Breathing Room {Personal - Stevens Point, Waupaca, Wisconsin Lifestyle Photographer}

I have chosen the Month of March, a month for Me - This whole month I am taking time to regroup me, and my life. And this includes the business of Natural Intuition Photography - I will be working on a few things, this includes some new gear! Also, working hard on getting my booth ready for the April 15th Wedding Show at the Ale House, in Waupaca, Wisconsin. But also, I need a time to regroup myself, get myself back to normal and fresh for the upcoming wedding for this Summer! And I can already hear some of you saying "But you've had the last 2 months off." - Well Yes I have, but these last few months I have had off shooting mostly, but as for booking weddings, and paperwork, THIS has not ended. And if I want to keep this going I have to do it right, not just get by.

Soooo......

I have realized in the last few weeks I have been unmotivated, and not very creative feeling. I have made mistakes regarding my business, and these were embarrassing. I feel like if I don't slow down right now and regroup I will lose this blossoming flower of a business I have going. I have been working non-stop, between my job at hourly job, and my career. I have not slept much, or spent much time with my boyfriend, Justin. (Don't get me wrong - I know owning and starting a business is not supposed to be easy, but I can not afford to make anymore mistakes, and I do not think it is fair to my current clients, and future clients.) Being burnt out caused me to make mistakes, and not put in my whole heart into my shoots, this is not fair to them, and makes me see it in every photo that I took.

In 2012 I hope to book MORE weddings, but I am limiting them - due to I want to do LOTS more Family and Children session. These are the ones that are close to my heart - but Maternity has a special spot. Maternity is just my favorite, so I am going to try and branch out and make that my primary. So remember I have a special going for you expecting Mama's - click HERE for more information!

I have some great weddings this summer, and some fun engagements coming up. I want to be at my best potential - and this I don't think I can achieve at the pace I am going. My couples are awesome, every single client that I have booked - I could not have asked for any better. My family and friends are being so supportive, so to them I also owe it to them to re-group before the heavy hit. I know by the time April comes around my business and personal life will be more organized, and a little less stressful. Owning a business is not easy, and I think I am pushing myself too hard to make it work. Making mistakes and being burnt out is no way to make it work, it will only cause it to fall.

In March I am going to organize my office - my files - my computer - and my life. I am going to work on finding the common ground with both lives. I will still be answering emails, and phone calls, but I will not be booking any session in the month of March.  I will also be posting a blog about my April Mini Sessions I will be holding. Also, I will be getting my Nikon D300 upgrade, along with 50mm lens, and CS4. I am so stoked for the up coming upgrades to Natural Intuition Photography! Make sure you keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook Page!

And as a project I am giving myself for the month of March - is to take more photos of me and my wonderful boyfriend, Justin. I am starting out with doing my own self portrait. I am going to try to take a photograph a day and blog about it every week. (most of these might be in film too! YAY!)

I just want to say to every client, family member, and friend THANK YOU for be awesome! You truly are the best there is!

Much love - Christine
Natural Intuition Photography

Reflections of the past 2 years {Wisconsin and beyond Photographer - Personal}

As this year comes to an end I have been finding myself reflecting on the past two years, not just 2011. I started my journey into Photography when I was just a child, my mom put a camera in my hand, and I just went snapping away. It was just an extension of myself.  So in 2010 I decided to jump into the wide world of photography. I did not do my research like I should have - but I did find myself a Rebecca Eby, she took my under her wing. I went along with her and Jen Towner during the summer. They both taught  me so much! I am now researching more than I EVER did in High School or College. Along with doing wedding with them, I did a few family sessions for friends and family. And when I look back at them, I have noticed that I have grown and learned.

Here is a photo of the very 1st session I had gotten paid for as a business. (Including my old logo/watermark)

And the last session I have had in 2011 {Can you see the difference} I know I can - I have learned my camera so much better, and editing less and less. LOVE IT.

Then in 2011 I was all alone - I did very little second shooting, and I had THREE of my own weddings. All of those weddings were scary. (I am blogging about all of them in another blog later :) I jumped into a passion of mine and I was unsure of the path it was going to take. I learned that there were millions of people that thought they were photographers just because they had a camera. And there were also thousands of photographers that were AMAZING. And I constantly would wonder how do I prove myself as not a fake, and to prove to those who were amazing, that I can also be amazing with them. And then I attended a workshop and I heard the best advice I have gotten from anyone was - 'do what makes you comfortable'. So I stopped thinking about what people wanted or thought, and did what I wanted to do. This journey is mine, and I know I won't make everyone happy - and I know not everyone will like my photos. And I say to those who don't like my photos 'don't look at them - and don't book me'. I want to meet people that like my photos, and trust my vision. I am not a cookie cutter photographer, and I know you are not barbie and kens. You are beautiful human beings, and I want to be able to capture the full joy and love you have to share.

Through the year my session got more and more - and I learned that I ADORE Maternity photos, and have learned that my newborn sessions are not like the typical newborn sessions. Kids like to run around, and not smile pretty for the camera, that I am OK with - this way I get to capture the read childhood of them. You are only a kid once, and you should be able to run around and be silly. Wedding are stressful, but also so much fun, you get to see the joy on the couples face, and the proud smile of the parents when they come to realization they children are all grown up. Engagement session are something that is pretty cool, because they get to take a break from the planning and just be there with each other. Their love is the reason for the party, nothing more, the planning and stress is worth your life together. I hope and can't wait to get more chances like the ones I had in 2011.

