just a review

It's bound to happen... I get so focused on photos and life and forget to blog- only this year I have 2 blogs to manage.

So, if you'd like to see what I have been up to from behind the lens, check out my business blog!

A friend, who I haven't talked to in awhile, texted me last night and said "aww i miss you too, things seem to be going well for you! i'm glad :)" They didn't know exactly why things are going well but I guess they can see the smile on my face through the phone.

Here are a few reasons why things seem to be going so well... (in no particular order)

*I have recently acquired much more time to focus on the business

*I have been able to see more of my friends on a regular basis. I missed that for 8 months and I really need community.

*God has brought some amazing people into my life in the past few months

*I have finished some things I had been procrastinating on BIG TIME!

*It's a small world ;)

*God has provided me with some great clients and I've had more networking opportunities than I could have ever imagined.

*Blessed to be a blessing

*I'm stoked for Wedding season 09!

*I have another 2nd shooter that will be covering a majority of the weddings this summer

*God has provisions I know not of, more than I can ask or imagine

*Its mind boggling that a year ago I was graduating college and I've been a business owner for ~15 months

*It's amazing what can happen in a year- I can't wait for the days ahead!

I guess I'll keep adding onto this list in the coming days--

divine in 09

As I was on my way to meet my bride and groom for an e.session today I walked past this- I can relate. I've noticed how much the impact of the economy has affected so many around me. Even though times are tough I still want to have a smile on my face and feel blessed for each day I have to live and spend my time pursuing my dream. Praying for the permanent instead of the pressing today.

transitions

Lately I've been running on close to "E", not just in my gas tank but in the busyness of life. I've had to step back and assess if this is how I want to spend my days. Blessings have come and I want to be honestly grateful for them but in reality I'm piling them up on a shelf waiting for the day I have "time" to focus on it and be 100% grateful.
The day has come to simplify my schedule and put some boundaries in place. The workload has been too much to keep up with and my days, nights and weekends are filled with work. That's not how I want to spend my days especially while I am "young" The conclusion is I will no longer be a FT nanny as of April... I will take the time to focus on my business and take advantage of the opportunities and partnerships that are falling in my lap.. and teach kids as a secondary career choice. This decision was thought out and I spent a lot of time in prayer and I have been assured this is the right choice for now. I'll leave you with a cliche forward I'm sure pretty much everyone has had in their inbox at one time or another. A few lines stand out to me especially the part in the end "When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there."
(All images are SOOC using my new 5D mkii)
SLOW DANCE unknown

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask, "How are you?"

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

Wow!

So I had one of the better weeks/weekends in a long time! It was exciting and exhausting for sure! I rented some sweet equipment to test out and have planned as many shoots as possible in between my normal work schedule. check out my biz blog for some previews

I'll have a change in my schedule coming up in the next couple months (more on that later)

The weather was great, the people were great, it was just one of those weekends I really felt in my element. Yes, it was all about photos so I won't bore you with the details but it just feels like things are coming together nicely.
Hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather and that your weekend was great

Camellia Cosmetics

When we went to get the scarves we made an appointment for a makeover at Camellia

It was the Saturday after Christmas when I had those 5 whole days off [including the weekend ;) ] we had a lot of fun chatting it up with the girls. I did some networking and by the end had some great samples, this "guide" to do what they did, as well as some new goods to make the eyes sparkle- so they say. Shop local!

the news...

This is an email I'm sending out this evening... I still have some updating to do and LOTS of photos to add but at least its up!
Thanks for all who have prayed for me and this venture and those who have pushed me to actually follow my dream.
Love to you all
{BrittaniRenee}

Children who leave fingerprints...

Being in "childcare" for so many years, I have cared for more children then I'd ever think of having in my own home. Some people call it babysitting but I've always felt that I've wanted to be more than a "babysitter." The experience over the years has been great even though I don't have a child of my own- I've learned so much.
There are so many children that I feel have such a special place in my heart- most of which I've watched grow up over the years. As I've been thinking of the fingerprints placed on my heart from such sweet little ones it makes me wonder how they currently are in life. Some are only 4 and some are closer to 14! I hope they remember how much I still care for them even if I don't see them on a regular basis.

teddy

Well, this boy who has had my heart for the past 7 months is growing up quick. Standing, talking a bit, laughing a lot- it makes each week a good time working and observing the milestones. I've been watching him since he was about 4 months old and he will be a year next month! We played around with the camera last week and had a great time- here is one picture I captured as he was standing against this big rock.

Is this peace I feel?

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you will learn to live freely and lightly.

-Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

There is such hope in this verse! If you have been around me or heard what my schedule has been like in the past month you will understand how important this verse is to me. Lately I've been working 50-60 hour weeks and have been working 7 days/wk for a couple weeks- not including any photog stuff. I'm about half way through right now and I have to say when I've had nothing else to give, God shows up every time and gives me the energy I need. Somehow, I've finished 2 weddings and a couple other shoots in the past week when I feel like I've had no time at all and have been exhausted. Thats God at work! I can't take the credit at all. I've also had some days of second-guessing myself and wondering if this is really what I should be doing. Once again- at just the right times God shines through and offers me hope and understanding. Whether its a new client or some kind words from a friend or family member all the encouragement has helped me through. So thank you to those who have been praying, encouraging, and helping me whenever necessary. I'm holding onto the promise of a lifetime.  ~love to you all

{b}

In the middle

I've not posted with anything more than a picture or two in some time now... It feels like so much has happened while in the same moment so many things have stayed the same.  Work is going well- weddings on the weekends, shoots during the week with possible editing time snuck in after working with children for at least 10 hrs each day. I've noticed I'm pretty exhausted by Friday evening and then lately I've had weddings all day Saturday or more working on the weekends when the parents are on call. 

