Can't be a Dream Crusher

Her curly brown hair, pulled into pony tails, bounced as she skipped up to the red-headed woman.  She tugged on the bottom of her shirt. Startled, the woman looked down at the little girl. “Guess what I am going to be when I grow up?!” she asked staring at the woman behind sparkling green eyes. “What’s that?” “I’m going to be a Princess!!” The woman began laughing. Hysterically. “Give up now, kid. That’s never going to happen. It’s impossible. You’ll probably grow up working in retail, miserable. Accept the fact now, Dreams don’t come true.”


Raise your hands if you want to slap that woman right up across her head? *shoots hand into air* Yeah. Me too. And that woman, will be me; if I don’t make this photography business work, now that it’s just me.  I will grow up to be the Dream Crusher. And we aren’t going to let this happen. Are we?

I am proud of Sara for making the difficult decision she did. Not many today know how to put the right priorities first. And I know this is one that will make her happy. And I am happy for her. 
That being said, I’m going to keep it real and let you know, I’m going to miss her as my business partner like crazy. And now I have a void to fill.
My support.
My brain-stormer.
My road trip buddy.
My filter. (I say stupid things, you’ll realize this even more now…)
My home-slice.
My confidence.
My photographer partner in crime.

Our goal from the beginning is still my goal now. That hasn’t changed. To give you fabulous pictures. To have fun. And when you leave from a session with me remembering not just the pictures but the journey there.

Let’s get down to the stuff you really want to know about. Prices.
Now a session includes: One Photographer (she’s quirky, awkward, shy, and outrageous…)
                                           1 – 2 hours of laughing, having fun, and being the amazing person you are.
                                           PASS Gallery.  (Better than a CD, it’s an instant download of your gallery on your computer, or i-phone, i-pad, or i-techy device. Includes instant printing rights to your high-resolution pictures. Also makes it easier for you to share your pictures on Facebook & twitter!)
All this for (in my best Bob Barker impression) $350.00

I have more days available for sessions both on the weekends and during the week. Shoot me an email at contact@saritneyphotography.com and let me know when we can make this magic happen!

I’m a whole mess of emotions right now. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m nervous (did I say this already?). And I have done a lot of “refresh” on the blog stats today and on our Facebook page to see what you all think. What you have to say is very important to me. To all my internet friends…. Guess what you have just become even more so now?
My support.
My brain-stormer.
My road trip buddy.
My filter. (I say stupid things, you’ll realize this even more now…)
My home-slice.
My confidence.

The hardest blog I ever wrote....

Yes, you read that right. This is going to be a tough one. Excuse me if I tear up a bit.

First off, the past 3 years have been amazing! We have gotten to travel all over the Eastern United States. We have met countless amazing people. Made many good friends. All while doing what we love! What more could you ask for? 

  Unfortunately, I (Sara) have come to a point in my life where I have to choose between two things I love. You see, my baby will be going to school next year. (I know, I cant believe it either. Where has the time gone?)  And I know that I will forever regret it if I dont spend every moment I can with him during these precious times that only happen once. This past year has been wonderful!! But also incredibly busy and I need to put my priorities straight while I still can. So that being said, this will be my last year with Saritney Photography. (and here comes the water works....)

  This has been a very hard decision, but in the end, I know its the right one. No worries! If you are already scheduled with us I will be there! But I will be taking on very few other sessions for the rest of the year, and after January 1st, will no longer be with Saritney Photography. Britney will still be in full force this year, scheduling and taking pictures to her hearts content(More on that later..)!

  I just want to thank each and every one of you! You all have made the past 3 years so SO wonderful. I still can not believe it. We have THE MOST AMMAAAAAAZZZZIIINGGGG clients EVER! I am incredibly grateful. :)

Much Love,

Sara

Monday Artist Feature - GraceD Art Collage

 YES! We are kicking this week off right! Our very first Monday Artist Feature! And I'm so excited to introduce to you Michelle from GraceD Collage Art! She so graciously (and may I add courageously) said she would be first featured! And I couldn't think of a better person! So please, grab some chocolate (because, really there is no better way to read a blog) and sit down and check out this awesome interview with Michelle :)

 

 

1. Describe your wonderful self in 4 sentences: 

I have to admit that this was the hardest question...and that I did it last! (But I had to remember my own advice from #12!)... So here it goes...I'm trying not to over think this....