Every session I had in 2011

 At all my weddings I have been the sole shooter, I got paid very little so I couldn't afford a 2nd shooter. But my wonderful boyfriend Justin was there for ALL of them. We both have made sacrifices for this journey, but we know in the end it will all be worth it. You don't get anywhere worth it just by sitting back and letting it happen, it takes HARD work. 

I don't know what I would have done without Justin's support. He has come to every client meeting, and session that I have had. He knows how nervous I get and at weddings I am on edge, and I sometimes yell (quietly) but we still love each other at the end of it all. He keeps me grounded, and my hopes high that my journey will mature and grow and not wilt. 

At first I also read any and all blogs I could find, and checked out all photographers photos - this is NOT a good idea. You start to nit pick at your own photos, and you stop learning. Yes some blogs are great, and you learn a lot, but when you start looking at your photos and start thinking that you just plain suck. You get yourself no where, I started looking at what they have and see what they do, and learn from it. But I know I am not them, and they are not me, I do not want to be like them, I want to be like me. My photos are an expression of my vision - no one else. 

In 2012, there are going to be new things happening in the world of Natural Intuition Photography. I now have a logo, that was designed by rethink ink designs and I will debuting that soon! Also, new equipment will be seen in my hands a Nikon d300 will be my new weapon of choice. My new packages are already underway check them out HERE, but some other changes will be made to the High School Senior Sessions. I am still in the works for those, and will be posted in a 2012 blog. New products will be announced, and I am doing my very 1st Bridal Show in April 2012 - I will keep you updated. 

I am ending one of the most personal blogs I have written with that I LOVE all the clients that have come into my life, and let me experience their families, and joys with them. Also, the wonderful photographers that I have met, you are all so great, and some have become good friends. I hope you will help me continue to grow, and I hope to work with more and more clients, and meet more photographers. This has been a wonderful bumpy journey, and I there isn't much I would change about it. I am hoping 2012 will bring even more joys and challenges - I am game for them all!!!

Thank you! and Much Love!

Christine

Natural Intuition Photography

LLC

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE {Wisconsin Photographer - Personal}

Merry Christmas Everyone!

As this year comes to an end, and the lovely Holidays begin - please know that you are all so great to me. And Thank You for a great year!

I will be coming back after the Holidays with some news, and wonderful changes coming up in 2012 - not many but they are for the better!

Have a safe and joyous Holiday!

PS- This was Justin and I's Christmas Card this year - our first every photo card! And I wanted to show the real us - we make funny faces more often for photos than smiling, so it only felt fit. {Photo taken by my friend Kate of Kate Bentley photography in the summer} ----psst she is awesome by the way!

With Love

Christine & Justin

First Packer Game {Personal}

So I don't normally do personal blogs - because I want to keep them separate. But I want to share my boyfriends and I's very first Packer Game at Lambeau Field! I bought the tickets on a whim from a gentleman I work with, as a thank you to my Boyfriend. He has been a AWESOME assistant and huge support this past year with my new career path.  

So here are the few pictures I took of the shut out against the Raiders. 

So we got baked beans to eat, but we forgot a can opener---oops! So we made due, and this is how we got it open :)

I am the kind of person that puts chips on her sandwich, and my nephew and I made a sandwich out of mashed potatoes, corn, ham, and a dinner roll. So of course I had to try baked beans on my hot dog. And yup is YUMMY!

Isn't he good looking :)

Our game faces!!! GRRR

They WON!!! 13-0 WHOOT WHOOT!

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL {Sale - Limited Time - Wisconsin Lifestyle Photographer}

I have decided to keep my Black Friday Special simple this year. 

Special starts today {November 22,2011 Tuesday} and ends Sunday at 12:00 am {November 27, 2011}.

Save and extra 10% off from 5am-10am Friday November 25, 2011. This means that a message must be sent between that time to book a session or order and album. Or an order must be placed for prints between that time. 

The %'s can be put toward all session, including weddings. Also, can be used on ALL products that I offer. 

Email me if you have any questions @ natural.intuition@gmail.com

Don't miss out on this once a year opportunity! Even save on gift certificates, these can be used to give someone that you know is behind in getting an updated family photo.

Much Love - Christine

Natural Intuition Photography LLC.

Desi & Jared {Engaged - Waupaca, Stevens Point, WI Engagement - Wedding Photographer}

Desi & Jared were the first couple to book a wedding for 2012. So when I got to finally meet them and talk to them I was excited! They are such a down and have fun kind of couple - their engagement session was a blast.

I was kind of nervous at the beginning of the session because it was dreary and rainy. So I was ready for them to call it quits when....THE SUN CAME OUT!!! My face when was scared and worried to STOKED!

The light that afternoon was beautiful - and the couple was so much fun - just check out the photos!

Congrats Desi & Jared - Can't wait for the big day in 2012

With Love - Christine

Natural Intuition Photography LLC.

Now Offering DVD Slideshow {Wisconsin Lifestyle Photographer - Products}

I have had recent interest in DVD Slideshows - I will now be offering this with other new products.

Here is a two samples of my slideshow's that I have put together for my clients.

If you are interested in one - email me at natural.intuition@gmail.com

Wish Love - Christine <3

My Photography Philosophy

I strive in every photograph to capture a moment in time forever. This memory will be captured  in it's full beauty. As naturally as the moment came and went.

I do not use Photoshop, so nothing will be dramatically changed. Your true beautiful self will be captured.