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Feelin' Sorry for myself....

Okay, usually, I am an upbeat, cheerful sort of person.  Today I am just feeling sorry for myself.  I decided to start S.L. Smith Photography because not doing it was WAY SCARIER than just jumping in and going for it.  That is what I did...I went for it...and it feels good....but...I am totally an instant gratification sort of girl..I like vaccuuming because it is instant clean, Starbucks is instant yummy and buzz all at the same time..you get the point...when I want something, I want it fast and I want it now.  That is not how opening a business works. It takes a long time and a lot of work.  I love the hard work...do not love all the time.  I guess I am feeling 'blah' because I am basically still in the muck of the busnissey stuff...DBA paperwork, bank accounts, accepting credit cards, taxes...blah, blah, BLAH!!!!!

Then I think of what I still need...I made the mistake of going to one of my favorite camera stores today to fondle look at my favorite lens (Canon 50 mm 1.2).  It is my dream lens...but at around $1600, this lens may have to wait awhile.  I leave the store and start to think about how much better my pics would look with that lens...then I freak out  wonder "Are my pics even good enough?"  "Do people want to hire me?"  "Are my portraits good or do people just tell me that to make me feel better"

Anyway, I 'm rambling....I think I need a glass of wine, a funny movie, and a great night of sleep.  I will get up and try again tomorrow.  I have a portrait session of my friend's mom and her mom...I can't wait.  I keep repeating this quote in my head

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

Mary Anne Radmacher I WILL try again tomorrow!

Best Shot Monday..Sweet Emily

Here is a shot from the photo session I had this weekend.  This adorable little girl was so amazing!  She did whatever I asked her to do...climb a tree, lay in the grass, if it were legal, I'm sure she would have splashed in the fountain if I had asked.  She was such a natural and even offered her own "poses".  Her mom was terrific at clothing changes on the spot.  She was so fast and discreet.  They were an amazing team and so fun to work with.  You guys were awesome!  Thank you!

Feed the Elephant

My 5 year old son is very attached to his stuffed elephant, "Dumbo".  Dumbo sleeps with him and goes everywhere with us.  Before school every morning, my son asks me to 'babysit' Dumbo while he is at school.  To me, babysitting a stuffed elephant consists of leaving him in my son's bed and ignoring him all day.  Apparently, my son got wind of my neglectful elephant care.  This morning he took an unusually long time getting dressed for school.  Later in the morning, when everyone was off to school I found out why the morning routine took so long. I set about my usual cleaning routine and came across Dumbo sitting in this  buffett of plasctic food in my son's room.  Obviously, I have not been feeding the elephant enough.  I think I have fired from being an elephant caretaker.

A Lesson on how to creep people out

Okay, I have to admit, I am a stalker.  Not the kind who peeps in people's windows and sends them creepy mail...no, I am a blog-stalker.  Sadly, as a hobby, I sit with my coffee and laptop and cruise the blogs of my favorite photographers, artists, and moms.  So, yesterday I was picking 2 of my kids up at school and see one of my favorite blog people.  I decide to approach scare the crap out of her, by coming up to her and saying "I Stalk your blog"....instead of something more apporpriate like "Hi, I'm Stephanie and I really enjoy reading your blog."...Then, just to make matters more creepy I say "I recognized your children before I recognized you"...I can't believe I said that!  So now, not only do I stalk her, but I sound like I stalk her children too.  What really happened is that I was bending over handing something to my baby in the stroller and a little curly headed girl bounces by me.  I thought "That little girl looks familiar" and then I look up and see her beautiful mom, Maile.   Sorry Maile...I did not mean to creep you out.  Meeting one of my favorite photographers is a little like meeting a celebrity.

Also, I wanted to let you all know that the pictures from the newborn shoot are done.  Go to the client section on my site and type in "babyj"...what a cutie.  Only 2 weeks old and already holding his head up and trying to move off of the ottoman I placed him on.  His family was great too.  They made me feel so at home and even offered me food and beverages!  If I didn't have plans to go to La Hacienda that night, I totally would have stayed and eaten.  I felt so at home with them.  Thanks guys!  You are great! 

A First Birthday for K-Man

This weekend I was lucky enough to be asked to come and photograph a little boy's first birthday party.  I can't tell you how special it made me feel to be hired to come into their home to document such an important and special event!  K-man (birthday boy) was so much fun and such a riot when the balloons came out.  He was also the neatest little cake eater I have ever met!  When I looked at their family photos I shot, I was so happy to see their happiness and beauty shine through the photos.  To me they look like a family Pottery Barn would put in their catalogs!  They were so much fun and I had a great time photographing their event.

That same day, I had a photoshoot for a newborn too....I will show you those tomorrow!

Christmas Picture Special!!!!

