I have said it before in a previous post that I am truly inspired by those in my life. One of the amazing people who inspires me almost daily...I have never met. I have never looked her in the eye, hugged her, or talked to her on the phone. Bianca Juarez started a blog not long ago and I became a loyal blog reader from the beginning. I realized that we were the same age and yet she has already accomplished so many more things than I can even dream of.
She has an incredible way of writing that truly speaks to my heart and she encourages me to a better person, all from hundreds of miles away.
The video below makes me feel like I am watching my best friend...I love her for that.
In The Name of Love from Bianca Juarez on Vimeo.
She is not a celebrity, she is not rich, she IS beautiful...and she is my friend. She encourages and inspires me through her words.
Who inspires you?
Much Love
Brooke
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Just a little bit of me
I spend a crazy amount of time online every day. I work, I read, I play, I learn, I love, I discover, I am inspired by so many things. I love to read about the lives of others that share the same interests as I do. I love to hear about the exciting things that are happening in the lives of those I love.
I love to blog...I just don't do it enough. I find that by the time I have read about everyone else, I have run out of time to write for myself. I had a personal blog, seperate from this one, but I think I will take it down and focus solely on this blog. I want my clients and future clients to know me, inside and out. I want them to share in my passion and the exciting things that are happening in my life. I want to build long lasting friendships with those in my life, physically and in the internet world.
Let's enjoy this journey together...share with me what inspires you. Today, I will tell you that the love and unending support from my beautiful clients is what inspires me.
Oh and of course because we all love pictures - here is a recent picture of ME! My beautiful daughter took this...she is the Maddie in the MaddiePie Creations.
Much Love!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2011 and a list of goals
In the middle of all of my blog stalking...i ran across an idea for how to make a list of goals. Essentially, you create a list of 101 tiny goals you want to accomplish and you have to do it within 1001 days. I'm always thinking of things I want to do. Things I want to accomplish personally and professionally. Things I want to accomplish with my kids. Things I want to do with my husband. Places I want to go. Things I can do to better myself as a person. So...this will help hold me accountable. If you created a list...what would be on your list of things you wanted to accomplish?
Oh...and these are in no particular order..and I don't have 101 of them, not yet anyway
1. Shoot a wedding located outside of Texas
2. Go on a cruise
3. Go to California
4. Attend a workshop with Jasmine Star
5. Attend a workshop with The Boudoir Divas
6. Have my own studio
7. Pay off all of my debt except the house and cars
8. Find a church that moves me...really moves me
9. Run a 5k....like really running the whole time, no walking :)
10. Participate in something that gives back to others
11. Book 8 weddings in one consecutive year
12. Read the Bible in one year
13. Write love notes to my husband once a week for 2 months straight
14. Finish my college degree
15. Stay caught up on my filing at work for 3 months straight
16. Accept that it's ok to not always be a part of the group
17. Pray with my kids every day
18. Purchase a D700
19. Visit New York City
20. Get laser hair removal
21. Lose 20 pounds and keep it off for a year
22. Encourage someone every day
23. Take a family portrait 12 times in one year (1 per month)
24. Book 6 newborn sessions in a year
25. Create and have printed all new marketing materials
26. Build a better relationship with my mom
27. Encourage my sister to be the best person she can be and be comfortable with who she is
28. Work only part-time at my day job - i'd like to be home by 3 everyday to be with my kids
29. Send out birthday cards...before the actual birthdays occur
30. Go to Maine
31. Get all of our pictures hung up in the house
32. Attend a photography convention
33. Take a family vacation once a year
34. Take a romantic vacation once a year
35. Read a new book every month
36. Go to SeaWorld
37. Replace our fence in our backyard
38. Redo our backyard so I will want to spend time out there
39. Be more comfortable in front of the camera
40. Ride a horse on some kind of trail ride
41. Take my kids to see a hot air balloon festival
42. Go to Jamaica
43. Make a list of my fears and acknowledge each one and make a plan to overcome them
44. Write more handwritten thank you notes
45. Blog at least 3 times per week
46. Create quarterly promotions
47. Start a photo project to display at the house
48. Make a to-do list every night...and complete at least 90% of it the next day
49. Organize my email inbox at least once a month
50. Go grocery shopping every Saturday
51. Iron every Sunday night
52. Streamline all marketing documents and ensure consistency
I will reflect back to this post in the next 1001 days and possibly add more to it. For now however, I am slightly overwhelmed.
So...what's on your list?
