SIX weeks ago, I started the “new me” tour.

SIX weeks ago I convinced myself it was time to take charge of ME.    It was time to take care of ME.   It was time to deal with issues that I have been dealing with for years head on.    It was time to start exercising.  Start scheduling time for ME.   Start scheduling time for my family.    All of this is never easy in the fall.   It is the busiest time of year for me and yet some how, knowing I had no other choice, I PUSHED my way through.

On Friday, I had a follow up visit with my Dr and I am so excited to tell you that all of my hard work over the past six weeks paid OFF!  I lost 22 lbs and yesterday I finished my first 5K race in 8 years in 33:40.   YEAHHHH!!!

In that SIX weeks I also worked with two specific families that really touched my soul.    The DiSanto’s and the Fowler’s.   It is not that I don’t have some sort of connection to ALL of the families I have done shoots for, but these went beyond that.       The DiSanto’s had dealt with two cancer diagnosis’s in the past year…and yet the LOVE that I witnessed working with them was life changing.     They are what being a FAMILY is all about in every single way.

I also had the honor of shooting a very special newborn.   As most of you know, my mother was killed by a drunk driver in 1980.   In the car with her at the time of the accident was my mother’s best friend, Linda.    She was pregnant at the time of the accident with her first daughter Elizabeth.    Well, in September, life found a way to go full circle and I had the honor of shooting Elizabeth’s first daughter.

After both of these shoots it came even more clear how much photography was a part of ME.    It wasn’t just a little side business to make a little extra money to pay for all of the boys sport costs, etc.    Photography provides me so much more than that.   It has become part of who I am.  It has blessed me with wonderful friends, and great experiences.   Over the years, and through my own experience with losing my Mom, I have learned just how fragile life is and how sometimes our loved ones get taken too soon and pictures instantly become treasures for years to come.

With all of that being said, when I decided to “retire” after 2010, I did it to be a MOM.    Over the past 5 years, I have done over 250 shoots.   At 2 hours a shot for actual shoot time and 4-5 hours of post processing time, that is over 1500 hours of time away from my family.    I know I don’t get this time back, and as I sit here looking at pictures of them, it is hard to believe my “baby” will be 10 in May.

So, here is where I struggle.   As much as I want to have more time to be a MOM, how could I possibly have a “new ME” tour and NOT have at least SOME photography be a part of it??    So, you win.   :)    Maybe instead of retiring all together, we can compromise a bit.  :)   lol!

As celebration of the new “ME” and to honor all of the families that have touched me in so many ways, today I am opening up SIX shoots for 2011.   This very well may be ALL I do in 2011.   I have so much I want to do.   I want to go to all of the boys games, I want to train for the 1/2 marathon in September.   I want to be a MOM.    I might get a new full time job, I might be traveling more with work…..I just don’t know.   So much has changed in the last 6 weeks that I can’t even imagine what I have in store for me in 2011!

So, here are the details.   These SIX shoots will be scheduled as one shoot a month for May, June, July, August, September and October.    Right now we will just schedule you in that month and when we get closer to the month I will contact you and we can pick a specific weekend and time.    The session fee for these shoots will be $200.00.   It will be due within 5 days to hold your spot.    If it is not received in 5 days the next person in line will take your spot.   Print prices and digital package prices will remain the SAME as 2010 for THESE SIX shoots.

So, how do you get one of these sessions???    They will be booked on a first come first serve basis.   Once this blog posts gets posted, the first e-mail (cjconmom@gmail.com) I get will be given the month they requested and then I will go right down the list.  Once the six shoots are gone, I will not be creating a “waiting list”.   I will invoice you for the session fee later tonight when I am done with my last day of shooting for 2010!!    Pay your invoice right online and you will get the shoot.    I know there are SO many people that wanted shoots in 2010 and didn’t get them.    So, tell your friends, now is your chance.   

A very special thank you to my wonderful friend,  Shannon Hersh, who did all of my scheduling in 2010 and was VERY much involved in helping me make this decision.   I couldn’t have done it without you.     I Love you so very much.

Thank you to all of my 2010 families.   I am so blessed with your business and friendship.

I can’t believe I am saying this….but…..see you in 2011!!

PS.   Don’t forget about the old digital file special mentioned HERE .    All files from an old shoot for $100.00!!