I was digging through some pictures of us from earlier in the year and this one surprised me. I do not even remember taking it!! But when I saw it flash up on my screen I immediately thought, this is what my kids see all the time. I can’t help but wonder if this will be one of your memories of childhood. As much as the camera is out, I am going to have to guess it will. So for that, it belongs here in our book. A little glimpse of me trying to never forget all the little, amazing things about you.

I never want to forget this moment.This morning, for the first time ever, Jackson and I shared a very collaborative learning moment. Typically I share all the information and I get smiles and hugs in return but this morning, Jackson pointed, repeated, and mimicked everything I did. He even found a new friend, the belly button. It was such a crucial process for him to learn, one I will never take for granted, one where I could connect and see his world light up.

It really started yesterday, like a light switch, as we walked I quizzed him on all the animals and thier sounds…he said them all and enjoyed playing along. The last animal being a mom, just to see. What does a mom say Jackson – “muuuuum”. Then later that night he wanted me and he walked around saying, “muuuuum” and when he saw me he squealed with delight. When we worked on his picture words he repeated each and every one after me or exclaimed first when he recognized one.

This afternoon, after I put him down for his nap, I had a little giggle, this child is going to explode with information soon! I have been pumping him full of it for months trying to help!

I have had a crush on photography for as long as I can remember. A camera in hand as a little girl felt like a compass providing a connection to how I felt inside, to the world I adored on the outside. As the years passed, photography became a constant source of clarity in the background. It is where I went to find comfort, inspiration, and connection. Until the day it clicked, quite literally and figuratively. The day I realized that my crush could become more was liberating. For the first time I got it, I realized when you follow your heart and all the clues you have left yourself along the way, you can live what you love. There was one more thing, I had already found love as a military wife.

Traveling the world by his side, coupled with the love I had found inside, led me to a journey of self discovery, unlike any other. It has been seven years to the month and here the story goes.

I have shot for clients on the beaches of Japan, in the flowering fields of Germany, taught photography classes under the lights of the Eiffel tower, and worked in the cities that live between. In one little sentence I could sell this life to anyone. It is a glorious way to live. Not just seeing the cultures but living the cultures opens up a world of possibility and understanding. Working with the amazing clients that are living and breathing what I hold so close, breeds friendships and relationships unlike any other. It is a blessed life, let me leave no question. But there is more.

As a military spouse you live your life in a series of circles. You move from one circle to the next and if you are lucky they overlap like a web. Each circle represents a new assignment to another place, another group of friends, another job, another house, another, another, another. With each passing circle begins another round of closure full of see you laters, scratching another notch on the resume, and cleaning out yet another set of closets. It is a never ending cycle of circles.

This allows for endless opportunity to see the wolrd, have the cleanest closets and one of the best, most worldly social circles on the planet. Now let us add a business into the mix.

I have gone from filling a four month calendar of sessions in less than 30 seconds, yes truly I was humbled too, to just a few months later not knowing a single client.. With each circle comes another transformation. Each transformation is accompanied by a series of highs and lows and being able to ride the wave between is crucial to success.

During the highs your business is running itself. Clients are flowing in and out and the level of trust you have earned is soul soothing. It is where I dream most photographers outside of military circles get to live and breathe. It is the purest feeling of achievement and unfortunately within our circles it is short lived in comparison. More time is spent earning you way to this special place.

Because so much of what we do as artists is from the heart, or from within, the lows can way heavy on self doubt if you are not careful. It is understandable, often times we have just left a highly successful circle, full of clients that love and respect our work. The absence of such can feel empty and can be a cause for question. Unless you seize the moment. This time of transformation can be enlightening with a little searching.

When your business is at a high there is little time to alter or to evaluate yourself artistically. The supply and demand is busy at work. Part of seizing the moment of transformation is to give yourself a period of time to refresh yourself artistically. Evaluate what you love about your work and dedicate yourself to a direction. Use this time to practice and refine the skills it takes to achieve that direction. Do a workshop, read some books, get out and shoot.

