As most of you know, after over 4 years, my business partner and cousin, Carrie, of Ever After Wedding Photography (www.everafterlove.com), and I both decided to leave our studio on Water Street. Although we could afford to be there, life changed so drastically for both of us, that studio life on Water Street was no longer the best decision for either of our businesses.
Secondary to life changes, it was becoming increasingly unsafe in the area, and although we could afford the rent, it was nothing short of bad judgement to jeopardize our clients' and our own safety, and to spend such an astronomical amount every month for something that was merely an impressive place to greet clients. Photographically, we can produce beautiful portraits from anywhere: no matter where you take the artist, the art is still the same. If you put a bad photographer in a beautiful place, you still get bad photography. If you put a good photographer in a shabby place, you still get good photography. Art comes within.
In May of 2011, almost a year ago, Carrie gave birth to her first child, a gorgeous little girl named Coen. I had been juggling having my second child and driving from Germantown Hills to Peoria, sometimes twice a day. Both of us wanted to spend more time with our children without sacrificing or causing any detriment to our businesses, therefore, we decided not to renew our lease on Water Street.
Our decision came at about the same time of the death of our beloved Grandmother, Virginia. I, personally, lost my best friend. She meant the world to both of us, and to our whole family. Since Carrie and I came into the world, Grammy had been the center of it. She raised us (in part), she was our friend, our playmate, our confidant, our encourager. She taught us that nothing in the world was more important than family, and nothing is sweeter than the time you will spend with your children while they are growing. To know Grammy was to love Grammy, and this love stretched far beyond our little family. Through all that she taught me, I knew in my heart that taking a step back and making more room in my life for my children, and for my clients, was the right thing.
Now I am able to spend more time with both. I have new lighting, new props, new ideas, and more time to Photoshop my images. Many props were custom made and some are still on their way. I am most excited for a my 12-piece opaque etched brass to come, which will change the nature of all of my backgrounds. Now I am shooting with the largest file format possible, via an amazing new camera, and put my files through 3 different programs by the time I satisfied with them. Instead of having 2 areas in which photograph my clients (as I did on Water Street), I now have 7, and am surrounded by gorgeous light and outdoor locale. And best of all, it doesn't get any safer than Germantown Hills!
Most of my clients ask me if I like the move better...yes, I do. Do I miss the old studio? No, not at all. It came with so much stress. It may have been impressive, but the drive, the electric/gas bill, the safety issues, the astronomical rent, the time away from my children, the business insurance we were required to hold, the noise from the business next door, the flooding issues from the River, random people (and staff from other businesses) just walking in at will, the glass and cigarettes left on our doorstep each morning, the enormous responsibility related to the commercial machinery inside, and basically signing my life away for years at a time, all added up to be an easy decision to leave.
In the last year my art and business have grown exponentially. My relationship with my children has flourished; they are a little older and more independent, but I am home more often to witness the little things that are so adorable, so important, so sweet. I am able to work in my pajamas, run outside to swing my son, greet my daughter as she gets off of the bus. Although at times I have to edit photographs until 2:00 in the morning, shoot on weeknights (and just about every Saturday), I make it work, and my kids are happy.
My clients have written me to tell me that they, too, are happy. Many of the emails and Facebook comments that I've gotten express thanks for capturing their child's personalities and for making them feel at home. I get many of these even before they come in to purchase photos, thanking me for making the photo shoot fun, and for being so patient with their children. (If there is one thing I believe in, it is kindness toward children!) I've had clients' mothers email me to tell me that I made their daughter feel beautiful again, and several boudoir clients tell me that this was the first time in years that they felt beautiful. Most often, clients have "cheated" on me with new photography upstarts, and come back to tell me that the photos and experience paled in comparison. Many reasoned that they were trying to save money by going to new photography upstarts, and ended up spending over $200 on pictures that they didn't really want, and swore to never do it again. Some purchased discs only to not print any of the photos. Those clients said that they had the realization that for not much more money, they could quality work that they really loved. In these moments, when my clients make their confessions, I am so very happy, and so very humbled. For days I will be walking on clouds!
I am very lucky. My business has grown despite all of the new "photographers" that are popping up daily all over Facebook. My clientele is about 90% repeat, and my new clients are almost always a good fit, and come back to me. My clients know that they are getting art, and that time, love, care, and expertise go into their portraits. I've been doing this for 8 years now, and I love my job. There is much that 8 years of experience has taught me. As of late, I am finding a new love of my art, and have been experimenting with new techniques, particularly with pregnant bellies, babies, and kids. I am happy. I hope that life is always this good.
Until next time,
Ona
