Cutie Patootie

I was trying out my photoshop actions for my blog photos and I practiced on my sweet Carson. So I had to share with you :)

Getting Back to Work

Hi All! I have really been missing blogging. I love talking about my sessions and weddings and getting to share some of my favorite photos. I just feel so overwhelmed bc I am so behind on my blogging. I have sessions and weddings from months ago that never made it to the blog due to my break to have a baby. And after much thinking, I don't think I'm going to blog them. If you want to see them, you can go to my store/gallery at www.lpdesignz.com/store and see the weddings in their entirety.

LP Designz is starting a new season. We can't believe how many weddings we have on the books. We are overjoyed and are so blessed by the Lord. He is doing amazing things and providing in amazing ways. So we are really excited about the coming months and all the work that we'll be doing. And I am SO glad to be shooting again. Its been months and I have missed it tremendously. I feel rusty. I need to get out and do some practicing before my engagement session next week! (JK Ashley, I still got my skillz for your E-session!)

I promise that I will blog every shoot from now on. I've developed some new actions in Photoshop to speed up my workflow that will make it easier to get my photos ready for the blog. (resizing, stamping, etc.) The hardest part for me is picking my faves..I can never make up my mind.

I've also put together a sweet 8 page informational brochure to email out to potential brides. It is loaded with answers to your frequently asked questions, info on how things will go on your wedding day, pricing information, and more! If you're interested in hiring us for your big day, email me and I'll send you the brochure.

-Larra

LP Designz Introduces Carson Jace Palermo

Sorry, this isn't an "official" pic of Carson. You'd think as a photographer, my own child would already have newborn pics taken. But, he hasn't. And now he's 2 1/2 weeks old! I better do it this week or it will be too late for the newborn, angelic sleeping pics. He's already so active I may have missed my opportunity already. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce the newest member of our team :) He's going to be a great model!

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm back in business. I'm not booking any sessions or weddings for August at all..and I'm booked up for September and October. If you are one of my brides and we are planning Sept. or Oct. bridals and engagements but haven't set a date yet...don't worry! I have you on my calendar..that's why I'm booked!

Please email me for any session or wedding inquiries. lpdesignz@gmail.com

Unavailable Until Further Notice

In my last post I talked about not taking any more sessions but thought I would be able to still do some design jobs and planning. Well, now things have changed. I am currently sitting in a hospital bed trying to keep the baby from coming too soon. We really need to make it at least 3 more weeks. When I go home from here, I will be on bed rest until the baby is born. So, with that said, I will not be able to take on any more design jobs. If I have already made arrangements with you for your project, don't worry, I'm not going to flake out on you. I will be on the couch for at least 3 weeks so I will get you taken care of. And I will be editing the photos from my last wedding. However, other than that, I am not available until further notice for any new projects.

If you want to contact me regarding weddings or sessions for the fall, please still feel free to email me. I may not be able to give you exact time frames but would definitely like to talk to you.

I look forward to resuming business in a few months and helping you out with all of your creative needs!

A Few Weeks Left

Well, we did it. We made it through Codey and Christi's wedding without bed rest or having a baby. Now all I have left to do is edit. I can't believe that we won't be shooting anymore weddings until October. It's sort of sad. However, I can't say that I'm not grateful for the break. I will be blogging a lot in the coming weeks so I can catch up from all my past sessions and weddings. 

Potential clients: Please Note...I am not taking anymore photo sessions until the end of summer/early fall. That includes seniors, babies, families, maternity, etc. 

Potential Wedding clients...if you haven't booked a photographer for your summer/early fall wedding, I can refer you to a great up and coming guy that is amazing! 

Remember: If your wedding is in Fall 2009 and forward, please contact me. I will be booking starting in October. So even though we are closed for shooting the next couple of months, we are still available to take calls, emails, talk about details and make booking arrangements for future events. 

We look forward to sharing your special moments when we return to shooting in a few months! 

