But, I figured, why not? and made the appointment.

Our first visit was pretty uneventful.  I sat down in the waiting room and right away I saw a sign that said “I believe in Miracles”.  That sounds alrighty to me, because I need one … plus I patiently waited for an hour, so I figured if anyone qualified for one, it’s me.

Miracle Man (I’ve never had a self-proclaimed name in my blog before … I kind of like it!) took me off of the meds Hippie Doctor had me on and went on and on about how bad Armour (my old thyroid pills) were and how they aren’t FDA approved, etc. etc.  He also took me off of the Cortisol Hippie Doctor had me on.  Gave me some samples, drew some blood and I was on my way.

The nurse called two days later to inform me that I had Hashimotos.  Um … no kidding.  She said I had toxic levels of T3 due to the Armour (the number was 4.6 for all of you number crunchers … the closer to 1 I get the better I’ll feel)  She recommended I stay on the samples until the next appointment. I was a little excited thinking about the possibility of actually feeling better, and oh, I don’t know, losing weight … and I suppose if we get there I will have to do some dancing around the Pol.

Fast forward to today … the next appointment.

Today they informed me once again that I do, in fact, have Hashimotos.  At this point I am starting to wonder if they’ve written down anything in my chart, because the nurse is sounding like a broken record.  She even has the same inflection with her words as she says them.  It’s fascinating.  Oooh, I know – Let’s give her a name too, just because I am in a bad mood – how about Turntable?  Sounds good to me.

Anywho, Turntable asked if I had any questions, and I almost asked her if she knew if I tested positive for Hashi’s, but I bit my lip and only asked about my sun allergy.  To which she replied I would have to ask the doctor.

Miracle Man came in and he talked a bit about the fact that my anti-bodies are some of the highest he’s seen in his 30 years of practice, so there’s a good chance I will have other auto-immune disorders.  Well, that’s awesome news.  He then told me they will need about 3-4 more monthly visits to lock in my T4 hormone (between .8 – 1.8 is the target) … and that’s only if I don’t get pregnant during that time.  If I do, then we start over.  Then we start over again upon delivery.

It’s about this time that I felt like the walls were closing in and things were feeling a bit more like a prison sentence than a doctor appointment, and at the same time I could hear the collection calls in my head because all of this sounded pretty expensive.   I was able to ask the questions about the sun sensitivity issues I’ve been having, and he told me I had to see an allergist or auto-immune specialist for help with that.  I just don’t understand why he couldn’t run the blood test for the other auto-immune disorders.  It’s not like he wasn’t going to do a blood draw anyway.  But, I didn’t have any fight left in my at that point, so I packed Caterpillar up, let a nurse dig around in my arm trying to find a vein and I left.

I got home to find a nasty message from our credit union about our two-week late car payment … which I had planned on paying as soon as some of Daddy’s invoices from JULY made it into our mailbox.

Today is awesome.

Not because it was bad, but because it made me realize just how alone I had been.  I was living in complete isolation, and the fact that I didn’t need to be, was now right there in my face.

Fast forward, and we are getting ready to kick off my fourth year in MOPS, and this is my third year serving in leadership.  My hope is that it will reach a point where no mommy feels the way that I felt that morning.

All of that to say that my time in leadership has helped me not only grow as a mommy, but as a photographer … and it eventually led to launching More Sugar Than Spice Photography.

This month, I am writing a multi-post series called Going From Mom, To Moment Master, which I would like to dedicate to the many moms I have served, and will continue to serve this year.  My prayer is this series will empower you to do something for your family that only you can do – preserve the little moments that typically only a mommy gets to see.  The good, the bad and the ugly.

With that, let’s start at the beginning … {Choosing A Camera}

After looking at photographers rates, have you decided hiring a professional just doesn’t fit into your do-it-yourself budget?  Do you want to document every day happenings with your precious little ones before they are no longer little (and precious)?  Is your camera so old that the expense to have the film processed, combined with the disappointing result, makes you rely on others to capture special days?  If any of those things sound familiar to you, it may be time to budget for a new camera.  Don’t worry, even small budgets can secure your perfect camera … when you shop smart.

To get started, ask yourself these questions:

Who will be taking the majority of the pictures?

If the answer is you, then you need to be the one to go and purchase the camera.  Do not put this on the holiday shopping list for your husband, unless you know exactly which one you want!

That sounds silly, but when I was making my camera purchase, I had narrowed it down to a Canon or Nikon and I was having a hard time deciding between the two.  Off to the camera store I went, where reps from both companies admitted their products were pretty comparable for what I needed, and they agreed the best thing for me to do was pick it up and see which one felt better in my hands.

