And the what nots!

Or do I mean, the evil behind the scenes of a business.


Forewarning, this post is mostly vents on the ugly side of owning a business rearing it ugly head.


Let me begin with....when I started this little venture, I thought how great it would be to turn my love for photography into a career. In my naive mind, there was nothing to it. But then, then when I made this business official in September of 2008 with my pricing increase and other paperwork that made it "official"....my eyes slowly started to open.


Over this past year, my eyes are opened to:
the never ending paperwork
monthly tax reports to the state revenue department
data entry (super boring and tedious)
and the non-stop organizing
and ULTIMATELY answering to Uncle Sam in April!


While this isn't a super long list, let me tell you each of the three things on this list requires hours upon hours of attention. Right now, I have a huge appreciation for small business owners and would probably sell a limb just to hear how they found a way to tick and tock through the daily and hourly requirements a business needs.


And today, my eyes are WIDE open and often I have to force them to shut and try hard to not think of my business every single second. It's incredibly hard. I think about where I am, where I'd like to see myself, what's best for my business and the bulk of my thoughts go to ... what's best for my clients.

There's one thing that makes it hard for my mind to veer from thinking about business and it's THIS post I read a while back. And even though I read it almost two months ago, it's fresh in my mind every day.

I think it's still fresh as it deals with pricing yourself and what it takes to actually make it in the business. Believe me when I write, that I totally understand that I'm not the cheapest photographer in the valley. And that my pricing is high for some.

I want my photography to be reasonable. But, I have to remember in the end I answer to the tax man. And while many of my products are priced high, it's because their high on my end.

But I always giggle when I hear the comments on my pricing. Why? Most people think that I pocket each dime that I'm paid in services and orders. Oh, I wish...I SO wish! That would only be in my dream world.

Sadly, a good portion goes to all that it takes to run a business and a HUGE portion to Uncle Sam.

While the post was incredibly helpful and insightful, I felt like a dark cloud was following the days after I read it. A few of my friends and I kept a strong email chain going, long phone chats at night and the occasional vents with tears on how to get to where we need to be to truly value our time.

If you're at all interested in the reasoning behind pricing, this post would be a great read. Or, if you're starting a photography business or even thinking about it...STRONGLY believe you should read that post.

The only relief I had after reading that post was knowing that I'll be prepared when I have to write that check out to Uncle Sam come next year. Because, honestly, I'm TERRIFIED of the tax man and the word audit literally makes me have nightmares. Taxes and audits are probably what I fear most in life...I have no idea why. Maybe one too many news stories of tax evasion and audits that won't stop haunting...I don't know. I just know it scares me.


Now, I'm sure you're wondering where this post came from. It came from me sitting here for the past 4 hours doing only data entry and organizing my papers to have some semblance of a system. And me needing a huge vent on the side of this business I'm SO not a fan of. That in my perfect world, I would only take pictures and edit...oh, but I think that will stay in my dreams.


And...this is a photography blog right? Here is just one sweet moment caught between my girls...
And as always, thanks for reading as this post...despite the ramblings and as boring as it may have been.

My twin sister! |Gilbert Family Photographer

My twin and I laughed as we both had our shoots at the very end of my crazy shooting season. There were several times we joked about skipping holiday cards and aiming for a Happy New Year card...it honestly seems like things were never going to work out.

But, they did. And I couldn't think of a better family to end the holiday season with.

My twin. My better half. My hero. She is one on the list of my everythings.

Without her, I truly think I would be lost.

And her husband. I have a long list of happy stories with him. Starting with the first time I met him...private silly story. And one year when he spent Valentine's Day with me. Why? Because I had just come out of a relationship and was heart broken. My sister Pam, was needing to spend Valentine's weekend studying for a huge exam, and she had him drive from Tucson to spend the day with me.

The funny part of this story, starts with...

my BIL is a French Canadian. When they met, he was in the country on a visa and coaching hockey. While in his country, he grew up attending an all French school and didn't learn English until he was older. Although his English was good, there were still several English words and terms that he didn't understand. And, during our day together we saw a movie...Something About Mary. Now, if you remember this movie...it's filled with hysterical phrases, most he didn't understand. Occasionally through the movie, he would lean over and ask questions on things he didn't understand. Needless to say, the movie was cracking me up but Ron almost had me in stitches with the questions he was asking in his heavy accent.

I truly love this man!

I love my sister even more.

