This was a weird week that left me feeling a lot. I had a little bit of everything on my schedule….newborn, maternity, family, pets - a full schedule of shooting everything I love. But last weekend turned into a total bust - the weather just would not cooperate for anything, and appointments had to be rescheduled. This week was looking like hit and miss as well, but thankfully the forecast turned around for this weekend. In the meantime, one maternity session that was scheduled was cancelled because Momma went into labor. I felt bad because her session was postponed due to the weather, and she felt bad because she waited too far into pregnancy to schedule. This isn’t the first time I’ve had this happen either, but it makes me sad when a Mom misses out on capturing precious moments like that. I also had a family scheduled for photos with their two dogs. She was super excited because the one was aging and they wanted to be sure to get these photos taken of the whole family. We all know fur kids are every bit as important as the human ones. My heart sank when I received the message that they had lost their baby before the session. She of course questioned whether they should still go forward with the session because it felt like a part of the reason why they were doing it was now missing. I also got a message from another client who has become like family to me after photographing them for many years now…her youngest son signed up to join the Marines and would be leaving rather quickly. She was hoping I could fit them in for a last minute family session. Of course the urgency was completely understood, and I would do anything to make that happen for her.

This week was just a reminder of how important my job is and how much value a photograph really has. I’ve shared my own story before, about where my inspiration for my job comes from. It follows the same type of storyline as above…I lost my horse in a tragic accident. But lucky for me, I was already a photo fanatic by that point, and the night before he was taken away from me, I had photographed him. I really held dear the photographs I took of him to help me get through his loss. Life is tough. If you’re like me, sometimes you love a little too hard, which can make the blows even tougher. I am an incredibly passionate person, some of my friends call me “intense” from time to time, but really, I’m just an empath through and through. And what I love about my job is being to provide something that can make us feel so much, and be so treasured by those who have it. I think a lot of people miss that message until later down the road….they look at picture time as just something they’re suppose to do, not like it is a moment in time to hold dear until many years later when they realize the power of what it captured. Many people think it is a hassle to schedule photos, round up everyone to be in them, pick out the outfits, etc…..until the moment has passed and it is too late to capture again and they just wish they could just get back time.

So what did I learn this week? Don’t hesitate. Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t be one of those people. A long time ago I came up with my “life motto”….live without regret. I think it applies here, too.

(p.s. this photo is of my boy, Shiloh, my forever inspiration in life….taken nearly 15 years ago now)