Always Portraits by Sally, Newborn, Children, Family and Wedding Photography

Wow! What a roller coaster these last few weeks have been for me! If you’ve read the last few posts in my blog, you understand how all of it got started. During all of that I seriously injured my arm. I went to the Dr twice and was still in great pain, so I started going to see the chiropractor. The pain is in my right arm from the shoulder blade down through the wrist and esp in the elbow. Normal activity hasn’t bothered it much, but sitting here at the computer trying to use the mouse has been TERRIBLY ouchy! I go for my fourth visit to the chiropractor later this morning… she says that the pain is from the stress and misalignment of my neck… who knew! Probably from stress.

Secondly, some of you knew that I had tried to open a studio in town a few months ago and wasn’t able to because of needing a military clause in the lease… just in case! Well, a little over a week ago my Realtor called me and said that they’d changed their minds and would put the clause in if I was still interested. Talk about bad timing! Yet, I really want to take my business to the next step, so I followed that road for awhile til I could see that it was a dead end… at least for now. I have too many responsibilities anyway and that was going to make it worse. Needless to say, I’m going to continue to operate out of my home for awhile longer.

That doesn’t mean I’ve given up on my ultimate goal though! I really want to take my business to the next level, so I’ve taken out a small loan and am going to invest in equip, marketing and education. All to better serve you, my wonderful clients! I had a lawyer file paperwork for my business to become an LLC… right now I’m a sole proprietor. I’ve got an employee, wonderful Amy, to help me, and together we’re going to revamp and rework every aspect of Always Portraits to make things more streamlined, comfortable and professional. I’ve said changes were coming before, but now, we have a timeline and a goal! Some of the changes will be small, but you’ll notice a difference in the pricing come Sept. It will be a big change, but after figuring out how much it actually costs to run a business, and taking into consideration that I want to continue to do this for several years, I’m hoping that you’ll view the changes with an understanding heart. Amy and I have labored over the pricing structure and the marketing materials, and are very proud of what is to come! Some of you have already seen the new packaging that will help brand the logo.

At the risk of being too wordy… I just want to say thanks again to everyone for bearing with me the last few weeks through my family crisis and my subsequent injury… I have a new-found tolerance and sympathy for those who’s pain can’t be measured in bandages and scars. Both the emotional and physical. I hope that the new found strength I have will translate into my work and the passion will shine through! Life is short… photography is for Always!

Blessings!
Sally

So, I think most of you have noticed by now, but my blog looks WAY different than it used to! That’s mostly thanks to the ladies at Clickinmoms.com for helping me figure out what I needed and Tracy, from www.sugarlime.com for putting the color and design together for me.

Can’t pause for long today…. gotta get back to work!

The day my husband was frantically driving to AL to see about his brother, I was able to go welcome this little guy into the world. It was a gentle reminder of the cycle of life, and that new life as well as death will always be a part of our world. Makes me very thankful to be a child of the King.

I thought I would do a quick share and then I need to get busy. So many of you are waiting on me. I have orders out my ears and galleries a plenty that need posting. My arm is finally tollerable. I injured it in the process of all of the craziness in the posts below. Dr says I strained my shoulder. None of the meds are making the pain go away, but today I feel much better. I just wish they hadn’t cancelled school!

Yours,

Sally

So many of you have emailed and called to express your concern and payers for our family during the loss of my brother-in-law this week. It’s been wonderful to know that I have so many friends. Thank you all! It’s a hard thing to watch someone you love, in my case my dear hubby, suffer such a loss.

I am doing my best to get back to normal work today. Don is home from work for one last work day and it’s the week before school starts, so even without all of the other stuff, it would be a bit wild around here. I’m ordering today and will be working on getting galleries posted in the next 2-3 days. Please feel free to email and check the progress of your gallery. I know all of you are anxious to see. Thanks again for your patience with me during this time.

Yours,

Sally

Just a quick reminder to my clients that I’ll be out of pocket attending my brother-in-law’s funeral this week. I should be back in action Thursday. I appologize for the delays and I know that I’m asking all of you to be very patient. Just know that I appreciate it and I thank you for being so understanding and wonderful.

If you have questions or are wondering about details of your session or gallery, please feel free to call and leave a message and I will get to it as soon as I can. 270-498-8255 If you email I may not get it til I return. sally@alwaysportraitsbysally.com

Thanks again, and God Bless.

In the midst of all tragedy, life goes on and we find a way to find smiles in the simple things. Today I had the privilege of accompanying a bride and her recently returned from Afghanistan fiance`, to Sugar Grove. If you’ve never heard of this place, it has to be one of the most beautiful places in Christian County! Down a long drive, in the middle of cornfields and pastures, within view of several Amish homes, this place and the folks who own/run it instantly commanded my respect and won my admiration and praise! Seriously, I felt as if I’d stepped out of real life and into a comfortable, warm magazine article. I feel as if I’ve struck photographic gold! I wasn’t there long, but I snapped a few shots very quickly and can’t resist sharing… this was the highlight of a miserable weekend, but would have made me happy no matter how great my weekend had been.

Hello all. I will be a bit out-of pocket this week. My hubby’s brother was killed in a hit and run motorcycle accident in AL yesterday. The funeral is Wednesday and though I’m home at the moment, I will be headed down to join my hubby and his family tomorrow. I just wanted to post this to let everyone who is waiting on something from me know that I’m not avoiding you, just taking care of a family crisis. Thank you for your patience. God Bless…

Hello!!! So, since launching the website about a year ago, I’ve found several things I wish that it had (kinda like buying a new car or tractor I guess. ). I’ve hit the “go live” button on the new one, so you’ll begin noticing changes in the next 24-48 hours. Several things prompted this in the middle of everything else, so bear with me that I don’t have all the content I should on the new one yet. I just didn’t want to keep having to load galleries twice. PLEASE email me if after the new site is visible you still can’t see your proof gallery. On the new site you will find it under “client”. Thanks for your patience and THANK YOU for being so great to me this year!! I have WONDERFUL clients!!

sally@alwaysportraitsbysally.com

This sweet baby made me sigh… such a small bundle of joy, and SO beautiful! She was easy to startle, so when she would settle down I had to work fast! I think we got some great shots though, and I’m so thankful for wonderful clients who bring me such beautiful sweet faces to capture!

Last week I had the privilege of taking this cutie pie’s pictures for the third time! He’s 6 months old and a real hoot! My son was able to keep him in stitches most of the time while I concentrated on capturing the many faces he made. It was great fun!!  Thanks for letting me be a part of your baby’s life {L}! I appreciate it!!!