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Hello to curious minds!

2017 marks my 10 year anniversary of kicking off my photography business...I'm only crying a little bit thinking that it's been an entire decade and thinking this is the last year in my 20's.  Okay, now I'm actually sobbing.
 

Why did you open Shop 414?  I am a serial hostess.  I like hostessing parties for friends and family and creating custom labels, signs, tags, banners, etc.  For Christmas 2016 I created personalized gift tags for family.  I really just thought it'd be fun, but then got encouraged to roll it into a business.  I was a little hesitant as my mind played devils advocate with itself.  I mean, gift tags?  That's so silly.  Not it's not. Yes it is. See what I mean?  It can be hard to delve into a new venture, especially when people are watching...what if I have a typo?  What if it doesn't make sense?  What if...unicorns are real?  I then decided, girlfriend, you're turning 30.  You're a teacher.  You tell your kids they can do hard things, so take your own advice.
 

So here it is, Shop 414 (the 414 comes from my birthday...April 14th).  I am starting small-ish with gift tags and banners for now.  I will expand printable options as the shop gets rolling.
 

I have always enjoyed creating things for myself, our home or even friends and family.  It can be hard to open that option up to the public.  I'd like to say "I don't care what people think!" But let's not lie to ourselves, being judged hurts the same now as it did 10 years ago.  I'm open to questions...I need to know if Shop 414 doesn't make sense, if there's some clarity I can provide, or any inquiries.  I want it to be simple, fun and provide quality printables.  I can only get to that point with help from all of you.
 

What does this mean for April Mass Photography?
 

Nothing, except all clients save 10% on any Shop 414 orders.  Hooray!  You also get to incorporate those photos into printables. Yippee!  Everything else will stay the same.  Scheduling, specials, pricing, availability, everything.  The good thing with Shop 414 (for now) is that it's all digital.  I am accepting orders on here or through Etsy: Shop 414 - Etsy
 

Thank you to family who encouraged this "new extension of my creativity" as my mom says.  
 

Now, ask me some questions, leave me a comment, or just post some strange emoji with no meaning.

Something else that happened in 2015 was that I finally grew a pair and learned to say "no."  I'm not talking about drugs, but please, say no to those, too.  I'm talking about simple things like girls trips, lunches, dinners, group chats (is it possible to make these stop happening for infinity and beyond?), etc.  I decided if I didn't want to spend my time or money on a person or event, that was my decision and it was okay to make that decision.  I'm sure the chaos I was surfing through had a lot to do with these decisions, but it really just helped me clean house in life.

I realized I seemingly viewed marriage a little different than a lot of individuals I was encountering.  I love my husband, spending time with him and building a life together.  I knew very well when we exchanged vows that it was no longer just about what April wanted to do.  I signed up for this, willingly!  If you didn't know, I didn't date, like ever.  Like, I think Jon was maybe the first person I dated.  I wasn't mad about this, I had fun in college, I've always had friends, but dating just never crossed my path...until 12/31/2010.  I never second guessed where Jon and I were headed.  I just knew [insert eye roll for cliche verbiage].  The older I'm getting the more I'm understanding my brain.  I enjoy being in close quarters with individuals who who have similar views and eating habits, because no, I don't want a salad with dressing on the side, I want a pizza with a cannoli on the side.  Sue me.  JK, don't.  I'm a teacher.

So, 2016 has it made in the shade.  2015 made all the tough decisions and difficult transitions.  2016 just gets to keep the ball rolling.  I literally want nothing major happening this year.  I just want to work, go to grad school and be married.  Plus, I'll want some beers, home projects and friend time.  And I do need to lose a few 40 pounds, but pizza is having attachment issues. 

Was your 2015 productive like mine?  Maybe your 2016 will be?  Whatever your year ahead looks like, you do you.  Say yes if you want, say no if you'd rather.  And cry, it's okay to cry.  But laugh a lot, too.  And have a drink.

Happy New Year!

