Can you guess who’s back?

I’ll give you a hint you don’t need. She might be writing this right now.

Its ME! :) I’m back!

I feel like it has been an extremely long time since I’ve truly kept up with my photography blog, website, social media platforms, and all the things. It feels like that because it has been awhile. It’s been about 3 years, give or take 6 months. But I’ve had a good reason, so let me explain.

For the past 3 years, I’ve been heavily involved in my children’s’ elementary school’s PTA. I started out as the communications person which was a lot of weekly newsletter writing, website building, social media posting, video and graphic making. It was a bunch of creative stuff which I love, but it took a lot of time. Definitely more time than I originally though it would.

Then on the heels of that, I somehow was talked into becoming the PTA President. I ended up serving 2 years as the president. Sounds like jail time served (which at times it felt like), but it was a lot of work of fundraising, board meetings, and making sure events, programs, and everything ran smoothly. Thankfully, I had an amazing supportive team on my side, but even with my amazing team, it took a lot of time and effort away from my business.

In the midst of all of that, my oldest started high school and became heavily involved in the theatre department which means I got roped into the theatre booster club. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

Anyway if you have older kids who can’t drive yet, you know where this is going. Having older kids is wonderful. I love my teenagers! Yet I’m responsible for keeping the schedule and driving them everywhere. It’s amazing how much of a social life I teen can cram into all hours when they don’t seem to know how they are getting places and how they are getting home. Fun times! Commence me becoming more of a chauffeur than ever! And don’t forget, I still have three other kids who haven’t hit high school, and they still all have after school activities, friends, and school as well.

Another tidbit which threw a huge right turn into my life was one of my kids getting a late diagnosis of Autism. My husband and I had our suspicions for years, but we kept being told there’s no way. He’s too social, too smart, doesn’t fit the checkboxes, etc. When I finally forced the testing to go through, we got an official diagnosis which explained so much. If you know, you know. We’ve been working through all of those emotions, social skills, therapies, etc. to ensure his ultimate success. And that as well takes a tremendous amount of time.

For my sanity, I had to pull away from my business a little and focus on my kids. No regrets whatsoever, but my business did slow down quite a bit. Now, I’m trying to regroup and refocus. Build my business back up to what it was a few years ago.

So in hindsight, I did what was right for my family, but it was an extremely hard thing to do. My creativity took a huge hit, and I’m still digging myself out of that massive whole. I might start posting some random photos of macro, toys, flowers, my dogs, or maybe just more self portraits. Who knows where this journey is going to take me?!

I hope you will stay with me! I’m booking senior, newborn, and family session as well as still doing corporate headshots. I have openings, and I’m looking forward to creating many more memories for my community!