and now for something completely different

So here it is already 2 weeks into the new year, and I have yet to make an formal announcement about the changes I’ve been hinting at on Facebook. But It’s cloudy today, my back is sore, I’m about to put a log on the fire, Mr. Susan is doing the taxes and the dogs are sleeping so here I am. You have my full, undivided attention (well…except for the times you don’t because have a good movie on tv).

For lots of reasons, my business is changing quite a bit, starting…oh, starting a month or so ago.

First off: weddings. While I’m still going to be shooting weddings, I’m going to shoot only a limited number of them, and I’m shooting only small weddings. Four hours max is what I’m offering, because honestly, I think that’s all you need from your wedding day.

My brides have never been your “typical” bride. They’re not into having 2000 soft-focused pictures of themselves; they’re a little bit shy and not into posing. They like pictures of their friends and family; they like candids and little moments that happen all the time but that they miss. That’s really what I’ve been shooting pretty much all this time (with a few exceptions), so I’m just making it official.

The package I’m offering is different too; take a look on my site for details about what’s included. If you’re an offbeat, small-wedding kind of bride, I think you’ll dig it.

So now that I’m cutting back on weddings, I’m going to be focusing a lot more on portrait work. It’s what I love to do more than anything, and it’s something that I think everyone should have done at least every few years. I’m still photographing dogs more than anything (my first love, what can I tell you?), but ack! I do love the kids, and I love seeing more newlyweds coming into the studio for portraits. I think that’s cool. I wish I’d done it when I was young.

So portraits and small weddings, that’s my thing. Oh, and the volunteer work. Yeah…you thought I’d forgotten about that, didn’t you?

Ha!

I’ve finally started one project that I’m super excited about. I’ll be working with a national non-profit that I greatly admire and I wish I could go into details but I have to sit on it for a few months. You’ve no idea how difficult that is for me because I’M SO STOKED about this project! Eep. And YAY!

I’m on the brink of starting another project with another local non-profit, but this is one is about local people here in Long Beach. We’ve got a long term goal that, again, I can’t talk about much, but there will be more news about this one soon.

Networking. Ack. Ick. Blargh. I’d rather do almost anything than network; I’m terrible at it, but it’s something I have to learn to do. I’m lucky, because I have a good friend who is brilliant at this sort of thing (among countless other things), and I hope to be working with her more this year too. Colleen Paige, an animal activist for years and just an amazing all-around person, runs The Wedding Dog and a few other companies you probably know, and I just think she deserves to be called out for all her work and effort. I’m honored to have been asked to work with her and I SO look forward to doing more.

I’ve got another project starting up with with my local shelter (that’s work that I’ll never stop doing and never tire of). I can’t even begin to describe how thrilled I am to see shelter animals finally getting the national attention they deserve. And it’s just going to get better and better for them; I know it is.

And last but not least, I’m working on teaching a class this summer on how to get a great photo of your dog. It’s not finalized yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen. I’ll post details here and on Facebook when I get those nailed down.

So that’s it. Lots of changes. Some big, some not so much. I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Oh, and the photo? Changes, I’m telling you. Changes.