Thursday, March 20, 2014

Time & Changes

The past couple of months have been pretty crazy around here. I am up to my eyeballs in photos [which I'm diligently working on session by session], I've had to pull the reserve lesson plans at school, and let's not talk about how dirty my house is!  As I sit here, every night after school, working until I go to sleep on photos I have come to realize that it's not worth it.  Not as in taking photos is not worth it, but my time is not worth what I'm asking for.  I charge $100 for a 2 hour session.  A 2 hour session takes HOURS of time to cull, proof, edit, and get to the clients.  [Trust me, my current clients are feeling the time it takes right now!]  I realize that because photography is not my main source of income, I am able to charge a lot less than other photographers.  I also realize that there are a lot of people out there with fancy cameras and trigger fingers.  However, I have come to value myself as a photographer more over the past few months than I ever have before.  I have realized that spending hours AFTER work doing even MORE work and sacrificing time with friends and family is a choice that I have made. Don't get me wrong I LOVE photography!  I love taking photos and editing photos, but it's the time part that gets to me.  Losing time.  As Corey and I think about expanding our family in the future and needing to have that TIME back, I have decided to do a couple of things.  

I need to make this whole "work" thing worth my time.  Staring today, March 20, 2014, my prices have changed.  You can see my new packages by clicking "packages" on the side bar.  I realize that this will put me out of some people's price radar, and that's okay.  No hard feelings, because I have also decided to slow down...a lot.  I will be posting my summer openings at some point, but right now I am not booking anything for July at all.  I am also almost booked for June, and I will post my June openings soon.  Starting in August I will only be booking sessions on some weekends and no weekdays.  This is not because I don't love my job[s] or my clients, it's because I DO.  I know that if I stay on this path I will get burnt out.  If you currently have a session booked with me [we have set a date], then these price changes will not affect that session.  Only sessions booked today and beyond will be the new pricing.  So with all of that, I can't wait for my currently booked sessions to get here, and I promise those of you waiting on CDs and proofs will receive those within the next week.

Thank you all!
Ashley

Monday, March 17, 2014

P One Month | Clayton, NC Baby Photographer

This weekend we threw my mom a surprise party, so the whole family was in town.  It was the perfect opportunity to take some one month pics of my new nephew Paxton!  This little wiggle worm gave us a run for our money, but his sweet smile was worth the wait!  This was my first time doing a shoot in my house, but these three worked it out!  Go ahead and check out this handsome guy's sneak peek :).

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

H Family | Clayton, NC Maternity Photographer

I have not seen these two parents-to-be for a long time.  We went to high school together and were in the youth group together, so I was SO excited when they contacted me to do a maternity shoot!  I have been so lucky to have many old and new friends become my clients over the past few years, and I can't wait to watch this little family grow!  Enjoy the sneak peek...

Thursday, March 6, 2014

J Family | Clayton, NC Family Photographer

I had a great time photographing this sweet family last weekend.  I haven't seen this dad since middle or high school, so it was great to catch up.  It's always fun when new clients are old friends.  This little boy was so cute, and he totally stole the show!  Enjoy this little sneak peek!