Favourite Things Friday

Gratitude is a powerful thing.  Every night before bed I lay there and think of 10 things I am grateful for.  This may range from  my health, the health of my family and friends, my amazing husband, our incredible home, being fortunate to live somewhere so beautiful, clean air and water to watching a movie that made me laugh so hard I cried (The Hangover!) or my iPhone.  Not everything has to be ‘deep’.  I am darn grateful for my iPhone 😉

One thing I am always so grateful for is the amazing clients that come into my life and the friendships I have developed along the way.  I like to think that for some reason or another I always end up with the clients I am meant to have.  I believe everything happens for a reason and I also believe that the energy you put out there is what you get back.

Not to toot my own horn, but I think people would generally describe me as a happy and positive person and so I am not surprised when my clients fit this similar description.  I love it when I meet with a bride for the first time and we end up talking and chatting like long-time friends about our love for Etsy, cute summer dresses and Dairy Queen Skor Blizzards.  The relationship ends up becoming so much more than photographer and client, and I love that.  Because really I am working with people, not wedding #13.  It is my goal to always run my business with a focus on who my clients really are and supporting their needs in the best way I can.

Ok, I think I got a bit off topic there so I am going to try to tie this all together now.

When you really get to know your clients beyond what time you start and what time you finish, I believe you open up yourself to capture their day from a perspective that compliments the things that matter most, because you have put the time and energy to really get to know them.  I think this is a huge advantage to creating images that not only are pretty pictures, but have an emotional component that not just anyone could create.  It is something to set you apart.

Just last night I had a spontaneous visit with one of my bride’s Gemma.  We chatted about our love for Vegas, HOT and colourful wedding shoes and fabulous red wine.  We talked about family, and surviving stagette parties.  And we got to know each other that much more.  When I worked with Dawn, I almost died when I saw her home for the first time.  It looked like it was straight out of a Cath Kidston catalouge and I freaked out!  I had first discovered Cath Kidston when Darren and I travelled to the UK to visit our friends Jo and Dan.  Jo had told me that she had to take me to see a Cath Kidston store as she knew I would fall in love.  She was right !!  So when I asked Dawn if by chance she knew who Cath Kidston was, she flipped because she is also such a fan.

So I want to leave you with a few images of some of the incredibly sweet gifts I have received recently from some special people.  I am one spoiled photographer!  Thank you THANK YOU guys for these lovely gifts.

After shooting Dawn’s session a package from the UK arrived on my door.  I recognized the packaging and squeeled with excitement when I saw what was inside ….

Sarah gave me the BEST raspberry jam and I have been looking forward to it every morning on my toast !

And Karen gave me an incredible necklace!  I get SO many compliments on it 🙂

I am so grateful for these beautiful gifts and the joy that I receive from doing what I love and meeting amazing people!