01/10/2024
**B I G A N N O U N C E M E N T**
Photography isn't easy. It's not a matter of picking up a camera and pressing a button. Photography is countless hours of learning and honing in on your craft, it's thousands of dollars worth of equipment, hours and hours spent behind the scenes communicating, editing, processing, etc., it's an endless stream of subscription costs, insurance, business registration, taxes, e-mails and everything else you can imagine. It's dedication, time, blood, sweat and tears (many, many tears). Running a photography business becomes all consuming, with very little time to maintain a work/life balance.
Every year as my business has grown, I've always said "I'm so busy, I need to cut back", or "I'm so busy, maybe I should raise my prices". Each year I have done just that, taken on fewer sessions and increased my prices. In 2023, I took on the least amount of sessions that I've ever booked, yet I felt swamped and completely riddled with stress and anxiety. Lately it's been to the point where even opening my e-mail fills me with so much dread and anxiety I can't handle it. Both my physical and mental health are suffering.
I have a full time, super heavy day job (in mental health nonetheless) that is demanding of my time and attention.
I missed the entirety of my 4 year old daughter's first ever soccer season.
I missed my 6 year old son's t-ball season.
I've missed many nights of reading a bedtime story and tucking my children into their beds.
I've missed evening conversations on the porch with my husband, rehashing our day.
I've missed hundreds of family dinners, opportunities to volunteer in my children's classrooms, friend get-togethers, Saturday morning cartoons, registration deadlines for sports and much more. So many days I only get to see my children for a brief time in the morning as we get ready for the day and only get to kiss their foreheads as they sleep when I get home.
This past year I have felt GUILTY for spending time with my family or taking time for my own mental health. After two accidents this summer/fall, both resulting in head injuries, I felt GUILTY for trying to take the time to heal. I felt GUILTY for feeling off and not on top of my game. I felt GUILTY for even thinking about taking a weekend off, or a vacation here and there. I felt GUILTY for saying "no" to family and friends, because I was too busy with photography. I don't want to feel this way.
I shouldn't feel GUILTY for wanting to participate in life. My family doesn't deserve it. They deserve more of ME.
Over the holiday season I had time to really sit back and think about where I want to be and how I want my business to evolve. Right now, I want to be with my family. I want to catch up with them. I want to actually watch my kids grow up, not just hear it second hand from those who were there. I want to be PRESENT.
How is that going to look? I'm cutting back. I'm not giving up photography completely, but I am only taking a select few sessions in 2024.
You'll still see me post on this page, but it'll be more personal stuff as I share with you what my life looks like.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY BOOKED WITH ME, YOU'RE GOOD TO GO!!! Everything will go forward as planned. You'll get a much less stressed and much more fun Heather to capture your big day or those special family moments.
IF YOU'VE E-MAILED ME ABOUT A SESSION, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU AND GET YOU SCHEDULED OR REFER YOU TO ONE OF MY AWESOMELY AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER FRIENDS.
I just need to take some time. I need to focus on my family and my growing children. I need to be PRESENT. And I hope this helps.
When I'm ready to start booking again, you'll know it.
Thank you for your understanding and support. These past few years have been nothing short of amazing. I've met some incredible people along the way. I've had clients turn into friends. I've had some awesome experiences. I just need time to re-energize myself and allow photography to become a PASSION again, not just a job.
Heather
