New Year, New Goals?

Happy 2024! I’m a little late to writing this, hopefully that isn’t how all of the New Year is going to go. The holiday season was a busy one and I couldn’t be more grateful, At the end of it I don’t think I could have been more exhausted either! . Usually I start off a new year right away with a clear vision and a plan for the year. This year I am a little slower to get there, I took some time and enjoyed the break with my family, Currently my plans are in my head and not on paper yet which kind of terrifies me…but I’m giving myself grace, they are at least in my head!

In the past the slower season has caused me some panic, some worry about how the year will go, much like it has most other small business owners I know. This year I am embracing the calm. I am enjoying a little peace. I am taking on a home improvement project that has needed tackled for some time now. That does not mean I am not still focused on this business. I am also doing all the backside paper work that got put on the back burner during the busy season, yuck, but necessary. I am taking some classes and looking to grow with both my style and my business. I’m networking with other small business owners and looking at some great things that we can do to bring you new experiences. I’m adding some things to the studio to make your time there even more special. I’m digging into some unique sessions to break out my creativeness and feed that part of my soul. All in all, 2024 is looking good and I can’t wait to see it come to life!

I’ve announced a couple things, like Valentine Sessions and glitter sessions. Those are always fun and a big hit and I can’t wait to see every one and capture those memories. Those sessions can be booked here. Regular sessions are also booking and I’d love to hear your vision for your photos so we can create the perfect memories.

Christmas is Coming!

Every year I swear I’m going to get my Christmas sessions together and promoted sooner, I promise myself I am going to go into the season planned and prepared, and every year is sneaks up on me! This year as I put up the Christmas tree in the studio and added the final touches while wearing my “spooky season” sweatshirt was no different. If you follow me on social media you will see the multi seasonal clash of everything I have going on, and while I have my sets planned and photos of those taken, I’ve yet to get promos of these sessions with a model in front of them. This year I’ve created 5 beautiful sets for your Christmas sessions. Make sure you scroll through all of them, my favorite is at the end! Do you already know that you’re ready to book? You can do so here - Book Now!

The first set is this beautiful kitchen and I am so excited for it! I can just see all of you “baking” cookies and capturing some memories of a lifetime of tradition.

Next we have this cozy bedroom that just asking for your Christmas jammies, some snuggles and maybe a little jumping on the bed!

You all know when I can use my pretty red couch I’m going to! Just look at this set, perfect for a classic family photo, maybe reading “The night before Christmas” or sipping some hot cocoa!

The Peppermint Avenue is perfect for your holiday attire, maybe even a jacket and scarf. This set is going to be a beautiful and fun set with some fun peppermint props added in!

And last but not least, my favorite! These elegant Christmas lighted barn doors are perfect for everyone! Dressed up or down this set is so pretty! I can see little ones in their Christmas dresses dancing, couples snuggled and so much more with this one!

Now that you’ve seen them all, which is your favorite? Are you planning your outfits and getting ready for your session? Don’t forget to book one now, they are filling up fast!

Fall is in the air!

We are almost through September and that means fun in the crisp autumn air. Every one has their favorite traditions in the fall, there’s so much to do and so many memories to make. Here is where I come in…I am here to capture those memories for you! I have two great options for quick fall sessions this year!

THE GREAT PUMPKIN WALL SESSIONS

These sessions are so much fun, it’s like being a pumpkin patch! Break out your flannels and jeans and come spend 20 minutes with me and I promise we will create some fun fall memories!

Ready to book your session and capture some great memories

LETS SCHEDULE

Maybe you just love the outdoors and don’t need the pumpkins and props to capture your perfect family photos, but you’re short on time. I’ve got the perfect session for you. For one day only I am offering FALL FAMILY PETITE SESSIONS!

These sessions are short and sweet in the beauty of fall with a small couch and all the pretty fall colors you will want! Let's create some wholesome fall fun and capture the memories for all the years to come!

LETS BOOK

Don’t miss your chance at a fun photo session to create the memories for your family. If one of the limited sessions aren’t your style, just message me and we will schedule a regular session either on location or in the studio!