I'm gearing up for one of my favorite seasons and honestly looking forward to stopping and taking a breath of the crisp fresh air. I'm ready to start getting family shoots together for Christmas cards so that the design process doesn't stress me out in December. I've put another big project on the back burner while editing 6 weddings so I'm hoping to get started on that as well.  Oh the to do list is growing as I type...

In the mean time I want to give a shout-out to my Mom who has been a tremendous help to me during this very busy season of my life.  

Thank you to all who have prayed for me especially during the hard times and times of sickness (PTL I didn't get sick this last time around- 4 people being sick couldn't pass their "germies" to me:] ) 

Today was refreshing, my friend/assistant and I went on a themed fun shoot... doors and texture being the theme. We went around town finding some great things to take pictures of- I'll share one for now...

Have a great week! 

much love

{b}

Full of Joy*

This child is very sick and is still this happy! It amazes me! What a sweetie... I hope both kids get better soon and that I don't catch it- AGAIN!

iLooked iPlayed iBought

I have made the switch! I'm a new owner of an iMac

I did some homework and was very unsure about having to run parallel with windows etc but after talking to a pro I was good to go. My workflow is going to be so much easier and faster!

kayli

"hi"

lil stinker- but she has my heart.

I traded up...

I am a proud new owner of a 6wk old kitten (she's real!)
Her name is Kayli and she is beautiful... she was abandoned by her mom and was taken to a high-kill shelter. A local agency took her in and has given her love until they gave her to me today.
She can be a lil stinker at times and is so little that she can easily get into trouble but she is a real sweetheart especially when her eyes are closed.
I put her in a carrier to bring her home and 2 minutes into the drive she was crying so I decided to drive the 30 min with her on my lap. :)

Thank you

Thanks to all who text'd, called, emailed, facebook'd to wish me a happy birthday!
I received some amazing flowers from my Mom AND from the family I work for! A pleasant surprise to say the least...

Recent days

Mom's flowers from her birthday- they really brightened up the apt! And now I have tiger lilies in a beautiful bouquet I received from my new family yesterday! So pretty

Teddy is growing up sooo quickly!

And yesterday my new family and I watched as it rained in the evening

These kids have my heart but I will admit I'm tired!
Just counting 2 days I'll have worked 23-24 hours.

Have a great rest of the week friends!

its amazing what a dozen roses and a sweet card can do to brighten my seemingly endless week!

hope you have an unexpected surprise during this week!
its the little things!

The wait is over...

For about 2 years I have not had a consistent job... because of school, mono, summer classes etc it has prevented me from working even over 25 hours a week which is killer on the checking account...so I've been grabbing as many side jobs hence me beginning the photog business. I am now submerged in photos, which I love and could do full time (considering the amount of time thats spent post-editing) but I still needed some consistency in my life... so where to go from here...
Well, I have been watching Teddy pt and have loved it- seeing him grow into a little boy over the last 3-4 months has been amazing! I didn't want to leave him quite yet and I knew his Mom still had work to do. I had a possible position open up that would be 40 hrs a week that a friend was doing over the summer but I'd have to leave Teddy sooner than I wanted. I thought about it and for some reason, yes, I'll admit I am a procrastinator... I never sent her my resume for about 2 weeks.
I will not bore you with the further details, all I'll say is refer to last weeks blog post where it kinda sounded like I was close to a breakdown. I didn't know what "normal" was anymore and it was wearing me out! Don't even think about opening the door to my room- its horrible! ;)
So to make it brief here is the timeline:
Friday afternoon- call from my Aunt
Monday morning- call about a nanny position
Monday- watch Teddy
Monday evening- interview for nanny position (1.5 hrs)
Tuesday- finish the interview over the phone (~45 min)
Wednesday- Meet husband and children
h.i.r.e.d. within 5 minutes of being with the children.
Its a whirlwind but such a blessing! The children already have my heart and I feel so comfortable with the entire family. I'll be working 3 10-12 hour days as well as any other time they need me since they are physicians and best of all I have 2 week days available to either do photos all day long or watch Teddy! God has His way of working things out. There are more crazy stories to add to the mix but I'll leave that for another post or if I talk to you in person you can ask me about it.

I kept pretty quiet about this until I knew for sure... so don't feel bad if you had no idea that I've been "looking" for a full time job since May- cause I obviously haven't been pounding the pavement by any means and this landed in my lap.

Let me just say life is all about networking

Thanks for all of you who have prayed for me- besides taking a bunch of b-complex I've been trying to manage my time a bit better and its helped. I just know my time is even more limited now but I think that will be good for me.

Love to you all

How I feel

When I was talking about my schedule this is kinda how I felt... :/




This is actually Peyton- what a big yawn for such a lil guy
There is hope and vitamin b-complex ;)

Time

has been slipping away quicker than I'd like...

-Peyton is 2 weeks old
-Wedding season is in full swing along with scheduling many photo shoots- not including all my post editing time
-Speaking of weddings- I'm contracting this week with 2 people for Aug 8 & 9 both of their photogs backed out last minute
-I'm house-sitting like its a career
-Teddy is growing so much and is VERY active these days
-Daylight is fading more quickly which means fall is on its way
-Lots of contracts to work on and send out along with MANY other business "to do's"

Although I'm thankful for all of these opportunities and such, I feel like a puppy chasing my own tail. Things are a bit too hecktic right now and I'm trying to push on the brakes and reevaluate my "to do list" that is ever growing and re prioritize some things. Hopefully this change will be reflected in a less scatterbrained individual- or at least I feel that way.