Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

My blogging patterns left a lot to be desired in 2016. I was gosh darn terrible at it. I'm so sorry. Goal for 2017? Get it together, Holly. Ha!

As I sit here... and if I'm being honest, feeling kinda sorry for myself (I have a nasty, NASTY headcold, pink eye in both eyes, the sorest throat of life, haven't showered in days, company here from Ottawa and I don't feel well enough to do anything or entertain them... SHEEEEESH) and feeling all kinds of regret for what I didn't get done in 2016:

- lose weight
- get a walk in every day
- blog all of my weddings & sessions
- update sample albums
- update branding, new logo
- update USBs with previously mentioned new branding
- learn something new photography-related
- take a J&M lighting course
- update my hair/style
- eat less/eat less junk
- get a massage
- get more sleep

I have to remind myself that 2016 was still a good year. I have an amazing family, a husband who loves me and would do anything for me, my kids are all healthy and well and happy. They've all got great teachers this year and are doing well in school. Mom & dad are healthy and doing great, Joe's folks too. My business kind of thrived this year. Lots of wonderful feedback from clients. Client care really took off for my business this year. I got all of my weddings and edits done and back to couples & families in time for the holidays (which is a 1st for me! It was all done before Dec 1st!). At the beginning of the year, I did a 40th birthday shoot with Chera Yorke as a present to myself. We drove to Ottawa to visit Heather & Steve on our vacation. I finally got into physio for my ankle. It was a big Grand Opening year for our Church, which we are thrilled to be a part of, etc etc...

And God is Good. He always has been and is and always will be. This song by Housefires has been a fave of mine all year. Such a powerful reminder that God can be trusted, and He's a good, good Father to me.

 

So I'm not going to make a list of goals and things I want to accomplish by the end of 2017 (ackkkkk, 2017. SEVENTEEN. That's a magazine, not a year. ha!).

Instead, I'm choosing a word.

My word for 2017 is BEYOND. Going beyond whatever I thought was possible. In business, motherhood, relationships, creativity. All of it.

This is my prayer.

Ephesians 3:14-21,
"...when I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely (BEYOND) more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever. Amen."


That's it. That's my last post of 2016. I think it's a good one.

Be blessed, friends. The happiest of New Years from me to you.

#2014BLOG2015 CHALLENGE!

saw this awhile back on jamie delaine's blog and thought - hey now! you haven't done that yet! ;) so TODAY'S THE DAY! ha!

i've enjoyed a most amazing year - both personally & professionally! excited to work through these questions and renew & challenge myself for 2015! thanks for this, jamie!

LOOK BACK
what are you most proud of this year?
i'm proud of the way our party of FIVE has managed to have a supper meal together each night. not easy, but easier now that the kids are young. :) i'm hopeful we can continue this!

what was the biggest risk you took?
i would have to say traveling by myself out to lydia & jesse's wedding out in alberta. ha! for a maritime girl who has NEVER traveled alone - i think i did pretty well! definitely caught the travel bug - would LOVE to do more! :)

what did you learn this year?
what did i ATTEMPT? and am CONTINUING to learn? haha. that would be off-camera flash. this will be on my list. ALWAYS.

what do you wish you had made more time for?
i wish i had made more time for relaxing and just 'being'. and running. i LOVED running and did really well at the beginning of the year...but fell of track when wedding season hit. a 2015 goal, perhaps? ;)

what are 3 highlights (business or personal) of your year?
1. celebrating 15 years as joe's wife!
2. shooting 10 amazing weddings with 10 incredible couples (which included more traveling than i've ever done before...  alberta, northern new brunswick, nova scotia...). Yayyyy!
3. our summer vacation on PEI! always a highlight - and, smack dab in the middle of wedding season, i'm proud that we pulled it off!

