What I’ve Been Doing

Road Trip!

We arranged a rendezvous with our kids for a few days. We reserved a snowy cabin in McCall, Idaho and it was glorious! Jeff and I had never been to McCall which is only a few hours away from where Josh and Jocelyn live. I am in love! AS we rolled into town we saw massive icicles hanging from roofs buried in snow. Christmas lights were still on display in tall evergreens and glistened through the snow. The lake was frozen over and we snapped our first selfie there.  It was magical!

Oh to be able to own a cabin there and go year round to enjoy the lakes and hiking in the summer and all of the glorious snow in the winter! We had the perfect blend of blue bird skies when we skied at Brundage (hardly anyone there no lift lines, no wind it was perfect!) and a bit of a snow storm while we snowmobiled. We ate, played games, watched movies, and frolicked in the snow. Josh built us a fire outside in the fire pit (after shoveling snow out of it). Josh and Jocelyn made us homemade ginger snaps to much on as we enjoyed the fire. It was just too dang short! I wish it was closer! It took us just about 9 hours of travel time which is a really long time for me! But totally worth it.  I did enjoy traveling somewhere new so that held my interests a bit. Thank goodness for a good book to help the time go by!

What I’ve Been Reading

These were both very different books for me. I will be reviewing these books in next months edition of SFPNews – if you’d like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter click here http://madmimi.com/signups/f92831e48f4c4758a38ad3779e2d9f9b/join On the first of each month I send out a newsletter updating subscribers on what is happening for me as a business owner and photographer as well as sharing a bit about my life and what I’m reading. 

How I Became Shelly Fry Photography

My 7th year as a full time photographer has just wrapped up. As I enter my 8th year I realize enough time has gone by and my circle has expanded enough that some of you don’t know how I became a photographer. I’ll be using some of my blog space for the next few weeks to write a bit about who I am as a small business owner. 

The Very Beginning

I had no intentions of being a business owner. I had no business sense about me. My teaching career had come to a conclusion and I just didn’t see any other uses for my History degree. I was a bit lost. I did really enjoy photography. Many people knew I took pictures because I always had my camera and I was asked many times by the school to take pictures at various events. When I left teaching I was blessed to have people approach me about taking pictures for their families.

What was next?

Simply put, I just did what was next. Accepting opportunities as they came – I set myself up with a small desk at home. My first big steps were learning my camera and establishing a logo, establishing pricing and eventually a website. Joining business networking organizations and renting a space in town as a small studio were huge to me. I kept wondering what in the world I was doing.  As I kept moving forward and pushing against doubt, fear and frustrations one day I realized I wasn’t just trying to become a professional photographer but that I had in fact started my own business. I remember being stunned by this revelation.

Landscapes

While I have always loved photography my journey has taken me down a few different paths along the way. In the very beginning with my first film camera in high school I preferred taking pictures of people and events over any kind of scenery. When I started dating my husband he would take my camera at times and take pictures of the scenery and I always thought “how boring!”

I bought my first digital DSLR because I wanted to take better pictures of our kids. They were small and moved fast and I loved how quickly the shutter would snap and the clear photos produced. My first Nikon was purchased in the Fall. Fall in the NW is stunning and I found myself taking nature pictures. Before I knew it I was getting up before the sunrise and traveling with my camera to capture scenery shots. I was encouraged by friends that said I should sell my prints. Ironically my first ventures into professional photography was as a nature photographer. I did sell several pictures and had a few pictures published which was very exciting and validating for me. After awhile I noticed how lonely I was wandering around with my camera looking for that perfectly unique shot. 

Shelly Fry Photography The very beginning

I decided to leave nature photography behind and pursue portrait work. I really enjoy people and the interaction I have with each of my clients gives me so much joy I know I’m where I should be. Next week I will share more about my journey on the blog.

There’s a New Baby in the Family

Meet Scout! Josh and Jocelyn decided to expand their family and adopted sweet Scout last weekend.  She is a boarder collie/lab mix. We are so sad we can’t get our hands on her since they are in Boise. It would be so much fun to see Lucy play with Scout! I hope we will all be able to meet up sometime soon. Look at that adorable face!!

What’s Happening at the Studio –

Jeff helped me hang up my LOVE sign and I have officially switched over the Valentine’s Day theme. For some reason I don’t like Valentines Day (at all) but I do love this LOVE sign that Rod made for me! I also strongly believe we all need to be showing more love to each other these days. 

Professional Head shots have been happening in the studio. I have a variety of backdrops in the studio and with this lovely sunshine I also have the park next-door for some natural light options if people like that.  I have booked my first Spring Family session and I have a wedding on the books. I’m looking forward to all this year has to offer. 

Thanks for popping in this week!

Shelly