Hi mamas. Happy to connect over here after what seems like the world’s longest six weeks. In the 787 days that my kids have been home from school (has it really only been 46?) and the 30 official days of businesses being shut down, I’ve been reflecting a lot, not just about the past six weeks but the past year. I feel like I’ve lived a year in limbo. It was almost exactly a year ago that our debate began about whether we should move to Dallas for an amazing job opportunity for my husband.
At a time when my family and my business were thriving, the very thought of jumping off a proverbial cliff into the unknown (sing it in your head, channeling your inner Elsa) seemed insane. So insane that even though I knew it could be a huge upgrade for our family (weather, cost of living, quality of life shift), I was afraid. Afraid of ALL the change. For having to start our lives over from scratch. About making new friends. Getting my kids resettled in new schools. And of course, starting my business over from scratch.
Taking a thriving business and moving 1,000 miles away from all of your clients might be classified as crazy. But the DFW community has blown me away with how welcoming everyone we have met has been. The community in Plano and north Dallas where we are establishing our new roots is warm, inclusive and as I’ve slowly relaunched here in DFW, the clients I have connected with have been incredible.
Cue COVID-19. Screeching halt, not just for my business but for everything. We all put life on pause, staying home and limiting contact with those around us to prevent the lethal spread of this virus that is so dangerous to the elderly, immunocompromised and even healthier folks among us, in order to flatten the curve. While we understood the importance, I am sure all the moms reading this can agree together - it was hard. So hard.
And now, as we slowly emerge from that bubble, I want you to know that I’m ready. I’m ready to get back to the days of the thriving business I know, love and miss dearly. I miss the hustle, I miss capturing your milestones and major life events. I MISS THE BUMPS AND THE BABIES, oh yeah, definitely the babies. And I know that if you have a baby (or one on the way soon), you’ve missed us photographers too.
HERE IS THE PART YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
In this post-COVID-shut down rebirth for my business, I am really hoping to hit the ground running to serve my community. There are so many moms who have spent the last six weeks unable to capture special milestones - your maternity portraits, newborn photos, milestone sessions, birthday cake smashes, family bluebonnet sessions. In celebrating the relaunch of my business here in Plano, I want to offer a series of FREE sessions. That’s right, free. My regular session fee will be waived, which includes our time preparing for and capturing your session as well as access to my extensive studio wardrobe.
Since Collin County was shut down officially for 30 days, I will be offering up to 30 complementary sessions for moms who are capturing maternity, newborn, milestone and first birthday sessions.
Digital images and printed artwork are purchased separately, with digital packages beginning at $275. Of course, we will do this carefully and safely. As much as I adore snuggling tiny babies, high-fiving with big siblings and giving mamas much needed hugs, I will be keeping my distance so that we can protect your precious family and my own. Here is an overview of the policies I’ll be upholding to make this safe and possible for all of us.
I’ll be photographing outdoor sessions with a 70-200mm long lens so I can capture gorgeous images from afar without compromising your family’s safety. Studio sessions will be limited to one every 48 hours and all indoor sessions including in-home lifestyle sessions will involve excessive hand washing and mask use for me. All wardrobe items will be cleaned and streamed and will be available for you to pick up from my porch in advance of your session, along with wraps and headbands for your newborn. And in lieu of in-person meetings after your session for your design and ordering appointment, we’ll stick to zoom meetings until it’s safe to meet in person. I can’t wait to work with you soon!
EDIT, 6/4/20: Thank you to all the lucky mamas who took advantage of this great promotion. It is now closed. I am still booking socially distanced sessions, and I’d love to work with you! Please click the contact button below for more information about booking a session with Rachel Friedman Photography.