    1. I always try to look for the good in people and the beauty around us.

    2. I wouldn't be creating art if it wasn't for my loving husband.

    3. I love my faith, books, sheep, chocolate, decorating and architecture, and too many other things to write down.

    4. I'm thinking about painting our front door a beautiful peacock color!

 

2. What is the craft/art that you do?  I do mixed media/paper collage on cigar boxes, old tin to create magnetic art, on canvas and boxes to create clocks, and note cards. I've also done custom collage invitations and cake toppers for weddings.

 

3. When did you start? I've been doing collages for gifts for a long time, but I started doing them to sell in 2009.

4. What is one of your favorite pieces you've made? Why? I'm always tickled when I have used a lot of different papers on a project...So one of my favorites is the "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired writing desk. The clocks I've done have challenged me to be more dimensional and I've been proud of them...The first of which was for your brothers' graduation!

5. Who is your favorite artist or designer? When you get to know people most of them are artists in some way! And I've met so many artists locally that I am proud to call my friends and they definitely all inspire me in different ways...But I have to say that in creating collages, the original artists that inspired me the most were Sarah Lugg and Isabelle de Borchgrave. (Incidentally, there is a wonderful article in the latest Victoria magazine about Isabelle de Borchgrave's creations!!!!)

6. Your favorite supplier or craft that you use? I use things from a lot of different sources...But, my favorite papers and embellishments usually come from Anna Griffin and Webster's Pages. I also love Susan Lenart Kazmer's line "Industrial Chic" at Michaels!

7. If budget wasn't involved, what are 2 things you wish you had for your art-making? A craft studio in a tree house and unlimited paper!!!

8. What's your favorite cookie? Anything with dark chocolate and pecans!!!

9. Your #1 Fear regarding your art? That people won't smile when they see my stuff.

10. Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere...I love layers and you see that all around you. I've always loved mixing fabrics and textures...especially after working for an amazing fabric company! And I often get amazing ideas from my very talented husband! When I need an objective (and always supportive opinion) I can always count on him.

11. What makes you laugh the most? The silly conversations my husband and I have when we are really exhausted!

12. Any tips to fellow artists? Remind yourself that there is no wrong answer...I have to repeat this to myself a lot! I am always in pursuit of perfection and in art AND in nature the things I fall in love with the most are the organic, unforced, "imperfectly" perfect layers. And also, that there WILL be someone that will love your creations...I have to remind myself that I am creating because it makes me happy and that I hope it will make those people happy, too.

~Thank you Michelle SO much for your support and being the first to be featured this week!!

Now, please! Let's support Michelle! How? You can like her facebook page! Click here! GraceD Collage Art  

And if you want to make her smile, leave a nice comment on her wall! We all like being told we are the bombdiggity. I'm just sayin'

Remember!! Email us contact@saritneyphotography.com if you would like to be featured on our blog!!

Peach Tarts & YOUR Featured Artwork

It was a peaceful afternoon. Sitting in her cozy kitchen, the smell of the peach tart simmering in the oven was calming. We sat, had a quaint lunch that included spinach quiche, chatted and laughed. These are the moments I live for. Her and I talked about art. Both with smiles on our face, sparkles in our eyes and concern. How putting your art out there isn't just about that, what you are really doing is putting your heart and soul out for people to look at, appreciate, down grade, commend, praise, laugh at, whichever it may be. And that when you deem yourself an artist, it never is just simply that, but you must also seem to deem yourself an entrepreneur. "All I want to do is make pretty things!! Not run a business!"
Then before I knew it, there I was, playing with the crumbs on my plate, feeling like a million dollars. Just before she pulled the what now smelled like nothing-better-I-had-ever-smelt-before peach tart, she told me. "Don't worry so much, you are going to do just fine." She praised, complimented, really, spoiled me with good sayings about my photography. And that's when I felt like I could conquer the world. I hope my Aunt Michelle realizes how much of a wonderful woman she is and how much she helps me. I am definitely surrounded by an amazing support group, and she is most certainly one of them. Not only did she feed me good, she helped me a tremendous amount with my first art show.

Sometimes it's the kind words that keep you going. Saying "You can do it!" is like gasoline to the car. The electricity to the fan. uhh...the...yeast to the bread? You get where I'm going with this though right? It's the boost to keep us doing what we do even when there are haters. Yeah...I said it. Haters gonna hate ;) (I'm so thug, I know)

So I want to show the kindness to others that has been shown to me. And this morning while sipping on my coffee in my pjs with my rat-messed looking hair, sitting on my front porch, I came up with an idea....

Every Monday I want to feature an artist on our blog. Are you in school and aspiring to be a photographer, and have some pictures you are proud of? Do you paint on the weekends while you aren't laboring away at the job you hate? Make jewelry? Clothes? Use paper crafts? Know someone who has some amazing skills but may be too timid or modest to admit they're awesome?