LOOK FORWARD
what “word” do you want to define 2015?
STRONG.

what are 3 big goals (business or personal) for 2015? 
1. to refresh my brand - with a new logo, website/blog, marketing materials, etc. including custom HOLLYHOWEphotography USBs! DVDs have become obsolete.
2. to outsource more! i did this with my album design (to Align Album Design) in 2014, but i think that in 2015, i need to outsource a good chunk of my editing!
3. to blog more. more specifically, to blog weddings and sessions more frequently. like, for instance, i still have almost ALL of my 2014 weddings to blog. :( boo me. i promise to be better this year. :)
...and i think i'll keep going. ;)
4. to lose a significant amount of weight by the time i turn 40! (which is NEXT january!) Eeeeeeep! not putting a number on it...  i just want/need to be healthier. :)
5. to be in bed by 10pm.

what do you want to stop doing in 2015?
i want/need to stop all the negative self-talk. :) i am worthy of a better life and lifestyle. and then on the flipside of that, to not be lazy and to WANT to make some changes.

what things excite you about the upcoming year?
i'm excited about...
1. possibly attending a workshop/photographer retreat!
2. possibly vacationing to NF again this summer! we went 3 summers ago and vowed to go back as soon as we could! (joe's sister and her family are there!). Oh! and seeing some icebergs for the first-time ever! :)
3. all the weddings i've booked so far for 2015! it's gonna be a GRAND year! :D

what do you want to learn in 2015? 
to say NO and not feel badly... haha. had to put that there.

peace out, 2014!
2015, i look forward to YOU!!

--H

It's December 1st! Time for Some Giveaways!!

Christmas is a time for giving so get ready for the 3rd annual December of Christmas Giveaways! (haha! couldn't i come up with a better title?!) ;)

It's all happening on my Facebook page! Be sure to get in on all the fun! :D

...and because this made me BAWL my eyes out earlier this morning... ;)

Happy Monday! :D

a 2012 review and looking ahead to 2013!

Hey friends!  Happy Monday!!

Taking the time today to look back on 2012 and see how I did with my '12 in 2012'.  (GAHHHH!  Does this mean that I have to have a '13 in 2013'?!  Better get on this PRONTO!)  ;D


2012 goals:


1 - shoot between 10-12 weddings this year and second-shoot for at least one (if time & family allow me to!)   COMPLETED!!!  I shot 12 weddings last season, between the months of april-oct and it was perfect.  I also shot second for Christine D. in December!  Soooooo much fun!

2 - find good...no, AMAZING light for each shoot.  and master on- & off-camera flash.  I really feel like my photography skills improved MAJORLY this year...  I strive to find the best.light.possible for each and every session I take on.  I also feel like I improved quite a bit on my on-camera flash (dark churches and halls continue to scare me, but I go into them feeling much more ready to take them on!)  Off-camera flash...  yes, I need to delve deeper and make some more investments (both in time and gear!) to really get to the next level!

3 - blog more.  Hmmm....  Looking at the overall, it says that I blogged LESS than I did last year.  Boo me.  It may have some to do with the fact that I now do MOST of my 'sneak peeking' on my Facebook page.  Yeah, that's it.  :)

4 - improve my workflow and the time in which i give my clients their images.  This is getting better.  Lightroom is amazing for workflow...  I can cull and edit a session (weddings take longer, obviously) in really good time.

5 - prioritize family time on weekends.  so, i'm really going to stick to this rule: if i'm shooting on a saturday (which, let's face it, happens a LOT during wedding season!), my sunday is completely free for my family...and vice versa.  :)  my life/work balance needs an overhaul.  ;D  With a few exceptions, I did well sticking to this plan.  Yes, family time is important.  :D

6 - do a personal photo project for 2012.  i think i'm going to do a '2x12months' of joe & i.  :D  (thank you to everybody who offered feedback on my Facebook page!  stay tuned for january's 2x12 in a future post!)  COMPLETED!!!  The 2x12s wrapped in the previous post!  You can find them HERE!

7 - improve my work space.  :)  (...with even the smallest improvement/clean-up/purge, i'd be thrilled.)  My office space continues to be my nemesis.  GAHHH. 

8 - hire a photog for my own family shoot.  this is a MUST for this summer.  Sadly, never got around to this.  Gotta quit with the excuses and just get 'er done!  ;D 

9 - be more positive and resist the urge MORE to compare myself with others.  I feel I did pretty well with this.  It gets hard when, as the admin, you see the stats on your Facebook page...  the involvement and interest in your page going up and down...  but, I guess, it comes with the territory! 

