melissabarrickphotography.com

Sugar, spice and everything nice. That pretty much sums up my Christmas and New Years this year! I’ve had a little over a week to relax and to be honest, I haven’t even touched my computer since I posted my last blog! It was a nice and much-needed break so I appreciate your patience during that time.

I have a few things to announce as we begin the New Year. Last year, I was working through a lot of growing pains as I started my own business. I still work a regular day-job during the week, which can be sometimes exhausting. It was difficult to learn how to juggle both AND be a wife to my husband in our brand new house. A business will always be growing and changing, so once again, I appreciate your patience through all of this. You have been the best clients in the world and I couldn’t ask for anything better!

The first change is in regards to regular portrait sessions. The price for these sessions will be increasing slightly to $175. This includes up to two hours of shooting at the location of your choice. It also includes a CD of 30 digital images which you can choose from your private viewing gallery. You can add on the Media Package for $75 dollars, if you wish, and that will give you a CD of ALL of the digital image files from your session. This increased rate is effective starting January 1, 2010.

Portrait Sessions include all of the following:

• Engagements
• Families
• Children/New Borns
• High School Senior Pictures
• Lifestyle (Just Because)
• Bridal Portraits

All packages and rates can be found HERE for more information.

There are still some dates available for Weddings in 2010. E-Mail me today or complete the “Contact Me” tab above  for more information! (I always respond within 24 hours, so if I don’t for some reason, try me again.)

The next change isn’t really official, it’s more of a goal set for the next few years of business. Over the year, I try to attain each of these goals and once I complete my list, I get a big ol’ pat-on-the-back from myself (and YOU hopefully). A lot of them include investing more into my business, which can only happen with your help, whereas some are personal. I’ll update you as things get “checked” off the list! SO here it goes… my 101 (correction – thank you!) Goals in 1001 days.

1. Buy a MacPro.
2. Paint and decorate my office.
3. Cook and conquer a Beef Wellington.
4. Use my Kitchen Aid mixer at least once a month.
5. Go on a date with Bobby at least twice a month.
6. Buy a Canon 5D.
7. Buy a fleet of lenses to go with my new 5D.
8. Find an old SX-70 (film) and shoot more for fun.
9. Own a pair of shoes in every color.
10. Travel somewhere exotic solely to take pictures.
11. For ever glass of wine I drink, run a mile.
12. Host a wine tasting party.
13. Open an Etsy shop and sell my photography.
14. Purchase a piece of local art to display in my house.
15. Finish our basement.
16. Cook (and share) a new recipe once a month.
17. Purchase a “Photo Booth” to offer my wedding clients.
18. Get my photography published.
19. Shoot a Destination Wedding.
20. Learn and speak better French.
21. Join a photography-based charity organization.
22. Shoot alongside a very notable Photographer.
23. Draw with sidewalk chalk with my neighbor kids.
24. Go one week without eating packaged, processed foods.
25. Shop at a Farmer’s Market.
26. Petition to get a new Movie Theater in St. Mary’s County.
27. Read through the Bible in a year.
28. Visit and buy something at a Pottery Barn outlet.
29. Visit a new state.
30. Procure a tredmill or Elliptical machine for the basement.
31. Visit my Best Friend out in Chicago.
32. Display my own photography in my house on a large canvas.
33. Plant a garden.
34. Exercise at least 5 days a week.
35. Sell 100 Gift Certificates for my Photography.
36. Fix something on my car by myself.
37. Cut my Starbucks habit to once a month (a savings of $200 a year).
38. Drive the Speed Limit on my community’s main road.
39. Swim one mile every Saturday when the Pool is open.
40. Visit Paris. Je t’aime.
41. Attend a Photography Workshop.
42. Eat Valentine’s Dinner out.
43. Create a Family Tradition.
44. Blog every day for a month.
45. Become certified as a Step Aerobics instructor.
46. Convert to all organic make-up.
47. Try a bold, new hair cut.
48. Take wedding pictures for an old friend.
49. Paint a room black (or very dark gray).
50. Spend a day at the Spa. Just one day.
51. Photograph another photographer.
52. See Bruce Springsteen in concert.
53. Learn how to make espresso.
54. Take a spinning class (and survive it!)
55. Document an article for National Geographic Magazine.
56. Read Pride & Prejudice.
57. Show Killian (my cat) who is boss.
58. Buy stock in Starbucks and Apple.
59. Hang flower baskets from my front porch – Southern style.
60. Get a Southern Accent.
61. Hike Old Rag again (without complaining).
62. Sew a dress.
63. Follow at least 5 babies around for a year with “Year of Baby” packages.
64. Document a home birth for a family.
65. Visit Disney World as an adult.
66. Join a Bible Study.
67. Renew my Passport. Just in case.
68. Take a train to New York City on a whim.
69. Try a Martini.
70. Visit my old high school’s chapel service.
71. Run a 5K.
72. Buy a Le Creuset dutch oven.
73. Go camping…without complaining.
74. Attend a Black Tie affair.
75. Have a “Girls weekend” with my Mom and Sisters away somewhere.
76. Re-upholster my Grandmother’s rocking chair.
77. Buy a bigger camera bag to hold all of my gear.
78. Buy a complete outfit from J. Crew.
79. Take an Alaskan Cruise.
80. Have a completely matched and organized “system” in my office.
81. Become a food critic.
82. Keep a food journal.
83. Reach 1,000 followers on Twitter.
84. Post a weekly wedding inspiration board on my blog.
85. Take a cross-country road trip.
86. Take a graphic design class.
87. Buy a high-efficiency, “Green” car.
88. Read a biography of someone famous (or not-so-famous).
89. Actually complete most of the items on this list.
90. Attend performances of my nieces and nephews.
91. Capture my parents in pictures (and my in-laws) in a different light.
92. Capture my Grandparents in pictures. Period.
93. Floss daily.
94. Get laser eye surgery.
95. Go skiing.
96. Learn how to knit.
97. Join a Photographer’s organization.
98. Snail-Mail letters to my Grandmother at least once a month.
99. Fast over Easter.
100. Learn about and understand another religion.
101. Kiss Bobby every single morning.

And there you have it. It’s a new year and I’m making new changes. I hope you’ll do the same! Happy New Year! And because a Photo Blog wouldn’t be a Photo Blog without some pictures, here’s one I shot over New Years of my sister and her husband. More to come!

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to get the MB Photography Gift Certificate Special!

Read about the Deal HERE and e-mail me to get yours today! They will be mailed out on Monday so you can receive it before Christmas!

Send and e-mail to Melissabphoto@gmail.com with the address of where you’d like me to send it. The Gift Certificate is in beautiful Letterpress and comes in a pretty envelope, all ready to be gifted! Don’t get left out of this awesome deal!

Merry Christmas!