The past year hasn’t been easy. If i’m being honest, either were the two prior years. For a while, it felt like this massive dark cloud was just constantly looming overhead. Unexpectedly losing your husband followed by a long series of unfortunate events will do that to you. Anxiety and a touch of depression were simultaneously taking ahold of me & I suddenly no longer wanted to pursue photography at all.
As we entered 2020, after selling off a good bit of my equipment, something inside of me changed. I still can’t exactly pinpoint where the spark came from, but a fire was relit. I had a new vision for where I now wanted to take my business that I had all but given up on. So I immediately got to work. In January, I began planning out my year of mini sessions all the way through November- and SO many big things are coming. YAY!
It feels so good to dream up a vision, create a plan, and then watch it unfold. Until of course, some guy half way across the world eats a raw bat and really throws a wrench into your meticulously thought out schedule.
After planning the Sweetheart Sessions that I held for Valentine’s Day this year, I began thinking about spring. I knew I wanted to break it down into three segments: Easter, Mother’s Day, & a general spring session. While I was scrolling Pinterest one afternoon I came across the prettiest aqua blue classic truck filled with purple spring blooms. Right away I just KNEW I wanted to emulate that for my spring minis. Truck bed minis are a very popular session type during the fall & winter but I haven’t seen too many done during this time of year.
I immediately put an ISO ad out on Facebook Marketplace for a 1950’s classic truck in any shade of blue. I had a few hits but nothing was truly fitting the vision I had. That is, until I was told about a truck that lives at The Barn at Rayne Run, a beautifully restored barn that blends rustic charm with classic luxury. This place is seriously beautiful, complete with a bar, dj booth, and chandeliers. Chuck & Linda did a really amazing job bringing this old barn back to life. The restored 1953 aqua blue chevy we’re using for this year’s spring minis is used as a large prop at the weddings they host, adding to that gorgeous rustic chic aesthetic.
I communicated with Chuck & Linda through a middle woman, their daughter Lauren. She and her sweet family also agreed to be photographed for my demo shoot and man, did they nail it. The love they have for each other was so real and it truly came out in the photos we created. I feel so blessed to have been able to collaborate with such great people.
Onto the florals- I had just heard of a new florist that popped up in town, The Petal & The Stem. I loved the idea of working with someone new so I reached out immediately. On her first response back, I realized that it was Hannah! A friend of mine from high school that I hadn’t seen in years; what a small world. We went back & forth a few times, exchanging ideas & creating a verbal vision board. She did SUCH good job! I was already thrilled with what she had put together. But I was even more excited when she brought up the fact that everything will be even more beautiful & full by the time these mini sessions roll around!!
I’m so happy that the date we selected already fell just outside of our nationwide quarantine regulations and I’ll be praying that we wont have to make any changes. Should our social distancing guidelines be extended once again, I will be working closely with Linda from The Barn at Rayne Run & Hannah from The Petal & The Stem to choose new dates that will work for everyone.
I’m so very excited about these fun sessions and I can’t wait to be photographing so many beautiful families on this beautiful truck bed soon!
Sessions are just $125 and will be held Sunday May 3, 2020 from 10AM- 4PM at The Barn at Rayne Run. This price includes your session fee & 5 Digital Images. A $50 retainer is required to hold your time slot upon booking with the remaining balance due at our session. You can book now by clicking here.
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