The J to My O

Holy wow....this might be the most gigantic blog post of the century.

are you ready?

Soo, this is the long version, you're going to have to bear with me. Last year, when business got busier around here, I realized my five year plan was quickly becoming a 3 year plan and I needed to think ahead. I met my friend, Jennisa Novitski, while photographing her three month old baby. It was such a "God moment" for me when I left her home. My grandmother had just passed away and I had to reschedule her baby's session and I felt awful but because she's awesome, she was so okay working around my time table. 

Shortly after meeting her and her husband, she shared her passion for photography with me. I was getting to know her family and falling in love with her daughter....and my heart just knew I couldn't deny what I was thinking. So, I took a giant leap of faith and I was so nervous to ask but I just had to.

I asked if she'd be interested in learning from me.....so that, when she was ready, she could be the J to my O and I could be the O to her J. She was surprised but didn't say no. I urged her to talk to her hubby, think it over, pray about it and let me know when she was ready....because she's awesome, she didn't take long to answer yes. I think we were both scared in the beginning...I was scared that I'd be giving out everything I knew and hoping she wouldn't A.) Leave me in the middle or B) run with the pieces of my heart. I knew B was a long shot...mostly because I could tell she was fiercely loyal and one of the most honest people I've ever met. 

Slowly but surely and for the last year, I've been teaching her things about her camera, ways to edit, and a bajillion other things. I took her from her family, her life, and prayed she wouldn't run when she saw the sacrifices this business takes but what I didn't fully know is how strong she is....and instead of running, she invested which reminded me-again-that she is just what I've needed.

You see...for me...it's not something you put an ad out for. My heart chose her....that is something I've never experienced before. It's also trusting that someone else could love this business as much as you do and, even more, that someone could represent what you've built as if it were their own. It's a lot of pressure....but I know she's more than perfect for the job. 

I hosted model calls a few weeks ago to expose her and get her working with kids and families....and she's joined me on quite a few shoots in the recent months. She has taken constructive criticism and has joined me whole heartedly on this journey.......and what's even better is that people love her. She's spunky, fun, sweet, and a whole lot of love. She sees with her heart and she is so unafraid....and, after a long year, she is ready.

So, as the weeks go on-she will be showcasing her work and taking appointments. My schedule is full for most of the summer so with both of us, we'll be able to accommodate everyone I hope. My clients will forever be stuck with me so, unless there is some giant problem with that, you're always going to be on my schedule and will book as usual. 

This also means we'll be offering team wedding services. How awesome is that?!

Anyone interested can send an email to: jennisa@photosbyoh.com starting tomorrow. She will have an introductory rate that you won't want to miss and if you'd just like to welcome her to our little family, I'd love for you to that as well.

Finally...to my J,
It has been a true joy and honor to watch you grow.....you have become such an extension of my heart that, at times, it feels like we are the same person. I love how brave you are....and I love how you take charge and things done. 

Our lives have had many parallels....we both have loved and lost by no fault of our own and have so many of the same feelings and thoughts about where our lives are headed. We see the world very similarly and our days are filled with conversation, laughter and joy. 

This is what you need to know...some days this is going to be really stinkin hard but most of the time it's going to be more than your wildest dreams. You're going to laugh and cry with clients...they're going to become a part of you...and they will love you like no other. You will find that your evenings editing will become therapeutic and knowing someone will hang these precious moments on your wall forever will drive you to be the best photographer you can be. You're also going to be thrown under the bus sometimes but that means you're doing something right...and never forget--successful people never worry about what others are doing. 

In the same breath, you're going to rock it out.....I know this because I've seen it.

And, even more than that, I believe with my entire being that you are right where you're supposed to be and that this journey was made for us. 

I love you, partner.....I thank you for allowing me to stretch my limits in teaching you, for picking me up on my doubtful days and mostly for being my friend. Kelly Clarkson was right when she said, My life would suck without you. 

So, here it is--no turning back--welcome to our family, J....I have a feeling you'll love it here. 

Love,
Miss Oh!

Room To Breathe.

I have had so much on my heart the last few days...business things, personal things, the boston bombings, the explosion in texas...just so so much.

I am taking a moment, after a root canal this morning, to slow down and reflect. I just finished re-editing a session I did in November for a family who lost their patriarch. I am drawn to one though that keeps flooding my head as I write this.

Stop wasting your moments. Stop complaining about how much time you do or don't have. 

Everyone has "stuff." Everyone has life. everyone has commitments and people who need them. Everybody needs somebody and everybody wishes they had more time.

 It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.

It's completely true. At the end of last year, I won't lie--I found myself utterly exhausted and facing burn out. I over worked myself and over committed to way too many people. Sure my business was growing but I wasn't proud of me. My heart was full for everyone else but me. I gave up my Sundays off rule in order to accommodate others. I loved the time I spent with those families but I missed my own family. I missed my friends. I missed my dogs. I really really missed an afternoon spent on my couch curled up with a movie. 

It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when you're in the middle of the storm. You are just focused on getting through it. I'll never forget calling my mom and breaking down one Sunday afternoon. I had just done two large families back to back and was off to meet another large group and a family of three after. I spent the entire car ride back from Brillion brainstorming...how and where I could find extra time. It was tough....but I got through it. The light at the end of the tunnel came and I vowed to never do that to myself again.

When January came, I couldn't even process the slower time. it was so necessary that I spent a week or two on a giant hiatus--I didn't answer phone calls, emails or messages. I just needed to take some deep breaths. reallly really deep breaths.  