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On a personal note...

today my kids and I spent a few hours at the mall trying to be productive but had more fun. Our trip to the mall had a couple goals. One of which was to visit the angel tree and chose a child to buy for. It's ultra important for me to raise my kids to be giving...in generousity of soul and helping others.

After chosing a child to buy for, Cashlyn asked what I was doing. I tried to explain to her that there are families that are struggling with work, health and other tragedies. A result of their struggles, there are children that probably won't have presents under there tree. As I was explaining this to her, I couldn't help but get choked up. Not holding back tears of pity (as I don't believe in pity), but from that very moment that I was sharing a special gift with her. The gift of generousity and the reasoning behind it.

That it means more to give to others than to receive. That giving to others is where happiness lies.

And talking about the feeling her mommy gets when I give to others. Then when I hear her try to relate by saying how happy she feels when she shares toys with her sister. I tried hard to keep the tears from rolling down my cheeks as I hugged her and telling her "yes, it feels good doesn't it."

Today was a good day. And it was just one more day that I remember how blessed I am.

My family!

This is what really makes me happy each day.

Each. Every. Single. Day.

These are all four of our babies.

Let me start with...

Almost two months after my husband and I got married, we found out we were pregnant. While we were taken back as this wasn't part of our "plan", we believed it was God's plan and we embraced it and were giddy with happiness. We always knew we wanted a family.

Then, a few weeks later we lost the baby we were dreaming about and couldn't stop thinking of what we lost. I'll be open here, we were devastated. I'm actually getting teary eyed as I type this, as it's as real today as it was almost 6 years ago.

We were then left with a void. We had a huge hole in our hearts. And, while nothing could fill this void...we did find happiness when we found our dog. Who, at the time, considered our first baby.

Now, get ready for some serious sappy doggy love.

I remember the day I brought him home, against what my husband really felt. But as soon as he saw him... my big, burly husband fell head over heels in love. My 6'3" husband was attached to a little Llasa Poo and it was rare they weren't apart.

Meet Willie, our first baby.

Then to Willie's dismay, we brought home twin baby girls a year later. Whom he wasn't a big fan of. Whenever they cried, he ran to the back door begging to be let out. Three years later, a baby boy. But, when we brought Easton home he instantly saw his best friend and just loves him.

So, with that sappy doggy love build up...all four of our babies. And, Willie honestly wasn't happy with one second of this shoot. He tolerated it for a few minutes and soon ran to my lap to escape the chaos.

And, while I'm keeping my Christmas card pictures a secret...here are one too many of the funny out takes.
Yep, Easton wasn't feeling it either. My sweet Easton is always smiles when I have my camera out. But today, it didn't help that this shoot took place when he's typically sleeping.

But, I HAD to have their shoot as a nasty winter storm is rolling in tomorrow and I couldn't bare one more week of not photographing my kids.

This looks ALMOST fun!
My twins got twin loving time...and there was plenty of love sharing going on. But mostly on Cam's end. She truly is madly in love with her sister. It's incredibly cute. My girls are polar opposites in moods and personalities.


For starters, my Cam is all personality and there is NEVER a dull moment when she's around. Although, right now she is going through a nasty time with terrible three's! Ugh!

My baby Easton, a second before he broke out in tears.

And my heart melts. There is nothing like sister love...especially twin sister love.

Oh, to be this cute! |Gilbert Family Photographer

Now seriously, this age is the BEST! Actually a personal favorite of mine...9 months old. Sadly, I don't see many babies this age...it's typically at birth or a year old.

When I heard little Miss T was 9 months, I smiled ear to ear!

And oh so pretty in her gorgeous Christmas dress.
To the L family...you guys rocked out the fastest family session ever. It also didn't help how cold it was...brrr! Thanks again!

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On the personal side....

I'm giddy happy tonight! Why? Because I'm officially done for a couple weeks...hee hee, I squeezed in a newborn twins session! Ah, what can I say...I can't resist twins.

Today, I whipped out my twin sister's family session and photographed my babies. Now, my sister's session was AMAZINGLY fun, as always. And mine, it waaaaas great. I had an idea played out in my head and as parents of little ones, we all know our plans don't always play out. But, happily mine took a super fun twist. Which left me loads of out takes! Let's just say, I had the hairbrain idea to include our sweet dog...which lasted all of 4 minutes and he was back in the car. My husband was a fabulous assistant and I'm left with sweet pictures for our Christmas card.

I'll be anxious to start on those!

