San Antonio Photographer, Children and Families-moxie photography studio

too tired to be witty!

On the verge of being a mom for the 4th and 5th time, I have a few insights! Maybe better categorized as observations, or experiences or well just my 2 sense.  First of all I would love to write a book called...Every child is different, or You have to do what works for you, or maybe even...Parenting for your lifestyle type (ok...I took that one from "eating for your blood type!).  But really hear is the skinny.

1. You have to parent for your lifestyle. I am not a rigid person, so those certain books out their that put you on a strict schedule are not for me. 
2. We really try to read the "cues" of each child. 
3. I don't believe that you should schedule feed your child, or limit their intake.  Unless maybe they are like my chowhounds and eat up to 40oz by the time they are 6 weeks.  So what to do?  Common sense...we put oatmeal in their bottle.  They where not getting satisfied and eating that much made the reflux much worse.  BTW...they are far from obese...in fact devin is so thin now...we are trying to find ways to "beef" him up!
4. Formula does not make them fat.  I was led to believe that breastfeeding  reduced that chance...and Yes I BF...but I will tell you that while I BF'd they were the chubbiest! And Again, I will not kill myself because "breast is the best."  I will attempt again to BF and if it doesn't work...well thats the way the ball bounces.
5. Sleep.  RARELY do babies sleep through the night before 12 weeks.  So don't kill yourself, thinking they will.  Sleep is one of the single most important things to me!  But I realize their is a time when they are ready and for my kids that was between 12-14 weeks.  And here is when I become rigid.  If they start sleeping through the night on a reg. basis...I do not get up and feed them in the middle of the night...no way jose!  The only time we cave is when nothing else works to sooth them. 

HERE IS FUNNY THINGS about HOW I got our kids to sleep through the night!

1. Grace...Slept on tummy.  The back to sleep campaign did not work for us b/c she had silent reflux and would choke. She once aspirated...so she was put on a sleep apnea monitor and we put her to bed on her tummy.   By 6 months she was off and all was great.
2. DEVIN...he would sleep long periods in our bed, but not in his?  hmmm....we finally wondered if it was our sheets.  So like the crazy people we are, we found 600+count sheets put them on his crib and there you go...he slept away.  Whenever on a trip...the one thing we never forgot...the SHEETS!!
3. ROWAN...BLANKETS...he liked it "cushy"  and I still never get over that SIDS fear, but we took his magic bed (fisher price rocknsomething) and put baby giraffe blankets under him.  He couldn't roll over and he was swaddled a lot of the time...so their really was no risk.

So the point of this is not to say don't follow the recs from your Ped  but to say sometimes common sense can win out.

OK so my last rant is Pacifiers.  Baby's natural instinct is to suckle.  Please do not get confused... I personally do not believe that they will get nipple confusion from them.  They figure out really quick were the meal comes from!

I can't leave without posting a picture!  Good night!

So get your Violins out!!!

Really for me being pregnant is the HARDEST thing ever.  (I know...you are like...then why do you keep getting pregnant!)  Luckily,for sure these are the last babies!  I can't wait till they day they get here, not only to see them, but to get back to my normal self.  So this post really isn't about me whining (well, ok...it is)...but I am often asked for advice on the business side or how I do it (whatever that is). 

For the most part my job is the most fulfilling thing I do besides raise the kids.  But there is another side to it...that isn't always so pretty and that is the business side.  All working mommies, especially those who own a business feel my pain.  Torn in two different directions and each can equally be important at any given time. 

For me it becomes harder because we don't have family here.  So I could be on an all day commercial shoot, someone gets sick or hurt and my husband is busy at his job...it then becomes a struggle to figure out, who is going to take over.

I have always hated being labeled a "mom" photographer by some. Because like others I know...we are far from that, we are 100% business owners/photographers.  But on the flip side I do get to make my own schedule most of the time, which lets me be flexible for the kids.  That is definitely a PRO!

I have worked very had to be respected by those in the commercial community and although I have mostly ventured in the Portrait world the past few years, I continually try to uphold the standards of whatever industry I am in.  Which in this case means...not giving away your work

A CON, would be the legal and accounting aspects.  Yes I should have consistent bookkepper besides myself.  But usually I am so anal, that I have already prepared the documents in such a way that I've done the bookkeepers job.  NOTE TO SELF:  let go of the small stuff! 

Then there is legal/Ins/Tax crap.  Do you have adequate insurance...well you better b/c you can get sued at any given time.  ITs not just about having hazard insurance.  Do you have access to an attorney for business matters?  Because I now realize first hand all the I's and all the T's must be crossed and dotted.  PEOPLE will try and take advantage of you.  THIS is the part of the business I don't like. Plus, there are some really crazy people out there that will do or say anything.

