View from the new studio!!!

The first view is my favorite!!!!

Where do I start...

It has been way too long...and way too much has transpired since January 1st! I apologize for my lack of "blogging" but I have been doing some serious emotional and business re-arranging! So many changes but SO many blessings all at the same time! God has a way of shaking things up in a way that leaves you with no where to turn but to him...no where to hold on...but to him. If you have walked in my shoes over the last 5 years, you know what I am talking about. He also has a way of blessing you with everything you needed and wanted....you just didn't know it yet! I am not going to lie....over the last few months, I have been angry, screamed, cried and shouted I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY is our life being uprooted AGAIN! Haven't we paid our dues when it comes to that department! God had mercy on me during this tantrum and gently explained to me that there are no limits to what he will go through to reach us and others. I am not sure who this lesson was for...but I am so thankful for it...there are no words that would appropriately tell my precious Savior how thankful I am. He knows my wants, desires, needs...he knows my good side and my bad side...my highs and my lows. Due to the state of the current economy...my husband and I made the difficult decision to cancel our lease purchase on the home in Richmond Place. "Difficult" does not even begin to describe that decision that would affect my children, my family but most of all...my studio! I questioned what would happen with my business...I know without a doubt that my dream is a gift from God but during this time I questioned God on why it seemed to be slipping away. I sat back and rested on what I had learned through the past 5 difficult years..."okay God...this is you. You know our needs...I trust you. That is all I have - YOU!" God blew the doors off my plans and showed me his. We were presented with an incredible opportunity to purchase a foreclosure across the street from the creek I have taken many of your families portraits at! A full 2600 sq. ft. basement that will give the studio room to grow and an existing HUGE area for the studio until the basement can be finished. This new studio also has a separate entrance (so you all don't have to look at my messy house!!!!) (-: The house is on about 1.6 acres and is incredible! The view is better than I could ever had found on my own! The side yard is amazing for sessions (who needs St. Mtn!)...and did I mention the creek!!!!

Okay - now for even better news!!!! I KNOW that times are really tough for everyone! I do not say that lightly! Here is the thing...I DON'T want you going anywhere else for portraits and I know everyone still wants them! I have prayed and tried to find a way to help everyone and still make a little bit to provide for my family. This is what has been laid on my heart:

Until the economy changes effective immediately, to help everyone, I have decided to cut my session fee in half. Both on location and in the studio. I have also decided to cut my collections and a la carte 20%. I don't have a time frame for how long this will last...it could be six months or it could be a year. Once things improve in the economy, I will adjust everything back to the regular pricing. I love all of you and don't want you to go somewhere else due to temporary budget restraints - I just want to continue to provide you with beautiful portraits.

I am also offering an extra bonus to anyone who calls before the end of March to book their session for April or May!!!!

Elena

Welcome 2009!!!!

Thank you for such a wonderful response to the New Year's Eve special! I can't wait to get back behind the lens of my camera and into the groove of my crazy life. I could not operate this business without all of you...and that you actually want me to continue to capture your lives in pictures is amazing! Thank you!!!!!!

The New Year's Special is here...a little early!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Okay...I lied...I am posting this special about 45 minutes earlier than normal. What can I say...I am tired and I am getting old...just can't make it to midnight anymore...and my pillow is looking really good right now! (-:

It's almost 2009 and WOW...OMG...2008 just flew by. This past year has been such a blessing...I watched my dreams come true as I opened my doors in April to a larger studio. I have been blessed with a business that continues to grow leaps and bounds...and there are days that I just can't believe I am living out my dream. Every year on New Year's Eve I post a special ....it is my way of starting the year off by giving everyone an opportunity to have the pictures they have always dreamed about! Usually, I post one special on the blog. I know how hard times are for people right now...so I have decided to post three specials that you can choose from. Here they are!

Special #1
1/2 off your session and a 16x20 mounted with a linen finish at no charge when you order any of our collections. (Session fee must be paid when you schedule your session - order must be placed to receive 16x20 at no charge - Session can be studio or on-location) This was last year's special and everyone loved it so much I have decided to run it again.

