GAH! Another day of catch up!

OK, so I am sadly posting another catch up. I guess, since I took a break for a while to focus on other projects, it’s not SO bad that I didn’t post, but I do have a few sessions to …

The Sunshine On A Cloudy Day

The weekend weather was not the greatest. Today, it was very cloudy with the threat of rain upon us at any moment. I, however, had the privilege of taking some portraits of the daughter to a friend of mine from my day job. She is an aspiring fashion designer and model. Here are just a couple of my fave images from this session… This girl totally rocked it! Can you believe she’s still in middle school?!

Playing Catch Up

So, I made this blog to blog about my life; struggles, triumphs, failures, successes, things that are old, things that are new, things I want to try and just whatever is on my mind… Mainly about photography but it doesn’t always have to be. Hey, it’s my blog and I can blog about whatever makes my heart happy and content hehe…

First things first, my last few sessions. As I stated in a previous post, My Prince Charming, I have put a hold on photography for 2013, however that does not mean I won’t put in some work from some portfolio building. Instead of creating three different blog posts, I am just going to compile them into one.

This session was done a few weeks ago for a good friend of mine. She wanted some pics of her son for his birthday. Here are just a few of my fave images from his session:

A few days ago, I joined in on a friend of mines from Motherhood Moments Photography and her Mini Sessions for Easter. While I was there to assist with the baby duckling, I got in a few snapshots. Here they are below:

I also did a session for a friend at work to get some milestone, updated pictures of her grandson that was 7 months. Get ready for some total cuteness here!

My Prince Charming

Recently, I decided that I wanted to take a break from photography to focus on my little man. I must say, it is a decision that I do not regret… Rather than spending every waking moment editing or shooting a session, I am watching my little man grow! Sorry, but to me, that is far more important. Here are just a few reason that I have not, for one moment, looked back…

So, you don’t want to pay for the luxuries of Custom Photography?

Custom photography is more than just someone taking pictures… Custom photography is an art. Art is a luxury that not everyone can afford. Art is not necessary to live your everyday life. All the time, I get inquiries and people asking me for my rates. When I provide the rates to them, I’ll either not get a reply or get turned down with something along the lines of  “Oh wow, I like your work but that’s too expensive for me and more than what I was looking for.” I’m OK with that. I never let anything like that ruin my mood or affect my passion for what I do. I provide a luxury, something not everyone can afford. Photos are not necessities, people can live without them. But, for those that value their memories and want them captured by someone with an eye for art, custom photography is a luxury you will sacrifice another luxury for, temporarily or will set a budget to save for. If you want something enough, a person will do anything they can to ensure it’s theirs.

I’ll use myself as an example of a luxury I did not want and a luxury I have to currently have. When I graduated from high school, I wanted a car. I worked two jobs and went to school full time, so a car was something I wanted. I didn’t need it, I very well could have adjusted my schedule to the bus, but I wanted the luxury of having my own car, and a brand new one at that. I saved enough money for a down payment. After car shopping for one that was ranked high in safety, I searched for the extras, the luxuries. Power locks, power windows, etc. Those were all luxuries. Things that I wanted in my car but not necessary. Finally found one, test drove it and fell in love. I did not like the color (white). So as we got back from the test drive, I spotted, fresh off the truck, a silver car. Exact same everything with the exception of the sticker price. After realizing the $2k difference was due to cruise control, I opted for the silver car with no cruise control and $2k lower than the other one. Cruise control was NOT something I had to have, it would have been awesome, but I preferred the silver over the white. I very well could have paid the extra money for the cruise control, but with no bills except a cell phone, I didn’t want to sacarfice any of my other luxuries (a nice fat bank account, going out, getting my nails done… Well, you get the point) so, I opted for the cheaper car with no cruise control but in a color I love! So, that was a luxury I wanted but was not willing to sacrifice another luxury in order to get.

Currently, I have upgraded my lens on my camera to produce better quality images. A newer, nicer body, the Canon Mark iii that I’m currently drooling over, fits the luxury I want. I don’t need it, so that is why I don’t have it. But I would like to one day. With a child, luxuries just aren’t something I have anymore, so I am budgeting to save up for it one day. Putting aside change and money each check from my day job is a sacrifice  whilst small but still a sacrifice  I am making to save up for my new camera body.
So again, if you want something as luxurious as custom photography, you can’t expect it to be handed to you on a silver platter. You have to sacrifice or budget yourself for it, or just put it on the back burner for another time.

If custom photography is a luxury you have to have, remember, it’s a large investment. Do your research, find the photographer that fits the bill and produces art that you love, then budget yourself for it. If you currently have another luxury that maybe you can do without for a while, commit a small sacrifice. Life’s to short to live with the “what if’s” and the “I wish I had.”