Hi to all my friends, family and followers! And welcome to those of you that are new!  Today’s post is about reflection, gratitude, and a little information sharing.

As some of you know, I started my business while I was in grad school studying to be an art therapist.  At that time I was working as a full time inpatient pharmacy technician at Riley Hospital for Children, and struggling mentally/emotionally/physically.  I was exhausted.  My amazing husband Ben (gosh, now I’m starting to tear up) sat down with me and told me that something had to change.  I was draining myself, and it was also taking a toll on our relationship.  He knew my passions, and he knew my heart.  He realized how hard it would be to leave my work family and begin a new journey in photography.  So, he stood by my side and supported me as a I started to brand myself as a photographer. My business was just a baby two years ago, and it still feels like a baby.  I didn’t know what I was doing in the business aspect, but as soon as I held that camera up, magic happened inside me.  I became someone better; someone filled with joy.

It would be a lie to say that the process of creating my business was simple and without stress, even now.  But, looking back, all of that stress has been worth it. I am happier now than I have been in a very long time.  I feel full.  My marriage is stronger than it has ever been and our relationship continues to grow in love.  My work-life balance is phenomenal.  I also had the courage to start my own art therapy private practice.  (Ben likes to brag that his wife owns two businesses). I truly believe that without God, Ben and photography, I would be on my way towards a crisis.

So, part of this post is a little “Thank You” to all of you out there!  To all the people that said yes.  To all the people who believed in me and what I was trying to accomplish.  To all the people that encouraged me and challenged me. To all the people that said yes when I asked if I could take photos of you to build my portfolio.  I am forever grateful for you!  You are the reason that I can do this for a living.  You make my work complete.

Now, for Ben, my love, my life.  You are my everything honey.  You are my purpose.  You make each and every day special and perfect.  You understand me in a way that no other living person ever will.  You accept me for who I am, my strengths and weaknesses.  You love me when I’m hangry.  You love me when I’m unreasonable.  You love me when I’m at my worst.  You are my person.  So yes Ben, every morning when you ask me to marry you, I will continue to say “Yes!” with a full and complete heart.  Thank you for being the best thing in my life.

Yikes, that turned super emotional, which was not intended.  I even had to change the title lol!  Looking back and reflecting is such an important part of life and business.  Without that reflection, we become stagnant and stuck in one lane.  I like to think of life as a highway or road.  The road has stop signs, wrong turns, potholes, curves… it can be straight and fast at times then slow and winding at others. We sometimes even travel backwards without knowing it.  My business has been a journey.  Learning new things, meeting fabulous people, witnessing once-in-a-lifetime moments. And I never intend to stop the car. I want to keep going and going.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, I have been reflecting on some changes.  It was never my intention to photograph weddings, but now I have fallen in love with them!  So my packages are going to change as my wedding photography business has grown. Current and past wedding clients know that I offer three packages (6/8/10 hours) with various add-ons.  I am going to change that.  You make sooo many choices when planning your wedding.  I want to make just one aspect a little simpler. I am going to now be offering one package, yep, just one!  It will include a complimentary engagement session, suggested timeline based on your location(s) and ceremony time, online gallery of images with print release and Yours Truly as your photographer from the last hour of getting ready to 30 minutes after the final reception “event”.  No more hourly add-ons or stress from trying to decide what you want photographed.  I want to be able to give everyone images that tell the complete story of their wedding day.

I am also going to be changing my general portrait session pricing due to higher demand.  It’s time.  Southwest, I’m stealing your line, this is about transfarency.   I almost feel guilty for changing my prices, but that’s the little inner critic that says, “who do you think you are to charge more?”. Nope!  I am not going to listen to that critic.  And I challenge all of you reading this to stop listening to your inner critic too!  I am going to leave you with this: The end of a year is also the beginning of a new one.   Take that opportunity and makes some positive changes in your life!!

(As my husband would say, “Thanks for that slice of thera-pie!”) Yep, I will always be a therapist.  So you’re welcome! 🙂

And thank you to Abigail Gowin Photography for taking these awesome photos of my family!! I love you dear!!

(edits by Eileen Call Photography)