10 - invest in a macro lens or (finances permitting!) additional lighting gear.  It's not a macro lens but I now have a set of Kenko 'extension tubes'.  They seem to be doing the trick!

11 - go for more walks.  (i know i should do it but i often don't because i feel i don't have the time.  i KNOW i need to make time for some good exercise.  the rewards would be great - i'll probably get more work done, have more energy for my family, have fewer headaches & stress...and sleep a whole lot better!)  Hmmmm...  I started out great...  got a pair of great sneakers, did the treadmill for a few months, joined weight watchers and lost 20+ lbs...  I NEED to keep my head in the game.  I get distracted and discouraged too easily.

12 - participate in this at my church and continue my commitment to read my Bible everyday.  COMPLETED!!!  40 Days in the Word was amazing...and I learned a LOT.  How to read my Bible, how to memorize Scripture... what method of learning and memorization is best for me...  so many great things taken from this course!  :D

OK.  Now.  Here is my '13 in 2013' list.  Some are personal, most of them are work-related...  ALL of them are important to me.  I'm going more 'specific' this year, in an attempt to get more done.  To be more goal-oriented and discerning.  And they're not reserved to just THIS year, but I'm going to try to stay on track and (hopefully!) meet them!  Here goes!


1 - shoot between 12-15 weddings.

2 - second shoot more weddings!  Any photogs out there want a second shooter, CALL me!!!  :D

3 - go on a date with my husband at least 1x/month!
 
4 - track my expenses on a more regular basis!

5 - grow closer to Christ by being fully-invested in a Beth Moore study this winter...  we're doing James: Mercy Triumphs.  It's amazingly good so far...  includes lots of homework and memory work.

6 - do a styled shoot.

7 - laugh more!

8 - invest in a few more pieces of gear: either purchasing the 24-70 2.8L OR upgrading to the 50 1.2L (leaning towards the 50 1.2);  upgrade my on-camera flash to a 580EX II speedlite; purchase an off-camera flash setup (softbox, etc.)

9 - be less critical of myself and my work.

10 - do more networking and connecting with other photographers!  Plans are already in the works to do a photo walk with another photog in Moncton.  Yayyyyy!

11 - improve my custom packaging and adding custom USBs this year!

12 - do a '5x12' project.  And yes, embrace the tripod.  Ha!

13 - attend a photography workshop.

As I look back on the past year, I am so thankful for everyone I got to cross paths with!!!

...to my brides & grooms of 2012: Angela & Kris, Patricia & Jeremy, Lacey & Ryan, Jessica & Brad, Tiffany & Curtis, Kayla & Jesse, Sheena & Mark, Melanie & Justin, France & Todd, Lauren & Tommy, Jessica & Ryan and Laura & Stephen -- thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for hiring me as your wedding photographer!!!! I am BLESSED to call you my friends!!!  XO.

...to all my 2012 portrait clients: engaged couples, families, mamas-to-be, babies, grads...  Thank you for your encouragement and more importantly, your trust.  It's my prayer that the moments we captured will be treasures in your home for many, many years to come.  :D  XO.

...to Christine Donovan.  Thank you for being an incredible friend and colleague!  I can't wait to work with you again in 2013!!  XO.

...to my precious family: Joe, Jacob, Robyn & Josiah.  I love you more than words can express.  XO.

...to my Saviour, Jesus.  may my life forever be a reflection of You (Psalm 19:14).

--H

hello 2013.

happy new year, friends!!!  i've been MIA on the blog here these days...  been enjoying all that the season means to me with the people i love the most.  :)  hope you're okay with that.  ;)

i just wanted to drop in on this first day of 2013 to say hello.  and hello to 2013.  ;)  and to say that i'm incredibly grateful for the work i was able to do this year.  i got to meet and photograph some pretty amazing people...  dear couples who became dear friends, precious families, glowing mamas-to-be, fresh-as-can-be babes...  GAHHHHHHH.  i still, to this day, can't believe that i get to do THIS for a living...  overwhelmed, each and every day, with joy and complete satisfaction.....  all thanks to YOU.

i'll be working on catching up with MANY blog posts to close off 2012.



