Moving forward and stepping back

This post is a long time coming but I wasn’t sure how to put it into words and I wanted to be confident in the decisions I was making. In the past few years I have seen many fellow business owners stepping back from their respective business. Whether cutting hours, shifting specialties or completely closing- folks are taking steps to prioritize the things that bring them joy in their lives.   I truly believe that one of the “benefits” of the pandemic was that it forced many of us to slow down and take stock of our lives.  

My first business "pause" was when my son was both over 9 years old.

In late 2010, after spending years working in higher education, I was lucky enough to be able to switch careers to a job that gave me an outlet for my creativity while allowing flexibility in my home life.  In the past 13 years, as Blue Daisy Art grew,  my client roster grew and demands on my time because greater than I hoped.  After my son was born 9 years ago, I attempted to shift and adapt my focus to give myself time with my family while not letting my clients down.  I moved to not booking high school seniors, only photographing families in the fall, and somewhat limiting the number of births and newborns I booked.

As a Gen X’er though I grew up in a time when being super busy and having more, more, more defined success.  I also have a hard time saying no and have serious FOMO (fear of missing out.). When I took a season off from photographing families, I got a little sad looking at the images captured by other photographers of gorgeous fall colors with families I loved to capture.  

I am now though at a point in my life when I am counting down the years in which my own kids are still at home.  My kids are active and busy and between school, sports and activities, I am lucky to have any time with them.   While driving with my daughter recently I looked over at her and thought “I only have a few years left with you before you leave for college” and I started tearing up.

So what does all this have to do with Blue Daisy art?  Initially my plan was to close my doors, but I am not ready for that.  I would like to take this year as a test to see what my schedule will allow.  So, for now…

I will not be booking:

  • Fall family sessions
  • Milestone (sitter, 1 year, etc.) sessions from new clients
  • Births from new clients
  • Extended family sessions

I will be booking: 

  • a very small number of newborn and maternity sessions from new and returning clients
  • milestone sessions from returning clients (which may include family images if booking a “complete” session)
  • New Arrival Sessions (Fresh 48/In-hospital sessions) from new and returning clients
  • Previously purchased or donation gift cards, which can be used for family or newborn sessions

What is up in the air?

  • Christmas Mini-Sessions.  I will take the next couple months to decide if and when I will offer up the Christmas “Milk and Cookies” sessions

I appreciate everyone’s understanding and if at any point I begin to open up additional sessions, I will inform folks via facebook. Below is part if my “why”. Why I am stepping back, as my kiddos (and my husband and I) are not getting any younger and time moves too fast.

Thanks, Vicky

2022 Fall Family Sessions Announcement

MINI-SESSION FAQS

How do I reserve an outdoor fall family session?

Sessions are available online here: https://bluedaisyart.bigcartel.com. Via that link you will select the location, then the date and time you would like, pay the session fee and you are booked!  Within 48-72 hrs, you will receive a family prep guide and be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire to let me know a little about your family.

Where will these sessions take place?

When you sign up for your family session you will be selecting by location. When you receive your confirmation you will find out exact location details. Locations are planned for but cannot be guaranteed. If weather does not permit us to capture your images on the date you signed up for, you will be given alternative options. If you would like to view the sessions available BY DATE, you can here.

How much does it cost?  What is included?

Your mini-session is $400 and includes a 20 minute session for your immediate family and 10 high resolution images via a digital download, with a print release.    Additional digital images and professional print products are available for purchase.  Galleries will be available within 2 weeks after session, where you can select your images. Your final gallery will include a download link to your images.

Why are these only offered in the evening?   Will you be offering these at any other times?

The absolute best time for lighting is in the early evening right before sundown.  For the remainder of the year, these are the only times available for family sessions.  I am available for newborn, baby & child studio sessions during the week. Contact Blue Daisy Art for additional information.

I WILL also be having some morning indoor Christmas mini-sessions December 7-11, 2022 too! Those will be available for purchase the first week of October and for those who book a family outdoor mini-session, you will receive a discount on a Christmas mini-session 🙂

Blue Daisy Art Babies: Then and Now

These past several weeks I have REALLY missed photographing those sweet babies. Several of my expectant clients delivered right before the state mandate restricting non-essential business closures, so we have been waiting….and waiting to get those cuties in my studio. A couple clients whose births I was supposed to be there to capture, I had to sit at home and receive texts from them after their sweet cuties were born. It has been hard for everyone, I know. Our world has been changed forever and this time in our lives is one we will not forget.

A couple weeks ago, I asked my former clients to brighten my day and send me an updated image of their babies whose newborn images I have captured over the past 8 years (I started my business 9 years ago, but my first newborn session was in March of 2012.) I LOVED seeing how these cuties have grown, and it’s super interesting to see how my photography skill and style changed as well.

So here I am sharing with you a few of the Blue Daisy Art babies over the past several years….then and now.

Yara | Chatham Springfield IL Newborn Photographer

Gorgeous Yara was just a dream baby for her session, just like her sister was 2 1/2 years before hers! When she first came in, she was sound asleep and we took advantage of this by capturing some adorable images with her big-sister and family. He grandmother, who lives out of the country, was in town visiting and we were able to capture some beautiful images with her as well!

If you visit my studio, you will see this adorable baby in one of my sample albums. While I do not require you to purchase any additional prints or products, I do work with some amazing vendors that offer some heirloom quality products. I love being “all-inclusive” and providing high-resolution digital images to my clients but some of my newborn and child packages include a print credit to encourage you to print your images and not just leave them on your computer!

Allison | Springfield Chatham IL Newborn Photographer

I am super-duper behind in blogging and when I went back to see where I was in regards to blogging sessions, it was pretty embarrassing. Regardless, one of the benefits of being behind is that I get to go back and relive the sessions through a few images.

Adorable Allison was a total angel for her session and it was such a pleasure to see this family again, as I captured big brother just a few short years ago.

Click through this adorable gallery to view Allison’s Images…

Victoria Kegg of Blue Daisy Art is a fresh and modern portrait photographer. She specializes in birth, maternity, & infant photography, but also captures families and children. Blue Daisy Art is based in Springfield, IL.

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