So behind on sneak peeks

So here's one for one of my favorite families..I was so excited to see them again and I have to brag on them that this was one of the easiest sessions ever. We talked, we laughed, we drove Jeeps, what a fun morning!

More catch-up coming soon!

D

I'm a nice person, I sware.

I've been getting notifications from my webhost that our server has been having problems. All weekend I had trouble with email *again*. There is a good chance that if you sent me an email this weekend or Friday that I didn't receive it. Some I tried to respond to and they bounced right back, and I had to give up. I promise I always answer my emails, so if you didn't hear back from me-send it again or better yet, call me- 972-596-5500

I always know when I'm having email troubles when even the spam folder isn't receiving any action. :)

Feeling a litle self-indulgent

*warning...geeky photographer talk ahead*

I know most photographers are equipment junkies and while I do covet lots of their stuff, it's rare that I actually purchase anything (I have mommy guilt...the old "my lens is fine and middle child needs skating lessons", etc). However, I had a moment of feeling splurgy (I made that word up) this weekend and decided I have used my old tiny, uncomfortable, ugly camera bag for far too long. So I did a little research on something more girly and fashionable, and decided to add this to my shopping cart and actually click "buy". It ships tomorrow, woo hoo!!

I'm also contemplating a new lens for my camera to take on my New York trip. I want something versatile so I don't have to mess with changing lenses (I sware by fixed lenses), and I also want something with a wider angle for the city shots. I have it narrowed down to this and this...the price difference is huge obviously...any pros out there reading have experienced opinions?? I realize I'm gaining a couple of fstops by spending $1K more, but for these purposes, is it really worth it? I welcome your wisdom :)

PS-I do have a couple of Spring Mini Sessions still open if anyone is still thinking about booking, so let us know-first come first serve! Thanks!

D

Making lemonade from lemons...or great shots from head injuries!

*note to self...some insurance may be a good option in the future.

Sometimes sessions just don't go as planned. Sometimes we have grand ideas of running outdoors along long pathways, frolicking in the open air, and yet, the session may take a turn (or a trip) for the worse. Example:

Poor little guy was having his first birthday session with me out at my favorite spot. He just wasn't into it. It was windy, cold, and he just wanted Mommy.

Finally, he warmed up to the idea and wanted to run and play...

and then about .2 seconds after the above shot was taken, BAM! Little guy tripped straight forward and landed flat on his forehead. We all rushed to him and thought, oh I bet he's ok....and then this shows up:

So I'm feeling really horrible at this point, so I took the two of them over to a local coffee shop to warm up and grab some drinks, which turned out, was just what we needed.

And all was well again in Little Boy Land!

A face you might recognize...

If you have had a weekend session with me over the past year or so, you will definetly recognize this gorgeous lady and her gorgeous family-my assistant Erin! We hit the Arboretum on a *chilly* morning and had some fun...the least I could do for the amount of free time she spends with me carrying my bags and balancing a reflector. She's the best!

The whole fam:

Gorgeous big sis (I have a separate folder of just her, so much fun!!)
Sweet 1 yr old lil' sis:
And big brother:
The boys:
Mom and Dad
Love this one.
I love little sis in this shot...just barely keeping up....

Bartering is the best.

In case you are reading this and own your own practice, business, or service--let's barter! I have bartered for the following services in the past

interior design
cosmetic dentistry
legal work
children's clothes
office help
professional organization
advertisement
graphic design
computer and technical services
hair services

Not only can we trade services, but we can advertise to each other's clientele-definetly a win-win.

Also, if you own a children's service and are interested in advertising on my blog, please email me and let's discuss details!

MOMMY project: I have had an overwhelming response to the mention of my mommy project. I am still currently seeking applications so please let us know if you would like more details.

EMAIL: I have also been experiencing great difficulty with emails. Many clients are reporting that they sent me emails and I never got them. I always answer all emails within 48 hrs, so if you don't hear back from me, I did not receive--please either re-send or call the office. If you emailed me about the Mommy project and did not hear back, please call or re-send.

Thanks!
D

I heart families

I absolutely LOVE it when a family calls and wants pictures together...this is definetly my forte. I love the challenge of capturing a family being, well, a family...snuggling, laughing, playing, teasing; all the fun that makes being together so special and cherished.

After multiple attempts to get together and make this family session happen, we finally had THE perfect morning, and all the stars aligned for this:

***Announcement: I am currently searching for Mommies of all shapes and sizes for a big project I am starting work on. More details later but if you are interested please send me an email at deanna@devine-memories.com . DFW area is preferable but not mandatory.

Now Booking

Spring Mini Sessions!