April

To be honest, it has been a semi-crummy year because I literally threw my hands in the air unsure of what I wanted to do or where I was going professionally.  Jon got to hear me complain for months in a whiney, stressed voice about all of my uncertainties.  Whiney April is not something anyone should have to experience.  But I literally felt like I was at a loss.  I knew I didn't want to work in the corporate world anymore, but that's probably 80% of that population.  And if you don't want to do something you've been doing, what do you do?  You whine about it.  Then you stop whining one day and take a step in a more productive direction. 
 

This is where education came in.  For the past 4 years, Jon has encouraged me to get into this field.  I laughed at him like he was a comedian, until that one day I quit my corporate job and decided to take the leap.  It made no sense.  I didn't even really know what I was getting into and other than Jon, my parents and a handful of friends, no one really knew what I was doing.  To those that checked in on me, my plan and tried to understand...THANK YOU.  I know it was confusing.  Most days I didn't have a clear vision for where I was going and it was stressful and lots of tears were shed.
 

So to escape the depressing part of the story, let me just clue you in on the present.  Like I said, I'm teaching Special Education at an elementary school.  The kids are adorable, I get hugs pretty much all day and I get to hear the most hilarious things from these small humans we call students.  I have met some fantastic co-workers who I now consider friends and I couldn't imagine another profession.

With all of this being said, I hope it's somewhat encouraging if you're in a profession, or just a place in life that isn't making you happy.  Go ahead and whine about it, cry a little and then let's get you moving onto something else.  Opportunity awaits you!  It won't knock on your door or grab you by the hand; you will need to go find it, but it's there.  Misery doesn't have to be your forever.
 

Since this is on my photography website you should know I'm still head over heels in love with my photography career.  I love snapping all your faces and still get excited and antsy for every shoot as if it were my first.  So to all of you who trust me behind the camera, THANK YOU.  It means the world to me.  Photography is something I have loved my entire life and it's fun to be at a place where I can apply it to a career.


 

Where to begin?  2015 brought about a lot of change.  I'm not an indecisive person by any stretch of the word and I don't do well with inconsistency---normally.  This year has been full of inconsistent opportunities and tests (metaphoric and literal).  I've quit a couple of jobs.  I got to the point mentally where if a job I'm doing doesn't bring some amount of joy or happiness then it's time to throw in the towel.  Yep.  Towel thrown.  More than once.  More than twice, even.  I grew up in a household where I was constantly reminded that if something doesn't make me happy or I no longer enjoy it, that it's not something I must continue doing.  I've carried this with me into adulthood.  Being in a super supportive marriage helps, too.  Tremendously.   Don't confuse this with giving up or quitting.  I'm not someone who does either of those and I don't mind working, I actually enjoy working.  Too much.  What can I say?  I like paychecks.

I stumbled upon a job in the latter part of 2014 that was fiscally great, but mentally draining.  It was not my cup of tea.  It wasn't an industry I enjoyed.  I didn't respect the people I worked for and the bitterness grew and grew.  With a simple flick of the wrist I threw that towel in.  Never looked back.  That's the thing about throwing towels, or anything for that matter, just don't look back.  Unless it's a boomerang, you better look back and catch that. 

I am now a long term art sub for a middle school.  After a few discussions, pro and con lists and the "Why not?" factor I decided teaching could possibly be what I've been destined to do.  I would get breaks with my husband, I could spend more time on my photography and I'd be working with kids, which I've always enjoyed.  I am certified to teach Art Education and getting certified this spring to teach Special Education.  As it turns out, I don't enjoy tests now anymore than I did in college. 

I've been the art sub since early February and it has opened my eyes.  I now understand why teachers get breaks.  News flash, breaks are for teachers.

I am teaching at a Title 1 middle school.  For the most part the students don't dig art.  A lot of them don't even enjoy coloring, something to this day I still like to do.  Discipline has been an issue.  You want to be the nice guy (or gal in my case), you want them to respect you enough to understand that they cannot be hateful, rude or just mean.  These are expectations I had.  These aren't expectations the students had.  A lot of their households are not at all similar to the one I grew up in.  The number one is a big deal with this topic.  I grew up in one household.  One little household of 4 people, 2 dogs and a fish from time to time.  I didn't worry about my home life.  That was and still is my safe place.  My base in the game of tag.  I liked art and learning because I didn't have these worries.  I knew I'd go home every day to my family.  I knew most days I'd get home to homemade fudge or brownies.  I knew I had some sort of practice in the evening and I knew dinner would follow.  I knew I'd take a hot shower and be tucked into bed.  A nice bed of my own.  In a room full of my things. 

