Caring is Key

I've been thinking a lot about who I am as  photographer lately and what I can possibly bring to the table that so many other talented photographers don't already.  And more and more I'm drawn back into the reality that in my heart, I truly, genuinely care about people.  I care about who people are and that they are treated with kindness and compassion. We have been pretty swamped this year with work and in dealing with many people, I have found that I'm not as readily available to do that.  Not for my clients, my friends nor my family.  I am the first to admit that I haven't been the best at taking the time to show the people in my life that they matter and that I care about them by way of my actions.  Like returning phone calls or emails promptly, posting pictures to my facebook/blog or website or taking the time I should to listen and just be with people.  Thank the Lord I have two very wonderful ladies working for me who help in that department, but they can only do so much.  The rest is up to me, after all I AM my business - my decisions, my talent, my personality, my actions.  So before I go any further, please accept my heart felt apology for not showing you that you are important, whether you are a client, friend or member of my family, because you ARE!  

And now, dear people - there is change in the air!  I have vowed to do what it takes to get back to what I love - showing people around me that I love and care about them.  From a business stand point, I am going to live by the custom, boutique-style photography that I offer, and up the anti.  I will pay more attention to detail in all aspects and show you why your investment in this studio is worth the money.  With change and a new focus, come reworking my pricing schedule and product offerings, which I know will not make all of you happy, but it's a necessary evil that I've avoided too long.  The new products and offerings excite me and I know it will be extremely good for us all, once we are through the hurdles of change.

Another thing that I've wanted to do for a long time is dedicate myself to giving back somehow. For the 6 years I've been in business, I have had my ears open to the options of charity and fundraisers and nothing has felt right.  That is, until I first heard about the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.  It is an organization that sets up professional photographers with parents who have still born or dying babies, to gift them with photographic memories of the angels that came into their lives for such a short time.  It's an organization that tugged at my heart immediately, but I wasn't sure if it was something I could do.  And then, again and again I was presented with links to their website, or stories of photographers who volunteer, until finally I understood the push I was getting to join.  I recently applied to be one of their affiliated photographers and on Friday, found out I was accepted. I was both thrilled and terrified!  I know that I will most likely cry through every session and that it will effect me like nothing else could, but I also know that I can do this and that I must.  As a mother, I care about helping parents through such a heart breaking period in their lives, and as a photographer, I care about giving them the quality work they deserve.  

So with that, here we go!  Change is here and Caring is the key.  I'm getting back to the heart of why I started in this business and it feels sooo good!

Have an amazing day, everyone!

Until next time,

Crystal

Time to Open up a little..

It's always been something that I admire in others, especially other photographers. The ability to blog on a regular basis and open themselves up to the world. I love reading some blogs and don't often miss a day without checking for new posts. All of the advice I hear is to blog - blog more, blog regularly, blog about everything - that way it is easier to let clients know more about who we are as people as opposed to just being photographers. It's kind of like when we're kids and we see our favorite teacher in the grocery store and think, "Wow, they leave the school AND they shop for food, just like me!" It helps us all relate on a very real level.

It's definitely been on my mind to be more diligent about my blogging, but when I sit down, all of the doubts start creeping in: will there be anyone reading? what will I talk about? can I write? how much do I want to share? where do I start? So I've decided that because I really have so many things to say, that I will just start. Start and see what happens, you know? And if no one's out there reading just yet, no worries... they will catch up :)

Let's start with some basics.  I am 42 years young, a wife to a very wonderful husband, Doug, and mom to two great kids, Jonah who's 11 and Tagen who's 9 . We live with a sweet little black puppy named Leila, a mini-Rex indoor rabbit named Charlie and two outside cats - Jinx and Rex (we're thankfully on an acreage - a very good thing!!) We live a very nice life, here in Cold Lake, and except for the 6 months of winter and few shopping options, it is almost perfect.