Some Revelations

During the reconstruction of the blog, WE've (and I emphasize the WE) have also been restructuring our business plan, pricing, products and goals for LP Designz. I love that I can say "we." My darling husband has come alongside me in full force and is 100% my partner in this. He has already been shooting weddings and sessions with me, but has now been interested in the business side of it. Since we have a short hiatus from weddings (due to baby boy coming in July), we are taking this time to really re-think everything we have set up and how we want it to look in the future. We know that with 2 children, life will look different and the business will have to look different. At the same time, we know that the Lord has blessed us both with this gift and has given us permission to pursue this as a second income for our family. We may not shoot 20 weddings a year, but will definitely shoot as many as we feel is right for our family. So we want to keep our business current and thriving.

Right now, Matt is home, which is so exciting! Its the middle of the day! The Aggies are playing in the NCAA tourny right now so he's home for lunch watching the game. The baby is napping. So I'm taking this time, while he's here to discuss things with me, to really start digging into our business. I have been reading Stacy Reeve's pricing guide. (I found this months ago and just haven't taken the time to sit down and really dig into it.) It's really great! I have my big notepad out and am making notes and just completed our business plan. Its so cool to see it written out!

However, I will say that as I read this packet, I've had some revelations. Not anything completely new, but more that things I've thought for a while have been reinforced in my mind. Any photogs that read my blog, please don't take this in any way a negative against you. I'm sure you won't. We all have our own style and business ideas....

I've discovered over the last few months that I'm not like most photographers. I know that most photographers are looking out for their clients and want to provide them the best product while still making money. However, sometimes I feel that a lot of photogs charge a lot for their session and then the client gets nothing out of it besides an online gallery where they can just view their pictures. They get nothing in return. They then have to go spend another fortune just to own some prints. I know that as a client, I'm not a fan of this. So why would I expect this from my clients? I'm not going to go into a lot of details about what my new packages will look like but I hope that I will be able to provide something to clients that are just like I was as a young bride, or who are like me now as a young wife and mom. Your everyday family who can't afford to spend $2000 on a family photo session. I know that there is a market for that out there. And there are amazing photographers out there who can afford to have high prices and have a huge client base. And way to go! I just know that in my market, that's not the case, for the most part. So I can't expect my packages to look like theirs.

As I dig into my pricing and packages, I get excited thinking about all the potential there is. I feel we can offer some great packages that work for the good of both the client and us. I want brides to feel comfortable with me, comfortable with what they are getting for their money and to be so pleased with the outcome after their wedding day has come and gone.

I seriously could type for hours about my thoughts on all of this, but I'm done. I just wanted to get a little of it out while I'm in "business" mode. My redesigned blog will have wedding and session FAQs and info so there will be more to come. In case anyone still wants to read this.

Under Construction

I realize I haven't posted photos in like 3 months. I'm such a photo blog loser. I promise its because I've been taking care of clients and getting their photos to them. However, things are FINALLY slowing down a little bc I decided to turn down a lot of work until after the baby is born. So I have a little bit of time to catch up, revamp some biz ideas, and give this blog a face lift. I think its time. It needs to be more functional and match my website. So its getting a boost. So if you happen to visit and it looks weird or mismatched, its bc I'm trying to find the new look I want. And then I promise I will catch up on blogging. I'll have like 20 posts!

And if you're a photography client, please email me at larra@lpdesignz.com

LP Designz Is Growing!

Sorry to all my fans out there. Wait..does anyone even read this blog anymore? I know it seems like I've just closed up shop and vanished. But I promise I'm still here and working up a storm. I just haven't had a lot of time to blog. I've been shooting Christmas sessions, bridals, filling orders, scheduling, editing, etc...so please don't give up on me!

So anyways...on with the news. For the few of you out there who aren't my family and friends and may not read my personal blog, we have an announcement. I'm expecting another baby! I'm due in July so I have quite a while to go. So LP Designz is growing! Literally! We are very excited and can't wait to welcome our new bundle of joy.

With that being said, LPD will be undergoing a few changes. Not big ones..but a few things will have to happen in order to keep the business going AND allow me to get through this pregnancy. (I have horrible morning sickness all day!)

First off, my wedding availability has definitely changed for the summer of 2009. I am not accepting anymore weddings before September or October of next year. I am booked through May and do not think it would be wise to schedule anything close to my due date. So if you are interested in wedding photography anytime before September of next year, I can refer you to some great photographers!