The same is true with a point and shoot camera.  These days the cameras keep getting smaller and smaller.  This is great for portability, but I have a hard time trying to press a button the size of a pencil tip when I have a baby on my hip and a 20lb bag on my shoulder.

When it comes to camera brands, a name is just a name.  For the most part, the major players (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus and Kodak) all have a camera that compares with their counterparts in each category.  There are slight differences among them, but for the most part, you can’t go wrong with the name brands you’ve heard of in the camera industry as long as you get a camera geared towards your needs.

Bottom line: The main user of the camera needs to make the trip to the store and pick up as many cameras as possible before making a final decision.  Don’t just buy the camera your neighbor has because she says it’s great … because it probably is great – for her.  You need to find a camera that is great for you, and that requires you shop around.

What will the camera be used for?

If you are like me, my favorite photos are ones I’ve taken of my kids … and I can’t have too many!  We’ll talk about how to store all of those images later in this series, but for now let’s stay focused on the camera.

When I am on the prowl for new equipment, I want something that can move FAST, like they do.  Be sure and check out the specs on shutter lag because nothing drives me crazier than pushing the button, and having the kids run off before the camera does its job.

If you are more of a landscape mama, perhaps the shutter lag isn’t as important to you, but a good zoom or a good macro feature (or lens on a DSLR) will work wonders.  You may also need to budget for a tripod, but we’ll talk accessories later in the series.

When you are checking out these camera stats, avoid the store specs if possible.  Those are provided by the manufacturer … which is great, but I prefer to look at what real users are actually getting out of the camera.  www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com are two of my faves for the low-down, although there are many sites out there that can provide great information.

Be sure and check out what kind of batteries the camera takes.  There is something to be said about being able to stop at the corner convenience store for standard sized batteries on the way to the school play, as opposed to having to find a place to plug in once you arrive.  This is something that often gets overlooked, but can really make (or break) the mama-camera relationship over time.

Whether you are a soccer mom, or you just have to capture every single nose crinkle your child makes (like me!), a burst mode can come in very handy.  This means you can press the button once, and the camera will take several sequential pictures.  This is a very fun feature for making things like storyboards and scrapbooks, and most cameras have some version of this feature.

I absolutely love my DSLR.  I know that is the right camera for my business.  However, I have to say that there are moments where I wish that I could just throw it in my pocket or purse and get out of capturing the moment, and back into living the moment!   With DSLR prices dropping, it’s tempting to run out and buy one.  Just know when you do, you’re going to need to also purchase some new luggage, because they are large, heavy and require a little more tender loving care than point and shoot camera.

Are mega-pixels mega-confusing?  They don’t have to be.  While this will be one of the first stats thrown at you, keep in mind most mamas get by just fine with about 7 megapixels.  Anything close to or over 15 is far more than most mamas need.  There’s a good chance you won’t notice the difference in your typical print sizes.  You will however notice how fast you fill up your computer with those large image files, so try to avoid thinking the more mega-pixels you have, the better.

Bottom line: The best camera on the market (or the most you can afford) may not be the best fit for you.   Just because a DSLR is in your price range, you should not run out and purchase one tomorrow. Think about what you are hoping to capture, and make sure your equipment is in line with that goal.

How will the camera be used?

No matter how you plan to use your camera, keep in mind your camera will at some point be abused.  If at all possible, spring for the titanium case instead of plastic.  When you catch your kids using your camera as a hockey puck on the hardwood floor, you won’t be sorry.

Even now, when I want to capture a quick picture, I will use the full auto mode on my camera.  This feature takes most of the guess work out of taking pictures.  However, you can skimp on some of the other features (like flash lighting) if you purchase a camera that can go at least partially into a manual mode.  That way you can force your camera into capturing the shots you’d like, even when in less than perfect conditions.

Bottom line: Size and toughness matters.  Going manual can be intimidating, but some manual features will help you preserve those moments that are normally hard to capture due to poor light.

No matter what camera you purchase, I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the manual.  I know that sounds daunting, especially when you have little ‘helping hands’, but nothing says you can’t read it while waiting in the carpool line or while walking on the treadmill.  The fact is, no matter how great of a camera you purchase, if you don’t know how to use it, you may be missing out on something that can take you from mom to moment master.

Already own a camera?  Stay Tuned for our next article next Wednesday, in the Going From Mom, To Moment Master series, titled {Making The Most Of What You’ve Got}

So, when I was setting up my business model, I made sure that my pricing was set up the way that I would want if I were looking for a photographer.  This means I would want to know up front, what it’s going to cost me.  So, I provide just that – my packages include the rights to your photos.  This means, once you buy a session from me, you can walk away and never pay me another dime … WITH your images.

