I am on a mission in 2012

I have been waiting to send out this post for a while. I wrote it a few months ago, was going to release it, but then started working with someone to re-design my blog, so I thought now that it is finished that this would a perfect time for this post. Fresh new blog, fresh new year...rolling out my mission.Special props to my new friend Margi who rocked my design for my blog!. If you have a blog you would like designed, she is your woman! So, now onto the meat and potatoes of this post...

I believe that mission and vision statements are an important part to not only a business, but also to different aspects of your life. Brian and I wrote a vision statement for what we wanted to create for our wedding day and in the midst of planning all the details we often went back to that vision to make sure it all worked with what we wanted to create. So when the day before our wedding and things got a little hectic, he reminded me of that statement and everything calmed down. It kept us centered and focused on what was most important.

Therefore I wanted to write a mission statement for my business so that I could do the same with my business. I took a lot of time to brainstorm, write down different words and phrases, focus on what kind of environment I want to create for my clients and who I want to be as a photographer in order to come up with my mission statement. I wanted to make sure that it reflected what I really wanted to strive for in my business.

Here were some of my thoughts that came to me as I was coming up with my mission statement:

As a wedding and portrait photographer, I desire to use my gifts and talents that God gave me to provide an experience for you to feel free to be comfortable as yourself. I am passionate about my love for God, my family and capturing the moments of life that so quickly pass us by. I desire to know each person I meet as the unique person that they were created to be. I strive to keep things simple so it is only the moments of life you remember.

Simply capturing the art of life

Life is a masterpiece! A beautiful work of art made up of small, simple, and meaningful details. They all play a role in who we are and where we are today.

A playful smile,

a contagious laughter,

the softness of skin,a loving embrace…the art goes on and on.

Why Simple heART photography:

When I was thinking about a name for my business this name came to me quickly, but the meaning unfolded as I put more thought into it. I love the idea of things being kept simple. Life is complicated enough on its own, it is nice to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life that so quickly pass us by. I do not like to carry around a lot of extra equipment, 17 lights, and 14 different lenses to a shoot…I have my camera, my flash and a small collection of lenses that allow me to get the job done…simply. Also, photography for me is art that comes from my heart. Whenever
I deliver and image to a client, I am sharing a piece of my heart with them Hence, the word heart with ART emphasized.

The end result: the mission statement of Simple Heart Photography:

I desire to provide my clients with high quality and affordable photography to simply capture life’s special moments that reflect the person as they were created to be. Using the talents and gifts that God gave me I put my passion in all of my work. You are more than a client...you are friend.

In 2012, I am looking to take my business to the next level. I would like to increase my client base and serve my clients with a customer service that will leave them excited about coming back for their next portrait session, or eager to pass my name on to other friends who are getting married. I am excited to hear the stories about clients who smile every time they see their portraits hanging on their wall, that captured that memory as if it happened yesterday.

As with most businesses...it's is all about who you know. You, are who I know! Therefore, I am wondering if you are willing to pass my name on to who you know! I am hoping that the relationships that I cherish with you will bear the fruit that grows my business this year.

I look forward to seeing you and your loved ones in front of my lens, and I share a piece of my heart from behind it.

email me | Simple Heart Photography| Facebook | Blog | Call 317.219.7574

Generations

One of my most treasured photographs is one of my paternal grandfather, Poppa and I. I was probably about 6 months old when this photograph was taken in my grandfather's backyard. This photograph hung in my grandfather's house for year's and it moved to my possession after he passed away several years ago.

While I was growing up I fondly remembering seeing Poppa hold all of the babies of the families and how much he loved holding them. My fondest memory is of him holding my baby sister, and I saw him rocking in the chair and he was crying as he was holding her. I remember asking my parents why was he crying? They said it was because he wished Grandma could be here to hold her, too. My grandmother had passed away about a month after my sister was born, and only got to see her once right before she died. I dreamed of Poppa being able to dance with me on my wedding day, as he did with my older cousins, and to hold my children like I saw him do with all the other babies in the family. I am grateful for the memories and I now rock Jacob to sleep in that same rocking chair!

