Happy 5 Years & Starting a New Year

It's hard to believe that an idea to generate income over five years ago has now become my job :) Happy 5th Anniversary to Rebecca Simeone Designs! While I strive every day to think about how my business can get better and improve with time, I am just grateful for all of the experiences I've had over the last five years. With business changing in so many ways especially in the past two years, I know I'll never forget this time in life where I learned so much about ME. I hope that 2013 for Rebecca Simeone Designs is the best year yet!!!

The cold winter months are ALWAYS so nice to take a step back and breathe a little bit from a hectic year in business. Before I know it, spring will be here and wedding season will be in full swing and I'll be busy again. These slower days are good for preparing for tax season (ugh) and setting goals to make my business year better and easier.

My BIGGEST business goal for the next year is to be better at the "business" part of my business. I need to be better about tracking all of my expenses, income, mileage and the nitty-gritty aspects of being a business owner. My biggest fault is not doing this throughout the year, thus leaving me panic stricken for the weeks leading up to tax season. I've already posted reminders and post its around my house to track everything as it comes, every expense, every mile I put on my car, EVERYTHING!!

I always get nervous during the cold months and think to myself...when will I start booking sessions for the new year!? The calendar is very quiet for 2013 and I know business will come...BUT the waiting part is hard!! Without having a studio space or even an office space to do photography sessions, it makes it harder for me to book sessions over the winter months. While business is slow I am constantly dreaming and brainstorming ideas for my dream office space or studio space one day (preferably in the a house I will own one day soon!!) Right now all I hope is that business picks up come spring and that my awesome clients and friends haven't forgotten about me :)

Stay tuned for some fun family lifestyle sessions on the blog in the coming weeks!

Baby Girl Scarlett

I love, love, love when I get to mix my business life with my personal life. Capturing moments for all types of family is very near and dear to my heart, but when I capture moments for dear friends of mine, it makes my heart SO very full. Scarlett Murphy Vanaman was born on December 21, 2012. What a birthday, huh? The supposed "end of the world" brought forth a precious new life! I am so happy for one of my best friends, Jaime and her husband Norm as they welcomed Scarlett to the world. It seems like just yesterday that Jaime told me she was pregnant! My how nine months flew by and now Scarlett is here!

What a little personality Scarlett already is! She was a perfect angel for her newborn session and only cried once. That's a record for a newborn session! Scarlett (once fully asleep) was perfectly content with playing dress up and I had so much fun with Jaime during her session. I hope she and Norm love these photos as much as I do :)

Here's just a peak into newborn Scarlett's sleepy world!

I hope you enjoyed a peak into Scarlett's life and I can't wait to hopefully capture some more newborns in the coming year :)

The Best Shots of 2012

2012 was a year where I pushed myself. I learned from other photographers and really learned how to voice what I wanted a photo to look like. From exchanging ideas with clients, to themed sessions at new locations, there are a few photos I'd like to share with you that I took in 2012 that just made me happy.

It's almost as if, all of the right elements came into play and I saw my vision coming to life. These moments are pure joy, or the light was perfect, or the scene was amazing. I hope with all hopes that I have SO MANY more of these moments in 2013.

Enjoy a peak back at some of my favorite moments captured on camera this year:

The Irish Twins

Steff and her husband John have had their hands very full over the past two  years! From having their first son Jackson just last January 2012, to having a second child, Grace, just this past December, it's been a whirlwind of life they've been living...and they wouldn't have it anyway! With two babies born in one year, Jackson and Grace are considered Irish twins, which just basically means they are siblings born within the same calendar year. And though their live is crazy and Grace was JUST born a few weeks ago and Jackson turned one, I know they love their crazy life. Steff and John welcomed me into their home to document their beautiful life. Little newborn Grace slept through her whole newborn session which was an absolute dream. Jackson was none too thrilled to be dressed up in colorful polka dots for his cake smash session but we made it through with a few smiles and a few years :)

Enjoy a peak into Steff and John's crazy, beautiful life and stay tuned for future blog posts!

Such a little peanut!

The hat is to die for!

One of the greatest Christmas gifts...

Ohhh, what's this? I get to play with it??

Finally got a smile!

Yummy!

He didn't like this oufit at all lol. Too funny not to post!

Handsome fella.