I changed my scheduling a lot this year. Sundays off are really Sundays off aside from a few exceptions that I choose. Wedding Saturdays are weddings only and not 3 shoots on top of it in the morning. No more than 5 sessions on a weekend and 2 during the week. Boundaries. Parameters.

It means that I've, unfortunately, had to turn away some interested clients. It breaks my heart to do that but I am a better photographer for those who have booked because of it. I am a more balanced and content person because of it. I am more available to myself, to all of you, and to continuing to grow as a photographer and person because of it. 

I have learned, much like everyone else, that there is no time quite like the present and my tomorrow may not come someday. This moment....today....that's what I'm guaranteed. 

It is entirely true that creating a solid business means working your butt off and I'm not afraid of work--you've all seen how hard I can work--but the other part of this business....MY business especially...is done with my heart. I don't want to come in your life for a short moment and leave. I want to learn about your families and I want to invest in your lives...not because you ask me to but because every storyteller needs to be invested....every person needs to feel connected. Those are hours and time I cannot build into a day or even think to put a price tag on. That, my friends, is genuine love. 

As I move into the busy season, I'm vowing to love more....to give more without sacrificing myself or my personal time...to give what I can and be honest when I can't....to bow out gracefully if the opportunity just doesn't suit my needs...and to hope that people continue to support this love and passion I have for capturing your life and telling your stories. 

I am so blessed. I am thankful......but I am not too busy. 

Here are some of my favorites moments from my own life this winter. I have always believed in being transparent and sharing my life....you should, after all, know what you're getting into when you're choosing someone....:)

So take a giant deep breath, step back and take a long look at what is important...set your priorities and stick to them. Your babies will continue to grow and someday they will even outgrow your lap. Your relationships will change shape...I just hope you're there when that square becomes a triangle. Your self worth is determined by who you are as a person and not how booked or not booked you are....what you do for a living or where you hang your hat at the end of the day. What really matters is whether or not you loved and did your heart become a home for someone else....that's what's important.

In the end, this life is pretty fantastic....but you only get it once......so make your moments count. Reach out to someone if you need to...say thank you...let go of whatever is holding you back...and find your balance.

xoxo,

Miss Oh!

2,029

Sooooo, here it is...the unveiling of my biggest giveaway yet. First, I need to spend moments telling you how ridiculously blessed I am. I woke up, less than a week ago, to see my Facebook page had hit 2000 "likes" and while that is small in the grand scheme of things...for me, it is ginormous. I had no idea that my heart would be so well received and, even more, so LOVED through my lens. It is undeniably true that I would not be here if it weren't for all of you and I certainly wouldn't be here without my beautiful clients. It is seriously crazy to me that I have such beautiful people in my life every day.

Second, I need to just say out loud that I can not believe my business has taken off in the way that it has...that I flourished when the economy was, to be honest, a hot mess. Somehow all of you have still chosen your memories and moments over that big screen tv, that new lawn mower, or whatever it is that could have been upgraded. This is part of why I am so in love with the people who contact me...your priorities are in line and your lives--well, they're just beautiful. 

It is entirely true that I do not have many photos of my family together....and most of the dearest memories I hold in my heart...but that is part of the reason why this giveaway means so much. I am certain that you will not be printing the 100+ photos that we will be collecting over the next year....but I am even more certain that someday, you can pull out a shoe box full of memories with me and show someone in ten minutes or ten years...and that makes me so happy. 

So many of you know my story...that this dream started in a place in my life that needed some good old fashioned love. The other day I was flipping through photos of my husband and I on our honeymoon and found so many with him and his Canon camera strap hanging around his neck. I could have never known then that I would carry that torch and that his love of photography would become one of my greatest gifts. I am, though, proud to carry my own Canon now and to have learned about exposures and the golden hour from him. 

You see the problem is that we think we have time..we think there will be another month or another year and that we don't need photos all the time. (I can just hear some of my favorite client's husbands saying that) I also agree-they are not a necessity...they will not make you live any longer and-by all means-provide first and foremost--but the beautiful thing about photos is they will prove that you lived. 

To be honest, I have always done my very best to be accessible to anyone which means I provide sessions on the house, no questions asked and that is another reason why these giveaways come very rarely. I am hopeful that people will continue to come to me with their stories, their needs, and their hopes so I can continue to provide one of the few tangibles that moves people now....and 50 years from now. 

I am fully aware of the fact that you could go anywhere for your photos...there are many other photographers out there....but i am BEYOND GRATEFUL that all 2029 of you have chosen to follow me....and that you allow me to come into your lives and share these stories. If I could, I would have given each of you this prize....but my accountant would kill me. 

So, finally, thank you...for allowing me the privilege to be your photographer for the next year. For entering this contest and giving me the opportunity to share my love and passion with you. Congratulations, Chris Herzog.....I will be seeing a whole lot of your family this year. I hope you're ready.

And, to everyone who entered--there will be many more to come. It has been one heck of a ride and I cannot wait to see where God takes this dream of mine. I only hope to meet you all along the way.

Good night, friends...Happy Easter.

xoxo,
Miss Oh!

life.

Every once in a while I get to take a break from my every day life and leave for a weekend....I am extremely blessed that I have friends in lots of different places so I will often travel and feel like I'm going home. This weekend is one of those weekends....one of my favorite people had a birthday last week and, in the spirit of friendship and birthdays, I came for the weekend to celebrate. She and her husband (who was working during these photos) just purchased a new home and she took me through it with their beautiful little boy. The following are a collection of my most favorite moments today. I wish you knew how much I love these photos but I hope you see and feel the same things I did. 

life.

crazy beautiful life. 

First ice cube at the new house ^^^^