Invisible

One of my wonderful client friends sent this to me, and it made my day. So, I thought I would pass it on to my other wonderful mom friends. Thanks girl!


I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30 , please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going ... she's going... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Cup of Brooklynne

I think my neighbors think I am weird. And they are probably right. But how often do you see something this cute in your neighbor's front yard??? Didn't think so. Drive on by at random times, you never know what I'll be doing next. lol I often wonder if the neighbors I don't know well wonder what is going on over here. New people in and out all the time with stacks of clothing. hehe It must be a funny site. One neighbor said he often wonders how long some are planning to stay. :o) So, tomorrow I am a day older. bah, But I'm going shopping and getting loads of yummy food....and it won't count against my "lose all this baby weight so you can look like a normal but perfect girl and wear really cute clothes" plan cause your body disposes of all the fat on your birthday. Yeah. And Friday's. Fat Free Fridays. You learn something new everyday on my blog, don't ya??? Have a great one!!!

Weddings!!!

I wanted to share a couple of quick images from a wedding we did. We did this wedding about a week before I came off leave, it was soooo much fun! We had a lot working against us, but the wedding turned out so beautifully! I am thankful to this wonderful couple for letting us share in their special day! I just wanted to share a few:











And we are very excited to announce that we will be adding wedding packages to our variety of services. I have always steered clear of them, and to be honest I will be choosy with weddings. I want to make sure I am a good match for each couple. This match was perfect and enjoyable, so it was that little push we needed to open the door to another project. As if we need more projects. ha We will start doing weddings in '08 so tell your friends....the ones who are getting married of course.


Ok, so on another note, this is going to be my adult ADD information coming out of my ears update. A couple of things:


1. We are really trying to expand our outdoor/on-location portfolio. While we have done tons, we have not asked permission to use them. So, we are looking for a few models! We want to take some kiddos downtown, to parks, old buildings, etc. It will be loads of fun and be amazing images! I am getting ready to do this with my own little crew so I will have samples soon. If you would like to sign your child up to be a model, please email me and I will give you the details.


2. We are also looking for a couple of Senior Reps in the area. High School Seniors will receive a discount and get to be in our portfolio! Contact me for details.


3. You will now also have the option to have a preview of your session on the blog! After your session, the wait can be INTENSE. So, you will now have the lovely option of having a sneak peek image to get you through the agonizing wait. I know. It's golden. And I am a smart cookie.


4. My birthday is on Thursday. And I am getting older by the minute people. And I think I need something shiny for my birthday. And I don't mean foil.

5. I need chocolate, so I have to go now. Don't tell anyone though. I feel like if I have chocolate while no one is around it doesn't count as breaking my diet. Works well I think.

Lots of love people!

Looks like we have a plan!

Thanks to everyone who has taken the poll! It will remain open until September 1st, so feel free to add your thoughts!
So, it looks like we will have a site that allows you to view your session as well as place your order and pay right then and there. I am working on getting it in place and hope to have it up and running by September 1. There will also be the option for a viewing session at the studio. When you come for your session, you will be asked what your preference is and we will either set up a viewing session or an online viewing.
In addition to this exciting change, there will be a couple of minor changes to ordering. Once your proofs are online, you will now have 5 days to view and choose your portraits. Things are much busier around here, and with the holiday season sneaking up on us I need to make sure everything is smooth. This policy will change as of September 1st as well. If you have already scheduled a session, you will be honored the current viewing time. We also have some awesome new business cards on their way, and are working on new brochures and other products! It is all very exciting. We have grown by leaps and bounds and we want to make sure the experience is as exciting and memorable as the portraits! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!!!

Silly me...

I forgot to post the special for September...

Complimentary 8x10 with $100 purchase and paid session! Plus you add on the fact that you get to hang out with me for about an hour and that my friends, is priceless!

Almost forgot...

I have had many requests for availability in September already. I will be back to 3 sessions per weekend. And it is filling up quick, so here is what's left for September's schedule:

September 1 - BOOKED!
September 8 - 2 slots left
September 15 - BOOKED!
September 22 - 2 slots left
September 30 - 1 slot left

Take the Poll!

Ok, so here's the skinny. I have been looking for a better way of proofing, or a better proofing site for some time. Well, my current proofing site is shutting down and forcing me to get in gear and make a decision. So, I've posted a poll (to the left). I don't want to make a decision that is good for me, but totally inconvenient for the client. So, please take the poll! I'll cry if you don't. I am going to explain the choices....

Viewing Appointment: You would come back to my home to view your portraits, which would be presented in a slideshow. We would then sit down together and go through them each to see what you would like to order and can even help you design a set up for a display wall in your home. You would have to be prepared to place your order at the time of your Viewing Appointment, but family and friends would still have an opportunity to order. After our appointment the session would go live online for 5 days, allowing any additional orders to be placed. I would love to be able to do this, and meet with each of my clients. But I know this may not be the best option for those who are an hour or more away.

Online Viewing and Ordering: Basically exactly what we have been doing now, but you would have the ability to order the prints right there on the site rather than having to email me.

Online Slideshow: This would be a slideshow for you to view, along with being able to see each portrait. You would still have to email me your order.

So, those are the choices. I am also very open to any other ideas, if you have them. But I really want to make sure I am keeping everything as convenient or better than it is now. Thanks friends!!!

I'm BAAAAACK!

Well, ladies and gents this weekend I am back in action and Bella Amadis Photography is reopening after my almost 3 month leave. I am so excited. I have a bunch of new clients coming out this month that I am so excited to meet and work with. And of course, my awesome regulars who I am just so thrilled to see. :o) I am going to sit down and work on my Fall schedule and get that out soon. I have had a ton of inquiries on when I will start booking for Christmas sessions, and since there are already people asking it will likely be soon that I start scheduling them. The actual sessions will likely start next month. Which is crazy to already be thinking of Christmas, but last year we started mid September and were booked in no time for the rest of the year and we unfortunately had to turn people away. So, this year I am on top of the game! Ok, I gotta run before the little peeps cause some trouble. Here are some pictures from yesterday of my little sweet munchkins....