It has been an amazing journey and I am so happy to have taken it with you all behind me. I haven’t decided what to do with my website or Facebook account, so for now they will stay up. Thanks for everything you all have done for me over the years.

There will be no portrait photos in this post.  This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago.  I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now.  It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive.  If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

July 2nd, 2011

Jeanine - 

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons.  I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind.  I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby.  I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family.  After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you..  Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session.  Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip.  This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things.  My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor.  It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly.  I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice.  It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat. 

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me.  The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them.  Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it.  If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth.  I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos.  I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

Gratefully Yours,

Stacy

First, my husband and I will welcome our 3rd child into the world in the Summer. We are super excited about another baby and the fact that it will be a warm month. My other two are October and December babies. Chilly and Cold! Since I love sharing ultrasound photos, I will be sharing them with you. Why not? Children are miracles and I love mine. God truly has blessed me in many ways and this is just another blessing.

Next, I am a Christian. Over the years I have honestly avoided putting anything religious on here. I don’t plan on preaching or over whelming this space with that, but I wanted it to be known that I will occasionally write about God on here in reference to my life.

Lastly, the year 2011 brought us to Columbus, Georgia for a temporary move. I knew from the beginning that it wouldn’t be permanent that is why I really didn’t push my business here. Savannah clients kept me busy and I love you all for that. 2012 is moving us again. In June, I will return to Savannah to prepare for the birth of the baby. We will hang out there for a few months as we build our new house in MIAMI. You read that right! My husband is separating from the military and will be back in the civilian world. Crazy eh? By the time he will actually sign out for the last time, he will have given 12 years to the U.S. Army as a Ranger. His entire military career was spent in 75th Ranger Regiment. The first 10.5 years were in 1st Ranger Battalion located at Hunter Army Airfield (Savannah, Ga). The last 1.5 years (ish) were here at 75th Regimental Special Troops Battalion located at Fort Benning (Columbus, Ga). It has been a fun ride over the years and I will miss our Special Operations community (since it is truly the only way of life I know).

Where do I go from here? I am ready to move on. I will continue to work here and in Savannah. After the house is ready, we will move to Miami and I will officially start working there. Miami is gorgeous and the weather is beautiful. I am ready to head down there soon and meet with the real estate agents and of course show off the bump that is starting to grow!

Thanks for everything you have given me over the years. I look forward to growing even more as a person and a photographer. Please stay along with me on the ride and you will not be let down.

Gratefully yours,

Stacy