Before I was a photographer, I was a teacher. I taught French Immersion Kindergarten and Grade 1, and loved it.  Especially the kids - loved, loved the kids!  Then once I had my babies, I had to make a decision to go back or to stay home with my own kids and figure something else out. With my love of photography and the help of those already in business, it was a no brainer - photographer was my new chosen profession! I will get more into the ins and outs of how this journey has been in later posts, I'm sure, but all in all, it was a very good decision!

Here are a few other things that, in getting to know me, you may like to know - like,  I am a Mac girl (and an apparent Mac preacher, when someone in the room is complaining about their PC that is!), I shoot Canon (my 50mm 1.4 lens is my newest friend), I love cookies and chocolate and coffee and Chinese Food and cherries ( 'c' things seems to be a theme here).  More importantly, my love and loyalty to my family, close friends and to my faith are strong and ever present, and I love to learn, to listen, to laugh and to grow in my spirit on a daily basis. 

And there you have it!  My first personal blog post!!  Unbelievable, isn't it?!  I will leave you with a picture of our family with Mickey, on our first trip to Disney.  

Good night, blog readers!  

Until next time,

Crystal

A little Canada Day Princess

This little sweetie has been with me through three photoshoots already and she's only 6 months old!  She's one of my Baby's First Year clients, so I have been blessed to see her as a newborn, at 3 months and again here, at 6 months.  I will see her at 9 months and then 1 year, and then we will design a beautiful album of memories from the year for her Mommy and Daddy.  I so love to see them grow and am honored to capture those memories of their first year of life, when they change soo much.  Isn't she precious?!

Family Outing

I love this family! They came to me last year, when their little guy was almost 2. I distinctly remember Cyndi wanting pictures that had them all looking into the camera, which I happily took. So this time, I made sure to ask before we started if that was all they wanted this time too. And, happily, they left it up to me! We took some looking, some looking away, some playing.. and it was so fun! That is one of the delights of my job - when I've been their chosen photographer, when I've seen their kids grow up, when we develop a relationship, a trust, and then it's easy to take their pictures, and to capture real moments. Because real emotions come out of comfort and relationship and trust - and that's exactly what I want for my clients! Thanks, Dwayne and Cyndi for choosing me and for making our time together so enjoyable. God bless you in your new home town.







And here's the looking and smiling shot that they love...

Still talking Grads

With today's post, I think it's time to represent some GUY grads. Mike had many pictures taken (so fun!), and many that would be great to highlight here, but, alas, I will limit myself to a few. I also would like to remind those graduating next year, that I have a few spots open for Grad Reps. If you have already expressed interest in being a rep, make sure to contact the studio with the days you're available in late July, because it's time to get the ball rolling! We will go out, take some fun shots, and choose one of those for your rep cards, which we supply for free. Then, hand them out to your friends, and for everyone who comes in with your card and books a Grad Session, we will give them $25 off their session, and you get $25 credit for each and every person! You also get fun freebies and discounts from us for your own Grad pictures, on top of the credits you receive. Everyone wins!







And because it's grad, afterall, one that's more traditional...



Now, off to another shoot at the Park. Have a good evening, everyone!

until next time,

Crystal 

Another Beautiful Grad

Today's Grad spotlight is Mimi, and some with her boyfriend Ryan. I love this couple! They are so sweet together and so very photogenic! I could post many, many more, but limited it to these few and a few different ones on our Facebook Page. Just a side note, I post on the Crystal Portraits Photography Facebook page for those people who are signed up as 'Fans' and have finished their sessions.

Grad Highlights 2009

This year, as always, I have had some wonderful Grads come through my doors. I will post some of my favorites from each of their sessions here on the blog, as well as on my Facebook page. If you're not already a FAN on the Crystal Portraits Photography Facebook page, please become one! Here is the link to that page : http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Cold-Lake-AB/Crystal-Portraits-Photography/64612552016?ref=m (or you can click on the Facebook button on our 'Contact' page). The Facebook page will be updated regularly, and will eventually have specials only available to Facebook FANS - so very worth the 'click' :)

Enjoy these first pictures of Allie and I'll be back again soon!

Have a great day!

Crystal