St. Louis Photographer » A Journal by Holly McCaig

I haven’t really posted much in the way of personal postings here in a long time. I sometimes feel like time gets away from me and then I end up forgetting to document the important things in life outside of my business. So, I thought today, Sunday would be a good day to share a little about what’s going on with me and life.

Obviously, the business has been pretty busy. I have this “grand plan” to move forward with my business and I have been really hardcore focusing on it. Really trying to make it work for me. I feel like I probably give up a lot of “play” time because of it, but I know it’s because of my mission at hand. The studio hasn’t been used much this summer. I didn’t expect it to be. But, it’s there now to use for meetings and I have plans to teach a couple of photography classes over the winter in there.

Speaking of the studio, today, we drove out to Bland and Rosebud, Missouri to pick up things  purchased for the studio. Antiques to be exact. I have this thing for vintage furniture pieces to use in my photography and collecting them has been tough. Finding beautiful pieces, in good shape, and not thousands of dollars…that’s the tough part. But, I feel like I really lucked out this weekend. I purchased two antique sofas, a chair, a barn table, and two old church doors for about $1200. I couldn’t even find ONE antique sofa for that on E-Bay. I have decided that here, in Missouri, you have to go out to B.F.E. to find anything at decent prices. So, off with a Uhaul I went today! The second sofa wasn’t on my plan, but it was half price from the day before. I couldn’t resist. Some photos from my iPhone. Promise that once I use them in photos, you’ll be the first to see them!

The first two chairs, I didn’t buy and wish I had. Sigh.

The dogs have been good. Jack and Daisy have a Twitter account now too, but they are slacking lately. Heh. I recorded Jack the other night in his sleep, barking. I love that new feature on the upgraded iPhone software to be able to record sound!

Jack Snoring

I’m also a bad mother…I’ve not done a good job with taking photos of them outside of iPhone pictures. It just comes in handy. A few of my babies and the furniture pieces:

I hired an as-needed assistant that will go with me on shoots. And, I think I have another person interested as a backup. Things are coming together on those parts and I know they will make me feel less stress on a shoot. My assistant is also named, Hollie (just with an “ie”). So, we are now known as Lucy and Ethel. I’m Lucy – the red-head. She cracks me up so much and I feel like I’ve known her forever. It’s a great fit!

Some changes on the design front. You may or may not have known this, but I chose not to resign my contract with Pink Paislee when it ended in March. It was a decision I knew I had to make for many reasons and I can honestly say I am grateful that I was free this summer to focus on my photography business. I also stepped down as a Garden Girl at Two Peas because I just didn’t have time to give it my all. It wasn’t fair to everyone else in my opinion. I have decided to stay on as a designer for now. I probably won’t be posting more than my couple of new pieces each month to the store for a while. I have been repackaging older things if you haven’t noticed! A chance to nail a few things you may have missed in the past. I have been focusing a little more on re-selling my own personal business designs at Pink Ink Studios (photography designs). All-in-all, it’s been mostly about the photography. I am grateful to have this opportunity to do that.

This fall, I have at least two trips planned. One is to Phoenix where I will get to see Audra & Jeff Little’s new baby and to attend a workshop there with Melissa Jill. The other is I’m taking the One Light Workshop in Atlanta in November. I’ve discussed a few other trips but nothing is set in stone.

My family is well. Jake is going to be doing his last semester of paramedic school this fall. Then, he has to complete all his clinical hours. Andrea is doing well in school too. Hopefully, one day, I can make enough money to have my mom quit her job and come work for me. We’re just all hanging in there these days and staying busy and on the go. We did get to see a movie last month, The Hangover, together. Such a hilarious movie. It felt good to go to a movie and just chill out. I need to do more of this – but maybe during the day/morning. My creative juices don’t do so great then anyway.

And, with that – tis life. I have a bazillion crafty things to sort through and get rid of or make for holiday gifts. Lots of jewelry stuff still piled in boxes – I want to make more of my glass and scrabble tiles like I did last holiday season to sell on ETSY. And I made the decision to try and sell off more of my knitted hats and cocoons I’ve made too. I don’t plan on photographing newborns and I love knitting. Just figure I might sell them. I should hand them off to someone to list for me on ETSY. But, it’s all such a back burner project.

Now time for a nap!

You would think Christmas would be all exciting and stuff, but no, I’m more excited about Amy Kant coming to visit. Me and mom are anxiously awaiting her arrival. We just love this gal!