Then please, please, please! Email us at contact@saritneyphotography.com Go ahead! Do it now! Be Brave, Love Life. It's the new motto to live by :) Especially if you live in Scottsboro, Huntsville, or other surrounding cities, I would really love to support local artists. (This isn't to say if you live in Ohio or Minnesota we won't feature you too!) And yes, I know, our blog is but a smaller blog, but it's a great start to let people know what you are all about. Why you do what you do. Why you want to continue doing it. So please! Email me today! Let's talk art! Let's get you featured! (Seriously, is it Let's or Lets? Where's my grammar police??) I'll be waiting......

....did that sound creepy? I should've stopped at grammar police, shouldn't have I? Ooops.

Peace, Love, & Oreos!

Confessions of an Insomniac

Well, here we are again. That beautiful time in the morning. 2 a.m. And still not asleep. If I was, this whole blog would be amazing. But, alas, I am not sleep-blogging, so it puts it back on the mediocre scale.

As I sit here, in this amazing lazy-boy chair. (if I'm sitting in it, does that make it a lazy-girl chair? oh...sorry...it's too early for corny jokes, isn't it?) I'm editing pictures and telling myself I should've gone to wal-mart to get Red Velvet icecream. And I realize. I have confessions I need to make. SO, here goes.

1. I suck at racing video games. And it makes me very upset with my life that I am so horrific.

2. It takes me 30 minutes to eat a cup of yogurt.

3. I'm realizing 5 year old Britney would be upset at 23 year old Britney. I have not yet grown up to be a Horse Trainer. Or a Russian Spy.

4. I'm sort of a nerd. But not in the harry potter/twilight/creepy stuff sort of way. More in a superhero/dr who/bigbang theory sorta way. (I am working on memorizing rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock)

5. I realize it's not good to be partial. But my favorite wedding I've ever shot is my Best Friend's Wedding. Because, even though I realize I was mostly a Bridesmaid, I also still got to be a photographer. And it was the best way to experience her wedding day. As a Bridesma-grapher. Photomaid? Photographermaid. Bridesmaid-ographer. ?

Uh-hum. Annnyways. Here is the picture I just edited that made me so happy I had to share with the world.

Peace, Love, & RedVelvet Ice Cream
~Britney

Ramblings of an Insomniac

It's not too rare for me to fall asleep at 3 in the morning to the slight hum of my laptop, and the glare of the tv in the background. Why I can't fall asleep until crazy times in the morning, I'm not quite sure. Sometimes I blame my under-achiever brain and how it really just doesn't like to work during the day. Proving myself to be that "not the brightest crayon in the box" friend everyone has. Stupid Brain. Working ever so brilliantly while everyone else is sleeping. I have no proof that I can think other than the random scribbles of genius I have written in various colors, sizes, and shaped notebooks. Which, of course, are sprawled all through out the house.

But really, I think the reason I stay awake until the wee hours of the morning, is because 3 a.m. is just so wonderful. It's quiet. No phone calls, no text messages, (usually...), I don't reply to emails at this time because I don't want people to know I'm a sleep-deprived maniac. It's my time to pin things like a mad woman. Watch 8 episodes of Dr. Who, because really, it's like potato chips, you can't just have one. Sneak into my hidden candy stash. Read books about nursery crimes. Plan crazy sessions that involve climbing to the top of water towers and 99 red balloons. Eat Oreos. And sometimes I've even been known to blow bubbles in my room. (it's a photographer thing, least, that's what I reassure myself with..)

Anyways, I'm rambling. This is something you should know about me. I ramble. I never have a point. I'm not nearly as hipster as I wish I was. If you don't find me the most hilarious person you know, we can't be friends in real life. I'm a walking contradiction. I love the color yellow but my favorite color is blue or..well...it's...green. And I have far too many food fetishes. I also wish I had the ability to break dance. I just know it'd make me a far more cool person.

What is the point in this blog? Okay, I'll be honest. My doctor told me I need to write out what's on my mind. That this will help me sleep better at night. Perhaps kick the insomnia out of my system. And I thought, to myself, I thought...hey, you know what Dr. Wikipedia, you're right. I think I will. And what better way to do it than with a blog? In hopes that I will find others out there like me. Wide eyed and ready to take on the world. At 3 in the morning.

Peace, Love, & Tacos
~Britney

Angie & Andrew Married!

When you have a couple so truly in love, like Angie & Andrew are, it makes for one of the most beautiful, sweetest day. We were very honored that we were able to share a part in it and capture pictures that make us go "awwww!!"