Less than an hour till 2018 rolls in and I’m sitting at my computer downloading tonight’s wedding ~ my last of 2017. It was about -10 degrees outside and for an outdoor wedding, it was a bit chilly…Crazy and amazing all at the same time; much like this year.
I know there are choices. There are SO many choices. There are countless photographers available to each of you. With that, there are different personalities, price ranges, experience levels, and styles. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING ME. I know it’s a choice. Being with you on your wedding day or in your home holding your newborn, or meeting you on your family vacation isn’t something I take for granted. THANK YOU for valuing photography & THANK YOU for trusting my ability.
The warmth and generosity of clients who VALUE photography overwhelmed me this year. There were too many instances to list, where individuals so generously added more to their payment than was expected, or certainly necessary. One patriarch instructed me to run his credit card for $125 over his family session fee…with a warm twinkle in his eye and a strong hand on my shoulder, he said: “I know what it’s like to run a business and have mouths to feed at home.” It leaves my heart pumping & my gratitude over flowing.
There are no words to adequately describe what a dream come true this business is for me. When I dwell on late nights at my computer, or the often repeated phrase, “Honey, mom has a shoot, I’ll be back in a couple hours.” I gently remind myself that this career has given me WAY more than it takes from me. 8 weeks straight of 2 am nights during “busy season” doesn’t compare to being present for every swimming lesson, or being able to volunteer at every class party. I don’t lose sight that the growth of this business also means the growth of my freedom to do the things I love.
2017 was a remarkable year for my business… My focus wasn’t about trying to shoot more than ever before; 2017 was a year I took more deep breaths & trusted myself more. As I have said in the past, I’ll shoot as long as you’ll have me.
If you inquired, THANK YOU. If you ‘liked’ something on social media, THANK YOU. If you allowed me to photograph you, THANK YOU.
Tonight, with cold hands and a warm heart, I wish you nothing but life’s very best in 2018, Chelsie
