Sara-Anne Photography Blog

This weekend:  To say it was a dream come true….is a complete understatement!  I am so completely humbled and in awe of the God who has provided so amazingly for me!  I have so many emotions running through my head right now.  So many people who have helped to make it all possible.  If you missed it and want to read more, you can check it out here…the local paper wrote a great article!

Someone posted on my facebook page a few nights ago ït takes a village” and it truly does!  As I try to reflect on the events of the last few days and years….I just can’t help but to be emotional.  I have cried so many tears.  Both tears of joy and tears of frustration.  I have laughed, I have been exhausted to the point of collapsing …and I have been giddy.  My dream came true this past Saturday!  I would have never imagined ….ever…that I would be the owner of such an amazing studio space.

When I was a little girl, I remember sitting in the back seat of my parents car with a note book in hand and drawing out “my business”  I had a concept then (nearly 35 years ago) and this past weekend a small portion of that came to be!  I truly believe that God birthed that dream in that car and with a lot of hard work, His provision, many many many dear friends, and a supportive family it happened!

I have so many thoughts and things to share so as I frequently do, I will just jot them down!

• The Grand Opening:  Was an amazing turnout!  I was overwhelmed by all the support of people I know and those I just met that came out to support my new venture!  I truly was so overwhelmed.  There was a point in the day…when I got 22 messages saying ï’m sorry Sara-Anne, I really want to be there, but I’m afraid of the ice” my heart sunk.  So much of my heart & soul, not to mention money and time was put into the Grand Opening making it the perfect debut for Sara-Anne Photography.  So when the studio was filled with friends, family, clients, church memebers, the press and people I had never met, I was truly overwhelmed!  I loved sharing it with the community and I look forward to many more events at the home of Sara-anne Photography.
• Friends:  I am so blessed!  I can’t tell you how many different people at a ‘touch” in this opening.  From the midnight text from a dear non local friend who saw that I was up on FB and wanted to just encourage me, to those who came and actually put sweat into the studio, to those who helped run errands, to those who came from afar to just be there!  I realize that each one of you has an important piece of this “home” and I’m so proud and blessed to share it with you.  I have made so many friends through my journey as a photographer…from vendors to clients….I just feel overwhelmed by all the love.
• The Studio:  I can’t tell you how much I just love looking at it.  It’s been like a third child, and it’s so beautiful.  You know how when you have a new baby, you just stare in awe and keep looking at it’s toes or fingers…well that’s how I am with the studio space…I just keep looking at pictures of different parts of it, it’s so beautiful and I love sharing it with the public.  From the original 100 year old floors, to my boutique area that really came together perfectly, to the old shoe counters that will be my work space to the lighting, to the awning …I love all the nooks and crannies and it’s exactly perfect!!!
• My family:  The day the awning went up Micah wanted to go and see it and his response was “mom, it’s so awesome!” I realized how much of this space and my business has them written all over it.  They love having a mom who’s a photographer, they are so proud of me.  I have such a wonderful family (and extended family)  my in laws have cheered me on the entire way…my kids have loved on me when I needed the extra love and encouragement, my aunt Janet and Uncle Tom who pealed 22lbs of shrimnp,…they have been a rock and refuge.  My dear kids, they have loved me through the entire process….I realize that it’s been a sacrifice for them too.  I am so proud of the way that they have handled this process…there has been many stressful moments in our house, but they have risen to the occasion and helped me out!  This will be a huge change for them, as mom will now have a “place to work” but it will be a good change as well.  I’m so glad they are resilient and flexible!
• My Hubs!  It takes a special man that will truly stand behind someone and help them achieve their dream, never wanting or asking for anything in return.  My hubs is the most selfless human being that I have ever met…he has been my biggest cheerleader, the one who talks me down off the cliff, the one who has prayed with me when I was so stressed, who kept telling me “have faith” who believed in me more than anyone, who supported me through all the changes, who loved on me when I know I wasn’t very loveable, who was patient with me when all I talked about was SAP this and Studio that, who wanted to make sure everything was as perfect as it could be for the Grand Opening, who when I felt lonely and depleted would help me to see the big picture, who is my realist…I could go on and on…he truly is my best friend.  My love and I couldn’t imagine anyone else standing besides me!
• Pain:  Yes, this studio and journey has been painful in many ways…I have lost friends through it, I have had to learn many boundaries and I have had many personal growing pains through this process.  Many life lessons along the way, re-discovering that God loves me un conditionally (not others) and that He’s the one who has a plan for my life.  I have had to endure many harsh words and criticisms from friends and other photographers…and learning to just keep my eye on the prize.  I’ve had to learn to balance things even more so, to remember my priorities (God, family, work) these all came with many tears, and I know I’m not nearly there…and the pain is hard.  I realize that I let people down all the time and that my expectations sometimes are so un-realistic…but I want to be the best mom, wife, photographer, business owner I can be…and that only comes with change and growth…so even though it’s been tough…I welcome it, and pray that I’m a better person in the long run!
• Vendors—no doubt the boutique was a hit…I couldn’t believe the way it came together.  Sometimes we have a idea and you don’t know if its going to look like you expect…but in this case it did!  I am going to be sharing a vendor list in the near future!  I loved seeing people shop it…I really feel that each vendor is unique and offers something special…and I love the relationships that are being built among them!  I will be sharing much more soon!
• Now it’s time to get to work:  WOW!! what can I say, but I have a ton of work ahead of me…I’m excited about all the new clients that will walk through my doors…I’m excited about the new photographers that I will meet in workshops, I’m excited about growing in my work, I’m excited about being part of a downtown community, I am ready to get to work and capture beautiful images for my clients!  I’m working at gathering all the images from the night..but here are just a few people texted me…I love that they are imperfect and just captured the evening!

here are some images that people have been texting me…I love that they are just captures…nothing perfect but give a great feel of the evening and my new studio!