Tis Still the Season

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are looking as forward to the New Year as we are! 2010 is going to bring a new town, a new house, and hopefully be a very healing, happy, healthy year. We're feeling very excited to finally start getting settled into our new life. It's crazy to think how much change one year can bring, and I find myself in a constant state of missing - someone, something, some place that I loved. And, it seems that the best way to stop dwelling on what we no longer have is to dwell on what do have and be grateful. No matter what challenges and changes this year has thrown at us, we have still always been blessed. We've always had basic necessities, comforts, excess of what we need. Even writing this, I know that I can't truly understand what it means to not have a roof over my head, a change of clothes, or food.

Driving through Franklin a couple weeks ago, we saw a house decorated with Christmas lights that spelled out "Jesus is the reason for every season." If you've heard my recent grumbling about rife consumerism, retail rescue, and the long lost meaning of Christmas, you know I got a kick out of this! I know we've just come through a big season of giving, but I encourage you to keep at it. Clean out your closet and donate the clothes and coats you never wear, give those Christmas gifts you don't like to someone who would really appreciate them, give your time. There are many hardworking people living right here who could use a helping hand. And luckily there are people and organizations to help!

Book a session before by January 31, 2010 and in exchange for your session fee, we will accept a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Bring me a BIG box (we're not talking a shoe box) of food to donate or even better, write a check to Second Harvest for the full amount of your waived session fee and provide 600 meals for people who would otherwise go hungry. If you don't want to book a session, donate anyway!

• 1 in 6 Tennesseans are at Risk of Hunger
• 50% of our clients are children; 10% are seniors
• We are seeing more and more first time users and demand is up 38% in Davidson Co
• Demand is up 75-125% in outlying counties (we serve 46 counties)
• A little goes a long way – just $1 provides 4 meals for hungry men, women and children.

What they need:

Peanut butter, beans, baby food, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, cereal, and rice.
Please be sure not to bring any dented cans or expired food.

And, if you'd like a daily dose of other things you can do to help, subscribe to Cool People Care.

Coming Soon

Her first baby girl will be arriving any day now, and I cannot wait to meet her. I'm positive that she will be nothing short of beautiful, and if she's anything like her mom, made for the camera. This is just a tiny sneak from the shoot...

Candice

It's usually just the babies crying during my photo shoots, but this was the first time I cried. In fact, I spent so much time fighting back tears, I had to check the files when I finished to make sure they were in focus. I met Candice at a friend's wedding this summer, and she contacted me for pictures for her website shortly after we moved to Tennessee. I had heard her story before, but to hear her tell it, to see her love for God shining through despite her heart ache, was a completely different experience. Candice's husband, David, died in a plane crash while transporting and organ just 10 months after they found out that their 3rd baby has Down's Syndrome. The night David died, Candice said, "God is still good," and through her faith she is turning tragedy into something beautiful. To learn more about Candice and what she's doing now, visit her website.



Later, we headed to The Factory in Franklin to take some head shots. Wedding 101 is an adorable wedding boutique located upstairs that just happens to have the most awesome natural light streaming in. They were so gracious, and let us take several of her shots there. If you need help planning your wedding, this is definitely the place to go!

Go ME!?

So, I took a little break today from editing and album design to do the old budget. This isn't exactly the most enjoyable thing to do in the first year of business. It's actually about as fun as falling into a deep well and trying to climb back out without a rope. But today, internet world, the day has finally come. I am in the BLACK! In fact, I have even made enough profit, that if divided over the course of the last year, I can pay myself a whopping...

$1.37 an hour.

Ouch.

As I saw the cold hard truth come through on the calculator I found myself contemplating if it was worth it. I mean sure, I'm glad I was able to do my small part in stimulating the economy and keeping Nikon, Apple and Adobe in business, but what about my economy? Quick calculations started adding up in my head about the vacations I could have taken had I not bought that better lens, gone to that workshop, upgraded to that monitor. Had I stayed at the old day job, I'd be how far ahead?! But the answer is ABSOLUTELY. Every single bit of this grueling, scary, expensive, exhausting, mind boggling, AWESOME, freedom filled year has been nothing but rewarding. I have met so many amazing people through the clients I've worked with and the photographers who have taught me or learned along side me. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'll admit making less than minimum wage isn't so impressive, but nothing beats saying goodbye to the alarm, working in pajamas, having as many coffee breaks as I want, when I want (and the added benefit of being able to pee more than once in a 12 hour day), and of course, finally doing what I really, really love.

In light of this feat, I think I might go treat myself to a little something special - maybe from the dollar menu. Can't blow the budget! And, I also like to give a lot of thanks to the corporate world and my darling husband who works there. I obviously couldn't have done any of this if he wasn't such a trooper getting up at 5:30 to do whatever business people do. But, don't feel too bad for him. I went to see him at work a few weeks ago, and I found him in the lobby hanging out with his BFFAW's. They seemed to be working really hard...


Ok, so it was Halloween, but oh my gosh, I have never seen a company party like this! The only one I ever bothered to attend sent me home through a blizzard with food poisoning! But, this was SO FUN! Props to Mars Petcare for being the coolest corporate world ever! It kind of made me want to apply just so I could hang out with all these creative people! Parties aside, any business that has aspen trees as their decor and let's your dog hang out with you all day is AWESOME.

