Last year was bonkers! Like B-A-N-A-N-A-S kind of bonkers! We started off the 2018-2019 dance season with 4 schools and before we knew it, had 7. In one weekend I photographed 8 performances between 3 studios. IT WAS AMAZING! The talent out there is mind-blowing. I’m so proud of what comes out of Ohio!
In the BOOM, we outgrew a lot too. Everything from the archive system, to the ordering system...all the way to the ordering forms we’ve used for years! Plus, in the middle of all the growing pains, I lost two of the most valued studio assistants I’ve had for the last 6 years to jobs at Ohio State and beyond…I’m seriously choking back tears just typing it. I’m so incredibly happy for Rachel and Sam but so sad I don’t have my sidekicks that were the glue that got the studio through the biggest busy seasons. I’m not kidding when I say I photographed roughly 2800 people flying almost solo in the office last season!
While I did find fantastic assistants to help with shoots and also behind the scenes, what I really needed was another ME. I needed someone who understood the ins and outs of running a photography studio and could help manage it. Someone who could keep on top of the communications and scheduling while I’m shooting and traveling. Basically, I needed someone who could let me B R E A T H E while I edit. You guys. Not only did I find one person, I scored two!
Some of you have probably already received emails from Megan Rund or Amy Coleman. Megan has taken on the prestigious roll of Studio Manager. You can read more about her here! And, Amy is a fantastic second set of eyes, ears, hands, brain power...you name it, she’s on it. Amy is a cheer and dance mom, and maybe one of the biggest Cubs fans I have met! Don’t worry...Addison and Lillian will be back for shoots around their school schedules, and fingers crossed Alyssa too!
I feel so great moving into the 2019-2020 year! On top of having 2 new support staff, we’re putting a new ordering system into place. I’m a little obsessed with this! It allows each dancer to have their own private gallery…no more sifting through the entire day’s photos. A pre-order feature that allows you to the option to pay the day of, and pick your images when they go live...no more waiting for orders to be filled and mailed out. New items from the lab at special discounts. And so many more things that have us as happy as a clam in the studio. All of these new and exciting changes will allow me to open up the schedule even more for audition shoots, creative shoots, and just more one-on-one time with YOU -- our valued clients.
