February 20, 2019
 

The Hartsell 3

 
 

Love this little blog of mine, and all the memories it holds for me, my business, and my family!  2019....I'm coming back for ya, blog!  I finally feel like our house, our last baby, getting kids in school, has all settled into normal vs. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW.  The past 2 years we pumped the breaks on my business out of necessity when we moved into house with the help of https://exprealty.com/us/ms/olive-branch/houses/ that needed to be gutted, got pregnant, had a newborn, started a Kindergartner,  gutted more parts of our house, grew Joe's real estate business....but it seems like my margins are opening back up to have more time and energy to take on new and more clients.  These past few years I really have only worked with past portrait clients and strong referral wedding clients.  I am excited to see what 2019 and 2020(already booking?! what?!) hold for me!  I will be going to back to showing more portrait work on the blog, something that had to take a back seat when we were shooting so many weddings a year.  I will also go back to focusing on high school seniors, something that has always remained close to my heart.\n\nFor a quick family update- Scout is the dreamiest little 18 month old, Sharpe just turned 7 and Shepherd just turned 5!  Such big milestones for all the boys!  We had a little photoshoot in the yard to commemorate these fun ages.  I can't believe I get to be the mom of these three little lovelies!  For those who have been around here while- can you believe how big those buddies are!?!  Blows my mind daily.  Have a looksie and thanks for being here!\n\n

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November 22, 2016
 

Fall 2016- our boys

 
 

This blog has been quiet! And I keep promising myself I am going to catch up....it's not for lack of amazing things to show...just a lack of having a normal life!  We are in such a crazy season right now!  Our remodel is progressing along, but it is taking constant managing on top of it being "fall"- which is a REAL 4 letter word to wedding and portrait photographers;)  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, though! Christmas is coming-which means I am in the final crunch for orders and deliveries, but rest is coming:) I HAD to share these pics of my boys at the pumpkin patch before everyone forgets the fall happened and moves 100% onto Christmas! We ran down to Almond Farm on 601 one evening at the very end of the day and played for 30 minutes and got these shots.  It's been that sort sort of life lately- quick 30 minute playtimes....but I keep telling myself this season is not forever! It's just for now and we will get through it:)  If you want to follow some snippets of our remodel- be sure to check out the instagram we create to document the progress: @downtownacres.  How are these two SO BIG?!?!?!?! I love them to pieces!  Happy Thanksgiving Week!

 

Wanted to pop in for a little life update!  It's a been a pretty busy summer around here.  Our spring started off in a sprint with 9 weddings in 11 weeks, which also coincided with an upturn in real-estate for Joe, so needless to say- we pretty much survived April, May and June.  I knew that this meant I needed a lot of time off in July and August(save for 2 weddings), so we have been a little off the radar since then!  Another fun(yet stressful) thing that we have been working on since March was buying a new house!  More on that to come soon:)

Our little(or not so little) guys are getting so big!  Sharpe is most definitely in the little boy stage, and Shepherd is completely out of the baby stage...it's hard to believe!  We spent a lot of time at the beach and mountains and tried to balance editing all of the spring/summer weddings while still having fun with the little guys.  As much fun as we have had...CAN SCHOOL PLEASE START NEXT WEEK??!?!?!?!?!?!?!? No, but really.  School, it's time!  We DESPERATELY need a schedule:) Sharpe will be going 5 days to a preschool TK program and Shepherd will be going 3 days.  We all are ready:)  Mama needs to work (and pack, and move, and renovate- all in time, people:))  Here are some updated photos of my guys!  These were taken in July and August.  They have changed so much since the end of school this past spring- I can't wait to do their comparison photos on the first day! It will also be the last "first day" in our current home, which is where every first day photo has been taken- so that definitely has me a little nostalgic! Will share:)  Enjoy a long weekend and let's all get back to the grind on Tuesday:) Happy Labor Day!

 

I can't believe 2015  has come and gone! I know everyone says don't blink or you will miss it, and I now completely understand! I am going to break our Year in Review into two post, personal and business.  First up, the business round up!

What an another amazing year for Lindsey Lee Photography!  Joe and I shot 26 amazing weddings together and I shot countless baby, senior and family sessions.  After truly surviving last year and falling into winter in one of the worst shapes(from a personal standpoint) I have been in as a business owner, we made big changes and big promises to ourselves for 2015.  I am proud to say that for the most part we held true to our promises!  It wasn't a perfect year of balance, but oh how I felt so much more of it in our lives.  Joe was in his first full year as a real estate agent since leaving teaching so we found our new normal(and he totally crushed it, more on that in the personal post coming soon).  I kept solid business hours at the studio and held firm to my off days with the boys.  This caused me to hunker down and focus on my days at work at the studio.  This fall's schedule management was a total result of the changes we made this time last year and beyond.  It was a year in the making, but for once I didn't feel like the holidays passed me by, but rather I was a participant in them.  A great feeling all around!  Our wedding schedule was much more manageable (never again the crazy that was 2014) and turnarounds were on schedule all year, which makes me one happy photog! How about all of these beautiful couples!!!!!??????

