‘Tis the season to let you in on what actually happens behind the scenes around here. So – let’s talk seasons! 🍂 Fall wedding season in Las Vegas this year was the craziest I have ever seen – and I’ve been a Las Vegas wedding photographer full-time since 2011. October nearly killed me (I’m only half joking) and November was about the same if I’m honest. Now that it’s December, the dust has settled a bit and I can FINALLY focus on 2019 and checking a few tasks off the giant to-do list that has been on my desk staring at me since early 2017.
2017, y’all. Update my website. Shoot videos for my website. Edit those videos. Update portfolios. Schedule blog posts from now through eternity because the people want to read those blogs and look at those updated photos. Oh! And don’t forget about SEO for those videos – and that website! Catch up on laundry. Ha.
If only I were joking. But alas, I’m serious. 2017 is the year I had my second baby and everything went straight to 🔥 in some sort of basket. Probably a basket full of laundry. This littlest boy still doesn’t sleep through the night (at 19 months – seriously, send help 🆘 because sleep deprivation has reached a new low for me). And if I am in the house – anywhere in the house – the baby will come and find me and make me sit down and hold him. “No mama, you don’t need to do those dishes right now. Let’s cuddle and I can drive my cars in your hair.” Since he’s probably my last, I am trying to remind myself that he won’t be little forever, and to enjoy those little “mama” noises coming out his mouth, and all of those sweet snuggles. Also the tantrums and yelling coming out of his mouth. I’m trying to enjoy those, too. I’m all about balance.
And then recently I read a quote by Amy Westervelt that says we expect women to raise children like they don’t work, and work like they don’t have children. And I literally sat down and had a nice, long, ugly cry about that. With the baby in my lap. Because I LOVE my job. I love my job and I love my clients. I love how I feel when I’m out there killing it with those clients and crying at their wedding and laughing with them afterwards and just soaking up all the wonderful love and joy that I am so grateful to be able to capture for them. It makes me feel alive and electric and truly fulfilled. It makes me happy.
And then I drive home, with inappropriate loud music blasting (because kid-free time in the car must be capitalized on). And I arrive at home where…plot twist…I also love my family. My key hits the lock and the baby always says “MAMA!” and the big kid chirps “MAMA!!” and I see that they’ve missed me and thought about me while I was gone. And I love how much they all want to spend time with me. I’m the luckiest girl in the world! I told that to my kindergartner and he actually laughed at me and said that no, I wasn’t because he’s six and worldly and he now realizes that there’s probably someone out there luckier than I am. And they all need me. Everyone needs something from me. And because I love them dearly and to the depths of my soul, I do my best to give them all what they need.
But, it is difficult to shoot videos, or edit photos, or fold laundry with a wiggle-worm in my lap and a six-year-old that needs homework help and wants to make a craft project using scotch tape at this very moment. This season of life has been a trying one, and I am truly ready for 2019 if only for the fact that it will be different. Maybe worse? But different nonetheless – and that I can handle. I’m ready.
P.S. Speaking of seasons – it’s ENGAGEMENT SEASON!! This is a real holiday (not actually a real holiday) – celebrated all around the world from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day and photographers everywhere are receiving lots of elated emails inquiring about dates for 2019. So if you guys are ready for a new calendar year 🙋🏼♀️ and a celebration of your love in Las Vegas and you want to join me in being silly and laughing and creating images that will sing to your hearts for eternity – please oh please call me. I would jump at the chance to be there with you guys. Click below and let’s do this! ❤️
