A Little Bit of House Keeping.

I love this business!

Re-phrased… I LOVE the actual act of photography and capturing those special moments in a child or a family’s life. I can’t even explain the flutters I get when I do that. What I have a hard time with is the “business” of this business. Being a one [wo]man show is hard, handling the marketing, scheduling, planning, a studio, insurance, taxes, equipment, bills, (the list goes on and on) isn’t the funnest nor easiest part for a creative minded thinker like me. But IT IS part of this thing I call a “business.”

I have to button up a bit this year and be more strict with fees, orders, scheduling, timelines and deposits. This business has been and still is such a work in progress. It is most important to me to make sure that I am offering and servicing my clients needs. As well as taking care of mine. It’s time I take this much more serious so that I see a reason for continuing. I need to be able to justify the amount of time that is spent on any given session to my family (er, I mean husband) and feel that I can honestly contribute to my family financially. Heck, maybe see enough of a profit to start saving or actually take a vacation. I wish I could do this job as a hobby— but I can’t. It is really my job. Yes, as much as I love it and truly believe I have the best job (the photo taking side of it) it’s not even half the “job,” there is so, SO much more.

With that little prelude, please be understanding when I have to be a little more business minded. For example; your session will NOT be considered booked until your deposit is received. (I just can’t reserve the studio time with out the confirmation.) Please understand when I have to charge to repost a gallery. (I just can’t cover that fee for others any longer.) Be compassionate if I don’t always want to work a trade. (The mortgage company, the electric company and my web-hosting company doesn’t do trade either.)

Trust me, I understand how life can be, especially in these difficult times. Our family lived through a very difficult time when my husband was laid off for almost a year and a half. With me being self employed it made it even more trying. Seeing ourselves caught up and having our head above water again is something I don’t feel we’ll ever see. We all have to make choices and I understand choices that families need to make to make things work. Although remember, when you are going to purchase your next Louis Vuitton Purse, will that bring you the lifetime of memories that that one special photo might. Just food for thought.

I can’t wait to capture your next milestone.

xo Paula

New NEWS in our family of 5 (soon to be 6)

So we’ve got some BIG NEWS to share… if the photos above don’t say it all, I will; We are expecting #4 the first week of October!

Now that we’ve wrapped our heads around this, we realize how blessed and excited we are for this SURPRISE! The kids are ecstatic, as you can imagine. We’re hoping the big age span between them (Nikolai will be 11, Briar 8, almost 9, and Erik will just have turned 7) will be helpful.

So, this poses a slight issue with the fact that my busiest months are September and October. People tend to prepare for Holidays and want the beautiful fall colors in their photos. What I want to ask of you, my wonderful clients, is to try and get into me prior to September. My other 3 pregnancies went super smooth, I felt great and was at times seen running down the street at just about full term chasing one of my other kids. BUT, I am older (I mean wiser) this time and am not too sure how the last month will treat me.

I’ve been working on how to schedule my sessions and when to take some time off. My plan is to wrap up the first part of September and enjoy the last month of pregnancy, and prepare for this little one. The baby is due the 1st week of October so I will for sure be off that month, then depending on how I feel, I may want to start shooting a bit mid November.

I’ll have lots of sessions times available starting in June during the week (days AND nights; I love the yummy night light in the summer) and 1-2 weekend sessions a month. I will mainly be shooting Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

In addition, I’ll try and hold monthly mini session events. Below are the Mini Session Events I have planned and some that are planning in the works. If you think you are interested in one of these mini session events, please contact me ASAP as that will help me decide not only if I should continue to plan them, but also help with locations.

These 3 are set in stone and are filling fast
SATURDAY 4/28 — Mother/Child Mini Session
WEDNESDAY 5/02 — Mini Session — In the Blooms (evening)
SATURDAY 5/05 — Mini Session — In the Blooms (evening)

These 4 are still in the planning stages
SATURDAY 6/23 — Urban Mini Session Event
SUNDAY 7/22 — Stillwater Mini Session Event
SUNDAY 7/29 — Beach Mini Session Event
SATURDAY 8/18 — Open Field Mini Session Event

Here are some ideas/locations I would love to tackle this summer. We can work these ideas into your session, and have a lot of fun “styling” them.

Green House
Junk Yard
Old Abandon Gas Station
Your lake home/cabin
. . . and many more ideas too 🙂

Let’s get creative, trees and flowers are great, but does it REALLY say who your family is?

Ok, so I’ve rambled more than I like to in a post… that’s it in a nut shell. Lot’s going on in the Charchenko House, I am sure yours is busy too getting ready for summer and all the fun outdoor activities. Make sure your photos are on your radar and feel free to contact me with any questions or scheduling ideas.

Thanks and much love,
Paula

Mommy & Me Mini Sessions

Every mom should be sure they have their spot “in front” of the camera. If you are like me, you are usually the one behind the lens documenting your families memories. These Mommy and Me Mini Sessions are sure to be extra special; a special time together and special memories for years to come. You’ll get your package before Mothers Day, what could honestly be a better Mothers Day Gift?

Date: Saturday, April 28th

Times: 9-11:30am and 1-3:30pm [half hour sessions]

Where: Exact location still to be determined. It will be around Victoria, Chanhassen, Minnetonka, but I am really waiting to see how the weather is and what spring brings this year. I am thinking blooming trees and flowers, or an awesome field. If weather doesn’t cooperate I have some great studio ideas.

What you get: 30 minute photo session, 12 high-resolution artistically edited & retouched images, Release letter for permission to print, Private gallery with ability to order from a pro lab. . . . .$275.00

Ideas: I want this to be FUN and relaxed. Once you get it booked and outfits chosen I want you to come and just have fun. I also really want this to be about you and your kiddos… What do you love to do? My goal is to capture natural expressions while we “play” in a fun setting. This is a great time to sing a favorite song, or play with a favorite toy, snuggle with a favorite quilt. I am not looking to create that perfect portrait, life is HARDLY perfect, I intend to capture your LIFE.

Contact me soon…. these are filling fast!

blow are some of my favorite “mom images” from 2011

Scheduling Update

I am firming up my 2012 Mini Sessions and some other really fun ideas!

I do know that the end of April it will be “in the Crab Tree Blooms.” I am assuming with the warm winter we’ve had that we’ll have early blooms this year. Let me know if you’d like to be on my list (mini sessions are first come first serve) and I’ll email you the details as soon at they are firmed up.

Here are a few “to die for” images of my kiddos from last spring.

To book you session contact me through the site contact page or email paula@pauliemarie.com

Welcome to my NEW site!

It’s been a long time coming, but I finally have a site! A site connected to my name and domain (www.pauliemarie.com). I promise this year to keep more up-to-date on my sessions and get my gorgeous clients faces up here regularly. I’ll be catching up (yup all the way back from JULY) I am so far behind.

xo Paula