Thankful.

You know in November, when your Facebook news feed was filled with "Thankful Posts"?  I just love that idea, but I am not diligent enough to do it.  I do have a million and one reasons to be thankful though, and this past week made me realize just how blessed I am.  Here are my thankfuls...

1.  I made it through the 11 weddings booked in 2012.  Learned a lot. Made mistakes. Improved. Survived.  Now I get to enjoy a season of rest and relaxation during the holidays with my loves.

Thankful.

2.  I cut my own hair last week, and had to get it fixed by a professional {thankful for a hairdresser who doesn't make fun of me when I cut my own hair}.  It had to be cut so short that it does not fit in a ponytail.  Good news is, hair grows back.

Thankful.

3.  Got to spend 5 straight days with my husband over Thanksgiving, including a 2 day trip to Cleveland.  Had to leave our sick baby behind, blessed to have such a caring and gracious mother-in-law!

Thankful.

4.  First experience with pneumonia DID NOT involve a visit to the hospital.  Was kind of a rough 4 days with Bayla not eating/talking/laughing/playing... Went to the doctor on Tuesday and by Friday she was back in action!

Thankful.

5. Family, friends, food, and shelter.  A safe and happy life. Christmas time. Grace and mercy, and the hope of life beyond this world.

Thankful.

Since I'm out of "wedding mode"  I should be over on this blog more often.  So, expect to see a lot more of this little girl! {who is getting to be a big girl!}

One Year Ago!

One year ago, I decided to start a blog.  I was nervous about it.  I had a dream of what I wanted my business to look like.  I got something way better.  I want to send out a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who has been supportive and encouraging!  I have witnessed some beautiful moments, and had the honor of documenting them! I feel so blessed and humbled by my busy schedule, and so very grateful to have an opportunity to do something I love, while staying home with my little Bayla.  This past year has taught me so much, and I can't wait to see what's next!

Here is my very first blog post from September 30th, 2011!

WELCOME

Hi there, I'm Special K- 

this is the first official launch of my website/blog.

This venture is something that I have been praying and thinking and praying about for about 2 months.

I've talked my husband's ear off about it, and got some advice from family, friends, and newfound blogging mamas!

Special K Media has been my hobby ever since my wedding in 2009.  

After a whirlwind of marriage and a baby all in one year, the business got put on the back burner, 

and it took me a while to organize my thoughts about it.  

So now, I've got a good grasp on my life as a wife/ mother/ part-time dental assistant/ church volunteer.

Okay, not a good grasp, but I'm comfortable with the idea of taking this thing head on.  

{It's time to own up to what I want to do}

I always dread the question "so, what do you do?"  

  Frantically I search for something significant to say!  Hmmmm let's think... I change diapers, I cook food, I manage my facebook profile, I watch Super WHY and Sid the Science Kid, I sing in my church's worship band, I man the rinse and suction at chair side at the dentist office... 

And then I usually say "I stay home with my daughter but I work part time as a dental assistant". 

That's the only real way to end the conversation without having to validate my side business or dreadfully mention my Degree in Italian Language and Literature.

{It's time to own up to what I am passionate about}

This tiny speck of internet will be my outlet.  A place for people to see exactly what I can do.  A chance for me to share my perspectives of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.  A spot to explore creativity.  A platform to spread the joy of a life spent following Christ. A community.

 {Honest}  {Uplifting}  {Real}

This could be good.

Printed Discs

I decided to try ordering printed discs for a recent project, and I am not sure what I think yet!

It is significantly more expensive for me to order the custom discs and cases, rather than printing a cover myself, using light scribe to label the disc, and buying cases in bulk.

The idea is to have something that LOOKS nicer, and more professional.  I wouldn't bother ordering these for an informal photo-shoot.  But for weddings, this would be key.

What do you think?  Would you pay almost $100 more to have the discs printed?

Little Black Chair

$3 well spent!  Thank you Goodwill  :)

Fall Photo Shoots- Mini Sessions!

Fall is such a popular time to get some family photos done.  Why? Colorful leaves, sweaters and boots, approaching holiday cards, you name it!  I have decided to make your life (and mine!) a lot easier by offering 2 days of mini-sessions at my house. 

When I say "my house"  I mean my 14 acres in the country with plenty of wonderfully rustic spots to capture photos!  These mini-sessions can be for a variety of occasions for anyone looking for an affordable option to have a nice photo taken!

- Senior Portraits

- Family Photos

- Engagement/Couple

- Children/ Birthday

- Just Because!

Here's the deal:

I will schedule you for a one hour time slot.  For the first 25 minutes we will snap as many photos as possible!  I will talk to you before the day to get a game plan of what we want to accomplish.  

After our photoshoot I will load the pictures on my computer and allow you to view them!  You can expect to preview 30-40 photos. You choose 10 for me to retouch before your eyes, meaning you will have input on the editing process! 

 Once we are both happy with the 10 you have selected, I will burn them to a CD and you leave with all printing rights to the digital photos!

*Mini sessions are not ideal for anyone who wants to do outfit changes, or for families/groups larger than six people.  If you have a larger group, I can book a 90 minute time slot, reserving 45 minutes for the photo shoot, for the price of $75. 

Terrible 2's

Bayla and I have been having some difficulties lately.  Our summer has been pretty busy, resulting in no naps, and late bedtimes.  Bad news for toddlers.  My little "princess" has been demonstrating behavior perfectly classified as "the terrible 2's".  I've actually heard a lot of parents say that 3's are worse than 2's and that they didn't really think the terrible 2's existed.  Well, let me tell you.  They exist in this house!  Not all of the time, but I think that's part of the game.  So unpredictable, up and down, moody, and emotional! 

Pointing out every boo-boo for the first 5 minutes of the shoot!

 That was my morning today.  I finally just decided to go for a ride in the car to calm her down, and she fell asleep within 10 minutes.  That's why I try not to hold it against her. 

When we got back from our car ride, we were definitely in need of some quality time.  So thankful she enjoys photo-shoots with me!  It makes me fall in love with her all over again.  

Though it's sort of cliche and overdone right now, I just had to try out the shirtless- necklace- tutu- (and boots???) look. 

Pretty happy with the results and glad to be back on good terms with my Bay-Bay.  (At least until the next tantrum!)

Senior Portraits :: Jim

Now offering senior photos.  Why?  
Because there is no reason to pay over $500 
(I've even heard of people paying over $1500??!?!) 
Especially these days, when great photography is easy to find. 

 Jim was my first senior photo-shoot ever,
 and was the perfect guy for the job! 
Definitely a natural, and so much fun!

I guess now is a good time to mention that I will no longer be including the CD of pictures for the price of the session fee, mainly because I was ending up with more good photos than anticipated!  However, I do have the option to order professional prints now, which leaves the choice to pay for the digital images, or just get the prints you want.  Certainly you can do both!  Please email me for further info!

p.s.  Checkout my Facebook page to see more from 

Jim's photoshoot!