We are looking forward to this weekend as we will be celebrating Jayson's first birthday.  We are planning on a "cake smash" photo shoot with him.  Previous efforts to photograph him haven't been as successful as I had hoped for, one reason I'm not a children's photographer, but I am expecting better results this weekend. 

Jodi and I ordered some shirts yesterday that feature our new business logo.  Some will be going to our Model Team to wear at school and others will be given to clients or used as giveaways at school events.  We should have them Monday and we're excited to see the final product.  We are now busy preparing to make the announcement as to who has been selected to represent our studio as a member of our Model Team.  We plan to do that around the first of the month.   

Here's an image from last weekend's senior portrait session.  I think we nailed the "Rocker Chick" vibe I was going for.  Click for larger pic.

Sunday's game was the ugliest of all score wise as JD's team fell 21-2!  Their pitching got thrashed and the scoring didn't stop until JD and his room mate, the team closer, pitched the final three innings.  JD entered the game to pitch the 6th inning and pitched 1 2/3 of an inning, giving up one hit, a walk and 2 K's.  He said one of his K's was a potential first round draft pick and he got him looking.  He also induced a timely ground ball double play. 

I was able to listen on a radio station web stream and I was really happy for him.  He hasn't pitched in a game since last May and his arm isn't 100% but we're glad he had a good outing to start the season.  It's a good moment to build on as the team tries to bounce back next weekend in New Mexico. 

Here's a link to the game writeup where JD gets some good comments about his performance from the head coach.  http://siuecougars.com/sports/m-basebl/2013-14/releases/20140216qivo4e

JD's team is off to an 0-2 start.  Starting pitching has been pretty good but the relief has not.  JD has yet to pitch and it is unknown if he will this weekend.  With his arm bothering him again, it may not be a bad thing if he doesn't, although I know he wants to.  There is a much better chance he'll pitch next weekend at New Mexico State as they play four games there and most will get the opportunity to do so I expect.

Our senior portrait session yesterday was a lot of fun, so fun that we shot for almost three hours.  We didn't have any other plans so I used the opportunity to try some new things.  I'm anxious to see the results but based on what I saw on the back of the camera, I think they are going to be awesome.

The college baseball season kicks off today and JD's team is in Wichita to take on the Wichita State Shockers.  Unfortunately, JD seems to be having the same problems that he had last season.  The chronic tendonitis is a problem and I don't think it will get any better without taking a year off.  He obviously doesn't want to do that so I expect to see him get limited use, much like last year.  Some days are better than others apparently so we'll just have to see how the year goes.

We had a really good sales session last night and a decent one earlier in the week.  It's funny how your goals and expectations change with your business based on your experience.  Last year, Jodi and I used to high five after a client walked out the door after spending $750-$800.  Now, a sale like that is somewhat disappointing!  However, we are thankful that what we're doing is successful and profitable and is building into something pretty cool.  We are excited about our upcoming television commercial and are hopeful that it will take our business to the next level in what we're trying to create and accomplish.

Tonight I have to prepare our studio for tomorrow's photo session and we'll be interviewing our Model Team applicants the two days after that as well as others later next week.  All this balanced around two work days at the plant.  Good thing I really enjoy what I do!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a very busy week for us business wise as we have something scheduled most every night through the weekend.  In addition to that, I have to work at the plant all weekend too. 

Last night, we had a sales session with one of our models.  They were the first clients to see our new studio and they were absolutely blown away.  We loved their reaction and they told us that it looked so much bigger with the new layout as well.  They were also the first to get to try out our new Keurig and they thought that was a cool addition to the studio as well.

Tonight, Jodi has to get some orders sent to the photo lab while I work on some marketing materials.  Tomorrow we have Jayson for a few hours and then Thursday we have another sales session.  Friday I have to meet a couple of our models to deliver some images from our model shoot this past fall.  Saturday we have a photo shoot scheduled after I get off work and then Sunday we have two applicants for this year's model team coming to the studio for interviews.  Later that night, we have a dinner meeting with our videographer who will be shooting our television commercial.  It's primarily a shoot day planning meeting to go our vision for the commercial and the details we want to showcase in the video.

JD's baseball team heads to Wichita State for the season opener this weekend.  It's suppose to warm up into the upper 40's to near 50 so that will be welcome relief.  JD's arm is better than last year but I still wouldn't call it 100%.  I'm not sure how he will be utilized this season so it's a wait and see approach.

It looks like we are finally going to get a big snowfall here in KC.  6-10 inches is being forecasted so we'll see where we end up.  I really have to get a snowblower!  My back just isn't up to it any more.  I don't use it enough to keep it strong and I get back spasms/aches pretty quickly when I use it.  Thankfully it's muscular and not disc or vertebrae related.  That's what an office job does to you!

We are still working on our studio and I hope to have it completely done by the end of this weekend.  We've ordered some new samples and it's going to look fantastic when completed.  I'd still like to get some track lighting installed so we can light up our wall portraits better.  My electrician buddy hasn't had the time to come help me out so that project remains undone.