Much Love
Brooke
Oh...and these are in no particular order..and I don't have 101 of them, not yet anyway
1. Shoot a wedding located outside of Texas
2. Go on a cruise
3. Go to California
4. Attend a workshop with Jasmine Star
5. Attend a workshop with The Boudoir Divas
6. Have my own studio
7. Pay off all of my debt except the house and cars
8. Find a church that moves me...really moves me
9. Run a 5k....like really running the whole time, no walking :)
10. Participate in something that gives back to others
11. Book 8 weddings in one consecutive year
12. Read the Bible in one year
13. Write love notes to my husband once a week for 2 months straight
14. Finish my college degree
15. Stay caught up on my filing at work for 3 months straight
16. Accept that it's ok to not always be a part of the group
17. Pray with my kids every day
18. Purchase a D700
19. Visit New York City
20. Get laser hair removal
21. Lose 20 pounds and keep it off for a year
22. Encourage someone every day
23. Take a family portrait 12 times in one year (1 per month)
24. Book 6 newborn sessions in a year
25. Create and have printed all new marketing materials
26. Build a better relationship with my mom
27. Encourage my sister to be the best person she can be and be comfortable with who she is
28. Work only part-time at my day job - i'd like to be home by 3 everyday to be with my kids
29. Send out birthday cards...before the actual birthdays occur
30. Go to Maine
31. Get all of our pictures hung up in the house
32. Attend a photography convention
33. Take a family vacation once a year
34. Take a romantic vacation once a year
35. Read a new book every month
36. Go to SeaWorld
37. Replace our fence in our backyard
38. Redo our backyard so I will want to spend time out there
39. Be more comfortable in front of the camera
40. Ride a horse on some kind of trail ride
41. Take my kids to see a hot air balloon festival
42. Go to Jamaica
43. Make a list of my fears and acknowledge each one and make a plan to overcome them
44. Write more handwritten thank you notes
45. Blog at least 3 times per week
46. Create quarterly promotions
47. Start a photo project to display at the house
48. Make a to-do list every night...and complete at least 90% of it the next day
49. Organize my email inbox at least once a month
50. Go grocery shopping every Saturday
51. Iron every Sunday night
52. Streamline all marketing documents and ensure consistency
I will reflect back to this post in the next 1001 days and possibly add more to it. For now however, I am slightly overwhelmed.
So...what's on your list?
Much Love
Brooke
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sadie's Having a Baby!!
Check out this beautiful woman!
I met Sadie through a wonderful friend. I posted a few months ago that I needed a woman that was pregnant so I could add to my portfolio. I couldn't have been any more lucky! Sadie is not only an absolutely beautiful girl - she is super sweet.
This image by far...is my favorite. I love how cute she looks!
She is a cute one....but boy oh boy can she look fierce!
Sadie, I cannot wait to meet your little one! You are beautiful and I appreciate the opportunity to take part in this chapter of your life.
Much Love
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Valentine Mini Sessions {KIDS}
Seriously! What could be better than having your own personalized mini valentine cards?
Great ideas for Valetine gifts for the family as well!!
All sessions must be booked no later than January 22nd
Much Love!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
52 Week Project - Week 1 {New}
My amazing friend Dana Suggs has started a 52 week photo project. If you follow my blog, you will remember that I tried a 365 project last year. THAT was WAY too much pressure. I love taking pictures and if I could do nothing but that...it would be great. So sadly, that project slipped to the wayside very quickly.
Dana's 52 week project seems a lot more realistic. The rules are below...You don't have to be a photographer to participate....you just have to want to improve your photoraphy and have the want to be more creative.
This week - the theme was new. So let me introduce you to Henry. He is our new dog we got over the holidays. He is 1 year old and such a sweet boy.
Rules
1. Each photo must have been taken during that week. No grabbing a photo from last year! And it MUST follow the theme in some way.
2. If you must use Facebook instead of a blog, your facebook must be open to comments from everyone, and must be viewable to public so that everyone can view the photo.
3. Please remember to only add the PERMALINK to Linky Tools.
4. BE CREATIVE, but keep it clean. No naughty stuff, please.
5. Don’t quit! Stay committed! You’ll learn a LOT about yourself, your creativity, and also your technique!
This week’s theme is NEW! New anything: new shoes, new purse, new baby, new body, new year…..ANYTHING! Be creative and take the photo during THIS week! No cheating now!
Go check out Dana's blog and join in the fun for 2011
Much Love
Brooke
Dana's 52 week project seems a lot more realistic. The rules are below...You don't have to be a photographer to participate....you just have to want to improve your photoraphy and have the want to be more creative.
This week - the theme was new. So let me introduce you to Henry. He is our new dog we got over the holidays. He is 1 year old and such a sweet boy.
Rules
1. Each photo must have been taken during that week. No grabbing a photo from last year! And it MUST follow the theme in some way.
2. If you must use Facebook instead of a blog, your facebook must be open to comments from everyone, and must be viewable to public so that everyone can view the photo.
3. Please remember to only add the PERMALINK to Linky Tools.
4. BE CREATIVE, but keep it clean. No naughty stuff, please.
5. Don’t quit! Stay committed! You’ll learn a LOT about yourself, your creativity, and also your technique!
This week’s theme is NEW! New anything: new shoes, new purse, new baby, new body, new year…..ANYTHING! Be creative and take the photo during THIS week! No cheating now!
Go check out Dana's blog and join in the fun for 2011
Much Love
Brooke
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
2010 - what a great year
2010 has been an amazing year for MaddiePie Creations. There will be several changes for 2011...but I think it's important to reflect on what has happened over the year...the great and the not so great!
The Great
~ I met some amazing clients this year that have become friends and family. I have been so fortunate to have these people in my life and to meet some amazing women!
