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« Cute Melody | Main | Joe, Ellie and Connor »
Monday
Oct152007

Sanity post.

Just as I swore I wouldn't, I've let my life get lopsided. It's easy to do when you really love your job. But it has overtaken my every waking minute. This weekend was a wakeup call. I spent EVERY SINGLE SECOND of it shooting, or at the computer. Literally. I get home around noon from a shoot, then sit down at the computer and stay there, until I go to bed around 2am. I know that as a client, it seems like I show up at the park, snap a few shots of your kids or your belly and call it a day. But the reality is that there are HOURS and HOURS and HOURS associated with processing photos on the back end. There are companies that I could outsource this to, but I'm too much of a control freak about it. I work hard for my photographs to have a distinctive style, and am not convinced that a generic company would able to produce the same quality. What I do know, is that right now Jason fixes dinner, does bedtime routines, makes lunches, meets with teachers, and is basically the only one who interacts with our kids. My kids feel far away. I feel disconnected. And I don't want my life to look like this anymore. 

So, prices have to change in January. The sitting fee will still be the same, as will the a la carte prints. However, the "Sweet Deal" (which is what 99% of people order) will at least double in price. It's all-inclusive, and ridiculously low-priced as it is. Even so, it's a hard decision for me. Because, good or bad, I take my business personally. I genuinely like my clients. Most of them are repeats, and all of them are by referral. So it's turned into just what I wanted: a big network of wonderful people whom I have great affection for. But I also know that for as much as I love my clients, if my life isn't balanced, I will get to the point of not wanting to shoot anymore, at all.

BUT, it's not all bad news. The "Sweet Deal" will cost more, but it will also include a LOT more too: more prints, and a WAY upgraded leather album. You will be getting a MUCH higher quality product, AND a photographer who is not strapped into a straight jacket. Always a plus. :0) Also, you always still have the option of ordering prints separately, wherein this change won't even affect you at all.

Moral of the story TODAY is, if you want to get in on the old pricing, please email to schedule SOON. As you may have guessed, my intentions for December do not include staring into my computer screen for days on end. Instead, they include watching my kids sing carols at school, taking time to find gifts for people I love, and spiking my cider while I stare at Christmas lights with Jason, and friends, and family.

Thanks for your understanding. And I wish all of you a season full of BALANCE too.   :0)

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Reader Comments (10)

I am so glad you are taking care of yourself...I'm smiling. =) Sending hugs to you from someone who knows what you're going through! Let's chat later, gator!
October 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterKate Mefford
TRIPLE ARM PUMP TO YOU.
Great post. I LOVED this post, actually. Most people really don't understand the time and effort that goes into making photographs art. I do. I think you're doing the right thing and as usual - YOU ARE DA BOMB.
October 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterKal
You are smart. I do not have half the clients you have, but I understand the hours it takes to edit one shoot. Take care of yourself. You are doing the right thing.
October 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterSteph
A.) good for you. Take of of yourself first, Work smart not hard. Even if you lose 1/2 your customers, you still make the same amount of money. And frankly I doubt you will lose that many because you seriously rock... and were way to cheap.

B.) you suck. I wanted to come to TX some day and get a cheap sitting.
:p

Lana <---- Your secret admirer photographer that just got her FIRST paid job over the weekend.
October 15, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterLana
Good for you. :) Big cheers to you!!!
October 15, 2007 | Unregistered Commentercathy
Good for you- I feel like that too and struggle with my mom duties all the time. I need to re-arrange as well-
thanks for the push to do so. :)
October 16, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMandy Hank Photography
this post literally brought me to tears after a day I felt was wasted b/c I was playing with my girls instead of working! how insane is that? reading this just reiterated what I already knew, but thanks for sharing that other moms experience the same issues. i can't wait until i'm good enough to raise my rates and SLOW DOWN! thanks again.
October 16, 2007 | Unregistered Commenterjodie
Amen to that!
October 16, 2007 | Unregistered Commentermelanie from whitebox
You definitely shouldn't be spending that much time behind the computer my friend! Look into hiring someone who you can train specifically in your style of processing. It takes a little time to do and some patience until they get it right but it will be SO worth it!!
October 17, 2007 | Unregistered Commentermelissa jill
I totally feel your pain! I have just decided to invest some time in doing something with each one of them. I know it sounds like a lot but I have to! I feel like their growing up around me and I'm not taking part! See we can have it all we just need to prioritze and organize!
October 17, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterDD

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