Saturday, March 29th

1-4pm

$150 Session Fee

Packages start at $500

30 minute sessions with up to 2 subjects

Perfect for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts

Spots go FAST so call 972-596-5500 or email deanna@devine-memories.com to book

The Unseen One

This is my son--the one you never see. That is not because of me, BELIEVE ME! The only reason I even got him to pose for this one is I had to promise he could leave on his play clothes.

He's 9 going on 19... (and refuses to cut his hair)

Request

Is anyone out there in the publishing or writing industry who could give advice about putting together a book???

Little Blue Eyes

I would like to find out where the Blue Eyed store is so I can get me some. Because c'mon, this just isn't fair (and I sware that these were not enhanced!!!)

Sweet Miss K is another baby planner and is growing faster than her mommy can believe! Hey, that's what I'm here for, right??

Life is more interesting when you are 2.

That's what I have determined anyways after spending the morning with Miss D, an old pal of mine since she has grown up so far in front of my lens. We talked, and we talked, and oh, we talked some more. We also tried on lots of outfits, so many that I can't fit them all in this tiny sneak peek, but here are the highlights!

What's up, D? part 2!

Thank you so much for the AMAZING response I had to my last blog. Tears were shed :) It's so encouraging to know that you guys are behind me and are so understanding! I have to admit to almost deleting my entry a few times just because I hate wearing my heart on my sleeve, but I was so glad I didn't once I received emails from so many moms who are in the same situation career-wise.

Anyways, here's the rest of what I've been up to. These aren't really sneak peeks per say, just a little sampling of who I've been hanging out with the last few weeks.

What's up, D?

You all may be wondering what the heck has been going on with me lately. And I don't blame you.

"You never call, you never write, you never blog!"

I know. I'm sorry!

So here's the gist of it, if I may be so honest, and I think I can, since I'm speaking mostly to mommies, daddies, and photographers...

Last year was sort of an "experiment". Can this mommy of now three work from home and keep her sanity?? I actually didn't realize it was an experiment until recently. In my mind, what was one more child? Get back to work and stop whining already!

So what happened? Well, my baby hit age one, and developed her personality. If any of you have had the "experience" of meeting my 1 yr old, she is what we like to call a "Toddler Tornado" or "Tasmanian Toddler". She has no fear of ANYTHING, and leaves a path of destruction everywhere she goes.

What else happened? Well, it became very, very clear to me that my family needed me. Several home events, including Maddy's severe illnesses, had profound effects on my life. Over the last few months with some much needed wisdom from others, I have had to take a very honest inventory of my life and have discovered that I really stink at being a work-at-home mom of three. It's funny, because the number one thing people say to me is "How in the world do you do it?" And my answer is "I'm not doing it." And I know you all thought I was kidding, but it's the truth. I was failing miserably. And I don't want to do that anymore!

So what does this mean? No, I'm NOT quitting anything, if that's what you're thinking. I LOVE my job and I need my job. I have to work.

But what I have done is begun to streamline my workflow a bit and rearrange a few things to accomodate my family. This means less computer and phone time during the day, slightly longer turnaround times on your orders and proofs, fewer nighttime ordering appointments, seasonal increases, fewer "specialty items" that take too much time, and less Saturday sessions. I am the queen of people-pleasing, and so this transition is going to be a hard one for me. But for me to be able to continue on, it's necessary.

This is so hard for me, to be really honest. When I started my business, my career took the fast track and I had the world at my door. Magazine covers, commercial clients, local celebrities, endless phone calls and emails...The thing about following your passion is that once you decide to take that first step, everything kind of falls into place and the universe is yours if you want it. But something I've had to focus on over the 8 years I've been doing this--the reason I started this in the first place was so I could be there for my children--and as soon as I lose sight of that and get caught up in the money or the competition, my home life suffers. 4 years from now when my baby starts Kindergarten, things will change and I can chase all that is out there...but until then, I need to refocus every now and then and make sure I am being the best Mommy I can be!

I'm probably saying too much, but I know that you parents out there can likely relate to the whole struggle of career vs. family. Just to be clear, I know lots of moms and dads out there that are excellent at doing both--I am just NOT one of them. I don't multi-task well! In fact, one of my close friends is a photographer doing the same type of work as I am, takes more clients than I do, and still volunteers for her children's schools and spends tons of time with them. She is an excellent working mommy. I feel relieved to finally admit to myself that me=not so much!!

So I guess all I'm really saying is, if you notice some changes around here, just know that I have only the best intentions-the same intentions as every other mom out there trying to do her best and balance it all.

Love to you all,
Deanna

Prayer request

I like to use this blog for many purposes but when I have the opportunity to spread a prayer request for someone I jump on it, so here I am with another request for one of my families.

