Monthly Archives: January 2013

Day 1274 – The Best Picture I Took In 2012…That Almost Didn’t Happen

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It was the end of the wedding. We were taking formal pictures of the wedding party by a river. We had waited until the end of the day to take these, in case someone fell in. We got some great shots and we were just about to leave for the after party.

It was about 3:30 in October, so the sun was in that great “through the trees” stage. I said something along the lines of “OH MY GOSH, DON’T MOVE!” I stooped down and said, eh, I don’t know if the light is right or if it will turn out. I think I started to leave….but Bret suggested I try it anyway.

So back I went to the “frog pretzel” photographer pose. (note: If this term has not been used yet, I call dibs.) Posed my couple to kiss RIGHT where the sun was coming through….that’s always fun, eh? “Ok, WHILE kissing, move your bodies this way!”

Snapped a few frames, called it a day.

When all was said and done, the picture was amazing. One of the best I’ve ever taken. Not just last year, but ever. So, the lesson is….always take the shot (unless it puts you or your clients/family/friends in danger). You could take it figuratively too….always take the leap, make the call, play the game….you might end up with something to be exceedingly proud of.

* Special thanks to Rebekah Thorsett for reminding me of this moment a few days ago. (I love that I see/hang out my brides regularly! When I say I like to be friends with my clients, I mean it!)

Without further ado…..

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Day 1273 – Gaitan Personal Training – It’s Official, My Hubby Is A Business Owner!!

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Ok, can I first just say….how cool is my hubby?

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After two days of staying up until 3 a.m. (or later*), Bret has his web presence!!

Let me share a few quotes from his page (ha, talk about an easy blog day!)

“I love helping other people make positive changes in their lives. But there are so many trainers and programs out there, it might seem overwhelming deciding who to go with. Let me tell you, I might not be right for you. Come on a walking consultation with me and we can decide if I am right for you. It’s free, you get good conversation, a little exercise, and if I’m not right for you, I might be able to direct you to a trainer who is.”

“I love using practical training to help real people make real results. You don’t have to have experience working out and going to gyms. In fact, there is so much bad information out there, you might be better of not having experience in exercise and gyms. Have you noticed how trends in fitness constantly change? Let me tell you what hasn’t changed recently: the human body. Fitness should be achieved using practical and natural movements. I don’t care who you are, or what your experience and abilities are, I can find a way to work with you to help you lose fat, gain muscle, and just generally improve your health.”

A few of his qualifications and achievements…..which I’m glad I can share! My husband is a truly humble man and doesn’t like to “toot his own horn” but he is in amazing shape and has done some really cool things. So, HA! I can finally share!

  • “Cross-country (I have competed nationally multiple times and achieved All-American status)”
  • “Track and Field events (I have competed nationally multiple times and was a member of a relay team that broke a national record)”
  • “I continuously achieved the highest possible score in the Marine Corps’ physical Fitness test, and on multiple occasions received the award for having the highest physical fitness score of the units I served in.”

So, go check out all he’s doing!
His website
His Facebook Page
His Twitter Feed

* This has been a productive time for me too!! I’m writing this post at 3 a.m., thank you very much! So don’t forget about me! I’ve made a few tweaks to the Wedding Photography page.

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Day 1272 – “As If Your Life Depended On It”

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As you know, I’ve been doing a lot of looking back the past few months. What’s funny is the following came about because I was cleaning up my Facebook profile. I’m going to put it out there, I like to play to a few games….but I try to keep that hidden. At least, from others who really don’t care and don’t want to see that stuff on their newsfeeds. I have taken the steps to hide all my updates, at least I thought I had. Well, I noticed a few “updates” like….”Jennilyn did this on her game!” So, I hid those. Then I was looking back over the first few years I was on Facebook. I actually joined in the same month I shot my first wedding. I remember over the years, ah, I’m just going to get rid of Facebook and stick to MySpace…NO ONE is on Facebook! Ha, silly Jennilyn, bet you’re glad you stuck it out, eh?

Anyways, I randomly saw a note I had posted on June 8, 2007….that linked to a MySpace blog post…..oh yea, we’re going “old school” today! I reread it and it was actually a really good post! ::pats 2007 Jennilyn on the back:: Way to go past me!

I’ve cleaned up the post a bit….it was all in lower case! Ah, come one Jen! In 2018, I’ll probably look back and say, wow, why did you do a ton of these –> ….. I did use them in 2007, so at least that hasn’t changed so far.