Do Something for You

Let’s talk about life for a few minutes. We all get so wrapped up in everyday life that we forget that we are human, that we need to take time to “fill our cups” We’ve all heard that term so many times, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” and it hits home every time I hear it. We spend so much time emptying our cups; working, taking care of the house and chores, feeding and taking care of the family, helping out with charity or volunteering with organizations that there seems to be so little time left for ourselves. I remember when my kids were little feeling like the only time I got “me” time was when I went to the grocery store alone, and does anyone really like grocery shopping? Hardly a stress reliever. As my kiddos got older I slowly added a few things back in for me, photography being one of them. Then I started filling the time with more work, more organization commitments and different family obligations…and once again…it’s hard to find time to do something for ME. We go through this chapter in many different seasons of our lives, and it is always important to step back and do something for yourself, to refill the cup.

Why am I talking about this here on a photography website? I have a couple reasons, When I get to feeling like I am overwhelmed with business and work I tend to focus on something new and different and creative to add to my portfolio. Most recently that was my “in bloom” sessions that I offered with the collaboration of Village Bloom & Boutique in Lewisburg. Together we planned, built and photographed an amazing set. Sometimes others don’t alway see the vision and it doesn’t go over like I envision it to, but that’s okay because I still got to do something out of the ordinary that I love. This time only a handful of people jumped on the sessions and I am really okay with that because it wasn’t overwhelming during an already busy season, but the creative outlet it gave me was what I needed at the time to fill that cup just a little bit.

The other reason I am talking about this is because through one of these sessions I saw someone else’s cup get filled too. This beautiful woman and I had been talking about this session for a little while now and when she told me her idea I knew we could run with it. She is mom to a toddler and sometimes as a mom we forget that we are anything else. The same can be said for you job, we forget that we aren’t just a nurse, teacher, lawyer, whatever it may be. Those things become our identity and we need to do realize we are more than just that one thing. We need to step back and do something for ourselves, get your hair or nails done, go shopping for a new outfit, or a fun photo shoot! So throughout this process I watched my clients cup fill a little. I helped her do something for herself. I helped her feel pretty. I helped her be something more than a mom for a few minutes. I helped her fill her cup, and it filled my own at the same time.

This has sparked a new interest for me, and a renewed passion. I want to help you feel pretty, to fill you cup, to find yourself. There are so many ways we can do that, and I am here for it.

Random musing of the photographer are what you signed up for when you found this blog, and that is just what you got.

The new internet home of Paisley Perfect Photography

Hey everyone! Welcome to the new internet home of PPP! My name is Mandy, I’m the one behind the camera, the one answering your emails and calls, and now the one designing a website.

When I started Paisley Perfect Photography I knew I was in for an adventure. I thought at first it would be easy, I would be able to take photos all day and do all the things I love. For the first few years when I was just “playing” with having a business that is how it was.. As our kids got older and I had a little more time to pursue this dream I started getting busier and busier. Then in 2018 I opened my first studio, took my business to the next level and it became a much larger venture. It has been exciting, busy. scary at times and always rewarding. I have since learned that only about 10% of owning a photography business is actually taking photos. The rest is scheduling, office work, book keeping, advertising, editing and now I can add web design. Staff meetings mean I’m talking to myself, but most of the time I get a lot accomplished! Sometimes I hate my boss and sometimes I love her, it’s just the way it goes!

This website started as a small little project that I thought I would accomplish in an afternoon. Here we are more than a week later and it is still a work in progress. When I am done the new website will direct you to booking a session, your client galleries will be housed in a more secure location and the only way they will be accessible is with your personal link. You may share that link as you wish, but it will not be out on a public space any longer. This new blog I hope to use to keep up to date work out for everyone to enjoy. There are some kinks I am sure I need to work out, but it is all a learning curve. So, if you are one of my loyal clients, I thank you, I couldn’t do this without you. If you are new to PPP and the website, welcome, I am glad to have you here! Leave a comment below and let me know you’re here. Click the links and follow me on socials, send me a message and lets get to know each other, and if you are in need of a photographer, I’m your girl! If you love the new website, or if you think there is something I need to work on, let me know.