Corona-virus and small businesses

In the last few weeks or so, there has been so much controversy over this corona virus and a lot of business are suffering; Especially small businesses. I just wanted to jump on here and reach out to any of my clients concerned, while also supporting other small businesses in this hard time as we all stand together. I know for myself, Photography is my ONLY source of income. I took the leap stepping out less than 6 months ago to pursue this passion and a dream I have been working towards for 6 to 7 years and I am definitely having feeling of fear and uncertainty as I am getting Elopement, Wedding and other cancellations or reschedules. I know many people are having fears also with all this crazy uncertainty, bills adding up along with so many other things and I just wanted to let you know, I am here if you need someone to chat with. Fear can be a devastating thing and really make people react in extreme ways and I just want to remind everyone that taking the power away from your fear and replacing it with love is what we need right now. 

First off, I want to say its so IMPORTANT to follow the regulations in order to stop this virus from spreading and get this to be a short lived virus instead of it continuing to be spread and really having it become devastating to family's, small business and more. That doesn't mean life has to stop, but instead just limiting your contact to people, wash your hands and stop touching your face.. (I actually never realized how much I touch my face until this.. lol) If you do go out, follow that social distancing rule and stay 6 feet apart. 

I want to be here to support any of my clients or even other people who have an upcoming wedding that have any concerns. We are all in this together so even if you booked another photographer, I am still here for you and your photographer and I would love to brainstorm or chat about any concern you have to make sure your wedding day is still what you imagined and that you still get to keep all your vendors and time you invested. I know you have picked those vendors for a certain reason, along with your photographer and I have a few suggestions to how to keep them in case you HAVE TO reschedule your wedding date. 

Keeping your Vendors if you ARE REQUIRED to reschedule your wedding date: 

Keep in mind all your retainers are non-nonrefundable, not to mention all the time you have invested in finding them and planning your special date. So here are a few suggestions to keep everything the same....... Well except the date. 

1. Make your wedding day more intimate and take down your guest list to only a few.

• This will allow you to really spend the time with your chosen loved ones instead of having your attention spread to your original 100+ guests list and possibly allow you to have more time to spend with your photographer for more amazing photos.
• You can have a reception at a latter date for all of your other loved ones. 
• If you booked your photographers biggest package, maybe ask to downsize or do your small intimate wedding early afternoon and go on an adventure with your photographer after to some secluded places to get those dreamy photos such as the beach, redwoods or waterfall.   

2. Change your wedding date to a weekday!

• Most wedding dates are Saturdays or Sundays, so changing it to either a Thursday or Friday will help you be more likely to keep your vendors. 

3. Communication is KEY!

• Communicate with THEM! If its your photographer that you were most excited about ask them if they can give you some available dates that work for them so you can communicate with your venue. 

Another thing I wanted to chat about is Do not forget to KEEP SUPPORTING small business ...  almost all the vendors you have booked are a local small business and as I stated above, we are all in this together. 

1. DO NOT CANCEL, but reschedule.

• Do not loose out on each other as your retainers are already non-refundable and you BOOKED them for a reason. Continue to support each other by rescheduling and not canceling. It hurts ANY small business if something is canceled... 
• Buy gift cards from your favorite local business (if you can) Let them know your thinking about them and you appreciate them. A LOT of business are even offering specials right now to stay afloat.. GET THEM GIFT CARDS!
• Maybe even a THANK YOU note or card to help them have a better day. Maybe they are stressed and fear is constantly on their mind? send them a card and let them know you appreciate them and why you like their work or service. 

If you have any questions about what this means for your upcoming wedding, Elopement or session (even if your not booked with me), I would love to chat with you and take the power out of the fear, or even pray for you and with you as we make the best of of this situation.   

For myself, I am gonna take this extra time and get somethings done around the house, spend a little more needed time with the hubby and these precious puppies. For Clients or future clients wondering, I AM STILL TAKING SESSIONS.......... My job does not require us to be next to each other, I have a variety of lenses and I can easily incorporate social distancing into my sessions. If you are sick or not feeling the best, please reschedule and STAY HOME! I will be rolling out some discount Special to help myself stay afloat, so keep your eyes out for special adventure sessions.   

STAY SAFE + STAY POSITIVE + GIVE UP YOUR FEAR TO YOUR HIGHER POWER + STILL LIVE LIFE

+ SPREAD LOVE, NOT CORONA +