Ok, talk about a ramble intro! Here is the original post. I really only cleaned up lower case words.

First, go read this article. It’s about the dude from 300 and his workout routine and what not…..this quote pretty much floored me….

“Either way, it’s the reason Butler enlisted the help of Mark Twight, a former world-class mountain climber who, based on personal experience, believes in training as if your life depends on it. In fact, Twight would argue that a good workout should make you feel almost queasy upon hearing what lies ahead.”

I want to live like that with my whole life, with every aspect…..that everything I do, I do and excel and move forward as if my life depended on it. And I guess in a way it does…..I need to do my photography work because it is additional income that pays off my bills that drag me down….I work out to increase my strength mentally and physically….I would die younger or whatever without it. It’s a really radical and awesome way to look at life. Look at everything. Even driving to work or talking to your friend. As if your life depended on it. Every second counts in life. Every second.

Well, do I sound the same? Have I grown? Should I stop using these? –> …..

Ok, I’m not going to lie, I took out 9 sets in the old entry.

And for your viewing pleasure, my old MySpace profile picture, thanks to Craig of Nilepoc Media! (Who eventually shot my wedding!)

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Day 1271 – Advice On Working With Your Spouse In A Small Business

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Yesterday, I alluded to a business Bret is starting…..

He is starting a personal training business!!! It’s a little different than most personal training businesses out there, but it’s really exciting! I’ll let him describe that for you. He’s still working on getting his Twitter/Facebook/Website together, so you’ll have to wait to learn more. BUT! I thought I would give some advice on working with your spouse!

As you know, I’ve worked with Bret as a business partner/consultant/second shooter/etc for the past 3 years. We believe that the husband is the leader in the marriage and household. It has been a big adjustment and large learning curve over the years. I learned that I am VERY independent, stubborn and prideful. These traits served me well as a single woman/business owner, but I really had to grow when I married Bret. I had to learn to say, you know what, I don’t know it all and Bret has some great points.

So advice for women business owners who are transitioning from being a single to being a married:

  1. Pray. Ask God to be glorified in your business and keep you at peace!
    (That second part is SO important!)
  2. Be humble.
  3. Listen to what he has to say about your business. It’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes.
  4. Don’t make changes right away that he suggests. Talk through them, use the knowledge that you have about your business to get on the same page.
  5. See him as a partner.

Now, this next part, I don’t have “seasoned” advice, but I’m still going to take a shot!

Bonus advice for couples who have two different businesses:

  • Your business is NOT going to be exactly the same as your spouses. I am a wedding photographer, Bret is a personal trainer. Our target client is different. We can certainly help each other out, but some aspects will be different.
  • When they’re talking about their business, don’t be thinking about your business. (This was Bret’s advice!)
  • See it as an adventure to take together.

So there you go! That’s where we’re at right now and some advice! It can be a really awesome and fun thing! Today was great, we sat and watched a few hours of videos about marketing/branding/etc. It was a great refresher for me and an awesome start for him. I can’t wait to share how this goes for us.

Do you work with your spouse in a small business? What do you struggle with? What joys do you have?

And what better way to leave you than with a picture of us being joyful in our work!

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Day 1270 – My 2013 Goals

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I know everyone and their brother makes goals, resolutions, whatever for the new year. But this will be a little different. Sort of…

First, here are a few goals.
1. Publish my book.
2. Start creating additional resources for my book.
3. Book 10-15+ weddings.
4. Book 5-10 portraits.
5. Encourage Bret as he starts his own business (more on that on another day!)
6. Get better gear, learn more and more every day.
7. Take a few vacations.
8. Try to take more pictures of myself and Bret.

Now, I say all that…but looking back over this last year, I make goals and sometimes I don’t meet them. But I’ve learned being a Christian in small business, your “goals and successes” seem to have a different definition.

I noticed while I was typing up my journals that I said a phrase a lot….”Go before me today. I give you my day, no matter what that means.” It’s something I want to live by every day. There were a few days, once I started praying this, that I had big plans for what I would do….and then I would get a call from a friend who needed me right away….or I project I was working on hit a 3+ hour hiccup of tedious work….and then I would remember, oh yea, I prayed for this!

So, while I would love to accomplish everything on that list (and more) I am officially conceding now. I am giving this year over to God, and whatever the outcome, I will be thankful. This phrase is over my computer screen now.

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And hey, I’m attempting number 8 already!