More from Boulder!

What a productive week it has been, and it's only Tuesday! I think we have finally found our house! We are both so excited to start getting settled in, and I cannot wait for a weekend that does not involve driving around for hours with our sweet Realtor. :) And needless to say, I can probably get a significant amount of work done in the hours that have typically been spent on RealTracs...I hope it is a long, long time before I see that website again!

So, back to the blog! I got to spend time with these two beautiful girls when we went back to Boulder last month. It was so fun to photograph these ages - such a big change from the newborns!

On another note, I've been getting questions from moms lately wondering how they can take better pictures of their children. I'm considering putting together a fun day of helping moms get to know their camera, some basics on photography, and tips for getting better pictures. If you're interested please leave a comment or send me an email!

Just a Little One

I am out of time already today and it's only 10 am! But, I thought I would at least share one image. This sweet little guy lives IN the mountains, and I'm just a tad bit jealous of him. We had a great trip to Boulder and I have lots of images to share soon!

Middle Tennessee Mini-Sessions

Middle Tennessee Mini-Sessions will be October 24th!

This is a quick and perfect way to get gift prints for the holidays and custom Christmas cards to send to your friends and family!

Mini-Sessions are $300 and include:
A 20 minute session at a set location (Franklin/Nashville area)
6-8 proofed images and an online viewing gallery
5 table top or gift prints of your choice
25 custom holiday cards
(no additional purchase required)

Sessions will start at 4:00. Only 5 spaces available.

Brand New

My first Nashville shoot was for my best friend's niece, and she was the teeniest, sweetest little baby girl ever! I promise, I'm not being biased. She just curled up into a tiny ball and had sweet baby dreams through her whole shoot. Not a bad initiation into the South!

Meanwhile, we've been getting settled. We're slowly starting to find our favorite spots. We've been relentlessly searching for a house, and I've made the executive decision to decorate the rental in hopes of it helping us find our house sooner. Isn't that how things work? So, if you have a cute house in Franklin with a big yard, I highly encourage you to sell it to me!

Tomorrow we'll be up bright and early to run the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Hope to see you there!

New Holiday Cards and Christmas Sale!

*Boulder Bound*

It's confirmed! We will be in Boulder October 16-20, and I have a few spaces left for regular sessions and mini- sessions! Thanks to all who booked. We're very excited about making the trip back!

Mini Sessions $300 | Saturday, October 17th in South Boulder starting at 3:00

20 minute session at set location
6-8 proofed images and online viewing gallery
5 Table Top or Gift Prints of your choice
25 custom holiday cards
*no additional purchase required*

Contact me by phone or email to book, and please note our number has changed to 615-438-4261!

Boulder/Denver Shoots in October

So, I have a client in Colorado who is practically demanding hand delivery of the prints she recently ordered. Ok, really I think she knows that I'm secretly dying to come back, and I like the way she thinks! But, I like to make it sound like I'm willing to travel 1200 miles to protect those precious images from the mail. It sounds much cooler that way. So, I am considering coming back to Colorado sometime between October 19 and 23 for shoots...ehem, deliveries. Email me if you're in the Boulder/Denver area and interested in booking a session!

And now for some of those pictures that I hope to hand deliver...

It's Time to Get Crackin'

Well, I am back from my "sabbatical," I've had sufficient time to recover from jet lag, and it seems there's nothing left to do but get back to work. And, I did have a friendly reminder in my email last night that my blog is dying a slow, painful death. So, first things first!

I am so enjoying this fall weather, and it's getting me excited about the holidays...especially since I don't even have to travel home this year! However, I'm sure I'll miss the snow and going sledding on Christmas Eve. Sniff. But who knows, Tennessee just might get a few flakes this year! I'll be posting the new holiday cards soon! So, if you're not a procrastinator like me and you actually plan ahead for the holidays, a fall session can make great gifts and cards for you family.

And now it's time for some new pictures! I was filling orders today and came across more pictures from one of my last Boulder shoots that I just love. I'll be scouting out some new spots to shoot around Nashville this week, and then I'll post the Mini Session date. Details to follow...





IF, I fall into the bad blogger role once again, which is likely, and you actually still read this blog after its weeks of silence, then I give you full rein to send me harassing emails and leave nasty comments about my slacking! :)

In Case You Were Wondering

We are officially Tennessee residents, once again! Life has been insanely busy since we got here, and now I'm off! I will be out of town September 1-19. All calls and emails will be returned starting September 21. New things to come when I get back, including Nashville Specials!

There are so many shoots that I've haven't had time to blog lately, so I'll leave you with a quick collage I made from one of my last sessions in Boulder. Miss all our Colorado friends - xoxo!

Out with the Old and In with the New!

Abby Gray Photography's phone number has changed to 615-438-4261! Please note that the old number will no longer be active as of Thursday. Just two more shoots to go in Boulder before it's time to pack up shop, and one of my clients still needs to be born! Come on baby, you'll like it out here...it's time to make your debut into the world!