So, if you are reading this and consider yourself or are considering being "professional,"  consider this, are you really a legit business?  I almost Question what it is to be considered, "professional," anymore.  I barely call myself professional.  My mentors and counterparts that I respect are in some ways light years ahead of me.  Maybe not in the "baby" world, but in overall photography...Lets just say I still have a ways to go to be where I want to be.

So all that said...although my job may look uber glamourous at times, and for the most part it is super great...there is a whole other side that aspiring photographers need to consider.

So what really was the point of this whole "poor me" rant!?  Well, just to say, that I 100% admit that my life is not easy.  Would I trade it?  Somedays yes, most days...no? 

The photo Class UPDATE...

Sunday Class is Full....Still Room in our Get that shot class....on Saturday Jan 14th  10-12:30.

Go here to register:

http://moxiephotostudio.shootproof.com/event/19830

The photo Class UPDATE... Sunday Class is Full....Still Room in our Get that shot class....on Saturday Jan 14th 10-12:30.

Go here to register:

http://moxiephotostudio.shootproof.com/event/19830

I heart you Session (mini valentines)

So...this holiday you can thank Stephanie Girling for wanting me to do a valentines session.  Or you can thank my lack of doing any goodie bags for my kids holiday outings in the fall.  So every year I pull out all the stops for Valentines day.  I used to think my V'tines where the bomb, until I got on Pinterest, which I now have a total addiction to.  Six months ago Leslie invited me and I did nothing with it.  But because these days I have no choice but to have "down" time...I torture myself with ideas that I can't do right now, Like a total remodel of my house, building of cool bunkbed for the boys, and creating all kinds of cool things! [ok, back to the v'intes session info!]

So...I have a set idea...Mario doesn't really know this, but he is going to have to help me pull of the set design.  AND here are the rest of the details:

VALENTINES mini-session.

1. I hate disclaimers...especially b/c my great customers never take advantage, but lately we have had some new inquiries who want to use these type sessions to get family photos done or something other than what we are offering...so I have to say...this is FOR VALENTINES...please dress your child appropriate, no family shots for this one. [thank god we don't have to worry about the santa fear!]
2. Our set will be Valentines Colors ( we will incorporate something for boys)
3. Dates are  Jan 9th from 10-2  or Jan10-12 (9:30-6)
4. Location:  12403 Wetmore  Ste 103  San Antonio, TX  78247
5. Session:  15-20 min
6. Packages:  1 digital image for $89  5 digital images for $129.

You can go here to book: 

Book your Valentines Session HERE!

The Photo Class!

Finally now that I have a teeny, tiny bit of down time...I have the Photo Class website up and 2 dates announced.  I will be adding classes and dates during the next week weeks, but likely they will only be this month and will resume again, in April.  We anticipate the arrival of the twins in March, but I have a feeling I won't be moving much in Feb!

So just a little tidbit about my classes...these are intense...yes I am usually seen as highly creative, but what surprises most of my counterparts is that I can be highly technical.  It really takes both to get a great shot.  I have divided my one class into two...one for the person who is a more technical learner and the other for the more aesthetic learner.  But be forwarned, we do have a ton of fun!

Here is the website link:

Moxie Photo Class Website

Here are the quick details:

Jan 14th  10 a.m.-12 p.m.  Q&A 12-12:30

Get that Shot!  This class is meant for the more TECHNICAL person.  We will be mastering the basics which include, Aperture, Shutter, White balance, and ISO.  This is not just a discussion class, but a hands on "using your camera" class.  Although meant for SLR users, Anyone who has a camera that can be manually set will benefit from the class.  2.5 hours/$179

Jan 15th 10 a.m.-12 p.m.  FULL

Using your digital SLR:  Do you own a digital SLR and don't know how to use it?  This is the Perfect Class for you.  We will go over the popular camera models and discuss the different shooting modes, as well as ISO, white balance and other setting on your camera important to getting a great shot. You will need to bring your camera 2 hours/$149  includes membership to private facebook group to include more tips and assignments to master your camera

One more quick image...

Oh how I love holidays!  I know this image is... "a day late and dollar short,"  but I had to share            

Giving the neglected blog some love

We are doing a bunch of updates to the site, etc.  I hate that everyone who is not on facebook can't see the recent work.  I am sure once I am bedridden...the blog will get more love!  But for now...who can resist this cutie.