Those of you with experience in professional photography....feel free to add your comments and suggestions!!!!

I have always had the desire to do photography as a profession. I have dabbled in photography for a long time and I love it! I have great people skills as well as a good eye/vision for what will look good in a photo. I also have PhotoShop editing/effects skills from being a graphic designer for the past 10 years or so. Therefore, I am taking the dive to start my own photography business. I purchased a digital SLR camera and am now looking into so studio lighting equipment.

I think I have decided to get continuous lighting kit with reflecting umbrellas. I have read these are the easiest to use for beginners.....and that is what I am. I am hoping that some of you with experience in this can give me some advice as to whether they agree with this? I am also looking into getting a backdrop stand with a few muslins - but I will probably make the rest of my backgrounds myself - and with the help of my carpenter dad.....

I am excited and I want to get started right away to get in a few holiday shoots and design some holiday photo greeting cards......I already have some ideas for backgrounds/props, so I need to just get my lighting equipment and get started.....YAY!!!

    So, I am doing great as a work at home mom and loving it very much. I love selling clothing on ebay - a dream of mine come true. However, now that my son is in school - it seems my 1 year old is now harder to handle. My son helped me out alot and she is getting more independent so she is into EVERYTHING. I just find it hard to do normal stuff like laundry, cleaning the house and things such as that. Those of you that sell. Give me some tips - some suggestions to help me keep order around here, while trying to maintain a good business. How to you find time to do all these things? Do you schedule yourself? Do you set a timer? Any suggestions would be great! I need to get this house back in order!

On another note, I have a terrible cold right now, so I am definitely not getting much done right now. Congestion, coughing, runny nose, aches, sinus pressure - the whole bit. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!!

Wow! I can't believe how this year has so quickly gone by. So much has transpired over the last 12 months. But exactly one year ago this very moment I was preparing to bring a new life into this world - my precious baby girl. Today she is turning 1 - a milestone that comes all to quickly. She is a precious, sweet baby and her personality is growing by the day. She is a tiny little petite thing, but that makes her even cuter! She actually took her first 3 steps last evening in the kitchen - it was so cute. This month has given 2 big life-changing moments - my firstborn starting school and my youngest turning one. But I am not complaining - I am TRULY blessed. But we are not only celebrating the birthday of our precious princess - but also a full year of me not working and we are still afloat! It has been a great year. My family seems closer - I am happier - and I have a new business that has been a dream of mine for years! I truly enjoy my kids, my family and my life. I love staying at home and being able to be there when my son gets out of school. I love it and I wouldn't have it any other way! Anyway, this Saturday we are going to celebrate our baby girl's birthday with pink poodles - OO La La! It has been a wonderful year! Happy Birthday baby girl! I love ya!!!

What a relief! But yet a sad moment at the same time. My son started Kindergarten last Tuesday. He has done so well, I am amazed! He gets up in the mornings and is ready to go! He really seems to like it and I am so thrilled about that. Now I have more time to get things done with my ebay store or around the house. AND I have more time to spend with my nearly one year old daughter. So, why am I so depressed? I guess because working from home can get lonely and at least I had a 5 year old to talk to. But he is my buddy and kept me company during the day - even if he DID drive me crazy at times. I know I will get used to it - I hope! But I think it is harder on me than it is on him! So with my baby starting school I have a full range of emotions - happy, proud, excited, relieved, sad, lonely, depressed........but it is a milestone that I will always cherish. I see now why people get the "Proud parent of a Middle School Student" and such - it is something we as parents are proud of - everyday is a new accomplishment. New papers brought home, new experiences - New friends! It is a bucket full of proud moments. I look forward to his first 'hand' turkey he brings home, his first Christmas program to videotape, his first valentine box to create and his first Spring Break! It is like a whole cycle in my life has gone through, where now I am the parent and he is the child. Really weird feeling....but I am VERY Proud!!!!

    Well, in August of 2006, I gave birth to my second child - my beautiful baby girl. I had always worked after my son (who turned 5 in June of 2007) was born. I had worked since I was 16 years old. After looking over our finances, I realized that I would be bringing home about $40 a week from my paycheck - after gas, lunch, daycare for 2 kids. It just didn't seem worth it. My hubby and I decided we would try it without me working. I was afraid of the thought of doing nothing all day, other than deal with my children. But I soon found out that it was the greatest decision I had ever made. I found myself with SOOO much less stress and much more time to enjoy life! I also found that we are financially better off than when I was working. After a couple of months of being home, my hubby suggested that I try ebay....well, I just kind of brushed it off. But I decided to start a Gently Used lot of clothing of my son's and it did really well! After that I was hooked! I jumped in with both feet! Now here I am with a lot of inventory - so much, that I can't seem to get it all in! I really enjoy shopping for my store and giving my customers quality clothing at a discounted rate. I strive to give my customers excellent customer service - something I expect myself!