As military spouses we often arrive to a new assignment and at that moment we are presented a choice. We can lock ourselves down, hide from the unknown, and dwell on how alone we feel or we can throw ourselves out there. As a girl who lives on the shy side of things, this is always a time to put my big girl pants on and step out of my shell. You have to go to functions, join classes, introduce yourself a hundred times to obtain new possibilities. The same is true in business. You must put yourself out there. Earn, I can’t stress this enough, EARN the trust that will bring success. Again go to functions, join classes and introduce your work a hundred times to obtain new possibilities.

These words have never been more true. I now find myself at a brand new assignment and know just a handful of people. I have worked with over a thousand clients and yet I do not know a single one here. So I dig deep into the time of transformation, peacefully, knowing that it is my time to refine and earn the trust of those around me. I know this to be true from the circles that have come before and I look forward to what lies ahead.

A circle is the perfect shape as it is must be completely round in order to roll. So in essence looking back there are truly no highs and lows, just different stops on your circle.

Until Soon,

SN

This post is part of a circle of military spouse photographers sharing a day in the life, click here to follow the circle to Kricia’s post.

My favorite part is that no matter how many people are cozy on the couch we all fit under it together.

It’s five o’clock and as I tried to think of what our moment of today was going to be, I glanced down and smiled. Yep, still in my pajamas. The smile came in part to the conversation I had yesterday on skype with my friend Kim, she joked that she wasn’t sure if she knew how to talk to me in real clothes! With a a little reflection I realize I have spent about the last two years in my pajamas! Okay, let’s be real, I spend a lot of time editing and working with clients behind the scenes, where no one can see me, so there is no need to wear real clothes to work either. Oh, and my kids, hmmm, swing by any day and chances are they are in their pajamas too. Fine, as much as it pains me to say, I am a pajama girl and I run pajama town.

I was breathing in the warm breeze while watching Jackson contently play with a bowl of water and a few sand toys when Jonathen walked over to ask to go to a friends house to play. That was us at 4:23 p.m. today.

When we were talking about his day at school, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His little freckles are back after a long winters rest and they brought such a smile to my face. I love his freckles, each and every one.

I was in the other room giving Matt a haircut when I walked around the corner to this sweet moment. It stole my heart instantly. I loved how Jackson had his arm on Jonathen’s back and his other in his pocket. I love how relaxed Jonathen is in this moment just taking it all in.

Inhaling all the sweetness.

We did it and I have you to thank. Today is our seven year anniversary. Serena Nicole Studios was officially born on a beach in Okinawa, on a warm and breezy Mothers Day. I can barely believe how fast time has flown. To spend this time with each of you is truly a blessing. Just sitting here and all your sweet faces pop into mind and I can not help but feel humbled. Thank you for allowing me to ride along and capture your memories all over the world. Thank you for being a part of my journey, each and every one of you.

What a sweet way to celebrate such a special day. I got to spend some time with this little guy and his family. I can not get over that chubby little chin and those sweet lips. Sigh. How did I get so lucky?

Until Very Soon,

SN

I was finishing up my call to my Mom when Jonathen stuck his head out the door to tell me to come inside. I walked in and could hear Jason Mraz singing I’m Yours (J and my favorite song), and two gifts with my name on them. I looked over to notice that the music was coming from Jonathen’s IPad and realized he had set the whole mood by himself. It is a moment I will never forget, so very touching. Not to mention that I got a new food processor. It is a beast and one of the best presents ever!

It was a little different not having my Tyler here this year, but I awoke to a sweet message and it made it all better.

We grilled out and enjoyed watching a movie together while snuggled on the couch and then I went to shoot for a few hours to celebrate my 7 year anniversary for work.

And just when I didnt think it could get any better, I got a sweet message from Marty too.

I feel so blessed.