Family Session' and plan on creating a work flow similar to hers to help transitions in each session. I also plan on selling many of my old props & hats to make room for newer more professional "in style" outfits.

Spring/Summer was better then previous years. Buttercup sessions were a hit. Planning on scheduling watermelon minis, mud splash sessions, and back-t0-school sessions this year.

Need to find businesses to advertise my pet photography. Thinking groomers or pet boutiques in the area. I photographed the Rascal's Run fundraiser, but was disappointed in the lack of interest from the runners to purchase any of their images(funds from sales were being donated to AAC).

I took a big step and purchases a full frame camera. *Nikon D750*! Still getting use to it. Very happy with it so far.

Participated in a fall festival with a booth. Tried to sell my fine art prints (landscapes and smoke photography). Didn't sell any. Need look into better festivals and to work on presentation more for future vending.

My fall mini booking were good. Could have been better if they happened needed to be reschedules because of rain the first weekend. Need to advertise earlier (August?)

Finally, winter mini sessions were not a popular as I wished they had been. Need to advertise earlier in the year(Sept?). Also, new setup for 2018 will hopefully draw in more bookings.

Last year went by to quick and this year seems to be going even quicker. If feels like it was just Christmas a few weeks ago. So, I am completely three months late on writing any blogs for this year.

Here is a recap of last year...

hmm.
The quality of my work is better and I would like to think more consist.

I photographed a big ZERO for maternity, but I also didn't do any model calls this time around. Thinking about doing one or two in 2017.

I also did photograph only 3 newborns, but all were between the months
of January and April.

My Valentine Mini's went well as did my Mommy and Me sessions. Could have been better, but a few bookings are better then none.

Tried my hand a Groupon... ha won't do that again. (you must discount your product at least 30% to list your services. Then, Groupon takes 50% of what you make from the sale) Anyway, the Groupon offer got me two doggie clients.

Summer ended up being a bummer and the fall was filled with many inquiries,
but few bookings.

Did a few model calls to expand my children's portrait portfolio. This was great. Got the images I needed.

Photographed/attended my favorite clients wedding in October. Very happy with the outcome.

Participated in a fall festival with a booth. Sold older newborn hats from when I first started to crochet. Also, sold a cat tree I made for the occasion. Two were built; one sold. Displayed my samples and was able to get names, phone numbers, and e-mails for my mailing list. Tried to sell my fine art prints (landscapes and smoke photography). Didn't sell any.  Need to work on presentation more and variety of fine art prints for future vending.

Well that about sums it up... On Yeah... my cats as always were my favorite models.

Another year gone by and many awesome photo sessions completed. Being able to capture moments in time like the first few weeks after a baby is born is what I love to do. And seeing the look on parents faces when they gaze upon the final product makes me smile. 

Photography comes in all shapes and in different forms especially with how easy it is to take a photo in this day and age.  Everyone has a phone and most have a great camera on their phone, but nothing beats the time and talent it takes to capture a piece of art that will preserve a child's smile for years and years hanging on your wall. Only a professional photographer possesses that ability.

This past year I have captured moments during crazy sessions where a mom might have been thinking we got nothing good and I produced an image that they couldn't believe. Head swaps, removing scars or acne, masking out stray hairs, smoothing out beanbag fabrics, and mashing two or more images together to make one final image all takes patience, talent, and a little bit of PhotoShop.

A lot of hours and work goes into making a image I am proud to present to a family. There is a big difference in quality from a chain studio verses a professional photographer.