Happy New Year!

Now that the crazy season is coming to a end I'll hopefully be able to get on and blog some more. Firstly I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I know the year didn't start too well for us all here in Australia and my heart goes out to all those affected by what has been happening over the last few months in regards to the fires. We are very lucky here, we have had no fires but watching the events unfold on the television and the apps has been so awful. What I planned to blog today seems irrelevant in regards to what some are going thought but I just wanted people and my beautiful return clients to know what's going to be happening within Smik Pix this year.

Every Christmas I try to plan and make sure I'm up to date to make it easier on myself, my family and so I can provide the very best service for my clients but every year gets busier and busier. Which is fabulous but September through to the end of December had me wanting to quit again this year.

Don't get me wrong I love what I do but it's just so hectic, I hate saying no and turning away people so end up very busy and overwhelmed.

I dislike that I can't spend time answering emails and messages, I dislike that I have no online presence during that time of year and I hate feeling like I can't provide the service I feel my clients deserve. Even though they may not even notice because I work extremely long days during those months of the year, sometimes only getting a couple of hours sleep a night.

Then there's the guilt because of the time of year it is and not spending it with my little loves, not being able to enjoy the magic that surrounds Christmas. So next year will be different

( Bron's sitting back laughing as she reads this because I said exactly the same thing this time last year. )

But it will have to be different this year because I'll have both little ones at school and my weekends will be very valuable to them.

I need to start creating memories with my family as much as I love creating them for my clients my little ones have been missing out on time with me. So I'm putting in place work hours and sticking to them. I'll be working 10am-2pm Monday to Friday and one weekend a month. While I'm able to work more days this year I won't be working as many weekends. I'll also be only taking 4 newborns per month and 4 other sessions ( cake smash, sitter or family sessions ) So in total 8 sessions per month ( strictly ).

You have no idea how much anxiety it causes just typing that but I do need to find some work/life balance or I'm scared it will mean me just giving it away entirely and I don't want to do that because I really do love what I do and I'm so grateful to be able to meet so many wonderful people and create so many gorgeous memories.

Please if you're thinking of booking a session this year please do it early as there are only so many bookings I can take.

Mwah x

Photo credit to Rachel Vanoven. This was taken in 2018, I didn't get time to book in a session at the end of last year. Must get hold of my photog friends and find some time.