- my wedding faves from 2012
- my engagement faves from 2012
- my favourite frames from some of the 50+ portrait sessions i got to shoot in 2012 --new this year!
- my favourite IGs (instagrams - if you're not following me already, look me up!  i'm 'hollyhowe'!)  --new this year!  always lots of pictures from our everyday shenanigans!!  ;D
- the last 2x12 for the year!  (ahhhhh...how joe's relieved with that one!)  ;)  ...and a look back on all the 2x12s of 2012
- lots of december sessions (that were Christmas presents, so i couldn't share...until now!)  :D


and.......


- my goals and dreams for 2013!!!!


thanks for following along, and believing in HOLLYHOWEphotography!!  can't wait for all that 2013 holds - both personally and professionally!!!

blessings and love!


--H

i'm at 10!!!

i just wanted to follow up my comment on my Facebook page (which if you are not a fan already...what's stopping you?!)  ;D  ...you get special updates over there almost everyday and you never know WHAT i'll spring on you!  ;)  so go on over there and 'like' HOLLYHOWEphotography!  :D  k.  i'm done.

;)

one of my 2012 goals was to book 10-12 weddings for the year...and as of now, i'm at 10 weddings!!!!!  yayyyy!!!!  :D  that being said, i would DEFINITELY take on 1 or 2 more, especially if you were looking to book in october or november.  (my wedding season is heavily concentrated in may-july this year...  funny how it differs from year to year...).

a couple of questions of late:

- i've had a few inquiries as to why i'm not taking any more than 10-12 weddings...
:)  i would LOVE to take on more but i think for the balance & pace of my own life, this is for me.  joe is very supportive of this dream and my kids are amazing about sharing mommy with her camera...but, when i'm able to...i want to have as much family & vacation time as i possibly can!  my own brood is growing up waaaaaaay too fast and i don't want to be missing out on them!  :)  (sniffffff!  hooboy....that got me started.  yeah.  i'm an emotional girl.)  :)  anyhoo...if and when i get to that magic #12 and you then you come to me (being #13) inquiring and wanting to book me as your wedding photographer....and i have to turn you down...  :(((  i'm so sorry!  but my family comes first.  thank you for your understanding.  :)

- also, i've been asked if this means that i'm closed to portrait sessions in the spring/summer...
no.  i am still taking portrait bookings and would happily shoot your family, maternity, engagements, babies...  you name it.  :D  (woooo!)

ahhhhh...i'm so excited!!!  :D  thank you to all of my 2012 brides & grooms!!!!!  you cannot imagine how thrilled i am that you chose me to document THE MOST important and amazing day of your life!  wow.  i'm honoured and humbled.  :D  (EEEEEEEK!!!!  so exciting!!!)

[from saturday's roadtrip with friends to uptown saint john.]


happy monday, everybody!!!  :D

a review of 2011 and a look ahead at 2012.

WARNING: long post ahead, but worth it for me.  helpful and very therapeutic.  :D


i've been wanting to write this post for awhile.  to reminisce and reflect on God's amazing goodness to me and my business.  but haven't had a chance yet, with that little christmas break we've had (ahhhhhh...heavenly!) and the kids home (phewf!  what a busy bunch!).

as i look back on 2011, i've got to address my '11 in 2011'...  hmmm.  let's see how i did.  :D

1 - developing and launching a new logo -- yayyyy!!  this was complete earlier last year with the help of my friend, carla.  she did a great job and i'm THRILLED with my logo.  i don't see it changing for quite some time!  :D

2 - further enhancing my 'brand' and the experience i offer my clients -- i hope i did well on this.  only my clients can answer it, i guess.  my goal with each session is to make my clients feel relaxed and treasured; to tell a story by focusing on their relationships and to give the best of my creativity & heart at each and every shoot.  :D

3 - launching a new blog & website -- yayyyyyy!  this, too, was done at the beginning of last year...thanks, too, to another friend of mine, joel.  :D  i decided early on to make this a 'BLOGSITE' - both a blog and website - to have everything in one spot!  joel has done an amazing job, making the site easy to navigate and easy for me to upkeep!  :D thanks so much, carla & joel!!!

