i ♥ faces- hats-- feet

It was been a few weeks since I participated in the weekly challenge over at i ♥ faces, but when I saw that this week was feet week and that the amazing Rachel Durik (who I first knew as the American Mum) was the judge, I simply had to post an entry.

I know just posted this shot a few days ago, but seriously, aren't these the cutest little summer feet?

and so our vacation begins...

A leisurely morning... because after the vacations of my youth, planned with military precision, I would have it no other way.

A two hour car ride that meant two hours to chat with my husband as the kids watched a DVD in the back.

An afternoon of glorious sunshine and gentle sea breezes perfect for rocking in the hammock and walking along the field picking wild flowers with the girls.

Blowing dandelions and making wishes...
... I wish it was always summer...
... I wish I got to have ice cream every day...
... I wish my girls a lifetime of happiness...

Chilled wine waiting in the fridge and dinner off the grill.

Another glass of vino while my husband cleans up two tired girls and tucks them in to bed.

Wireless Internet and ocean views.

Ahhh... and so begins our Cape Cod vacation. Not exotic. Not an adventure. But a part of every summer for as long as I can remember.

Sunset over Provincetown, as seen from our deck. The only picture of the day since the rest was spent blissfully camera free.

so it turns out starting a business is hard

Has it really been over two weeks since I wrote a post? Yikes. Why is it that the longer you go without posting the harder it is? I can't write about the funny thing one of the kids said today because I still have not posted our 4th of July pics. But seriously? It's July 18th. What is the point of writing about the 4th of July now? And so it goes...

The biggest reason for the lack of posting? All of my free time lately has been devoted to my growing business.

Back in January, when I boldly announced to my husband that I wanted to start my own photography business, his response went something like this:

That's great. You do realize it's going to be a lot of work?

Ha.

I knew I had a lot to learn. And I have learned a ton. About camera settings. Lenses. Photoshop.

I have also learned just how much non photography related stuff that there is to know and do to get a business up and running. Website design, logos, packaging, props, how to collect money, taxes... and on... and on.

I have learned that editing 400 client photos takes a lot longer than you think it will. And that it is not really as fun as editing pictures of your own kids. Even simple things like throwing together a story board and scheduling sessions take longer than I expected.

I have also learned that beach sessions are really and truly fun and being a photographer is a great way to make new friends and become better friends with the friends you have.

So basically, my husband was right.

It is great. It is a lot of work. Harder than I expected, but also better than I expected.

I am up late into the night with ideas buzzing around my head. Patience is not my thing. I want my sessions all edited. I want a fabulous website and blog. A portofilo that reflects all the amazing pictures I envision taking. Beautiful packaging. Gift certificates. I want to get it all done now. If only I had more hours in the day. Or did not need to sleep. Oh, what I could do with those eight (okay, six) hours.

But alas, I am only human. And a mother first. So I am doing the very most I can in those few precious hours when my precious children sleep.

All of which has left my poor blog here a bit neglected. So in an effort to catch up and get back into updating more regularly, here is a quick recap of our recent activities...

The 4th of July. Parade, Cookout, Fireworks. And balloon hats.




Beautiful beach days...


Pool days...


And backyard days...


More summer fun to come!