However, that being said, I also offer professional printing services.  Why?  If I am releasing the rights to you, why would you pay me even more money to order your prints when in today’s world, you have a million and one options when it comes to buying photos?

There are many reasons, but here are a couple of my favorite reminders when people are debating which route to go:

What is your time worth?

I have already spent time calibrating my computer with the print houses that I use.  I know when I have photos on my screen exactly what they will look like when the prints arrive.  I also know that when you order a cluster of photos, the colors will be the same in each picture.  If they aren’t, I can send them back.

Will your online company do that for you?

How long does it take you to upload, rotate, crop, etc. your images when using online companies?  Just how well can you see your image after it’s been uploaded?  Can you make edits as you go, if you decide to order an 8 x 10 instead of an 8 x 12?  These are all things to think about when you take on the task of ordering photos.

Aren’t all prints equal?

No.  There are many variables when it comes to prints.  First, the quality.  Are the blues really blue?  How about your reds?  Do that have a vivid punch?

Can you get different paper finishes or are you stuck with glossy?  Changing up a finish can really make a project stand out!

What about paper weight?  Many chain retailers print your photos on the cheapest quality paper.  I love paper that has some weight to it, so I can be sure it will stand the test of time.

How about custom sizes?  Many of the lower end print companies offer certain sizes, but aren’t flexible.  Some don’t offer square cropping or only offer certain mounts with certain sizes.  Your photographer should either already have a print house on hand that can get you what you need, or they should be willing to find one!

What if you’d like a UV protection coat on the images, since they are going to displayed in a sunny area and you’d like to protect them against fading?

If you have paid a professional photographer to capture a special moment in time, do you want to risk the final step in the process?

If all of this is true, why do you sell me the rights?

Not all prints NEED professional printing.  If you are completing a scrapbook, for example, many times people will use outtakes, unedited photos, etc.  These photos have glue smeared all over the back and they are behind some sort of a sheet protector.  The weight of the paper isn’t as important in these situations, nor is the quality of the print.

Also, if you are printing smaller sized prints, and plan to frame them behind glass, many times I will recommend my clients order these prints online themselves if they are comfortable doing so.  Any paper imperfections, color variations, etc. will be lost behind the glass, so why pay me to do your dirty work?

Bottom line is this; if you are looking to create wall art from your images, really consider asking a pro for help … especially when it comes to alternatives to traditional prints and frames.  But you don’t need a pro every time.  There are a lot of resources online, and it’s fun to see all of what you can do with your images!  Go for it – I’ve given you the legal and artistic right to do so!  But please keep in mind, most of the time you really do get what you pay for, so be smart when making your decisions – there is a reason photographers charge what they charge, and it would be so not-cool to have to pay twice!  Not only do we have access to professional print houses, but our time and talent is invested into making your printed items perfect!

They come ready to hang on the wall, with pre-drilled holes.

And you can get them in either the Lustre finish (shown), Glossy, or even Metallic.

These look so cute clustered together, or a very large one can make quite the impression on it’s own.

Contact me today for details about the standout prints – they can really turn your photos into wall art!

First, (and probably the main reason) is because I am in the process of writing a series of articles for mommies relating to all things photography.  One of the articles is going to be featured on Mamapedia, so I have been busy, busy, busy making sure I don’t sound like a complete idiot. More to come on that …

Secondly, as you know we purchased a new, big, beautiful imac.  We also made the switch to CS5 so I have just been relearning everything. Additionally, for some reason, we can’t get my laptop to talk to the desktop.  Soooo, when I am up late at night watching 24 and working on MOPS stuff, it is on my laptop.  When I am up late editing photos, it is on my desktop.  Now I have this huge disconnect, which has made it hard to keep things rollin’, especially with MOPS starting up next month and I am doing the normal start of the year crunch.  We’ve contacted AppleCare and they escalated the call and now they are working on it and they are going to get back to us.  We’ve been Apple geeks for years now and never had that happen.

Thirdly, (Yes I know I said two!) I have been busy, but having so much fun with More Sugar Than Spice Photography.  I have had the best clients, and even though we had the snafu with mamapedia, I am optimistic that when the Sweet Deal makes an appearance, things will just get better. Stay tuned for details on that as well.

Anywho, the boy is up, which means duty calls!

A

P.S. We are going to hide in the mountains this weekend.  I’ll check in with you all when we return! xoxox

Sounds fun, right?

Well, it was!

And I’d do it again, but I must admit all of those years of art school that Daddy went to didn’t always pay off (read: I am WAY better at picking wall color!).  The one thing that Daddy says over and over again when considering wall decor is “When you think it’s too big, it’s perfect”.

And he is right.