Special #2
Your $65 studio session fee will be applied when you place an order for any of our collections. (Session fee must be paid when you schedule your session but will be credited to your account when you place your order - this special is for studio sessions only)

Special #3
1/2 off your session and a Sterling Silver Kayda Portrait Necklace at no charge when you order any of our collections. (Session fee must be paid when you schedule your session - order must be placed to receive necklace at no charge - Session can be studio or on-location)

These specials are for the first 15 people that call and schedule their session for January, February or March!!!! YES - you can pick anytime during the next three months to have your session - HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!!! You MUST speak with me on the phone...email does not count! I will begin taking calls to the studio 770-466-8845 at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm Thursday January 1st. If I am on the phone scheduling another client I will take down your number in the order it was received and call you back to schedule. These specials cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon or special.


Good Luck and even if you are not one of the first 15....don't give up!!! Anyone scheduling a session on January first by 5 pm will recieve 1/2 off their session!!!!!

Are those sleigh bells I hear?????

As I write this we are two days away from Christmas Eve you can feel the excitement in the air! My kids are BOUNCING...no scratch that LEAPING off the the floor with anticipation for that magical morning to arrive. I myself am a BIG kid at heart and if you want to know a secret...I am usually up at about 5 am because I can't sleep either! It is a lifelong problem from birth...it is just the way I was designed! I am either on a huge high or a very low low! That is okay with me - who wants to go through life level headed and mature anyway!

I have been receiving A LOT of inquiries about the New Years Eve special and if it is any indication I think my phone might be ringing off the hook before 9am! LOVE it!!! That just means I get to keep doing what I love! Who could ask for a better Christmas present!

I wish all of you a wonderful beautiful Christmas ....a time with your kids, families and Jesus...he is everything and deserves so much more from us on this incredible day. I tried to explain it best to my son on how he might feel if on his birthday everyone else received a gift but him....he looked at me with complete and utter disgust...and replied "I would be so sad Mommy"...I told him I am sure when we wake up, race to the tree, jump up and down for what Santa brought and then race to tear open a million presents...Jesus must feel a little left out. Take time to reflect with your family this Christmas morning on what it is all about. Jesus is so much more than that little statue of a baby lying in your nativity set on your mantle.

Oh yes - and what would this blog be without a few pictures from a recent session!

Santa....I KNOW HIM!!!!!!!!

Yeah!!!!...Christmas is here, time has FLOWN by and I it has already been a month since my last blog entry! Between portrait orders, Christmas cards and a bad case of the flu/cold going on three weeks....I have neglected my blog! I am so sorry!!!! It has been an incredible, amazing holiday season...my clients, all of you, die hards and newbies...you have just won my heart over!!! Thank you for letting me be a part of your Christmas!

Just wanted to hit on a few dates:

Sat. December 13 - Last day to order portraits and Christmas cards for delivery before Christmas - NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!!!!!!

Mon. December 22 - Last day to pick up orders before Christmas

The studio will be closed from December 23 - December 26. We will re-open on December 27th.

DONT FORGET!!!! The New Year Eve special (which some of you wait all year for!) will be posted here on the blog and emailed out on New Years Eve at 11:30 pm. This special will be available for the first 10 people to contact me and book their session beginning January 1st (The session can be anytime between Jan - March)! Yes - I will answer the phone on New Years day! Keep watching!

Let me leave you with a few images from this weeks sessions.

Breathe

Simply...breathe.

Time has been flying by and I really have simply neglected blogging as much as I would want to! This is the crazy time of year...but I love every minute of it. I have to remind myself to breathe and come up for air. I wouldn't trade what I do for ANYTHING!!!! Attached are a few shots from last weekend's sessions. Such a beautiful time of year - God is truly an artist - NO DOUBT!!! I find this time of year I am really hard on myself - constantly striving to challenge my creativity and originality. Sometimes I see other photographers work and think "what am I thinking...I am so no where near their level!!!!"...then I will get a call from a client who is overwhelmed with excitement upon seeing their portraits....thank you so much to all of my clients for your encouragement...God knows just when I need it and you send that email or make that call! Thank you!!!!

I am so excited about the Christmas cards this year and we still have a few holiday appointments left. I know how stressful trying to get the family together for pictures can be - trust me - I just did it myself! Don't put it off - it is so worth it! How long has it been since you had pictures! Call the studio and schedule your session...I promise, you will not regret it!!!