To the Mountains We Go {Our One-Year Experiment}
Original date published: April 2020
It has LONG been a dream of mine to have a little vacation cabin in Colorado. For a long time, my dream was to work really, really hard in my business so that we could buy a small vacation cabin in Colorado. But, for awhile now, my family has been praying hard, figuring out options, etc. and in June of 2020, we headed to Colorado for a "One Year Experiment!" We want more time together, a slower pace, mountains, and a little more room to breathe for that year. We are located in Southwest Colorado in a town of 20,000 people, and we are excited for all the adventures to come in the next year, and most importantly, more time together as a family.
What this means is that my husband and I will be living and working our regular jobs - just from Colorado - for a year. We rented our Austin home out for a year, and are renting a home in Colorado. Let me tell you... pulling all of this off in the midst of a worldwide COVID pandemic sure did make things interesting!
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:
Miles of Smiles Photography and our Studio is STILL running in Austin, Texas!
Have no fear - Miles of Smiles Photography and our amazing Studio will STILL BE RUNNING in Austin! I (Sarah) have worked very hard to create and train my amazing Austin Team (click here for that info.), and we are still operating and serving clients in Austin. Also, I (Sarah) will be coming back to Austin 2-3 times during our one year experiment to work with my best clients. So - if you're wanting to book a session with me, NOW is definitely the time to do so! See #3 below. Contact me here and ask about my Austin sessions for 2020/2021 during my year away. I plan on coming back in early October for some beautiful outdoor and in-Studio sessions, and then again in late March/early April, and probably one more time after that before Summer 2021.
If you've been a long time client of Miles of Smiles Photography as many of my clients are, you may be thinking, "WHAAAAT?! How is that going to work?" Let me set your heart at ease with some facts that I do know.
1) Same STUDIO. Same great SERVICE.
Same amazing attention to DETAIL & AMAZING PRODUCTS!
Miles of Smiles Photography business and our amazing Studio WILL still be running in Austin, TX. I will still be shooting some sessions in Austin (see above), and I have an incredibly talented TEAM working with me!! These 2 Associate Photographers are amazing! See the link below to meet these talented women and to see some of their work. They have been doing intensive training with me, they are doing a great job here, and clients are loving them! They know that the #1 priority here at Miles of Smiles Photography is creating an incredible CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. They will be great to work with at your session. (Also, see below (#3) if you're wanting to book a session with me.)
Check out our AUSTIN TEAM here. {At Our Austin Team page, you'll meet our Team, see their work, and also client reviews.}
2) I (Sarah) will still be running Miles of Smiles Photography.
I will still be the one running Miles of Smiles Photography, and EVERY SINGLE IMAGE will still run directly through me before it is finalized for our clients. I (Sarah) will still be responding to inquiries, booking the sessions, providing client support, coordinating details and helpful preparation information, etc. on the front end. My Team will photograph the session outdoors or at our beautiful Studio, (unless you're booking a session with me - see #3 below) and then I will again take over and serve my clients from there and coordinate the Order & Design Appointment, finalizing detailed edits to your beautiful images, ordering your prints and gorgeous ART Products, etc.
3) I (Sarah) will be back in Austin 2-3 times that year to photograph my best clients.
If you're wanting to book a session with me, great! I will be back in early October (spots are almost full!), and late March/early April. I'm hoping to plan one more trip after that too. So - if you're wanting a session in October 2020 or Spring 2021, NOW is the time to book it. Do not delay, as I will have limited availability during those times. Contact me here ASAP to reserve your spot!
4) My TEAM of Photographers is AMAZING!
You can still get the following sessions here at Miles of Smiles Photography: Maternity, Newborn, Little Sitter, Cake Smash, Family, Senior, Headshots, and Fine Art sessions. I have searched high and low and have found the best team, and have hired and trained 2 amazing Associate Photographers. Check out our AUSTIN TEAM and their work here.
5) What about SANTA?!?
Fear not, my long-time friends and faithful clients... Santa will still be coming to Miles of Smiles Photography town! Details are announced in our August email Newsletter. (And they will sell out quickly like they usually do.) Not sure if you're on that Email Newsletter list? (We do not share emails or spam you... and we only send about 10 emails a year.) Click HERE to add yourself.
For Fall 2020 Mini-Session & Santa Specials, click here.
6) Can you book a MOUNTAIN SESSION with me in Colorado??
Yes, yes, and yes! Click below to see some of my Mountain Session work. The Durango and Telluride areas of Colorado are SO BEAUTIFUL here. https://www.milesofsmilesphotography.com/mountain-sessions
7) What if you stay in Colorado?
We don't know what the future holds for us yet. But what I DO know is that:
a) Miles of Smiles Photography WILL still be running in AUSTIN, Texas. AND in DURANGO, Colorado!
b) If you plan early enough, and want me to photograph your session, you don't have to worry one bit! Austin clients that want me to photograph their session should schedule 6+ months in advance with me. Contact me for details.
8) As always, THANK YOU for your continued support!
And as ALWAYS, especially in these times and what is happening in the world, a very, very heartfelt THANK YOU for your continued support of my business and the ART that I create for my incredible clients. For the last decade, this Miles of Smiles Photography business has truly been "my third baby" - and something I have worked endlessly on to create something truly magical for my clients. And because of YOU, my life has changed for the better. I am beyond grateful for your past support, and the support that Miles of Smiles Photography will receive in the future.
I am truly honored, humbled, and in awe of what Miles of Smiles Photography has become the last decade here in Austin, Texas, the ways it has grown and touched businesses around the world, and I look forward to seeing where God leads it in the next decade here in Austin and in this big ol' world.
If you have any questions, send them my way here. Sending prayers, light, love and a whole lot of gratitude to all of you.