that's my sheepish version of a title for this post. because as i logged in tonight i saw that my last post was exactly one month and one day ago. good GRIEF. my friend andy said it best when he was away from his blog for a while. you miss a few days and then there is this huge guilt. and then you feel you need to have the most AMAZING post ever in order to explain your absence. and you keep putting it off. and time gets away from you. and then there is just this pressure to perform...
so i thought 'to heck with it'. i'm just going to post a quickie to get everyone caught up! with wonderful fabulous images! oh wait. except that i'm typing this from home. and all the images are on the server at the studio. slight problem with that idea...
so back to the post. what's been happening in jen's world in the past 31 days? well, quite a bit! first off, mike hanline (from our lab) flew over to check out the studio's progress and to see our new digs in june, and then took michele and i for a ride on their jet down to see their newest facility in dallas. talk about WAY COOL!! i'm such a nerd when it comes to our lab - i love every little detail of how they do things (and they are the BEST in our industry! in every way!!). the processes, the quality, the technology, and the crazy happy people who work there. i'm pretty sure if i weren't doing what i'm doing, that i would be working for mike. it's like disney world for workplaces.
after that whirlwind trip we successfully moved into the new studio (thanks SO much to everyone who helped - we couldn't have done it without you!!) just after the first of july. HALLELUJAH!! we were SO happy!! it was a LOT of work, a LOT of sweat, and a LOT of lifting, but sooooo totally worth it!! however, we've not had time to really enjoy it yet as we literally went to fully functional 2 days later and have been 150% nonstop ever since. nonstop meaning - they are still working on parts of the building! we did get occupancy, but there is still much to be done. including all of the displays and about a third of the furniture and decor!
so while we hoped for a september grand opening, our schedule might be dictating a february gala instead. we'll keep ya posted on that part...
in the meantime we've been photographing nonstop in our incredible new camera rooms!!! our main room is a 1000 square foot haven of natural light - you've got to see it to believe it! the look and feel of the room is something that words just cannot describe. our outdoor courtyard is also as unique as they come. we worked with our architect to custom design each section to our individual style, and the guys have even brought in some killer 'backdrops' from old barns and buildings that they're tearing down. it's just the most beautiful place in the whole world (can you tell we're in LOVE?!?).
in the midst of all this the girls and i took a whirlwind trip to hilton head island to see my cousin brandon marry the girl of his dreams. cousin brandon is 'uncle brandon' to my girls (i'm an only child, so my cousins are all aunts and uncles - i'm pretty sure my kids will all fail geneology one day, but for now we're tight) so amy joined our family as 'aunt amy'. we couldn't be more thrilled!! this was my first trip to hilton head, and i must admit for all those who don't know - i really really dislike the beach. i mean REALLY. i know that i'm in the .01% of the population that feels that way, but it's true. i think it's step 3 in my 12 step program (admitting my distaste), so i'm doing better. don't get me wrong - it's BEAUTIFUL - and if i were inside in an air conditioned spa with windows all around overlooking the beach i'd be in pure bliss. but the actual outdoor beach part (with sand, heat, humidity, dirty water...did i mention SAND?!?) is like nails on a chalkboard to me. and yes, the got married ON the beach. but it was PERFECT. never in the history of the earth has there been a more beautiful bride than amy henderson riley. i feel like we gained this whole ginormous family with amy and i'm in love with them all. the girls were the three cutest flower girls you've ever seen in your life, and (much to my bewilderment) loved every part of the beach. it was awesome.
so now we're back to reality - playing with the best clients in the whole world and creating the most amazing art for them. i LOVE my life. and i LOVE all the peeps that come in to play with us. they truly are our lifelong friends and it makes me smile every day going in to 'work'. we're still getting adjusted to our new studio life, and michele, angie, julie and i are debating investing in an intercom system so we can find each other during the day (we get lost on a daily basis, yes), but we're in love with the new place.
this is our busiest season of the year for seniors, however we've photographed several children and families (and cheer and pom groups!) as well in the new digs. and they're all soooo beautiful!! i can't wait to share!!
so until next time (which WILL be soon - i have so many images to post!!), you can follow me on twitter (jenbasford), or hang with us on facebook. we're in the midst of moving our facebook group over to a fan page there, so keep your eyes open this next week.
happy weekend!
peace and popsicles -
jen :-)