Jett is 2 years old and we had our photo session with his gorgeous family back in December before the holidays. After I got back from my break I got an email from his aunt saying that Jett had been admitted to the hospital, and they were unsure what was going on with him, but they would contact me soon. I just got off the phone with Jett's mom and she gave me an update-Jett has had fever for 28 days straight now. They have really no idea what is causing the fever and have performed every test imaginable and have only been able to rule things out with these tests. The big ones, like leukemia, have been ruled out, with junior rheumatoid arthritis now being the theory, which seems out of whack to them because he has no joint pain, and Kawasaki Disease being the next likely cause.

Jett's mom is a wreck, losing weight and having a tough time so if everyone could please say a prayer for the family and for Jett that something be found so it can be treated, I would appreciate it!!

Deanna

Boys will definetly be boys!

As a photographer, I don't think there are any sweeter words than "I just want to capture our day to day lives"...at least not for me. When a client asks me to come in and just document life as normal, I almost jump for joy...not only because they are fun sessions, but my favorite types of images, and as a mom, to me, the most important. So when my favorite veterinarian asked me to come document her boys' morning, I was thrilled, and man did we have the time. Lots of jumping, tickling, hiding, running, castle building, leaf throwing, and most of all, laughing!

Dr. C I'm saving the best for you but here is just a sneak peek!

Pillow fights on the couch

By the way if anyone in Plano/Allen is looking for a vet, Dr. C is the most fabulous one out there and I'd be happy to pass along her info!

D

Coming to the Big Apple

As mentioned previously, I will be traveling to New York City for sessions and have confirmed and booked my dates for April 23-26th. I have one session booked for that time and would be open to taking another if you or anyone you know is interested.

This will be my first time in the Big Apple, although I've dreamt of it all my life and feel like it's already a home away from home! I'll be doing a little field research into who indeed has the best pizza of the city, but based on my reading thus far...I have high hopes for Grimaldi's in Brooklyn :) We'll also be taking in one of the last performances of Rent before they shut down production in June. So exciting!!

If you or friends or family are interested in the New York sessions please email for details. Thanks!
D

For Rita

Well now that your children are all probably driving cars, finally, your sneak peek. Thanks so much for hanging in there and waiting until my life calmed down. I think it will be worth the wait!

Well, it's official--I'm coming to Seaside/Destin!

I had tons of interest but plans fall through and I want to keep a waiting list while i'm there in case anything comes up or I have more time--so please keep emailing/writing if you would like me to photograph your family in Destin the week of July 7th-11th.

I know I've been a very, very bad blogger as of late and I apologize to those who read Devine Inspirations religiously. As many of you photographers out there know, January is a tough month to scour up any creativity you might have left after the Holiday Crush. To be quite honest I'm struggling with January Burnt-Outness (I just made that up) so I don't have anything to post except a picture of my Sweet and Sassy Gabby at her Sweet and Sassy 5th birthday party this past weekend. I've got lots of sessions to proof so new images coming soon, I promise.

Well after a week battling strep I am now officially back to work! And still trying to get to all these emails, etc. that have piled up again...sheesh.

Anyways I promised a client that I would put the word out--anyone who is traveling to Destin during the month of July 2008 and would be interested in having me do family pictures on the beach during that time, please let me know. I need at least 3 clients while I'm there to make the trip (travel costs would be split by each client) and I already have one interested.

It's me again.

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday!!

I'm still officially on my vacation but start shooting again this weekend and then easing back into office work on Monday. I peeked at my emails and realize I have lots and lots of emails to return so please hang in there while I work to get in touch with everyone who contacted me on my 3 week break.

Lots of changes coming up and I promise to keep all of you informed.

I wanted to update about my baby girl Maddy too, as I saw that many of the emails from you guys were asking about her.

Maddy spiked yet another high fever on Christmas Eve (just after a fun-filled Christmas Eve car accident on Stemmons, more on that some other time) which continued to rise on Christmas Day and ended with 106 fever, a febrile seizure, a call to 911 and a mad rush to the ER. We spent Christmas Night together in the ER hospital bed, hooked up to an IV of antibiotics and trying to calm her from all the needles and x-rays and tests. Nothing showed up and so today we had an ultrasound of her renal system (kidneys, bladder, etc) to see if there is something causing these crazy fevers. I should know something next week but it has been scary, if you all don't mind saying a little prayer that they will find something. I don't think there is anything worse than not knowing.

On a happier note my middle child turned 5 this week and I wanted to publicly wish my precious Gabby a very happy birthday. I can't believe it's been 5 years since my little girly girl came into our lives and brightened them every day since.

More soon! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Despite all the illness, it was great to have some time off!

Deanna