I've started this blog post and then left it for a couple of months now. The truth is I wanted to write it on New Year's Day. A sort of new year new me post. But I put it off because it's hard for me. It's hard for me to announce that I'm scaling back on something that's been a big part of my life for more than 14 years.
The truth is that I will no longer be pursuing wedding photography as a primary stream of business for Lisa on Location. There I said it. I've toyed with the idea for a few years and I've gradually reduced my advertising and promotion of weddings.
Some of you who have been following me for a while may be suprised. But those of you who know me well know it was in the works.
It's not that I don't adore my couples and their families. I've met some amazing families and couples in the past 14 years. Many of them have become friends and regular clients. But I'm no longer as young as I once was. When I started shooting weddings I was in my mid 30s, in the same league as many of my brides. Now I'm more in the same league as their moms. It's not that I'm that out of touch with brides. Truthfully, good, classic photography is timeless and I don't think my style is out of date or that today's brides aren't interested in quality photography. They are! And I will continue to book weddings on a very selective basis. Returning clients who I've worked with before. Referrals from friends and long time associates will always be considered.
So as I pull back from weddings I've been reminiscing about all the weddings I've photographed. I counted more than 365 weddings. If you put them all together that's an entire year if I shot one every day. I've been highlighting them on my Lisa on Location Instagram feed wishing a happy anniversary to each and every one of my couples.
The past few months with my reduced wedding load I've been enjoying quite a few weekends off with my family. Over the past 14 years I've photographed weddings on my birthday, mother's day, father's day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Black Friday, Easter Saturday, Halloween, Good Friday, Valentine's Day, my husband's birthday, my kids birthdays. I've missed family reunions, birthday parties, concerts with friends, parties, networking opportunities, festivals, movies, and date nights to photograph weddings. It's been an amazing as well as challenging and grueling time. I like to tell wedding stories and I've been told I should write a book about them. Like the time the gift table caught on fire. There was the time that brawl broke out amongst the groomsmen. Those times the Spurs Coyote showed up. The time the grooms cake ended up all over the grooms head. The time the police escorted an unruly guest out. Meeting all the Mariachi bands and the talented performers who work the wedding industry and my close relationship with so many other vendors. I remember all the times people fainted from the heat during weddings. And all the drunk shenanigans I photographed can fill an entire volume!
But despite all those fun memories, I do appreciate the time I've been able to spend with my husband and my family now that I've cut back on weddings.
Lisa on Location Photography will still continue to focus on families, headshots, underwater photography, event photography and senior portraits. I love those areas and will invite you to take a look at my extensive portfolio of those.
And also lately I've found that the photography jobs that bring me the most joy are those where I work one on one with women. So I'm putting most of my effort and all of my advertisting into boudoir and pinup. I welcome you to follow me at Secrets by Miss Lisa. You'll see that I'm incredibly active on my Instagram feed. And I'd love to invite you to my close knit group of women on Facebook in my VIP group (only if you're a woman).
It's a little scary for me to write this because I hate to let go of a steady stream of revenue. Being a sole proprietorship is a challenge, especially in a world of uncertaintly. So I ask for your support. If you've ever been touched by my photography please tell your friends. If you've admired my work but haven't pulled the trigger on booking a session, consider doing it soon. I always welcome referalls and I'm happy for any love you can send my way!
Lisa On Location Photography
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