She Makes Linen Garments....

The past couple of months, LP Designz was sort of put on hold. And rightfully so. Our new baby boy was welcomed into the world on January 19 and we have been so busy loving and getting to know him. Plus, I have had little sleep and little desire to do anything productive. However, I've stayed away long enough..I'm itching to get back to business. But I want to do things a little differently in 2008. I want LP Designz to look different this year. Here's what I mean...

When I started the business in May 2007 (by started I mean I went and officially registered my business with the county, got a tax id, etc), I just jumped into it. I knew it was something that I wanted to do and it was something that Matt wanted me to do. And I even knew that it was something that God wanted me to do. So I dove in head first. I designed a website and started trying to find ways to market myself. I had a couple of shoots here and there in the beginning, but nothing really took off in the first couple of months. I had actually had MORE BUSINESS when I wasn't a business. I did 2 weddings on my own, senior pictures, and engagements as a "hobby"..no pay, just for fun for friends and family. Then when I am "legit", nothing happens as quick as I thought. The summer of 2007 was pretty much a bust. Then as the fall came around, things started picking up and I started getting more jobs. I started adding some design options and started building my design portfolio so I'd have samples and options to show clients. In October, I did a maternity shoot and did something before it that had never occurred to me to do before a shoot. I PRAYED. I prayed for the couple..that they would be relaxed and enjoy the shoot. I prayed that I would be able to capture them in their most precious moments and give them pictures that they would cherish for a lifetime. And guess what...I had more fun doing this shoot than any other I had done before. And..I took some of the best photos I had ever taken. The couple was sooo pleased and couldn't stop raving about them. And because of them...I booked 3 more shoots for their friends. However, at the time..I didn't realize who the credit belonged to. I was so "proud of myself." I never gave God the glory for the talent he had given me and never thanked him for the success of the shoot. And..I didn't pray for any of the upcoming shoots as well. Guess what...2 of the 3 shoots that I had booked thanks to them, were cancelled due to weather and scheduling conflicts. The Lord taught me a huge lesson.

While I've been on hiatus these past couple of months, I've done a lot of thinking and PRAYING about what I want my business to look like this year. Where I want it to go, what I want to accomplish, and the reason for even having a photography business. This morning, after I finished my time with the Lord, I decided I needed to spend some more time with Him regarding LP Designz. I prayed for my heart behind the business and asked Him to show me where he wants it to go. As I was praying, I was reminded of a verse in the Proverbs 31 passage that says "She makes linen garments and sells them..." I flipped over to the passage and read the whole thing (I always need to be reminded of how to be a wife of noble character). It was just so clear to me that first and foremost, I need to be a Godly wife and helper to Matt. Secondly, I need to be a mother that my children will "arise and call blessed." After those, then I am allowed to "make linen garments and sell them." Or in my case, be a photographer. I know that God is allowing me to purue this business and to use my passions and talents. Partly because its something I love but most importantly because its a help to my husband. We recently cut our income in half..literally...when I quit work to be a stay at home mom. We know the Lord will provide because we have obeyed him in this area. And one way that he is providing is by letting my photography be a "HELP" financially..but not something we depend on.

So here is how LP Designz will look different in 2008.

• I need to be in constant prayer and let the Lord build my business and not try to do it in my own strength.
• I will pray before every shoot for the client and our experience and ask the Lord to bless our time. I want to be a light to a lost and dying world and I know that God can use me to reveal himself to my clients.
• I need to include Matt in all major decisions regarding the business.
• I will give God ALL the credit for any talent and success I have.
• I want to just keep learning. I feel I have only scratched the surface and will never know all I need to...its an on-going process.
• I want to build my portfolio to include a variety of locations, styles, etc. I have some fun new ideas and can't wait to find the opportunities to use them.
• NONE OF THIS WILL EVER TAKE TIME AWAY FROM MY HUSBAND AND SON!!

I feel like I have so much more to say about all this. I think I will save it for future posts as the Lord reveals new things to me regarding LP Designz.