Think about it … most art you hang on the wall you will walk by without even noticing in about a week.  But, when you hang something up that looks just a touch too big, in about a week you will love it just the way it is!

Back to the wall color – same thing applies.  Those who know me know my walls are saturated in color.  Not because we are covering anything up, but because we love it, and still get tons of compliments on it when we have new guests.  So don’t be afraid – go for the color, then go for some big beautiful prints!

Check out what Amy of Amy Ro photography had to say about all of this, and then let me know what you think!

Don’t forget after you are done reading her post to  come back and order all of the extra large prints that you’ve been considering.  I promise, you won’t regret it!

A

Best Friends? I thought.  They’ve only been in school together for a week.

I asked her for his name and she told me it was Colon.  Colon? No way.  Did my daughter become BFF’s with someone who’s named after a not-so-popular body part?!  I assured her there was no way that was his name, but she insisted so I went with it.  She does go to a hippie school, after all.

Every day since, she’d come running up to me after school, just as happy as a clam.  Our high/low games at dinner have turned into talks about Colon and all of the fun things they’ve done together and how much she’s absolutely loving Kindergarten.

That part makes my heart smile.

I was chatting with a girlfriend about the pain in the colon, and informed me that her daughter and her friends were all boy crazy when they were in Kindie.

No way.  Not my Monkey.

And even though I know her intentions are innocent, and I have no reason to believe his aren’t, but just to be sure, I checked him out during my volunteer time at her school.  It was then I found out his name was Conner.  Only a slight mistake (but one I had to document to giggle about later.)

That night, I unloaded all of the love letters, and found some artwork from another little boy.  When I grilled her about the details chatted with her, she explained that this little boy had given it to her because she’d mentioned she thought it was cool.

Seriously?  Could my girlfriend be right?  Are these kids already, dare I say, flirting?

I am still confident that Monkey has no clue that these boys may one day consider her more than just her friend.  But when do they start to put that together?  Not in a birds and the bees kind of way, but in a hey, ‘you make me smile’ kind of way?

Someone clue me in here, and please don’t let Kindergarten be your answer.

Off to obsess over this now,

A

Yesterday, we were running a tad bit late, so we used the kiss and go lane so she would have more time on the playground.  Today she wanted me to walk her again, which honestly was just fine by me!

We walked up, and right after the crossing guard got us across the street, I leaned in and told her I loved her to the moon and back.  I kissed her, she kissed brother and instead of turning to walk away as I normally do, I watched.  She looked so big, yet compared to the other kids and the school, so small.

I could feel the lump in my throat and then she turned.  I straightened up and she smiled so sweetly and waved.  She set her favorite lunch box down and did this:

I love that she knew that I was tired and cranky, and needed a little extra lovin’.

She picked up her lunch, and ran off to be with her friends as I stood there trying to soak it all in.

Man I love that little girl.

Now that we have two babies, it’s not often that Daddy gets to see them, and I see them even less.

So, I was absolutely thrilled when one of the members of the ‘wives club’ asked me to capture her new sweet little bundle of pink yumminess.

This very determined little girl fought sleep hard, but once she was down, she was out for the count.

Eric and Katie – Thank you for trusting me to capture your littlest one.  I know we don’t see you often, but we think of you all the time and you are always in our hearts.

Your preview page will be up soon!

Angie

While I have fully embraced social media and I love all that it offers, today I got to see first hand the downside.  After promoting the Mamapedia.com deal that was to be delivered today, mamapedia decided to run the ad at a later time.  Not only that, but they decided to run another photographers ad this week.

So, my friends, I know that many of you have been doing just as I’ve asked and told friends about the deals that were coming.  And, I am hoping that they turned around and told friends.  That’s the beauty of social media right?

Until something like this happens.  And I have no way of knowing how many friends of friends are online right now buying another photographers packages.

No way to unring that bell.

That being said, Mamapedia has ‘gone dark’ (for all of my 24 fans!).  Since they have done so, I would like to extend a very special offer to you in place of the Mamapedia ad, because in the end, it is my job to take care of you.

I will offer the same offer that Mamapedia was going to run, which is for $99 you will receive $199 worth of credit to use towards any package you’d like.  Meaning, if you apply it towards the nibble, you are good to go for only $99.  BUT, to help remind you to pitch in and unring the bell that has been rung by telling your friends and family about THIS deal, I will also throw in a completely FREE 8 x 10 print of your choosing.  This offer stands for anyone that mentions this blog posting, or what I am now nicknaming the “Unring The Bell” deal.

So please, get the word out there to anyone who you may have already told, and anyone you think could use this deal.  This deal is only available directly through me, and I will honor it for anyone who books and mentions the deal, for the remainder of the month.

I love you all more than my luggage,

Angie