Thank you all for your support in 2020! When I had to shut my doors in March I was so scared. I cut out all advertising, I called to see what bills could be put off. I looked at our finances and budgeted how long we could last without working. I prayed for state/federal help to come through. And you know what? I didn't have to worry. I had clients contacting me asking to purchase sessions for sometime in the future. I had clients interested in purchasing prints from past sessions. I had clients write reviews, purchase gift cards, ask how they can help. I realized that my clients are more than just clients, they are friends. They are there for each other in times of need and there for me as a friend when I needed them.
When I opened in June, I had missed newborn photos for a couple babies. We did "newborn" like photos. After my first session in a mask, I came home and cried for almost 3 days. I cried because I couldn't do what I used to do. I grieved the way it had been. I couldn't hug the toddlers, or pose the babies like I wanted. I couldn't offer a handshake even. My glasses fogged up when trying to shoot and I had to purchase a new lens that would keep me at a safe distance with money I didn't have.
It didn't stop me. I bought 98723 masks to find the ones that worked best. I found a studio outside my home. I wore a shield and changed how I did things. I adapted to the new normal and so did you. I stood up for safety, I stood up for issues that I felt passionate about. My business grew. It grew this year! I'm still shocked and amazed. I grew too. I became a better photographer from afar. I learned to give verbal cues versus physical ones. Your babies smiled at my eyes and my noises instead of my funny faces.
I'm looking forward to 2021. We have a vaccine! We have hope. We have a new sense of purpose. We value our families more(and are excited for some space from them!) We have fallen in love with nature (and I have some some exciting new locations!) We have learned to ice skate, how to dress for a hike in the snow, how to travel safely and how to appreciate the extra time to play a board game. We have made it through 2020 and 2021 will be even better.
Thank you all. Thank you for your support, your kindness, your forgiveness when I've screwed up, your patience and your willingness to create memories with me!