4 - reading more and getting even more acquainted with my camera and gear -- i read a BUNCH last year.  lots of blogs, forums, books/manuals/magazines.

an invaluable read was 'understanding exposure: how to shoot great photographs with any camera' by bryan peterson.  i absolutely gobbled that puppy up.

...and a magazine that came out in late 2011 was jasmine star's 'EXPOSED'.  j* is an industry great and i've been a follower of her blog for 3+ years.  her first mag is chock full of insights and stories of the falls/tumbles she's had along her photography journey.  i LOVE how real she is.

seriously.  look how thick it is!  sooooo good!

5 - renovating my home 'office', making it inviting as a meeting spot for clients and just making it inviting for me to come to work everyday. ;)  -- yeah.  this didn't get touched in 2011.  boo me.  :(  hope to get to this in 2012.  :D  i'm grateful that my couples are just as happy to meet at a coffee shop!  :D

6 - investing in a macro lens  -- yeah.  this didn't get touched either.  but i needed this more.  :D

7 - investigating the offering of prints to my clients (currently i give clients their images on a DVD)  -- nope.  didn't touch this.

8 - getting healthy -- well, i WAS doing well with this....by the end of the summer, i had lost 26lbs.  :)  ...but the holidays were NOT good to me, so i'm back on the train.  :)  goal for 2012?!  i think so!

9 - spending more time with my kids individually -- this will be an ONGOING goal for me.  the kids are growing up so fast!!!  jacob will be NINE this month!!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!!

10 - spending more time with joe -- again, an ONGOING goal.  didn't necessarily get to the 'date nights' but we DID get away for our anniversary weekend.  i think.  or was that 2 years ago?!  i can't remember.  note to self: get out with hubby.  ;)

11 - spending more time with the One who created me -- ONGOING, ONGOING, ONGOING....  :D  i'm not a reader but i KNOW that this is non-negotiable.  spending some 'alone time' with God - praying and reading His Word and getting to know my Saviour, Jesus...better & better!


hmmm...  i think i'm ready to talk about 2012 goals.  ya ready to hear them?!  making it a '12 in 2012'!!  here. we. gooooooooo!!!!!



2012 goals:

1 - shoot between 10-12 weddings this year and second-shoot for at least one (if time & family allow me to!)

2 - find good...no, AMAZING light for each shoot.  and master on- & off-camera flash.

3 - blog more.

4 - improve my workflow and the time in which i give my clients their images.

5 - prioritize family time on weekends.  so, i'm really going to stick to this rule: if i'm shooting on a saturday (which, let's face it, happens a LOT during wedding season!), my sunday is completely free for my family...and vice versa.  :)  my life/work balance needs an overhaul.  ;D

6 - do a personal photo project for 2012.  i think i'm going to do a '2x12months' of joe & i.  :D  (thank you to everybody who offered feedback on my Facebook page!  stay tuned for january's 2x12 in a future post!)

7 - improve my work space.  :)  (...with even the smallest improvement/clean-up/purge, i'd be thrilled.)

8 - hire a photog for my own family shoot.  this is a MUST for this summer.

9 - be more positive and resist the urge MORE to compare myself with others.

10 - invest in a macro lens or (finances permitting!) additional lighting gear.

11 - go for more walks.  (i know i should do it but i often don't because i feel i don't have the time.  i KNOW i need to make time for some good exercise.  the rewards would be great - i'll probably get more work done, have more energy for my family, have fewer headaches & stress...and sleep a whole lot better!)

12 - participate in this at my church and continue my commitment to read my Bible everyday.

as i look back on 2011...  i am sooooooooooo incredibly grateful to all the dear folk i got to work with last year!!!!

...to my 'group of 7'.  my brides & grooms -- jill & evan, cheryl & justin, jason & emily, julie & dan, lindsey & mike, megan & denis and jen & dennis -- thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for hiring me as your wedding photographer!  i count it a privilege to have taken this journey with you.  from the consultation to gettin' comfy with each other with the engagement session to walking with you on your wedding day to delivering your images to you...  GAHHHH!!!  what a year i've had!  i'm blessed to call you my friends!!!