Every year I learn more and more about what makes my heart beat in this business.  This year, more than ever, I loved the moments we created for some awesome couples and am thankful for each and every person we had the opportunity to work with.  Wedding season 2015 brought lots of familiar faces back our way, and for that we could not be more thankful.  Referrals make the wheels on this bus move, and to be reunited with so many we have loved over the years was just plain awesome!  Of our 26 weddings, 5 were siblings from past brides or grooms(and one weddings that was a sibling on BOTH sides!).  While weddings are still the heart of my business, the amazing seniors and families that walked through my door give me so much passion as well.  New babies, sweet toddlers, moms that are trying to figure it out, one year olds learning their way through the world, special 5 year old portraits, babes becoming big brothers and sisters, seniors preparing for college...these are the milestones that I love investing in.  Knowing that I am creating memories that these families will look back on for years to come as their baby girls and boys (yes, even at 17 they are that mom and dads "baby") navigate life means so much to me…really now more than ever as my own boys grow and learn and change by the day.  I cherish the job before me as a "family" photographer.  It's fleeting...and the memories shouldn't live on a phone.  Creating art this year for my clients homes gave me so much satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.

Another highlight from my year in business was networking with some of the best photographers in Charlotte in a more intimate and personal way.  Sure, we all "know" each other, but developing friendships with some of the industries best and making it a point to invest in friendships with them was very life giving from a business AND personal standpoint.  I loved my moments this year with my "people".  We all do this job, for the most part, alone by a computer when we aren't with our clients.  Having ladies to bounce ideas off of, meet for dinner, discuss the latest industry trends, etc brought new breathe into my business and was fun to boot!  I plan to do more networking and loving on other photographers in 2016….why? because we are all in this together and a rising tide raises all ships.  I look forward to meeting more awesome photographers and raising the industry in the coming year.

Below you will find some fun and funny outtakes from our year.  This has become quite the tradition to post, and is mostly dedicated to Joe and the complete confidence he has in his manhood and the absolute lack of shame he has when our clients are concerned.   No, really.  He will do anything it takes to make the bride happy, clean and beautiful...and for that, I think it's safe to say he has our brides unconditional love forever:)  I am happy to share him this one special day in each of our brides lives ;)  Have a peak and enjoy!

Bow ties are Joe's thing.

And sometimes the bow tie keeps misbehaving and we have to fix it all.day.

Me: Joe, those flowers are all wonked…will you fix them?

2015 was the year of the "tiny bride" Seriously, so many at the 5ft level.  6 foot 4 Joe says he feels like a giant in all these photos!!

Sometimes when I am doing a light check, Joe makes a friend.

Joe, go pretend you are a groom.

Your stylist is here for you.

Fixing hair? or strangling the bride? You be the judge.

And sometimes Joe takes a break from his wedding "uniform" and wears a tux! Hey Handsome!

This picture is a perfect example of Joe on a wedding day. Everyone is being chaotic, nobody paying attention….the "herding of the cats" is in full effect…yet there is Joe tending to a sweet bride!

Veil pic gone wrong.  Joe, put. the. veil. down.

The panthers weren't even playing yet, but Joe's got the Dab down.

Making friends with the coordinators everywhere we go.

Typical Joe holding dress moment.  But for real, they are HEAVY and LONG! What would I do without him?!

More hair fixin.

Love showing what we are creating right at the time we create it:)  I love the sense of calm and confidence it gives my brides that we are getting AWESOME stuff together!

"Professional Cake Cutting Explainer Guy."  It's an actual resume builder.

"Go be a bride coming down the isle".  For some reason, this never gets old to me!

Joe yelling at a toddler:)

That wing span, though! It's 6 people long!!!!!

More showing fun and beautiful stuff!  (this must be the only time Joe can catch me because he is busy being awesome the rest of the time)

Doing what needs to be done.

More doing what needs to be done.

Preparing for lift off…..but Joe standing by while Josh swallows a bug.

The amount of times Joe puts on shoes is actually hilarious. We should keep count in 2016.

Because Joe is so awesome, I gave him a sparkler exit.

Sisters!  Shot both of these beautiful ladies weddings:)

"Let me get that for you"  (the other bridesmaid isn't sure what to think of Joe touching her friends face).

A LLP first!  6 past brides moms were at this one wedding! (managed to get a pic but only after one of them had left!)  These moms have invested so much in me and my business and are truly some of my biggest cheerleaders.  Three of them I have shot multiple kids weddings.  I could not be more thankful. I am honestly in awe and humbled to be able to be their memory keeper.  They bless me in ways they don't even know!