My expectations for the classroom and students were based off of my life and my upbringing.  Jon has reminded me over and over that middle school April is not the same as the middle schoolers coming into my classroom.

Even through the last few weeks of trials and tribulations in the classroom, I still want to pursue teaching.  I worried it would be something that I thought I wanted to do, but ended up being miserable.  Again.  It's the first job I don't mind putting effort into after business hours.  This is huge.  Please, don't get me wrong, not every student in the school is defiant and cruel, there are plenty who are angelic, keep me laughing and are my piece of relief for the day.

So what am I doing?  I am an educator in the making.  I'm a photographer.  And for now I'm also working part time at Von Maur.  Because retail therapy is best when you get a discount.  Plus, we don't have kids.  No offense to those with kids, because I love your kids, but without them I'm able to add a lot more to my plate.  One day I'll have a full time job again and we'll add a child to the mix and things will be different, but at this time I'm doing what I'm able to in the place that I'm at.  Capiche?

"Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey.  They don't need to, it's not for them." 

Somehow the blog is always the first to get neglected when things get busy and it has been a busy few weeks as the camera of April Mass Photography.  "I hate being busy" - Said no photographer, ever.

Thanks to the wonderful friends in my life I've been able to network and have gained some new opportunities.  I know people always say "I can't thank you enough..." but honestly, I can't!  My small business is advertised strictly via social networking and word-of-mouth, both of which involve YOU---it's majorly appreciated. 

I will be running some new specials this year, as mentioned on Facebook I will be doing one Mini-Session Day per month.  There is more information on that right over here: http://aprilmass.zenfolio.com/rates  I'm also considering doing 'Headshot Sundays' to help out my local professionals.  I kind of miss headshots--when I was studying photography at OCU I often did headshots for my performing arts friends and I can't help but think I earn some credibility when they got a new, shiny job!  I'm sure their talent has nothing to do with it. (I've got jokes for days!)

One of the families I've done pictures for, for years, just built a new home.  While walking through their home and seeing picture after picture I had taken I realized how grateful I am to get to be a part of your lives.  It really is neat seeing families grow, change and come into new life adventures.

Some newness coming to my business is...a home office!  It's designed and in the process of being constructed.  Take a looksee...

Basically, this will provide a comfortable space to do all of our fun consultations---complete with wine or coffee! 

Take a tour around my site, ask any questions that come to mind and have a great rest of the week.

April



Thank you Northwest for letting April Mass Photography photograph your 2012 Company Picnic!  Enjoy the photos :)

The bride and groom's families planned a flash mob.  I don't have a lot to say other than it was awesome.  It was 10 minutes or more of coordinated dance moves from parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it.  I've never seen this done before and it was definitely something I'd enjoy seeing more of. 

The bride & groom got married in the Bahamas so this day was strictly about celebrating their marriage and what a celebration it was!

Congrations Heather & Neal!  Thank you for letting us be a part of your big day!
 

Heath did a wonderful job being my assistant and I know he's thrilled about more events.

Their story is a good one.  I probably can't tell it quite like them and I might miss some details but here it goes...

Jordan & Leigh went to high school together, but were never really friends...you know how that goes.  They ended up not meeting until after college and after a mutual friends wedding.  After their one meeting it was basically all she wrote because before I knew it, Leigh (one of my best friends by the way) was a bride-to-be!  I find their journey so funny because they grew up as strangers in the same town, went to the same school and are now venturing across the world together.  Strange how the universe aligns your life with someone else, isn't it?

I had the pleasure of witnessing their 'I Do's' in Florida and celebrating their union.  They've experienced quite a bit in a short amount of time in their marriage and it's fun to be their friend and photographer who gets to document it all.

Congrats to you both and good luck on your upcoming adventures!

Before I sign off I need to commend Oklahoma City on the wonderful new Myriad Gardens.  It definitely attracts more people and makes for a fun new thing to do.  The trails, sitting areas and architecture of it all brings a really positive energy to the area.  I'll definitely be back!