...to all my engaged couples from 2012, whom i shot your engagement sessions last year -- awwwwww yeah!!!!!  can't wait to shoot your weddings!!!  (you have to know...  couples are my absolute FAVOURITE and i LOVED each of your sessions so much!!  can't wait to shoot your weddings!)  :D

...to ALL the amazing people i got to shoot portraits for in 2011.  (i just counted...  i shot 63 portrait sessions, NOT including weddings!!  wowwwww me!!!)  thank you so much for entrusting your precious memories to HOLLYHOWEphotography!!!  it's my prayer that the moments i captured for you will be treasures in your home for many, many years to come.  :)

...to denise, thank you for joining me on this journey; for being such an amazing assistant, cohort and encourager for all my weddings up til now...and especially my 2011 wedding season!  i appreciate you so very much!!!  may God bless all of your future endeavours and projects!!!

...to my precious family: joe, jacob, robyn & josiah.  i love you.  thank you for letting mommy pursue this crazy dream of hers.  xo.

...to my Saviour & Lord.  thank You for making all this possible.  may everything i do bring honour and glory to Your name.

...now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen! 

                                                               -- Ephesians 3:20, 21

up next, my favourite wedding images of 2011...  :D  weeeeeeee!!!!!!  (yayyyy!  thanks so much for reading!)  xo!

happy new year!

hello blog land!!!!!  :D :D :D ...and because this girl's music makes me 'happy'... (get it?!  'HAPPY' new year?!!!!)  ;D  ...thought i'd start the year off with a fab little music video to one of my kids' favourite tunes!  (jodi king was at our church this past fall......  she's so great!).

anyhoo....enjoy!  xo!





...and yes, happy new year, friends!  i'm totally welcoming 2012 with open arms!!!  :D  both personally & professionally, i cannot WAIT to get started!  :D  but before i move ahead....i want to reminisce a bit on 2011 (an UNBELIEVABLE YEAR for me!!!!!) with some recaps on my favourite portraits and wedding shots of last year, review my 2011 goals and ...ah hem...  see how i did.  ;D  one thing from the list -- "6 - investing in a macro lens" (a 100mm 2.8L, joe howe.  if you're reading this...)  ;D  well, i didn't get the macro in 2011...but i DID get this.

my long-awaited 4th child.  i've named him 'mark'.  (much like every other photog out there!  ha!  ...so i'm the last getting on the train.  so what!)  :)  anyhoo....he was my big gift this year.  well, ok.  my ONLY gift this year.  but that's alright.  i'm absolutely SMITTEN.

lots more to come to the blog this week!  catch you later, friends.  :D

ps - since i did a '11 for 2011'....do you think i should do a '12 in 2012'??!  ;)  yeah, i like the sounds of that.  :)

reminder to self!

'nuff said.  ;D  seriously.  i've got 8 families and 2 engagement sessions left to edit...then i'm on vacation!!!  :D  well...for a few weeks anyway!  looking forward to some quality time with my family!!  :D

*to my wonderful clients:  if you're wondering when your pictures will be ready (and wanting to have them in time for Christmas!), i hope to have every last order DONE & OUT to you no later than december 15th!  :D

happy 1st day of the last month of 2011!!!  (CRA-AAAAAAAZY!!)

my packaging!



i've yet to do this...  to finally settle on how i 'package' my final product for my clients...  but here is a sample!  before kayla & jesse came by tonight, i snagged a pic.  :D  still playing with colours for each gift bag that i hand out, but this is the general idea!  :)

isn't it pretty?!

note to self: take a picture of the next DVD & case to show the people.  LOL.  ;D

ugh. computers. need i say more?!

ughhhhhhhhhhhh...

i've done a whole bunch of editing the past few days (it's been a MARATHON of sorts!) and got a full post and lots of sneak peeks ready and my computer/server has decided to throw a tantrum!!  ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!  NO!!!!!!!!

to everybody waiting to see their pictures -- my hubby's workin' on it!  (thankfully i married a techie!!!).  ;D  THANK YOU for your patience with me/us as we figure this whole thing out!!  hopefully you'll see your images very soon!!

happy tuesday, friends!  here's to mine improving from here on out!  :D

--H

business cards, etc!

yesterday, i received a few more pieces of the puzzle....  my 'new brand' puzzle.  eeeeeek!  so excited how they turned out!  again -- thank you, carla!  and thank you, jeff at InColor.  wooooooo!!!!!

