I am not only speaking for myself, but for fellow photographers and small business owners alike, when I say:

I am incredibly disappointed with the new Facebook business page format. It *seems* like, now that Facebook stock has been made open to public trading, they are reaching for any opportunity to make a quick buck...!!

Facebook has implemented a new feature for us business owners: 'Promoted' posts. I can pay either $5 to reach a total of 1,500 of my ALREADY EXISTING fans, or a 'mere' $10 to reach a total of 2,700 people. Again, these are people that have already 'Liked' my page and appreciate my work.

Facebook works on an algorithm. For example, each of my posts only reaches roughly only 16% of my fan base (1,972). "Promoted posts" only increases the likelihood of each of my posts being seen by my fans in their news feed, unless they go directly to my page. How is this fair for small business owners trying to reach people on a "free" network?? Well, I guess that old quote my dad used to say is true..."Life's not fair". 

Well, I don't think that's how it should be, do you? I would love to hear what others think about this new change & how it will, in turn, effect marketing for each of us. Who would like to write a personal note to Mr. Zuckerberg, because I sure as hell would love to right about now...

I had such a blast today working with this couple... Married for 4 years, have a 2 year old girl, and now having their 2nd baby: boy? Or girl? :) Well, they found out after I did!!!

We arrived at Manito park (where he had proposed to her!), they handed me the envelope, where enclosed was the gender of the baby, and they patiently awaited as we get setup so they could know what they were having...it had been killing them all day long!

So, I decided to torture him a little bit more and reveal the gender only to her first. Man, I'm a big meanie >_<

I turned him around right behind me and made him close his eyes. I had her put the pink balloon in her right hand, and the blue balloon in her left hand. We took a couple very adorable pictures of her walking with both balloons, then...I said, "Let go of the balloon in your right hand!". She hesitated, looked at me with the cutest little smile, and let go of the pink balloon, standing in complete & utter happiness, with a blue balloon.

No longer wanting to torture this young man, that was about to find out he was having his first baby boy!! So, keeping his eyes closed, I walked him to the front of her and told him to "keep them closed!!". Then, out came the Love @ First Bite cupcake, covered in little turquoise blue edible beads...

"On the count of 3, you can open your eyes and see what you are having...!", as he opens his eyes and a grin from ear-to-ear appeared. 

I'm not going to sit here and lie to you...I cried a little too, because I remember how happy I was when I found out I was having a baby boy, only a short year and a half ago.

I turned my camera off, changed props and lens, just to give this couple the time they needed to hug it out. I can only imagine how elated they both must be at this point...

See how happy he is?! I love it. {*baby fever sets in*}

I am so happy to have captured this amazing moment in this couples' lives. Congratulations to the both of you for your future bundle of boy-joy! :)

I think my all-time favorite part of the whole experience of a photo shoot (besides taking the actual photos, of course) would have to be getting the package ready for the client.

I love hand-writing them a thank you note, letting them know how much I appreciate them (because I do!). I love creating this cute little present, just for my client. My goal is for them to know they had a unique experience with me.

In the brown paper bag:

1. Business cards, at least 5.
2. Hand-written 'Thank You' note
3. CD with images of the session
4. Referral card for discounts on future sessions
5. Printed images on gorgeous glossy paper
6. My own hand-made label, to personalize further
7. Print release on CD

Best part: watching them open it up and say, "Oh cuuuuuute!!". It makes my day, every time.

Although it might seem pretty dang easy to go to a photo session, snap some pictures, throw em onto a CD, and that's that. Well, It's a little more complicated than you think...

I really try to go above & beyond for my clients, and I have actually listed it out for you, step-by-step what it takes to prepare for a session:

 - Go to stores to find props, backdrops, etc. to make your session one of a kind.

 - Pick out the perfect outfit, to make a great first impression.

 - Charge all my batteries the night before, as well as get all my props and equipment all together and in my car (which usually takes help from my strong & manly fiancé to accomplish, especially with newborn sessions!)

 - Clear all SD cards and make sure I have plenty back-up cards, just in case.

 - Pack snacks and a water bottle.

 - Pay for a babysitter for my 10 month old son.

 - Pay for gas to drive to the location of the session, as I do not have a studio.

 - Spend time during the session to create an atmosphere of trust & make sure you have a warm, friendly, and stress-free photo shoot with me.

 - Drive back home & I am simply too giddy to NOT go through all the pictures the same day...

 - Sift through all the images (roughly 50 images per hour, depending on the session) and pick out the best and the amount specified by the client.

 - EDIT those said images, which can take up to a week, or more, depending on the session. Weddings can take up to 3 weeks to edit!!

 - Send some edited proofs to the client via online (password protected) gallery, which is an extra fee for my website that I have to pay.

 - Order prints/wrapped canvas/frames, etc and wait for them to be shipped to me.

 - Burn all images onto a CD, print proofs on my printer, and package it all up in a cute little package made just for each client, even with a handwritten note.

 - Schedule a time with the client where we can meet up in person to deliver the package (more gas!)

 So the next time someone asks, "Why are your prices the way they are?", I will simply direct them here, where they can see how much time, effort, love, passion, & money, I have put into each and every single one of my sessions. You get a unique experience with me that you would not receive at the photo booth in the mall or retail store.