It’s been almost 4 months since I have blogged.  To those of you who follow my blog, I am so sorry!  Things have been busy.  March hit and photo shoots, weddings and editing started filling up my time again.  I have been trying to keep up with my editing and my blog has just been put on the back burner.  When one shoot or wedding is done, I just have to move right on to the next one.  I actually have a folder on my computer called “Need to Blog 2012.”  It currently holds images from 5 weddings and 24 photo shoots.   AAAGGGGGHHHHHH!  Expect to see some of these blogged by mid-December.  🙂

So, I’m busy.  Aren’t we all?  But I have decided to do some changes.  And this is the reason for this extremely “wordy” blog post.

I have grown and learned so much in my last 7 years of being in the photography world. And I am so thankful for the Lord’s blessing on my little business and for the support from all of you.  As many of you know, for the past few years, I have been slightly overwhelmed with my workload while still trying to maintain a good balance between being a wife and mommy to 3 little children.  Yesterday, my husband and I decided to do a fun summer outing with our kids.  It was so much fun, but I kept thinking about how I should be home editing photos for my clients.   Now do not get me wrong, I am not complaining about having so many clients – I feel honored that people choose me to photograph special moments in their lives.  But I feel like after 7 years, now is the time to make some changes to my business.

Many of you know that photographing weddings is my passion.  It is my favorite thing!  I love being a part of such an important day and I jump up and down every time another bride books me to photograph her big day.  But I have turned down many weddings this year due to being so booked with family sessions, seniors, etc.

I have sought out the advice of many other professionals in my field, my family, friends and actually some of my clients.  I have also given lots of thought to my priorities and what is most important to me and my family. That is: Being there for my daughter’s first sentence, being there to read goodnight stories to my boys before bed, and being there for that last soccer game of the season.

I am revamping my business to better suit my wedding clients and my family. Don’t worry, I’m not giving up everything else – I’m just “re-prioritizing”.

 

So here is my new business plan:

1. Lifestyle sessions (basically everything but weddings) will be $500.

– A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of booking your session.  The remainder amount of $400 will be due at the photo shoot.

– You will still receive all photos edited and on a disc with copyright release.

-These sessions typically last 1.5-2 hours and provide you with 100+ photos.

 

2. I will only be scheduling Lifestyle sessions one evening a week.

– During the school year I will only schedule photo shoots for Wednesday evenings.  During the summer, I will be able to be more flexible and possibly book 2 nights each week.

– If you are not capable of doing a weekday shoot, please contact me and I will try to work with your schedule (especially for my out-of-town clients).

 

3. I am booked for 2012 so this will take effect for all sessions booked for 2013 on or after today’s date of June 22, 2012.

– If you have already booked a 2013 session, don’t panic, you will only be required to pay the agreed upon rate previously discussed with me.

 

Thank you so much for understanding these changes and for all your support, encouragement, and love.  And what is a blog post without some photos.  Here are a few of my favorites from a family session I did back in March!

– Cat Satre