the new ME.

yay!!!  here it is!!!  my new blogsite!!!!!!  :)))  i'm so stoked about the changes you see here!  :D

as you can see, i have a new brand (logo/watermark)!!!!  this is definitely more ME.  my good friend, carla, designed this for me (THANK YOU, CARLA!!!!!) and i'm so proud now to finally show it off!!!!  :)))  she also redesigned all of my documents, business cards, envelopes, gift certificates, contracts, etc.  YAY!!!!!

what do you think?!?!?!?!!

i LOVE it!!!!!  if you know me and how i sign my name, the 'H' is definitely unique to me.  for as long as i can remember, i've always done it 'script'-like...and carla was able to find an 'H' similar to the one i do myself!!  yay!!!!!  also, i wanted it to have 'HOLLYHOWE' together so she made the 'HOWE' bolded and well, i completely love it.  (sorry for the gushing....can't be stopped....)  ;D  my work will now be watermarked with, depending on the image, a grey or white version of the logo.  :)))

you'll also notice that i stayed with blogger.  i did this because i had to keep costs down and for right now, i don't think i need an additional 'website'.  this suits me just fine, and i like that i'm keeping everything in ONE SPOT.  i also have a good friend, joel, who is...well...he's a genius.  he did everything i wanted to have in a blog to this site so that i wouldn't NEED anything else!  (THANKS, JOELMAC!!!!!!)  he created the 'scrolling header' up there (complete with examples from my portfolio!), navigation 'tabs' for easy access to different things -- my online portfolio (weddings, engagements, portraits...when it's ready...), a bit about me (meet holly), pricing info (investment), frequently asked questions (FAQs) and the section i'm so completely proud of...the 'kind words' section -- where past clients review me and say AMAZING things about my work (THANKS SO MUCH, EVERYBODY!!!!).  i also asked joel for those little Facebook 'like this post' thingys ;D so when people like a post on my blog, it can appear on their wall!  i'm HOPING that more and more people will visit here.  :)  yay!!!!!!

anyhoo...that's it.  have fun browsing the new place!  :D  big, HUGE shout-outs to joel mackenzie and carla welch!!!!!  i'm BEYOND grateful for you both.  :)))

stay tuned for more posts this week......  :)))

--H

ps - we 'own' the rights (OWN?!  is that the right word?!  ha!) to www.hollyhowe.com and www.hollyhowephotography.com so feel free to update your browser!  :D  thanks so much, friends!!!

bittersweet.

hey blog.

so sorry i've been neglecting you so much lately. september has been cra-aaaaaaazy busy. what with the kids going back to school, robyn having birthday parties, me resigning at the church, shooting and sessions to edi.... (...) whaaaa?! yeah, i resigned. uh-huh. i did it. after 12 years of being on staff at hillside, i'm stepping down. i know. cra-aaaaaaazy. but really feel the Lord's leading in this. His hand is on me and this new adventure.

and it's no secret that i have a love & a passion for photography, and i definitely want to take it to the next level. i want to really commit to my clients and grow my craft and invest more time in it. and seriously, my kids are growing up. WAY. TOO. FAST. having my own small business will allow me the time to stay at home with them. and i'm so grateful for this opportunity.

anyhoo. this is it. this is my LAST WEEK on staff. kinda can't believe it. yeah, i'll probably be nostalgic and cry a bit. ok, a lot. but it's ok. it's all good. CHANGE is good. and this will be bittersweet, for sure.

at the first of 2010, i said on here that i was really going to TRUST God's leading in my life. and i know i'm doing it.

"for I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (jeremiah 29:11)

--H



ps - please stay tuned for my schedule for the fall, what days i'll be working, availability of sessions, etc. yay!!! can't wait to get started! :)))

also, if you're looking to book a session, shoot me an email at holly (at) howes (dot) ca.

business cards

made my first ever business cards for the mom2mom 'trade show' yesterday. although it's definitely a start, i love this direction. what do you think??! :)







thanks, amy klassen, for asking me to join in on the m2m fun!

gotta end this post with a current fave of the littlest howe. he sure loves his juice! xo!