So, I have decided to recreate this photography with my boys and their Poppa...so when Jacob was 7 months old, we recreated the scene with my dad and brother. (in the original, the guy in the background is my cousin Steve. I wanted him in the picture, but he was not around at the time, so my older brother Adam was a great stand in.)

My dad, brother Adam and Jacob (7 Months).

Then this Christmas, I thought I need to do this again with Luke, and this time, I am able to get Steve in the scene this time!

My dad, cousin Steve and Luke (1 year).

I know that my boys will treasure this picture with their Poppa as much as I treasure the one with mine!

In the spirit of recreating pictures, we also re-did this one of Brian, Jacob and I.

The original was taken when Jacob was 5 months old and it just made us laugh so hard, because of the face he made.

We took this one this Christmas and were again surprised at the face he made without being prompted.

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Introducing the Tradition

My mom came into town last weekend and we decided to make all the Christmas cookies while she was in town. We particularly wanted to introduce the oldest grandson to the tradition of making Christmas cookies. Jacob had a blast and was for sure excited about being a part of the whole process. I, of course, could not resist to document the event of our little chef! I am excited for Luke to take part in the action next year. This year he just supervised.

2 for the cookies, 1 for me. 1 for the cookies, two for me.

He took his job very seriously.

Who needs frosting? I think the snow man wants to go for a ride

He was very intent on the cookies being in order before decorating them. All the bells together, all the trees together.

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Traditions

I would venture to guess that most family traditions are surrounding Christmas. Some as simple as getting up before the dawn to open Christmas gifts, or the order that the gifts are opened in. Or as elaborate as getting all the Christmas lights to synch perfectly to the tune of "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" so you can hold the prestige of your neighbors as having the best lights in the neighborhood.

For me, our family tradition is Christmas Eve dinner. My dad's side of the family brings our Italian heritage to life every year. My earliest memories of Christmas was our family of 7 driving from Wisconsin to Cleveland to be with family for Christmas. Christmas Eve at my grandparents house was full of the sights of pasta being made by hand, smells of halibut cooking in the oven and sauce simmering on the stove, and the sound of the china rattling in the china cabinet every time someone walked a little heavy footed through the dinning room or a small child making a quick dash.

All hands were on deck to make the mouth watering meal, complete with the aforementioned homemade pasta, made with the pasta machine that our great uncle invented, and the feast of the 7 fishes. (although I don't think we ever had 7 fishes...maybe 3 or 4). The kids all waited to see if any of us had graduated to the adult table or which older cousin would move to the kids table to keep us younger ones entertained during the meal. After our bellies were full, all of us grandkids were chomping at the bit to rip into those perfectly wrapped packages that were under the tree. But the tradition was, no presents until the kitchen was clean! So, again, all hands on deck to make that happen as fast as possible.

One more tradition before we got our hands on those new toys...some sort of performance by us grandkids, of course perfectly directed and produced by our older cousins. Whether it was the story of the Nativity or how Santa wasn't going to make it to Cleveland this year, we entertained every one with our cute and adorable antics.

Finally the moment we all had been waiting for...the presents were opened...excitement bursting...wrapping paper everywhere! And ya know....I don't remember any presents I opened all of those years...(ok...except one..a knock off Cabbage Patch Doll). All those years of anticipating those moments of opening presents and what I remember most...the tradition that still lives on...the tradition that I cherish and want to pass on to my children....is all that time spent in the kitchen to prepare the meal, and then to enjoy the meal together as family!

It has now evolved to the tradition of my dad and I cooking Christmas Eve dinner together, from planning the menu, to shopping at the West Side Market, to cooking all day to the tunes of Carpenters Christmas (this album is it's own tradition in our family) and then sitting back and seeing everyone enjoy the fruits of our labor. Last year was the first time in my life that I was not home for this tradition (as our second son was just born we decided not to travel) and so now....I am chomping at the bit to get home to Cleveland start planning, shopping for food and cooking with my dad!