So, my grams went home this morning and I’ve been doing some cleaning to get things in order. It’s going to be lots of fun crafting, seeing STL and a fun party night at Blueberry Hill with lots of STL people (come too at 8 p.m. if you’re part of the STL Social Media world and have fun with us). Sunday, we’re doing some Lollipop photos and other fun shots. If you live in the area and want to stop by Sunday night, $25 for your shot (digital file). Let me know and I’ll give you a time!

Some pictures from the past few days:

That’s us kids with our grandparents. My dad’s mother (grams) and my mom’s father (boppa). My mom took this picture for us!

Jake with his cat, Muffassa – that still lives here. He’s such an odd cat and we’re ready to give him away. He likes to bat glasses off the tables and break them. GRRR. He’s giving away a movie on his blog, so click on his name to go there if you’re interested!

Jack was getting annoyed with all the photos I kept taking of him.

And, finally, some illustrations I did for my mom and my grandpa for Christmas. I printed them on canvas so they look really awesome too. I may put these up on ETSY!

Alright, have a great weekend, I’m sure you’ll see and hear lots from me and Amy over the weekend!

Katie has done it again. I saw this and picked my jaw up off the floor and wiped the drool off.

This is using my new Tinsel Town collection with Pink Paislee – shipping to stores this week. I never in my wildest dreams knew it could be so beautiful. I mean, you design this stuff, and then wait to see what people do with it. Katie never lets me down!

To see it bigger and more detail shots – click here.

Really, Katie, how much to get one myself? GORGEOUS!

In the midst of trying to meet deadlines before Andie gets in town Tuesday, planning the attack of this house for her visit and Lollipop Smiles portraits going on Wednesday, and other misc. projects, I have neglected my office. BIG TIME!

I can’t find my desk and there are about 4 empty A&W cans sitting here (along with my coffee cup). Wait, 5.

Just when I started to get my day going today, Daisy puked her breakfast and I was fast on the phone with the vet’s office again. Here I have this dog that appears normal otherwise, but is throwing up (mostly bile though). She’s eating normal, etc. There is no blockage in her GI Tract. Okay, so what the hell gives.

It just seems that she’s hungry. Yes, her stomach is overactive and it has nothing to process…why she threw up her food I don’t know…but that’s only been a couple of times and could be that she just ate too fast (they both do that). So, we have her on Metoclopramide to help too. It just means I have to feed her in the evenings before bed and keep food on her stomach. I’m bad about sleeping in, so maybe she just goes way too long between those two meals. Good times.

Anyway, back to the office. I made the to-do list to get this place in order before the big shin dig and well, forgot to put my office on the list. Nice.

Can you say, completely and utterly overwhelmed?

Here are two layouts using the new Pink Paislee releasing to stores in October:

Special thanks to Jen Beck and Amy Kant for their photos!

It feels awesome outside! I have been trying to sleep in a lot more so I can focus on working more afternoon/evening times, but for some reason I had to pee. I hate that! When you’re asleep, enjoying the warmth of your down comforter and puppies snuggling you. Then, that aching feeling that you just can’t hold it any longer. Grrr. It’s always been tough for me to get right back to sleep when that happens.

I took the dogs out – because as we all know, Daisy is terrified of being outside during the day. So, if I go out with her, she might just pee. If I put on shoes and walk all the way to the fence in the backyard, she might poop. I went off on a tangant there. I meant to continue on with how lovely it feels. It’s like that beginning of fall in the air. Oh, how I love that. The changing seasons make me very happy. Specifically the Winter to Spring and Summer to Fall changes. Yum.

I haven’t blogged in a few days because my time schedule is pretty tight. Andie will be here on the 23rd and I have projects and deadlines looming that must get done. Not to mention that we decided we’d start ripping carpet up in the living room and finish painting in there (the plan is to slowly invest in the new flooring for that room). Carpet + Daisy = No good.

On Saturday, we went over to my gramps to help him set up the computer that my aunt and uncle (that moved to Miami) are leaving him. He had high-speed internet installed last week for it. He’s 88 years old and well, now we’ve got him chatting and using Skype with his web cam to talk to us. Even Google Earth. It’s awesome. Don’t you think?

I started Manic Mondays on the Create blog for those interested in a small free gift every week. I need to stock up on those through my trip to make sure I have enough going and scheduled to release for you while I am gone! I just wrapped up a collab kit with someone that I won’t share yet! It won’t be released till October and it’s way cute!

I need to wrap up the quarterly taxes junk to get that taken care of before I leave as well as scheduled to get my janky window fixed. So much to do, and so little time. How does one manage it all?

Alright – I have some Pink Paislee to finish working on!