I am trying to catch up with all my sessions as i have been super busy with work and of course life just get’s in the way most days!  I wish I had a set schedule, yet working from home, as many can relate, is not that condusive to being productive.  The meals still have to be made, the laundry is always calling your name. I am getting better and I am beginning to set more of a schedule for myself.  For instance, I try to schedule my weekday shoots on either Tuesday or Thursdays.  I try to do only work related things during the morning (my only free time) when MJ is in preschool.  It would still seem it is not enough time and I can often be found at my computer burning the midnight oil. 

Balancing everything has been a challenge and unfortunately it has resulted in having to turn people away who have called to book. My schedule at the moment is…June is fully booked, July is pretty muched booked, and August I may have a few spots left.  I would love to say yes to all that call however I know that if I do I will burn out quickly and I am trying to avoid that at all costs.  So bear with me, and if you are thinking about booking please try and call as soon as you know you want to book in order to increase the likelihood of an available date.

Wanted to share a few recent images from various shoots.  I am working away at these, as well as a recent commercial shoot I recently photographed so bear with me clients. (click on image for larger view)

A sweet baby girl.  Took some work to get her to sleep but eventually we managed!

From Friday.  A great family with a very busy 18 mos. old.  wow did he make me work for smiles not to mention have me on the run the entire session just to grab a shot here and there.  Not sure how you do it Jackie!  Thanks for a great time.

A sweet little girl that is as nice as she is pretty. 

And a last minute familyshoot for a friend who I was happy I could fit in.  They wanted to give a family photoshoot to their mom for her birthday present.  Her son was headed back out west the next day, and they wanted to give their mom some memories for her to have of his visit home.

Nicole totally "gets" my approach and style and what I strive to achieve in a shoot.  Relaxed, interactive shots, conveying peoples true personalities.

And yup…..that is a couch, trunk and lamp on the front lawn!  I had a blast and it was so great to see how much they loved and cared for one another!  I love my job, how can it get better then this.  Creating memories for others. 

A special relationship between a niece and her uncle.

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I meet alot of great families in my line of work.  Especially parents who make it obvious that they love the role of being parents.  There is no doubt that these two parents love their two girls.  Throughout the session they showed patience, kindness and true love for their girls.  They did not get upset or frustrated with their children, which is a sure way to end a photoshoot quickly, instead they steered them gently and directed them in their play.  These two little girls also managed to steal my heart in the very short time we were together.  I love when kids show that trust with me.  By the end, these two were inviting me home for lunch and a playdate!  :-)   Maybe next time!

For me it is a sign of success when I can connect with kids that quickly.  I strive to build trust in a very short period of time, which is not always easy with children.  Each child can have their own set of challenges so I’m never sure how the session will go.  I have found that just being myself always seems to help.  I tend to act goofy, opening up to them and letting them in.  I want them to realize they do not have to perform or be someone they aren’t for me and my camera.  These two seem to sense that quickly and we had a blast.

A few pictures for their mom and Dad and for A and J.

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I truly do!  Love being a Mom that is!!  To me it is the most important thing in my life.  The most important job someone could have given me.  And I know that I would give up this photography business tomorrow if it meant I couldn’t be a mom.  It is what I have been growing towards all my life. At times I definitely had thoughts like "Can I really do this?  I am so young, so immature.  How will I care for them?  Will I teach them what they need to know in life to be successful?  Will I be a good mom?  Can I live up to all that there is in being this role model?  I’m so not ready to be a mom!"  All of those thoughts and more.

And now that I have almost 8 years under my belt I can’t imagine being anything but a mom.  I can’t imagine not experiencing….

the late nights of worry that comes so naturally with being a mother.

or the shear panic you experience when your child runs into the street or climbs just a little too high at the playground.

or never having lived to experience the incredible feeling of wonderment as you feel that baby stir in your belly the very first time, realizing that you indeed have a life growing within you.  A life that you vow at that very moment, to care for with every inch of your being.

I just can’t imagine not having each of these experiences.  Some good, some not so good but all instrumental in becoming the mothers that we are.  It is a wonderful ride in life and I would not pass it up for all the money in the world. 

So to all of you mothers out there that do this job each and every day… to those Mom’s with grown children who have now gone out into this world, and to those who are now grandmothers, experiencing the full circle of life… I wish you HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Me and my kids from today!

and to this new mom, Christa… who has many years of motherly bliss to look forward to!  Cherish each moment!!

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I have to say that I really enjoy being able to have this blog in order to update people about my business and the recent happenings.  I can see that people are visiting, so that is nice, and I hope they are gaining some information and perhaps inspiration from my posts.  It is really one of the best ways I could think of to keep updated information about Rankin Photography.

But I would also love a way to know a bit more about who is coming to visit.  What made you come?  How did you hear of my site and business?  Did you enjoy the site etc.  So I saw this poll on another photographers site… Julie and thought it would be fun to do.  I may create a few over the next few months.  I think it is a great marketing tool and for a new business owner, trying to find out as much as they can about the market, the people who visit their site, and what brought them, an anonymous poll is one good way. 

OK… I admit it… I just think it is fun and want to see what you all have to say!  So take a minute and vote!  It would make me and the cyber gods very happy! 

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I thought I would post my schedule here on my blog so those who may be thinking of booking can be aware of my availability.  I have to first say I have been taking it slow in growing this business since I began a few years ago, yet lately it seems that things are really growing and changing.  I don’t do any conventional marketing or advertising, rather things have grown simply by word of mouth.  I believe it to be the best way to grow a business and feel very fortunate to have had such great clients who seem to be willing to spread the word about me.  I should also say that until my daughter, Mary Jean, begins school in the fall my hours will continue to be limited in turn allowing for less sessions per month.

So this is how things stand with my schedule at the moment.

May- fully booked

June- I have a few weekdays left.  Call to inquire.

July- fully booked

August - fully booked

September - a few openings, 11th, 15th, 18th

October - 27th, and weekdays.

It is a good idea to call early if you are thinking about booking a session.  I anticipate fall filling up fast.  If you have a date in mind and it appears to be full you can still email me to inquire about the date you are wanting.  I can let you know whether is it available.

And another SNEAK PEAK!

I got to photograph another newborn yesterday.  Christa and Andrew were the coolest couple and wanted the photos done using their own environment (no backdrops).  Loved this session!  It was very relaxed as was their baby girl and Mom and Dad totally made me feel comfortable. 

I used natural light with these with no reflector so it made for some very dramatic lighting.  Not to mention their cool dark green walls.  At first I wasn’t sure how the dark walls would translate but I really like how they turned out. 

Just a few for now guys.  I have only just started proofing these.  Their little baby girl was a doll and so cute at only two weeks old.  Thanks Andrew and Christa for making it such an enjoyable morning! I will want the tea next time!

(click on image to view larger) 

one last one… loved this one in the chair.

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