Yikes, what a wild time to be living!
Raise your hand if you're one of the millions of struggling Moms right now, trying to fight for your kids in whatever crazy schooling situation you are in, while keeping your own career going...or surviving a day of cyber learning at home with your kids, or if you know a Mama trying to keep it going!
Now, reach your arms out and give yourself a HUGE hug...or go hug the ones you know! We deserve it! Being a MOM right now is insane! Mamas, YOU GOT THIS, she got this, we WILL survive this!
In my home currently, it's as wild as an episode of "I Love Lucy"!! I recently went to the
Desi & Lucy Museum
in Jamestown, NY and it was worth the trip!
I don't usually talk about my personal life very much, but since I feel like it seems the universe is fighting against me in what I WANT to do, I think it's time to get real about what these times mean for me and my family's unforeseen future.
Here we go!...
I am Mama to two kiddos, age 13 and 10, both now in middle school. It's been almost a year with the love of my life, and now second Mom to my kids, my "K-10". I'm ridiculously in love, and it's been an incredible year despite all the craziness!!!
I primarily run my photography business alone these days, with the occasional help of set building and social media from my also Hair & Make Up Artist Miss Petunia Curls! Seriously, our amazing spaceship set for
Space Babes was my concept, her seeing my vision, and running with it! You have to see it!
Up until "Covid times", home life was great with my kids going to school each day, where I primarily worked when they were gone each weekday. My business was flourishing and I was finally fulfilling my dreams of travel shooting!
Then Covid Quarantine hit, and I was shut down, which completely was so frustrating!
I won't get into details about how small businesses were denied unemployment at first, and me not receiving any financial aid through this whole thing. It doesn't matter. It sucked for all of us, and we're still feeling the repercussions. It's so sad to see many local small businesses forced to go out of business now after lifetime dedication.
In my case I've always been a SURVIVOR. I've been through a LOT! My Mom raised me to be strong and positive, even in the dark times. I refuse to give up and have no choice but to keep going!
When I reopened we booked July & August FULL! We did many wonderful Pin Up and Boudoir Photo Experiences for many happy ladies! I am SO GRATEFUL for my amazing repeat (and new) clients who bought into our Gift Card Sale during shut down, and/or have booked a shoot since! THANK YOU SO MUCH ladies!
In summer, at home my kids did well at home with minimal supervision. Summer has always been nuts, but it's usually 3 months of "I can get through this" and then a countdown until they get BACK ON THE BUS! Any moms relate?!
This year, I have found that going back to our "normal" school-year routine is just not possible. In our school district, my kids are physically going to school, but only for 2.5 hours/day!! What?!
Many may not know that my 5th grade son is considered "Special Needs". I hate labels, but his with ADHD and DMDD (he just got that new diagnosis today actually), it boils down to a LOT OF ENERGY needed to mother this not-so-small-anymore, defiant, young, male human. Think of a bouncing, flying monkey, who eats everything in site, while arguing why he should be able to have Youtube all day...when he actually should be IN SCHOOL LEARNING! Anyone ever see the TV show/comic "Dennis the Menace" yeah, that's my kid!
We are also doing therapy, med management, and appointments, etc. multiple times per week currently. He needs me in the mornings until the school goes back full time, which has completely changed that routine I so miss.
What does this mean for ME?!
For for Pin Up Penny Photography it means I have to limit the amount of Photo Shoot Experiences I offer right now. I am only able to fit in 1-2 shoots per week, in the afternoon/early evenings, and an occasional weekend. I am limited time for social media, and my turn-around time for edits and photo product orders has also increased.
I juggle home life, and then EVERYTHING involved with this biz, including marketing, clerical, scheduling, consultations, planning, creating, shooting, photo reveals, editing, designing, ordering, finances, mag submissions, and SO MUCH more. It's a LOT for one gal to do on her own.
Bookings and amazing clients have proven that I can keep going with this, but the way that I conduct my business has to change for the time being. I have to slow down, take care of my kids, shoot less, and
make the photography shoot Experiences I do get to create SPECTACULAR!
What does this mean for YOU?!
If you want to book a confidence boosting Photo Experience with me and have the images to gift yourself or a significant other (or be published in
Rocket Magazine)
by the end of the year...
THE TIME TO BOOK AND PLAN IS NOW!
We are currently booking our every day,
completely custom designed, "Monroe" Pin Up and Boudoir Photo Shoot Experiences! I have limited time-slots left for October and am now booking early November. My Christmas Deadline has not been set yet, but it's going to be no later than mid-November!
So get ahold of me to start planning now ladies!
We are also offering the Fall Fantastical creative shoots seen below, with more info on our Events Page!
So now's your chance to help a small business owning mama out, while getting one of the most rewarding Experiences you'll ever give yourself! All Experiences are truly unique. Tell me what you have in mind!
The first step is to email me with your availability to give you a phone call back. Talking is way more personal, I can answer questions, and we can brainstorm your big glam moment right away! Let's chat!
*Also, if you made it to the end of this, send me a quick "I READ YOUR BLOG POST" message, even if you have recently booked! I'll send you a little "Thank You" goody just for reading all the way to the end of my book!
Talk soon gals!
~Pin Up Penny
