Do Dreams Really Come True?
I feel so fortunate. While building a new business is hard work and can be slow-going at times, I feel rewarded on a daily basis at having found my calling. Not only do I get to work with the most unbelievable clients, beautiful women who inspire me on a creative and personal level, but I also work with a team of amazing beauty professionals who are a pleasure to be around. But something I didn’t expect was recognition from other photographers in my field!
Today I got the sweetest note from another photographer I admire and respect, Holly McCaig.
“Hey Stacie! I follow you on Twitter and must say, I LOVE what you are doing! I have shot some boudoir in the past, but am now focusing my efforts on weddings/engagements and am going to include boudoir with it. I have a few models coming Sunday to do a shoot to build up the portfolio at a beautiful suite in downtown St. Louis. Anyway, I just wanted to personally tell you how inspiring you are! Keep it up!!!
I love it all! If I ever get to Vegas, we’ll have to meet!!”
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to keep going! This is the career path I have chosen and love with all my heart and it helps so much to hear kind words like that.
Dreams
I have been quite the dreamer today. I have always loved Range Rovers and looked at their site today and decided that one day I would like to at least start out with the Range Rover Sport in black. I could totally see me driving this, couldn’t you? hehe
{{ Range Rover Sport image via Yosax }}
Another luxury item I was dreaming about that is a little more affordable than a Range Rover (although I still can’t justify buying) is a designer handbag! I’m afraid I may be the last girl on earth to not have one! I think I would start with something timeless and classic like the Louis Vuitton Mahina XS in black (do they have an S and a version with silver instead of gold?) or maybe a Gucci Sukey.
{{ Louis Vuitton Mahina image via The Purse Blog }}
{{ Gucci Sukey image via Gucci Shop }}
Dream a Little Dream
Many of you may have noticed that my blog has been turning in a different direction…more oriented towards Boudoir Photography. Why might this be? Well, I have finally decided what I want to be when I grow up!
In all seriousness, last August I was laid off from my job as a graphic designer, thrown into the cold in the worst job market fathomable. While I began slipping into a depression at first, I quickly roused myself out of the darkness in search of my own personal light. I decided that being laid off was an opportunity to rediscover myself and what I most wanted to do professionally. I also found that any negativity wasn’t helping at all and that I needed to remain positive in order for good things to begin coming my way. And begin to happen they did…almost immediately.
After having experimented with nature photography, product photography, portrait photography and concert photography, I became interested in boudoir photography for women (over a year ago) and shot a few boudoir sessions for friends but suddenly I began getting calls from perfect strangers asking about my boudoir services. With each new session I surprised even myself at how much I was growing, learning and gaining confidence as a professional photographer! And with each new client came another referral after they heard what a great experience their friend had and after seeing the resulting images from their shoots. That is when I had my ‘a-ha’ moment that I might be able to support myself doing what I love!
I have been working very hard (with Joe, who is doing so very much to help make my dreams come true) on the new website, this new blog, new marketing materials and the new name for my new photography business (Haute Shots) focusing on boudoir! I am super excited about this and really hope that it will do well.
Thank you to everyone…family, friends & CLIENTS (you ladies ROCK!) who have helped make this a possibility!
New Look! New Direction!
Exciting things are on the horizon! My photography as mostly hobby is turning into a nice little side business. People are catching on and beginning to book appointments with me! I am one busy girl on my weekends now and LOVING it. Because of the demand, not to mention my passion for shooting pretty pictures, I have decided to focus even more on photography. I will still do freelance design when the opportunity arises and definitely will still have my day job, but I am super excited at what my future holds as, (gasp!) a photographer!
Stay tuned everybody!