I was beginning to think I had fallen off the face of the earth. It wasn’t an accident though  – really. I had decided in December 2012, that on a certain date, I was taking a vacation. And so I did. But it felt really good. I got really comfortable. I actually started to really relax. Not just the kind where I nod to my friends and family and say – “yeah today I’m not doing anything.” And then behind their backs do 1,000,001 things. I actually spent days doing NOTHING! And I wanted it to stay that way. So I extended my vacation.

I needed it. I had gotten overwhelmed. Easily distracted. I had definitely lost focus. So, I spent a lot of my time thinking about what I wanted to do. How I wanted to do it. When I wanted it all to happen. And the vacation just kept extending itself. It had gotten to the point where I thought about quitting. Have you ever thought about quitting?

I needed time to reflect and remember. Why was I doing all of this in the first place? What did I want out of it all? And I realized, that my focus had shifted and my life had changed. As all of our lives do – almost every day. So in order to not drown in my photography business I needed to refocus and remain flexible. This was – by my own proclamation in my own private thoughts – my creative outlet. It was supposed to be my way to feel good about myself and to create something for other people that they would love. And I was doing that but at a cost.

See I was taking time away from very important people. And it was making doing something that I LOVE become something that I was starting to not like as much. I was missing these people…and worst of all…they were missing me. They were asking me to please make time for them. Those words made my heart cringe. Because of course I was doing what I was doing for them – kind of. So now I’ve changed.

There are two boys and one man who are with me every day. There are two kids who visit every other weekend. There are parents and grandparents, cousins, and nieces and a brother and sister-in-law. They are my family. They come first. Life is too precious to miss having as many moments as possible with them.

Now, my time is for them. No more scheduling them around my busy work life. In order to make this work, it has to work right. For 2013 and beyond, there are a limited number of dates that I am available for photography. I will post that complete schedule and include a calendar for reference. I want to work with you and for your family and loved ones. I want to see you as often as possible. And I want it to feel amazing for us all when we do get together.  I want to create AMAZING photos for you!  And I will. But have you ever just needed to rework your master plan? I have.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos that weren't previously shared during my hiatus (more to come):