Today’s Topic – The BIG cross-country MOVE to San Diego, CA.

So, I find myself thinking – I am really going to miss Pensacola! There are a few reasons why.

1. I have met some really cool people (Yep – this includes fellow military spouses, my clients, fellow photographers and neighbors)

2. The beaches are incredibly beautiful (yes…I know, San Diego has those too! haha)

3. My business has begun to really take off!!!!

I have received loads of inquiries for the 2010 wedding season, but atlas, I cannot book them. So SAD, I know. So you’re thinking – why don’t you just fly back? Well, I would LOVE to do that, but it’s the travel fees that don’t fit into the B&G’s budget. Total bummer, I know!!

I am totally THRILLED to get to San Diego and to meet new people and all the new places to photograph. It’s exciting to think about it! Only one thing I sit and ponder everyday; how am I going to hit the ground running in a new place? What do I need to do to market myself there?

I do believe that God helps those; that help themselves. I truly don’t expect to get there and there be a line out my door and the phone ringing off the hook to have me as their photographer (although that would REALLY rock *wink wink @ God) lol. I do believe it will take some time, energy, a lot of hard work and networking. My goal is to have some weddings booked for Fall 2010 – wish me luck!!

So let me tell you that I have emailed/contacted some of the San Diego area Wedding Consultants and it’s both exciting and awkward! hahahaha… just imagine – me sitting at the computer, starting to write an email to someone who doesn’t know me from Adam. It’s hysterical. I really wish you could be in my mind or in the room; as I laugh at myself for sounding corny in the email. It’s like I’m saying, “Hi, I’m Shannon of SW Photography. I’ll be moving to San Diego and would love to meet you for lunch or a cup of coffee sometime. Oh and would you like to be my friend and maybe network with me?”

Okay, No that’s not how the email really goes, but in my head – I feel like that’s what I am saying! Bwahahahaa… I’m very confident and know that I can make it out in Cali, but it’s always that first plunge into the dark before your eyes adjust; that you are scared, unsure and can feel the rush of adrenaline aka excitement of the unknown.

Hopefully with God’s good graces and lots of prayers – I will find favor among the people in San Diego and everywhere I should go to do what I love!

XOXXO

Shannon

]]> http://www.portraitsbysw.com/2010/01/heart-2-heart-destination-wedding-and-newborn-photographer/feed/ 2 http://www.portraitsbysw.com/2010/01/i-heart-faces-photo-challenge/ http://www.portraitsbysw.com/2010/01/i-heart-faces-photo-challenge/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:09:09 +0000 Shannon http://www.portraitsbysw.com/?p=380

So the infamous and totally fabulous photography blog; i heart faces, is turning a year old! Congrats you guys!! I love ‘birthdays’ even if it’s not mine! hahahaa… But to celebrate their birthday, this week’s theme is ‘i heart faces’. The cool part is we get to integrate their logo into our photo(s) and we get to enter 5 images . How fun is that! I’ve been checking out some of the entries so far and WOW there have been some really creative photos! Such talent. =) It’s really cool to see what other people come up with.  Oh! Did I mention that the winner receives a new 18-200mm Tamron Lens?! Pretty Sweet! Good luck to all the entries and well, me too, for that matter!

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“I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.”

Photo taken by J. Hoffstetter Photography when we had our family portraits done. (Yes! Even Photographers have their portraits done too!! lol)

XOXXO

Shannon