I am running a Christmas Picture Special so you can have photos for your Christmas Cards. The dates are October 27 and 28 at Walker Ranch Park near those cool twisty tree trunks. The appointments will be in half hour increments. It will be $40 and I will take as many shots of your family that I can in 30 - 40 minutes (I can take a lot). I will edit and retouch each shot individually and give you a cd full of all of your shots which you can develop how you want. There is nothing left to buy...you get the WHOLE CD! If you were interested, I can also get portraits printed for you.
The times I have left are:  Saturday Oct 27 : 9:30,2:30, 3:00, 3:30    3:30 is open again!
                                             Sunday October 28 : 9:00 , 10:30

I have a birthday party shoot today and then I get to take pictures of a baby who is not even 2 weeks old yet!!!!!  I am so excited and can't wait to post them for you tomorrow!

Crazy Neighbor with a Camera

I have decided that besides photography, my new obsession is blogging.  I love it that people, whom I have never met, email me and we can discuss photography.  I am sure my husband and friends get tired of hearing about shadows, backgrounds, shutter speed.....so thanks, my new blogging friends!  I got a couple of emails asking if I like to take other types of photos besides people.  My answer is YES!  I am sure that my neighbors think I am crazy whenthey drive by and I am crouching in a ditch to get a picture of the cool bugs, or laying on my belly in my driveway taking pictures of grass and rocks.  I KNOW the people in HEB (grocery store) think I am crazy when I am taking pictures of fruit, sushi, and grocery carts.  My camera is attached to me almost always.  A couple of months ago I had to take my camera in to be serviced.  When the guy told me it would be 4 - 6 weeks before my camera was returned, I gasped.  Then I went out to my car and actually cried....I know it's only a camera, an inatimate object...but I cried a little bit. Now I think it's funny and I am hoping for more business so I can buy another camera and then I won't have to be a baby everytime my camera needs to go to the doctor!  I know some of you can understand.  Anyway, here are some of my favorite, non-people pictures.

   

Back to School Blues

You would think that since I now have 2 kids in school all day and only one at home, I would be jumping for joy.  It has been 2 full weeks of school now and I am just now getting adjusted to the quiet.  When they are at school, it is just too quiet with just Jack-Jack and me.  I miss them when they are gone...but, once they get home, and the homework starts, the constant chatter that all 3 produce at once, the competition for my attention, the fighting and bickering, the mess...oh the mess...by that time of day, I want to purchase some Bose noise canceling headphones (or sometimes stab out my own ear drums).  Then the next day, when they are all gone and the house is quiet again, I miss them, their noise, and their mess and count the hours until they are home. SIGH.

Finally Done (well , almost)

My site is finally done.  Except for a few pictures to put up and information from charities I will sponsor, I am DONE!  This site will be ever changing as I add new specials and pictures.  Please check in on this blog as much as possible too.  I will try to post daily as well as have give-aways, contests, and price specials on this blog. I will also use this blog as a place to announce when I wil be traveling to different states so that if you or someone you know will be there, we can do a shoot while I am visiting.

This is what I am currently running for specials:

FREE CD:

I ordered an extra Ashley Gramins cd to give away.  Here is how to get it.  I am currently looking for places in San Antonio to take interesting Christmas card pictures of families.  I have already done photos at The McNay, Botanical Gardens, and the Riverwalk.  I am looking for something different.  The person with the best idea ( I will use this idea during my Christmas in October special) gets the cd...brand new, unwrapped!  Just reply to this blog or send me an email.  Can't wait to hear your ideas! Contest ends Thurday Sept. 13th.

FREE PHOTOS:

I am currently giving away 2 free newborn sessions and 2 free maternity sessions.  These sessions include everything included in the "Standard Package".
Did I mention they were FREE??????
Just send me an email telling me why you or someone you know deserves these free sessions!

Stay tuned for info on my Christmas in October special!

Thanks for reading...I gotta go now, the baby is trying to eat the dog food!

WoW! This is actually Happening!

Well, here is my first blog.  I can't believe this is happening so quickly!  In February this was just a "what if"  or "maybe someday" kind of idea.  Now it is a full fledged reality.  My mind is swimming with business matters, legal terms, taxes, licensing, websites, appointments...but you know what?  I love it.  To me, starting this photography business is as exciting as getting married and having my 3 children.  I have never felt this much passion for something besides my family.

I feel so lucky to be able to combine my favorite things...children, people, and photography!

Doubt does sometimes creep into my mind...am I good enough?  can I balance 3 kids, a home, and owning my own business?  am I like one of those people who audition for American Idol even though they are obviously not good, but nobody told them?   Actually , I am fortunate to have a life filled with family and friends who would tell me if they didn't think I could hack this.

"and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin    Well...I guess my tight bud got too tight and it is time for me to blossom!

I put a song by the artist Ashley Gramins on my website.  If you are a parent, these are great covers of songs to listen to with your kids.