08/15/2026
Hey there⦠buckle up, because this one is a bit long winded.
Last year, I had made the decision that I was closing the business, focusing on my family and my health and putting A Flash of Sunshine Photography in my past. Easier said than done right? Life happened in our household, injury and job loss, expenses added up and well, the business was still there, so I did what I needed to do and started booking sessions, because as a family, thatās what needed to happen.
I went into the Spring/Summer season doing okay, excited at the possibilities, after all, I made it through Covid with a brand-new business, so this should be easy peasy in comparison. What I didnāt plan on at that time was the influx of newer and aspiring photographers in the area growing, the style of what others wanting being different than what I offered ⦠and lastly my health on the decline. Iāve suffered with multiple autoimmune issues for years now, but honestly, I didnāt think Iād have flare ups like I have recently ever again since diagnosis in 2014. Itās funny how life throws you curveballs. Along with the physical aspects, I have struggled immensely with my mental health. Now, I know Iām being vulnerable posting this and might get hate and backlash⦠but one thing I have always been is transparent. This is me, being an open book, because thatās what I have and will continue to be. Iām not ashamed of my struggles and I pray that if you have dealt with anything similar that you arenāt either. Comparison is the thief of my joy and I need to realize that itās ok to be different, even when Iām struggling to get bookings, I am just me and that is ok!
I did a photoshoot recently as a re-creation of the movie āThe Sandlotā. I was able to share with those parents that creatively I was in a rut and needed something different. That night was a realization for me that I had indeed lost my way somewhere. I havenāt had that much fun during a photoshoot since I first began taking photos back in 2019. That night was also the last photoshoot I had done while I was still feeling well.
Ok⦠to my point⦠I need to take a step back, because what I am finding is that I need to take care of myself, both from a physical and emotional standpoint. My body needs to rest, my heart needs to get that spark back and my mind, well thereās probably no hope there haha! If you are booked with me for the remainder of this season, you are still ok! I plan on bringing my all to your session and rocking it with you. If youāve been gracious enough to be flexible with scheduling around my illness, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been working with my doctors and with the medications, I am finally going in the right direction. After the Fall season, I will be taking time to reflect, regroup and make decisions on how to proceed. Thank you if you made it this far⦠without you all, I wouldnāt have ever been the successful photographer I have loved being for the past 7 years.