Here my dad is preparing the smelt fish and pasta is drying on the rack, waiting to be cut

One more tradition that is pretty common with most families is the tradition of taking a family portrait to record in time how great everyone looks! How fun it is to look back at those photographs over the years and see the hairstyles, the clothes or how much the little ones have grown. So, how long has it been since you have had a family portrait done? How long have you been putting it off to freeze those smiles in time? Don't put it off any longer, don't wait another year!

Get out your best Christmas sweater, put on the Christmas cheer smile and say CHEESE!

For those of you who live in the Cleveland area and are ready to renew that family portrait during the Christmas season, contact me today! It's not too late. I am going to be in Cleveland from December 21-at least December 27. A family portrait doesn't take long, I come to you and I can wrangle those little ones quick to get them all together to look at me, smile and show those adorable faces! (For those in Indy I am available New Years Weekend)

email me | Simple Heart Photography| Facebook | Blog | Call 317.219.7574

Small Business Saturday

I have been seeing commercials on TV for "Small Business Saturday," which is a day where people are being asked to support small business this Saturday, November 26 by making one purchase at a small business. Guess what?....I am a small business!

So, to save you from having to go out shopping before you have even recovered from the crowds of Black Friday Shopping, I am offering some opportunities for you to take advantage of supporting a small business and getting a great gift for yourself or a loved one. I am making these deals available starting today and in honor of Cyber Monday, I will extend these deals until midnight on Monday, November 28. (Happy Birthday Mom!)

Opportunity #1: go to my website and click on "proofing" at the bottom and it will take you to my Pictage proofing site. Find your previous event and order some prints for yourself, mom, grandma, best friend, maybe even the mailman.

Opportunity #2: Book a family, baby or senior session with me and get double the amount of print credit! (normal sessions include a $50 print credit, you would get $100!) Session Fee: $175
(Session would have to be booked before midnight on Monday, but could take place anytime in the coming months.)

Opportunity #3: Purchase a gift certificate for a family member or loved one. Gift certificate is good towards a family or baby portrait session or can be used as credit towards a senior portrait or wedding package. This will also include a doubled print credit of $100! Gift certificate will come framed and gift wrapped, so low maintenance on your part.
Gift Certificate cost: $175


I hope you consider supporting a local small business this Saturday and I would love it if you would choose mine! If you are looking to take advantage of opportunity 2 or 3, please e-mail me or call me right away to lock in one of these great deals. Time goes by so quick, kids grow up so fast, photographs of our loved ones are some of the things we treasure the most. Create those memories today!

You can reach me via e-mail at: rachael@simpleheartphotography.com or by calling 317.219.7574

*For my clients that live in Cleveland, I will be there for the Christmas holiday, so I will have a few spots available for portrait sessions during that time.

email me | Simple Heart Photography| Facebook | Blog | Call 317.219.7574

Indianapolis Senior Portrait Photographer: Anna 2012

Another great senior session! Anna and I had a lot of fun creating her images for her senior portraits this fall. We caught the tail end of the colors before the rain and wind set in this season.

As I took her pictures I was reminded of my own senior pictures. That was just a few years ago right? Believe it or not I graduated over 15 years ago and who knew that now I would be taking senior portraits many years later. Truly a dream come true!

email me | Simple Heart Photography| Facebook | Blog | Call 317.219.7574

Indianapolis Senior Portrait Photographer: Olivia

It sure is a pleasure when you get to photograph a beautiful senior, and it is even more of a pleasure when it is your niece! Olivia and I had a lot of fun playing in the fall leaves as we did her Senior Portrait session. I was so excited about all the images that we were creating that I took so many and made it difficult for myself to go through them and pick my favorites.

Fall truly is my favorite time to shoot and I think you will see that in these images. I also have decided I love doing things that are out of place. Who climbs trees with kickin' high heels? OLIVIA DOES! Maybe someday I will photograph a piano in the middle of a field!

email me | Simple Heart Photography| Facebook | Blog | Call 317.219.7574