Life in the Slow Lane

I am busy at work now with sunflower harvest so I can’t get much editing time there.  Tuesday night after supper I sat down and started working on Jace’s sr. pics.  Everything was going great.

Then someone thought they’d been neglected since I was gone all day at work, then came home and cleaned the garden.

What? Am I bothering you?

Then he folded himself on my lap like he did when he was little. It’s a tighter fit now.

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I am reviewing this product, but I am not getting anything in return from the company!

I was introduced to Erin Corden planners by a friend on FB a few weeks ago. I checked it out and saw that I loved the layout and the room to write.  Most planners I’ve used for my photo biz in the past have small calendar squares.  With most of my business being on the weekends the spaces inside the planner are just too small. So when my friend shared an inside the planner page with me I saw little hearts.

Yes it is a little spendy. I cried to Mildred that I had spent $75 on a planner and supplies, but I knew it would be a good thing.  Heck I already have 5 seniors to write down in there for the summer!! WhooHoo!

Front cover.  The front and back covers are laminated with hard plastic. Very nice with as hard as I am on planners.

With my order I received a coupon for a free customized cover (just pay shipping). I went in and ordered a cover that has my biz logo with the basketball and football. I can not WAIT to get it.

The ring is heavy duty wire.

It’s about 2 inches thick.

It is a little snug going into my purse.  It measures 7×9 inches which is a little big, but I’m willing to sacrifice that for a planner that I like.

Bells and whistles that were included. A front and back pocket folder

Two sheets of stickers like these and then two sheets of blank stickers to use on your own. They also included a “gift pack” that has more stickers and a I call a clear pouch to keep things in.

I added a pen holder onto my order.  I use pencil all the time so I thought having one attached to my planner would be a good option for $2.50.

I also ordered these little post it notes. I like that they fit on the full calendar page in the little boxes.  That way if I have something other than photo session I can put this on top. I think these were $7 for 300.  I don’t think I’ll use very many, but I’ll be able to move them to the following years calendar since they are easy to pull out of the binder. I also ordered a snap in card that I can write on using a dry erase marker. I’ll keep that in the full calendar month. I thought that would be nice if I’m jotting ideas down. That also can be moved to other calendars.

August was one of my busiest months and this is how I had to fill everything in. 

I already have a few dates in for 2016 so this is what those pages look like. Something else that was really nice they included the remainder of 2015 in this planner even though I did not select it. If I’d had selected it they would have charged me $10. So this was a fun surprise. Now I get to start using it now!

This is what I’m very excited about.  Look at how big the weekly area is!  When I have a session I like to jot down ideas for locations, time, how many family/friends with be coming along, what the client will be wearing, time, or if I need to call any landlords for permission to use the locations and their #’s.  In the planners I’ve had before there wasn’t room for this, but now I have plenty.  I’m very excited about it.

When I get my custom cover I’ll share it with you!

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I have one more senior session on Saturday and then I am done for the year! This year has blown my mind with how many clients I had. A normal year is 7 or 8 well I’ll have completed 18 on Saturday.  I absolutely love senior sessions, and the kids I’ve had this year were so awesome! I’m not kidding every single one of them was polite, fun to work with and loved their pictures.  What a great combination!  However, there one session that sticks out in my mind.

I received a message from Mrs. R in May saying that her son Coy wanted me to take his senior pictures. Mrs. R has been a sports client for two years now so I was very excited they wanted to book his senior session. We scheduled for October 10th. I met up with Mrs. R in August when I did a session with the senior football boys at OHS to make the big banner for the football field.  Afterwards I asked her if they had certain places they wanted to go or a certain picture he wanted. She kind of laughed and said yes Coy has one shot that he talks about all the time. He wants one in his football pads and a baseball bat across the back of his shoulders. I asked if he would be wearing a jersey and she said no just his pads. I asked her if she was okay with that shot. She said yep, he’ll only have that body for a while so he might as well have pictures of it. Great thoughts mom, but awkward for the photog! I always require a parent to be there for the session so they can’t say I didn’t anything inappropriate with their son.

Let me just say that I always feel super awkward when my seniors want to get undressed.  It’s just not right.  I feel like I’m breaking the law by photographing a kid like that. It’s not like he’s naked, but it’s just weird to have a kid undress.  Which is weird since I use to do Ooh La La’s but those ladies were of age.

Last Tuesday I called Mrs. R and we talked locations and she informed me that her and her husband were going to their sons’ college football game and so it would just be me and Coy. I kind of panicked since I knew Coy still wanted to do that shot. I asked Mrs. R if she was sure it was okay that Coy got half undressed with me. She laughed and said yes. Mrs. R told me he’s not in wrestling shape with the six pack since he can eat whatever he wants during football.

I thought about that shot the rest of the week.  Worried about that shot the rest of the week would be more like it. Finally Saturday came and I met him at their house at 5:00. We went to an old farmstead and took some pictures.  It went fine we had a good time even though he didn’t talk a lot.  I’ve seen him with his buddies so I know he is pretty funny and very ornery!  I’m sure he thought does this woman ever shut up? But it’s weird if there is no talking so I just kept talking and asking him stuff.  It was funny because a butterfly wouldn’t leave him alone when we were in the tree row. He’d get up and walk and it would flutter above his head. Then when he stopped to pose it would land on his hat.  I asked if he had a girlfriend and he said nope. I said well once girls see these pictures you’re gonna have them all over you. Which embarrassed him, BUT I got a real smile out of him which was great!

It was finally time for the dreaded picture. We went to the OHS football field and down into the locker room. I sat up my lights and got everything ready. We were talking and I could tell he was nervous too because he kept giggling which was something he hadn’t done before. Then I said, “okay time for you to put on your pads.”  I busied myself looking at pictures on my camera so I wouldn’t watch him take off his shirt.  I should probably explain that he wrestles 170 but I’d guess he’s up to 185. He’s a good sized kid with nice arms and shoulders!

He stood where we are taking the picture and he flexed his biceps and abs. I seriously lost my train of thought.  It was a good thing my camera was up to my face or he’d have seen my eyes looking everywhere but his face.  I don’t care if you are 80 years old, you would have lost your train of thought looking at him. The session progressed and we finished with the shots that he wanted. I then suggested he sit down on the bench. He shook his head no. I asked why and he said well my fat will show if I’m sitting down. I literally busted up laughing. I said Coy I know I’m just an old lady but you look perfectly fine and you have no fat! I couldn’t help myself. Then he kept feeling to see if his belly was showing.  Like he had anything to worry about.

We finished the shots at this location and went back to our vehicles.  I really wanted to tell him lets just finish this session with you wearing your jeans…no shirt! But then I thought that MIGHT be crossing the line!

Here’s a shot of him. Since he’s under 18 I’m not showing his face, but giving you an idea of why I lost my train of thought!

You are welcome!

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