Sweetly sharing a piece of me! |Gilbert Family Photographer

Many of you that follow my blog have read the horrific story of my sweet Ky being involved in an accident after she left my house...an accident that I'm still thanking God for protecting her in.


I recently met up with two of my favorite children...yes, they are an extension to my family.


Now for my honorary mommy bragging rights...I have to shine light on these two.


For starters, this whole photography hobby turned job all started and grew with these two when they were 6 and 7 years old. Shortly after their mother and I had met as teachers. And, here we are years later...and still putting up with my camera.


As a child, Trev moaned and groaned over whatever I put him through...and now, well when I go to take his picture, I just prompt him to do his thing. Because, he's that comfortable in front of the camera.


And with each shoot of these big babies...I'm that sappy, second mother that gets teary eyed looking at them and wondering where all the years have gone. While I've been there for every single milestone and achievement in their lives...I feel like I blinked and they grew up on me.


I still see them as little kids. I see me playing GI Joe with Trev and watching Ky just sit glued to her mother and not say a word because she was THAT shy!

I will say, hands down...Trev and Ky's parents are the most incredibled people I know. And they are stellar in raising amazing teenagers...and I can only hope I follow in similar foot steps as my babies grow. At least I have Aunt Kimi and Uncle Don to help pick up the slack when we fall flat on our face with the mistakes I'm sure will make. But, I do know this family will be there with us to celebrate every achievement and each step in our kids lives.

Now, for the fun outtakes from their super mini mini session. Because, that's what you get when you're tight with my family.
Now I totally giggle at the picture above and where these two are standing. Sweet Ky is standing on a step...yet, you can't see this step. Which makes it look like she has the longest abnormal legs for a 16 year old.
And...during this shoot, Trev asked when we're doing his senior portraits. Which I happily told him I have big plans for him and his bestie...and it'll involve LOTS of driving! Driving to the most random places to explore and have major photographic fun. What I loved, is him being totally up for all I have planned!
***AND, we'll just go ahead and pretend we didn't see the NO TRESPASSING sign! I will go with the assumption that trespassing is prohibited beyond the doors.:)

Truly...the sweetest! |Queen Creek Family Photographer

Now, how lucky am I that I get to photograph not only the cutest but sweetest families.

Honestly...it doesn't get better than this.

I was SO excited to finally use another location I've had my eye on for a looooong time now...and this family didn't question my recommendation one bit. I had to giggle at the blind trust, and so love it!

And...the beautiful family!
To the proud mommy...oh, thank you for a fabulous time. Especially the 100% willingness to do whatever I asked...considering you and I both often wondered where snakes were hiding!

The mother load sneak peek! |Gilbert Family Photographer

This evening, I met up with my cousin's family...for their rescheduled shoot due to the nasty weather we had over the weekend. The biggest reason for the reschedule, I couldn't imagine it being to fun photographing a 4 month old and 3 year old with horrible wind and super chilly temperatures.

Despite the reschedule, the shoot was loads of fun...leaving me with oodles of pictures for a sneak peek...because I couldn't narrow them down.

{BTW...I typically leave out any pictures that may be potential Christmas card pictures...however, this sneak peek might have a couple that I simply couldn't resist sharing}

First up, a hysterical outtake during family pictures...sorry Aung!

This picture...um, steamy I tell ya...STEAMY!
And ... one of the future models in this family. Literally, performs on cue!
He probably takes notes from his father...who totally tapped into his inner model for this shoot!
Sweet baby I...despite the reschedule...the temperature was still a bit chilly for her loads of giggles! But we did get some smiling shots...but let me write this girl is loaded with cute grins! But, I love her giving us a glimpse of her tongue with drool as an accessory.
This... just makes me giggle!
Because they were filled with giggles!
Another favorite family outtake! LOVE it...just LOVE it!
And love this...whenever someone went in to kiss her...here eyes closed with anticipation.
But ... Miss baby I ... definitely had sweet eyes for her mommy and daddy!

And...saving one of the best for last! Big sister M. Who happens to be studying photography and I think she will do fabulous in this! She has such an eye for style!

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Now...three sessions down...and four left to go! I'm giddy happy as tomorrow is my day to photograph my babies...I can't wait! Am I ready...probably not! I'm waiting to see which friend I can recruit to help in this venture.

Right now...I can say that after this holiday madness is over...my camera will be taking a day at the spa (ie camera guy). My black box baby will be getting a GOOD overhaul in cleaning and tune up!