~ I was blessed to connect with an awesome Photographer in Tulsa Dana Suggs. She has become a great friend, resource, critic, and angel when I needed one. She and I are relatively in the same place with our businesses and we often times feel each others pain and talk the other off the ledge when business gets overwhelming.
~ Referrals - my business has grown significantly this year and it is all due to referrals from my amazing friends and clients. I can honestly say that without those people that continue to believe in me and lift me up - I am growing...personally and professionally.
~ I was able to book and pay for a REAL workshop. I love all the online workshops that I can participate in, but going to a workshop is just a completely different thing. February 2011 - I get to go to San Diego and attend a workshop that will most definitely help me develop the boudoir portion of my business.
~ I was able to finish my studio...with props and amazing lighting. My mom was a big help on the lighting (thank you) and now I can fully utilize the studio for individual sessions. (Although one day when I make a bajillion dollars I will have a big loft studio all to myself)
~ I booked two weddings this year and 3 for 2011. I am still trying to determine if this is what I want to focus my business on...but for now, it feels like maybe this is where I am supposed to be.
The not so great
~ I have had to learn how to accept that each photographer shoots in their own style. I shoot in a way that is unique to me. I have had my feelings hurt more than once this year and have struggled with my own insecurities over my abilities as a photographer. It's a work in progress..
~ I am still learning how to structure myself as a business person...it's definitely not the FUN part of the job.
~ Newborns...they are not going to be my specialty. I love them and there is nothing cuter...but I have had to learn how to accept that we each have our own strengths...and this one is not mine.
~ I have learned that sometimes it is important to say no. I started this year thinking that I wanted all the clients that approached me because I needed the business. I have learned over the year that it is important to ensure that it is more about making sure that I am the right photographer for them and they are the right client for me. Money is definitely not everything if the two personalities don't mesh well. Great relationships will lead to deeper friendships.
Looking forward to 2011
I am so excited about this coming year. I want to focus more on a couple of areas of my business and networking. I think that if i continue to grow like I did this year, anything can be possible. I have the love and support of my amazing husband. Without him, none of this would be possible. He has definitely been a big reason that this year has been so successful.
My big focus for 2011 is going to be weddings and boudoir. I have so many great ideas that are just waiting to come to life. Now...I just have to find those brides and those adventurous women who want to feel as beautiful as they really are.
Much love to you and thank you for helping me make MaddiePie Creations what it is today and what it will be in 2011!!
xoxoxo
Brooke
The Great
~ I met some amazing clients this year that have become friends and family. I have been so fortunate to have these people in my life and to meet some amazing women!
~ I was blessed to connect with an awesome Photographer in Tulsa Dana Suggs. She has become a great friend, resource, critic, and angel when I needed one. She and I are relatively in the same place with our businesses and we often times feel each others pain and talk the other off the ledge when business gets overwhelming.
~ Referrals - my business has grown significantly this year and it is all due to referrals from my amazing friends and clients. I can honestly say that without those people that continue to believe in me and lift me up - I am growing...personally and professionally.
~ I was able to book and pay for a REAL workshop. I love all the online workshops that I can participate in, but going to a workshop is just a completely different thing. February 2011 - I get to go to San Diego and attend a workshop that will most definitely help me develop the boudoir portion of my business.
~ I was able to finish my studio...with props and amazing lighting. My mom was a big help on the lighting (thank you) and now I can fully utilize the studio for individual sessions. (Although one day when I make a bajillion dollars I will have a big loft studio all to myself)
~ I booked two weddings this year and 3 for 2011. I am still trying to determine if this is what I want to focus my business on...but for now, it feels like maybe this is where I am supposed to be.
The not so great
~ I have had to learn how to accept that each photographer shoots in their own style. I shoot in a way that is unique to me. I have had my feelings hurt more than once this year and have struggled with my own insecurities over my abilities as a photographer. It's a work in progress..
~ I am still learning how to structure myself as a business person...it's definitely not the FUN part of the job.
~ Newborns...they are not going to be my specialty. I love them and there is nothing cuter...but I have had to learn how to accept that we each have our own strengths...and this one is not mine.
~ I have learned that sometimes it is important to say no. I started this year thinking that I wanted all the clients that approached me because I needed the business. I have learned over the year that it is important to ensure that it is more about making sure that I am the right photographer for them and they are the right client for me. Money is definitely not everything if the two personalities don't mesh well. Great relationships will lead to deeper friendships.
Looking forward to 2011
I am so excited about this coming year. I want to focus more on a couple of areas of my business and networking. I think that if i continue to grow like I did this year, anything can be possible. I have the love and support of my amazing husband. Without him, none of this would be possible. He has definitely been a big reason that this year has been so successful.
My big focus for 2011 is going to be weddings and boudoir. I have so many great ideas that are just waiting to come to life. Now...I just have to find those brides and those adventurous women who want to feel as beautiful as they really are.
Much love to you and thank you for helping me make MaddiePie Creations what it is today and what it will be in 2011!!
xoxoxo
Brooke
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