Just tending to the veil.

Little Bro's sometimes need help with the tie, too!

More awesome brides! 4 LLP brides at once!

"Go be a groom."

I promise all of these veil flying in the air photos just "happen".

See above;)

If there is a straggly hair to be found, I promise you we will not rest until it has been tamed!

Confusion...but I assure you, whatever he is doing is helpful:)

This resulted in one of my favorite shots of the year (see previous blog post).

Joe's first look with dad:)

He's funny AND good at holding a veil.

The moms are pretty entertained, too!

You will never walk steps alone on your wedding day with Joe around.

The Pied Piper of Bridesmaids.

It's all in the flick of the wrist!

"Go be a bride"……."ok, but the bride is a lot shorter"

Getting Low.  (also, am I actually this white in person??)

If looks could kill.

BFF past groom shot:)

See how amazing you all look?!?!?!?

The groom isn't so sure Joe should be touching his new bride like that!

Joe getting his fusion on.

And lastly, there's this.  

Hope these made you smile! Go make 2016 awesome!

 
  1. Aunt Mare:

    Sweet Lindsey & sweet Joe…….oh how we love you both! Your pictures have made me smile & cry–often times looking at the same picture! Today is no exception & I thank you on behalf our 3 beautiful weddings, all our senior sessions, the surprise kids only shoot, & now our babies are having babies so we love the Santa pics. Thanks for capturing our most special times to “love in”! Aunt Mare

Getting so excited for our Santa Sessions this upcoming weekend! This is such a different take on the type of portraits I am known for(aka, I NEVER do anything "themed" and "kitschy") but it has become one of my very favorite events that we put on.   Each year I schedule a time for my family to hop in with Santa during our sessions.  It seems like I usually don't have time to talk or show much of these photos because Santa intersects with the busiest time of year for me, so they sorta get back burnered until literally 2 days before Christmas when I rush and do something with them for my family.  These sessions have been such a fun source of laughter and memories for us.  Well, I should say fun memories for my family, STRESS memories for me! ha!  But looking back today and pulling these shots, I was almost in tears laughing at the nonsense that is my families time with Santa.  My parents and Joe's dad always use it as an opportunity to get a shot for their card as well....Mom takes it upon herself to do something fun/surprising for Santa.  I usually don't know what it is until they show up with the kids in tow...this makes for a lot of FUN, but depending on what it is, it makes for a whole lot of chaos, too!  Here are some funny outtakes from our Santa Sessions.  I have to say, the crying ones melt my heart almost more than the smile ones!  Merry Christmas Season from The Hartsell's!

Year One, Sharpe having none of Santa. He is one here because his birthday is at Christmas.  We did manage to get a cute family pic but it was all we could do to get him distracted enough to take this photo.

Tortured by Santa.  Hated every second....Joe and I stand there and laugh. We are super great parents.

Year Two.  Sharpe almost 2 years old. Still hates Santa.  This year mom thought it would be fun to 1) dress Darby up like Mrs. Clause.  And 2) bring elf suits for everyone...which stressed out me, Santa, and Darby...haha, but it was the funniest thing ever!!!  Both mom and dad and Joe's dad used this as their card that year.  I can't tell you how many people are still talking about it! I was I think  34 weeks pregnant, so you know, this was real fun for me...swollen feet, face, everything!

Darby hated Santa....we really wanted a Mr. and Mrs. Claus pic, but this was the best we got, haha!  Darby, the world's best and sweetest bear and look what we put her through!

Rough family pic, but we tried.  I do sorta wish you could see my HUGE belly here...Shepherd was on the way! I had him 5 weeks later.  Managed to get Darby to sit near santa for picture.

Here come the elves...these are the outtakes.  I'm dying at my dad and that big fake ear.  I am pretty sure Santa thinks we are nuts.

Mom's card that year:) You can see why all of their friends think they are crazy....grandkids will do that to ya:)

Year three and Shepherd's first Santa pic!  What a sweet boy.

Oh look!  Sharpe decides he likes Santa!  Only took 3 years!

Mimi decided everyone needed footed pajama onesies with their names on the butt!  If only I could post a full length of these two grown people in footed pajama onesies, too funny!  My dad has no butt and chicken legs, so we were dying at him in these pajamas.  He was embarrassed, but mom can be pretty persuading.  Maybe I can convince them to put them back on for gift opening this year:)

Pop's Christmas Card.  Look at those sweet babies! And Shepherd....gosh, I could just eat him up!

Thanks f0r taking this trip down memory lane with me.  I so look forward to all of the families that will be in front of my camera this Sunday and Monday.  If you want to know about Santa in the future, be sure to sign up for my newsletter via my fb page(click here).   30 of our 40 spots filled up before I ever started announcing the times and dates publicly, so you will want to make sure to get on this list to get a prime slot for next year!

 

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