Motivational Monday

This is it!!!  One FANTASTIC blog,  lol.  I am so excited to make this blog fun and interesting for all of my friends and family, as well as my clients!  As promised I am starting with a contest.  But first I have to explain why I chose this as my first prize to give away. (Continue to the bottom for some more pics of cute little P.)

Saturday I had the opportunity to attend PhotoCampUtah.    A workshop put on by volunteer professional photographers to help the photographic community learn and improve their skills.  I am so grateful for all of the volunteers who helped in any way to make this such an accessible and great experience for all of us.  I hope that at some point in my career, as a photographer, that I can contribute to such a worthy cause.  You guys are awesome!

One of the keynote speakers, Zach Arias, which happens to be one of my favorite “celebrity” photographers to follow, always has awesome insight and great perspective to share and Saturday was no exception.  I hope to be able to attend his ONE LIGHT seminars someday.  Anyway, one thing that Zach stresses is the importance of finding your niche in the business by specializing in one area and not trying to do it all.  I have always believed in that concept but I wasn’t sure where my niche was, plus when your first starting out, its hard to turn away any business even if it’s not exactly what you want to do.  Well,  I think I have finally found my niche!  YAY!!!  I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING NEWBORNS AND CHILDREN!!! Even though they are a challenge, I find so much joy in photographing them. I have known for a while that this is where I wanted my emphasis to be but as I said, when you are a starving photographer (so to speak,haha)  it is hard to give away the other jobs that come along in hopes that you will one day have the money to be able pick and choose the jobs you want to do.   I have decided to take a leap of faith.  It is the main reason that I built my studio, and it’s time to take that risk however scary that may be!  I love all of my clients so rest assured, I will not turn you away if you come to me for something else (except maybe weddings)!

So the first prize I am giving away is:  drumroll please……..  A one year BabySteps program Step One membership (over$275 value)!!!!  This includes 3 sessions (newborn, 6mos., one year), a complimentary card/announcement design, A three-image framed art piece, and 10% off of all portrait orders for baby’s first year!  Pretty awesome prize right?  How do I enter and how do I win you ask? Well, it’s easy: Just send me an email with BabySteps Contest in the subject line and nominate yourself or someone else you know who is expecting in the next few months.  Then I will add you to the poll which will start here on the blog on Friday March 26th.  Get all of your friends and family to come and vote for you and the winner will be announced on Wednesday March 30th!  It’s so easy you would be crazy not to do it!!!

Now if you have stuck with me to this point, as promised, I wanted to make this a FANTASTIC blog that is fun, exciting, and educational so I am committing to write 3 times a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Each of the days will have it’s own special items and you will just have to stick with me for the week to find out what Wednesday and Friday will be.  As you read in the subject line, Monday’s will now be known as Motivational Monday!  We all know how hard it is to get back in the routine of things after a lazy (or exhausting) weekend, or just to re-evaluate and re-prioritize you life.   So I thought Monday would be a good day to help you kick everything back into gear.  I know I can always use a kick in the pants here and there.  So to start out I wanted to share with you one of the reasons that I like Zach Arias so much and why he motivates me.  Here is a video he put together called “Transform” hopefully it helps you realize that we all go through the same feelings of discouragement and inadequacy at times no matter what it is we do, professional, amateur, mom, student, business professional, etc.   The important thing is that we keep plugging along and never give up!  Of course this was made with other photographers in mind but even if you’re not a photographer insert whatever it is you do as you watch this and stick with it to the end.  It really is inspiring.  No matter what it is you do vow to stick with it and be the best YOU that you can be!