I know it’s been a really long time since my last blog and you might be wondering where I’ve been.  Well, it was another successful Fall and we made it through our first season in “the new place”.  Katie has been a huge help in settling in and getting through our crazy time.  If you haven’t met her yet, she can help you with anything I can.  Just ask.

Usually, my busy season winds down about 2 weeks before Christmas, but not this year.  I was doing sessions the same day I closed for the holidays.  The kids were out for 2 ½ weeks and I closed the studio for 10 days.  We spent a great Christmas Eve here with Andy’s side of the family – all of them at our house this year!  Lots to prepare for (he’s the youngest of 10 total kids + their families) but lots of fun.  We had a quiet Christmas morning together with just Andy and I and the kids.  Santa brings 3 gifts to them (we try to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas and how the wise men brought 3 gifts to Jesus).  After our Christmas morning, we headed north to my parents’ home in Minden, LA.  We spent that evening opening gifts and catching up with my family.  It was a great 4 days with them since we don’t get to see each other very often.  Then it was back to BR to finish out the week and start off the New Year.  We usually just do fireworks with the kids and can barely stay up to midnight, but this year, we felt like we needed a date night just for us so we attended the LSU Lod Cook Bash!  Lots of fun.  It was back to work that week, however, it was A LOT of catching up, returning calls and emails, processing orders from before Christmas.  Needless to say, I’ve been running ever since.  We took a short vacay last week so we could attend the BCS National Championship game – Nate was especially heartbroken, as were we…..I won’t say anymore on that subject.  Back to work again.  Trying to get back into our routine.

I’m working on the calendar for the rest of the year and hope to have that out to you via email in the next week or so.  Trying a few new things this year that I think you will all benefit from and appreciate.  We’re also tweaking some of our policies to communicate better and to outline the process of each job.  We hope to see you all in real soon.  Watch for our monthly email in the next week or so.  Happy New Year!

Just a reminder:

We will be closed 11/24-11/27 for the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Also, there are still a few open appointments for our “Cookies for Santa” Christmas Special.

If you aren’t on our email list, get on it so you’ll get these as soon as they go out (you can make this request by visiting our site and going to the contact menu).  Here’s the link from Friday’s Newsletter & Specials.

Fall Newsletter & Specials

Card and Portrait orders guaranteed to arrive in time for christmas when ordered by November 29, 2011.

Get cards just in time for Christmas!

December 1st & 2nd will be our Cookies for Santa studio special

Call to schedule your 30 minute quicktakes session and online viewing for only $30.00. 225.935.2235

You asked for it and we’re giving it another try.  From Sept 19 – 30 only, you can pay a one time, reduced fee and get all of your images on disc – no print purchase required.  This is a great opportunity if you like to do “your own thing” with your images (books, albums, holiday cards, etc).

Creation Fee of $500 includes session fee, online ordering and disc of 30 images with unlimited copyright license.

I normally charge $900 for this product.  Your savings are 49%!!!  Call now to guarantee your spot.  225.935.2235

The studio will be closed through Aug 14th so that we can remodel and move into our new studio space.  We are sooo excited to make this transition.  We have needed more room for so long now.  We will reopen on Monday, Aug 15th.  I’ll also be traveling to Nicaragua from Aug 6-12 on a mission trip.  Please keep us in your prayers.  I’ll send some updates on both of these exciting endeavors as soon as I can.

Be sure to “like” our new facebook fan page (if you’re a member of the old “group” page, it’s going to be deleted this week).  I’ll be able to share more specials and news easily with this page.  Here’s the link!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/bush-photography/168864699852019

With the new studio move coming in a few weeks, my days have been REALLY busy.  I have 6 appointments today, 4 portraits to frame and the normal day to day of the office.  Whew!!!  Where’s my elves?  Still looking for an assistant (see last post for info) and I’d really like to hire someone by the end of July.  I’ve only had 1 response so far.  So, please, if you know of a responsible, self-motivated person, please forward this to them.  Studio 225.767.7637

On another note, I’m also preparing to go to Nicaragua Aug 6-12 (yes, right in the middle of the new studio remodel….I’m crazy like that).  I’d like to ask for your prayers as we (7 of us) prepare the items we are taking to the people there, pray for our safe travel and pray for our families while we are gone.  Andy will have the kids while I’m gone and they also start school that week.  The kids are already having a hard time knowing I’m not going to be there then.  I’m very excited about the trip and will send you a full briefing upon my return.

I’m looking for a positive, energetic person to assist me in the studio and possibly on some sessions.  I attempted to hire in the Spring, but I didn’t get much response so I’m trying again.  Some of the responsibilities include schedule management, client interaction with excellent customer service, filing, order packaging and framing, some assistance with sessions.  No experience is required.  This is NOT a position for a photographer.  I’d love to get someone who appreciates photography and its artform, but more than anything, I’m looking for a responsible, motivated worker.  The hours are flexible and will range with my work season (8-12 hrs/wk Summer, 12-20 hrs/wk Fall ).  One or two Saturdays in the Fall may be required.  Pay starts at $9-10/hr, depending on experience.  If you are interested, please complete this application (link below) and scan/email it to me at info@bush-photography.com or fax it to 225-767-7637.  Feel free to call me with any additional questions.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Click here to see this month’s newsletter.