Hard work is rewarded with more work : time for a time out in Big Bear

The search is still on to add an associate to my team! I'm taking applications for the next two weeks and then I'll start meeting up with people. So, check out my post here and e-mail me if you are interested! I am a worker bee, always have been. I constantly feel the need to be growing, moving, creating, learning... I don't like having an idle brain. It's said that hard work is rewarded with more work and that has never been more true for me. My business is flourishing and it seems the harder I work the less I am physically able to decompress. I'll be honest and say that I don't sleep well. To-do lists and ideas for the future constantly run through my head until I either get up and take care of something or pop a Tylonol PM (don't judge) . I rarely watch TV without photoshop open on my laptop and drive Tim mad responding to client e-mails from our Sunday morning coffee spot. The concept of "coming home from work" doesn't exist for me. That moment when you walk through the door, throw your purse down, kick your shoes off, and ahhhhhhh you're home? Nope, rarely. Or the feeling of Friday? Oh to feel that again! The end of a productive week and now I can relax and bbq and hang out with friends and stay up late.... Nope, rarely. Fridays only mean the end of 5 valuable work days (that, dang it, I should have used more efficiently!) and the beginning of two shooting or meeting days. It never ends, it's a vicious cycle of work and more work. Obviously, we business owners and photographers love our jobs to death. I couldn't be luckier and more thankful for the abundance of people who allow me to do what I love and make money doing it- but man, some days don't we all need to call our boss and say, "I'm taking a personal day for no reason at all."

I kept my goal list for 2011 short- 5 items only. See number 5?

I'm still working on the schedule part but taking back my life is in full swing. I am not a slave to this business - there are no shackles on me. I am my boss so I make the rules and if I need an afternoon to peruse Anthropologie sale racks every once and awhile- I'm taking it! (by the way.... BHLDN???) Two weeks ago I spent 4 days and 3 nights with 11 other female wedding and portrait photographers in a cozy cabin in Big Bear. When I lived in Los Angeles me and a few of these gals used to occasionally grab brunch and chat photography and other stuff over mimosas and waffles.  Last summer Amanda and Mary were dying to get out to The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and sent out an e-mail to a bunch of us seeing if anyone wanted to join. I was in full wedding planning stress mode and couldn't take a week away from work (surprise surprise) but most of the other girls were able to make it and the rest is history! This trip, 11 out of the original 13 shacked up in a cabin, took pictures, danced, played pool, ate a lot, drank a lot , and most importantly laughed a lot. Our relationships with each other have gone way past photography now and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life.

We are Amanda, Ala, Adrienne, Diandra, Gladys, Heidi, Heather, Meg, Megan, & Mary ( Ashley and  Jackie too! A just had a baby and J is expecting soon so they sat this one out. )

LANE : Summer Days shoot

So- I hate popularity contests. Hate 'em. But I think we're the best- considering Yelena and I created this entire summer themed shoot for the Australian fashion magazine The LANE in the pouring rain! Props to our model, and my best friend, Aubrey for not only walking around in wet grass but for laying in it... while rain fell into her face, and for looking positively gorgeous while doing it! If you feel like donating 30 seconds to little ol' me ... click on the image below and vote for #3? Pretty please with a cherry on top? More pretty images and some inside info on the headband from this shoot below!

If you like Aubrey's headband, make one! I used an old headband I had lying around, fresh flowers, and a glue gun. It made the most lovely crown- I wish I would have made one for our wedding!

This "crown" fell off of the bottom of a vase Yelena had and, remembering the always amazing Elizabeth Messina's crown portraits, I snagged it and did a quick one of Aubs. I think she looks positively regal. :)

Holiday Gallery Re-Release + bumble ink promo

The holidays are quickly approaching! Just a quick announcement to all 2010 Meg Perotti clients! (and families and friends of these clients...... ;) ) All wedding, portrait, and family session galleries have been released through January 1, 2011 for those prints you totally meant to order 6 months ago but now would *really* like to have to give as gifts! As an added bonus and a holiday gift to you, we'll cover the shipping! The cut off to receive prints before Christmas is DECEMBER 13th. NO EXCEPTIONS. Production is officially on Holiday break on the 14th so all orders received after that date will be processed in 2011.

ALSO!

I am super excited to also say that I've teamed up with BumbleInk to offer you guys a discount on their holiday cards! They've provided us with a promo code for 15% off of the entire site to give to you that will be valid until December 31, 2010. If you see anything you like on the site (how could you not??) shoot me an email and I'll get you hooked up!

This is a favorite of mine :).. I also really love the postcard options!

Some info on them:

bumble ink is a San Francisco/Bay Area based stationery company featuring products with modern designs, clever characters, and fresh humor.  Our cards are printed with veggie based inks on heavy cover stock containing post consumer recycled content with a 100% recycled envelope sealed in a biodegradable corn based clear bag. Our brand new photocards are digitally printed on FSC certified 100% recycled white heavy-weight card stock. Customers can upload their favorite photo(s) and personalize their greetings. We also offer the option of creating a form letter or message on the back of each card. We can also turn any color photograph to black and white.

And a little wedding happiness to close out this business-related post :)