Been a while...

So yes I am now officially a slacker...as if I wasn't already. I've been so busy with work, and trying to keep up with a blog is hard. I have had a lot going on over these last few weeks...

For one I turned 30 last Thursday! As odd as it is, it's quite liberating too to move into another decade in my life. John took me out for a night on the town in Orlando and we got a hotel room so we could just spend some quiet time alone. We had every intention of going out to the bars and partying like rockstars, but never quite made it there. We slept in the next day and John got up and went and got us some bagels and we ate our bagels and coffee on our patio at the hotel. Then we went to the Home and Garden show...which was complete chaos and people everywhere, but we got some great ideas for improvements we've wanted to do to the house.

I went to Chicago for a Photography Convention that was hosted by my online photography forum. It was SOOOO amazing! I spent 5 days with women (and men) who I have known online for about a year. It was really nice to see them in person and hear the voices behind the type that I see everyday. I have bonded with some really great women who like me are moms and photographers trying to get through the struggles of balancing both of those things. We had classes everyday on different photography topics, and I spent lots of time picking the brains of several photographers whose work I admire and respect.

I did a great session for a little boy named Weston last week. You can view his slideshow at www.cristynielsen.com/Weston/WestonWebshow.exe . He was just too cute and so serious most of the time. I think he'll be a lawyer or doctor when he grows up...he has that really calm, serious demeanor.

I also updated my website to a flash website. I have been working on the design for months, and finally unveiled what I have done so far yesterday. Feel free to check it out and give me
feedback! www.cristynielsen.com .

Shaylee is doing well, it's been cold here the last few days, but she was swimming in the pool the week prior. Hopefully we'll get some warmer weather so she can get back in the summer mode again! She did great hanging with her daddy while I was in Chicago. I think I probably worried about her more than was necessary, but it was my first time leaving her for more than a night. We had the help of a few friends while John was working, so THANK YOU to Lesa, Bambi, Angela and Tamu for helping to care for her while I was away.

I'm adding a few of my Chicago pictures... it was such a cool city to photograph. Next time I'm there I'm hoping it will be in the spring and not so darn cold! I'll schedule some more time in the next time I am there to capture some of the sights of that city. It really is hugely overwhelming with all of it's sky scrapers and amazing architecture!

My modeling job went well. You can view the video clip at www.cristynielsen.com/DailyBuzz .

I'll try to do better about journaling... It's hard to find the time, but yet I find it such a release to talk about what I'm up to. Helps me to process what I have and still haven't done...lol.

Till next time...

A New Post...I've been a slacker...

So I started this blog with the intent that I would journal everyday. This has yet to happen. Mostly because I have been swamped with work. I have done two weddings and a birth in the last two weeks and they have completely wiped me out. It has been a lovely time though, lots of good positive people and energy in my life right now.

I have taken on a new idea for my business. An idea that was brought to me by a famous photographer Gary Fong. I attended a seminar that he held here in Orlando on January 30th. His basic premise is pre-design albums. What does this mean... it means that I will be pre-designing albums for my clients for every session I do from here on out. They will view their pictures this way and have the ability to purchase the books from me. I will also be purchasing books of their sessions for display to my potential clients. This is a great way for me to establish a large portfolio of my sessions and do it in a really nice way. Check out the one I finished yesterday. http://www.cristynielsen.com/EhrenPaul/AlbumShowcase/

I also got a modeling job for Friday. Funny I'll be in front of the camera, not behind it. I'm doing a Lane Bryant segment for The Daily Buzz on the WB. Should be fun. Hope you are all doing well.

Goodnight for now...

:o) Cristy

What a day...

WOW! Today was hectic. I had computer issues, uploading issues with my lab, and my canvas prints were withheld by UPS because they damaged them. I'm bummin about that. I am supposed to be going for a moms night out tonight, but I doubt that will happen since I spent so much time dealing with problems and not working today. At one point I had tech support on the phone, another tech support on instant messenger, the doorbell ringing, Shaylee getting up from her nap and needed lunch, and laundry going all at the same time. I often wonder how I can get more done during the day. It's days like this that remind me of how hectic it can get sometimes... I'm seriously considering hiring someone to help me with the day to day administrative stuff, because I'm overwhelmed and overloaded with back end work that has nothing to do with taking pictures. It's very frustrating at times to have too much to do and not enough time...

Until tomorrow!

:o) Cristy

My first post

This is me... I have decided to start a blog as a way for me to vent, share my feelings, and hopefully help others in my journey to help myself. Please bear with me as I learn to blog...I'm a newbie to this one. I will use this to allow me to document my days and hopefully give me some insight and understanding of my life and where it takes me everyday. I am a work in progress and will be sharing my successes and failures along the way. I hope you enjoy following my story of a Day in the Life...