Next, as far as portrait sessions go..I am still available for engagements, bridals, family and senior portraits as long as things go smoothly with the pregnancy. I probably won't be scheduling any after June, but definitely should be available in the spring.

Since I am going to have a short hiatus from weddings, I would like to pick up some more design work. I'll probably work on a lot more stationery products and be available to take more custom design jobs. So if you're interested in anything in this area, please contact me! I do have a waiting list right now (we are so blessed!) and it looks like it will be February before I can take on any new projects. But after that, things will start slowing down so I can definitely help you out with any projects you may have.

I think that's all for now. So if anyone is still out there, leave me a comment sometime! Seriously people! I need comment love!

A Family of Photographers

I just wanted to say thank you to my fellow photographers and designers who've been so wonderful in the last year as I've gotten my business off the ground. It is so awesome to work alongside some amazingly talented women who could selfishly keep their secrets and ideas to themselves, but instead choose to share them with me and others. I worked alongside Lynsey Kramer for a while, shooting weddings with her and soaking up her knowledge. She shared her passion with me and has taught me so much. I know that I can always email her with questions regarding business problems, equipment issues or shoot ideas. She is an amazing photographer and even better friend. I love you dearly Lyns!

Then there's sweet Sarah Shalley. What is so special about our relationship is that I only met her because I shot her wedding with Lynsey in January 2007. A few months later, we started chatting on the internet regarding photo stuff, and a great friendship blossomed. Sarah and I will sit on the internet for hours talking and sharing ideas and tips. When one of us has an issue, the other gladly gives input and tries to help. I love that even though we are in fairly close proximity to each other and may be trying to reach some of the same market, there's no competition. Seriously, its not like the 2 of us can shoot the entire Brazos Valley and beyond anyways. I love the convos Sarah and I have and have so much fun sharing with her. We have endless emails back and forth with questions, explanations, ideas or sometimes just to say guess what Idid today! Even though we've only hung out like ONCE outside your wedding, I love you and appreciate you so much! I'm looking forward hanging out this summer and learning together!

Shauna Maness posted on her blog (and I couldn't find the exact post to link to) about how we as artists should share with and help each other out in this crazy business. I think she was referencing a book she read(or is reading) regarding the business of photography. We should be thankful for the knowledge we have and not be selfish in what we have learned. I hope that I am always willing to step out and help a fellow photographer who is trying to get their foot in the door. I would not be where I am (which is barely in the door myself) without the encouragement, tips and support of my fellow photo buddies.

So this is just a thank you to my girls! I love you and look forward to many future brainstorming sessions!

Revamping the Biz

I posted earlier in the year about my personal goals for my business and what I wanted it to look like on the "inside." Now it is time to revamp the "outside"..the logo, the website, the blog, the marketing..the overall LOOK of LP Designz. I know that for my business to be successful, I need to develop a look and feel and stick with it. I have played around with my logo and color scheme a lot and thought I like the pink and black with the square logo. But it bothered me. I just wasn't in love with it. I didn't feel like it really represented me and my style. So I'm playing around with new ideas..I've come up with a concept that I like..but I feel like it needs a splash of something. As you can tell from the new blog colors, I am thinking brown and turquoise. (this design is not here to stay, but just my starting point.) But I want to add another color. Here is the logo that I have come up with. I like simple and classic.

I'm thinking a splash of pink? But I'm not sure how to add it in..I've seen some great ideas..but I don't want to copy anyone, obviously. Some sort of swirl or flourish type thing. But how? In the background. Or not at all? Maybe make the line pink?

Here is my new site. I am so in love with it! Blu Domain has the best sites for photographers for the BEST prices! I can customize the colors to anything...And I can't decide how to do it. Should I keep the page colors to strictly my logo colors? I feel like thats boring..but I need it to be uniform as well. Thats part of the reason I was thinking adding a third color to my look. I could rotate between the 3 colors for all the pages.

Next, what about the content of my site. Should I have a FAQ page instead of the session info page? Or both? Any info you think I'm leaving off?

For my design and photog buddies, I would LOOVVEE your feedback..that's the main purpose of this blog. To bounce ideas off of each other and help each other out in this crazy biz! Let me know what you think of my new ideas..and give me honest feedback :)

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.