A few weeks ago I visited Blue Sky Factory’s website.  As most of you know, I’m moving to Baltimore in June and was doing some research on companies in the area that intrigued me.  I was curious to see where they were located and clicked on their Corporate Office Directions Page.  What I loved, made me laugh out loud and stuck with me was at the bottom of the page there are walking directions from the parking garage to their front door.

Here’s why it stayed with me.  With this one paragraph I understood that they really heard their clients.  They were giving their clients something that they wanted, needed and probably asked for.  I loved it because it’s so rare to actually see a company go that extra step – give their clients what they want/need.  More often than not, companies (me included) put out what we want, what we think you need, like and desire without really listening to what your telling us.

Last year I changed the name of the business to Lil Blu Dragonfly and put up a “temporary” blogsite.  With the move coming up I knew I wanted to make changes and upgrade the site.  I’ve spent the last few months making lists of things I want to change, add, delete etc… After that visit to Blue Sky Factory I realized I was thinking only about what I wanted and haven’t taken the time to ask you what you wanted.  So here it is (I find this frightening beyond belief but I truly want to know) what do you want from me?

I’m asking all you mommies, bloggers, friends and past clients for your help.  Do you want more images, better service, video on the blog, specials, a forum that focuses on local events and mommies, etc… I’m open to all suggestions and ideas.  When faced with something new or a challenge I often ask myself “How am I getting in my own way.”  So I’m stepping aside and asking for your help.  What do you want from me?

And bring your dollies three!

As I don’t have a studio (all of my work is purposely done on location) traditionally my portrait season here in Connecticut kicks off mid to end of May.  We usually don’t have the type of Spring to write home about around here.  It’s cold and damp, with a few beautiful sunny days thrown in to trick us into thinking this year we’ll finally have a real Spring!!

I’ve always heard Spring just a few 100 miles south is a beautiful thing – cherry blossoms and flowering gardens.  After shooting still lifes and The Extraordinary Funky Chicken this winter I’m itching for squishy faces and sticky fingers!  I so want to go out and play that I’m beside myself with the thought of waiting 3-4 weeks to have some fun!  This got me to brainstorming on how to make the time go faster.

As many of you know I now split my time between Baltimore and Connecticut.  I’ll be in the Baltimore area the week of April 18th and experiencing my first “Southern” Spring (so excited to spend some quality outdoor time!).  Contact me (443-353-9211) between now and April 16th, book a session the week of the 18th and I will reduce my sitting fee to $225.  I’m booked solid the following two weeks on commercial shoots and can only make this offer for the week of April 18th.  Won’t you come out and play with me??

I’m doing a little spring cleaning and getting ready for the 2010 portrait season.  In the next week I’ll be clearing all 2009 portrait sessions off of my computer.

Immediately after a session, I archive all images onto two sets of DVD’s (one in house, one out) and an external hard drive.  I also keep a working set on my computer.  As always, you can order at any time, but once the working sessions are cleared off the computer there may be a longer completion time to delivery as I will have to search and re-upload the files from your session.

It always seems Murphy’s Law rears it’s head around these decisions.  The minute I clear all the images you know I’ll get a call for an order!! Happens every time…  In an effort to stop Murphy in his tracks I decided to run a spring sale BEFORE I touched anything!! Order any albums, prints, storyboards or canvases between now – April 2, 2010, and next friday – April 9, 2010 and I’ll take 25% off of your entire order!

Happy Spring Everyone!!

I’ve been working hard behind the scenes and created a Facebook Fan Page.  It’s still in the beginning stages but I have big plans for the future!!  I’d love for you to come over and be part of it!  See you there!!

Pocket Change is my new blog within a blog – it’s nestled right here inside the regular Lil Blu Dragonfly blogsite. (www.lilbludragonfly.com/pocketchange)

Why a new blog?

You started a new business and you thought clients and money were going to come pouring in. You quickly realized that even though your product is INCREDIBLE no one knows about you (well no one other than your mom and best friend). Something has to happen and fast!! You discover you have to tackle this whole other full time job called marketing. It can be a very daunting beast!
I came to marketing through the above scenario. Took up the sword and charged full speed ahead – books, blogs, seminars etc…  It was an epic battle of smarts between the beast and I! Somewhere in the middle of the brain spinning I fell completely in love with the beast. I also found that I have a lot to say.  Mixing the photography site with the marketing site really wasn’t an option – they have two very different messages. But I found I really wanted to share and have my voice heard and this desire to talk lead to the birth of Pocket Change!

What’s with the name?

I see Pocket Change as being a place where I share tidbits of information and ideas to help others – hopefully in a way to side step some of the mistakes I made! Just like change in your pocket a few pieces can get you where you need to go!

What can I do?

Come over, join in the conversation and if there is a topic you’d like to see covered drop me a note. I can’t promise I’ll know the answer but I can promise I’ll try to find a way to lead you in the right direction!

See you on the other side

At the end of 2009 I found myself pondering these questions – 1) who do I want to give back to and 2) how do I want to give back.  I knew pretty quickly on that I wanted to help women and children.  I ended up choosing two organizations – Save the Children and Grameen Foundation.  Both of these organization currently have an A rating with Charity Watch.  Save the Children was an easy decision for me – I’ve been involved in the lives of children – be it babysitting, nanny, juniors rowing coach or photographing them since I was 11 years old – perfect fit!

Grameen came on my radar when a Facebook friend referred them to me.  In regards to helping women I wanted help them in power and better their circumstances.  I started researching micro loan organizations.  The majority of the people helped by these organizations are poor women who want to make a change in their lives and the lives of those around them.  Hard part was finding a micro loan organization that truly did what it said it would.  With the combination of my friend’s referral and their Charity Watch rating I’m confident Grameen Foundation is an excellent match.

Here’s my plan for donating:  Complete a session with me this year and I will donate $25 to either Save the Children or Grameen Foundation in your name.  I would like you to help me choose which charity you would like the money to go to.  For those that have no preference, in December I will evenly divide the money and donate to both organizations. I’m really excited to start giving back in this way and thank-you for helping me make it happen!!

We’re already putting our thinking caps on for 2010′s card. What do you think we should do?

PS – Yep the boys do look a ton like my nephews but no we’re not related

Check out my new MacBook Pro! The last few months not just one, but both of my computers died – so sad, so painful. For a variety of reason I decided to go with the MacBook. My old computers were 4+ years old so no matter what I went with it would be amazingly faster than what I had. The set up process was painful – only in that neither of the old computers turn on – so I had to manually transfer everything from the backup drive – thank goodness for the backup drive!! I’ve also got a swank new external monitor for the big retouching work. Only problem is I think my new computer is sexier than me!