Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ

Monday, June 13, 2011

Worn Out... in a good way

Today was a big day.  I spent most of the day with Cheyenne and Madi doing their "sister photos."  We shot some in Downtown Southlake, Downtown Grapevine, and at Grapevine Lake.  It was great!  =)  I will have some "sneak peaks" of the photos on my Facebook Page in the next few days, so stay tuned.  You can find me on FB under Crystal Campbell Photography.  My fan list is growing, but we still need more, so please go "like" my page, and then share it with all your FB Friends.  

We finished off the day, after the last part of the shoot, with BBQ chicken and swimming at the lake.  It was so refreshing!  We even took our Golden Retriever, Bentley.  It was his first time away from the house, so he was a bit nervous at first, but once he hit that water there was no stopping him... LOL  Now I am sooooo tired.  I feel like I could sleep for days.  I have a ton of work to do the next 3 days, because I'm taking Friday off to go out with my daughters and my cousin, then taking the girls to NRH20 on Saturday.  It's going to be quite a week, but I love it!  =)

Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell
Crystal Campbell Photography
www.crystalcampbellphoto.com

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Up and Running!!!

Crystal Campbell Photography is officially up and running!!  I finished the website and Facebook page.  Yay!  So everyone go visit my website: www.crystalcampbellphoto.com and go "like" my Facebook page.  You can find it under Crystal Campbell Photography.  I am super excited!  This is only the beginning and there is still so much to do.  I love having a lot on my plate and I hope it never slows down, because I wouldn't know what to do with myself if it did... LOL.

The family and I went to a graduation party today for a family friend.  It was fun, but my daughter may have spent too much  time in the pool and sun.  She is not feeling well tonight.  I hope she is feeling better tomorrow.  I hate to see my baby girl sick.  My step daughter, Madi, is here visiting us for a few weeks so I'm also trying to find some fun stuff to do with the girls that won't break the bank.  Last week we went to see Bridesmaids.  It was so hilarious!  It has been a long time since I've seen a movie that I laughed all the way through.  I will have to see it again to catch parts I missed while we were laughing... LOL 


I want to thank all my friends and family who have given me so much support with my new business.  Especially my wonderful husband, Scott, and my awesome daughter, Cheyenne.  I definitely could not do this without both of you.  I love you!!!  =)


Everybody go visit my site and like my Facebook page!  


Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell
Crystal Campbell Photography

Friday, June 3, 2011

Conflicted...

Well, I have had a very interesting day.  As you all know, I am a photographer.  I specialize in outdoor photography and my focus is on Maternity, Newborns, Small Children, Seniors, and Families.  I recently received a Facebook message from a close friend of the family requesting my services at a wedding.  A wedding?!  Someone saw some of my work, loved it, and now wants me to do their wedding in Colorado this summer.  I'd be lying if I didn't say that the idea excites me; however, my specialty is not weddings nor did I go into this business wanting to be a wedding photographer.  So, I politely declined and suggested an awesome wedding photographer that I know.  

End of story??? Oh no... not when it comes to my family.  LOL  Today I get a call from my brother who tells me that this couple doesn't want some high profile wedding photographer.  They liked my work and want me.  Wow!  I have to say that, while my brother can be slightly harsh in his delivery, he brought up some valid points in why I should take this opportunity.  I told him that I would think about it.  I'm going to talk it over with Scott tonight and hopefully give an affirmative answer either way by Sunday.  To tell the truth, it scares me a little... no, it scares me a lot.  LOL  I've never shot a wedding before and this would be a "sink or swim" situation.  My way of thinking is that if I screw up an individual or family shoot we can always do retakes; however, I only have one shot at a wedding to get it right.  Having been a bride myself, I know how important a wedding day is and how it can be ruined by bad photography.  

On the other hand, I always doubt myself like this when trying something new and then it usually turns out that I exceed all expectations.  Maybe I work best under my own pressure???  hmmm... could be.  Also, if I don't do this I may regret it and possibly miss out on future business.  If I do this, it will expand my portfolio and my business.  I have always wanted to see Colorado.  It's a tough decision.  Well, I have a lot of thinking to do tonight and tomorrow.  If anyone has any advice for me, please leave a comment.  I could use it.  =)

Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell
Crystal Campbell Photography

Thursday, June 2, 2011

I'm Fixed!!!

You will not believe how much "computer drama" I've had lately.  Okay, so about 3 weeks ago I decided to take a week off to do a little "Spring Cleaning" around the house.  I got all of it done, and then sat down at my computer all ready to work only to find that my computer was sick!!  It had contracted a virus... well, several actually.  It was blocking me from doing anything including getting on the internet.  I knew we wouldn't have the money to fix it right away, so I did the only thing I knew to do.... I pulled the plug.  It was a sad day around here.  =(   We would have to wait for Scott's next paycheck before we could attempt to revive the old girl, so it was down for 2 weeks.  There was nothing I could do except pray that, once we had the money in hand to fix it, our computer would restart and my files, (plus some unfinished photos), would still be undamaged.

I was not able to do anything for 2 weeks and my house was already clean.  So I just kind of vegged in front of the TV and got caught up on some of my DVR shows.  Scott and I had a nice long Memorial weekend with lots of grilling and appreciating the freedom we have due to the sacrifices that so many soldiers have given for our country.  Finally, payday arrived.  It took 2 days to get this PC working again.  A big Thank You going out to Cameron for helping me as well.  Fortunately, all my files and photos were unharmed.  The only casualty was my wireless card... it was completely useless and had to be replaced.  All-in-all I guess I was lucky not to have lost everything on my computer.  

So now I'm back!!  I finished Brandi and Charlie's Prom pictures today.  They are on my facebook, (www.facebook.com/crystalcampbell55).  I will also place some below.  Anyway, thank you for holding on and staying with me through all this.  =)  Oh, and I did get some awesome protection for my computer so that virus thing will not happen again.  =)

Charlie and Brandi - Prom 2011








Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell 
Crystal Campbell Photography 



Thursday, May 5, 2011

Having a Blast!

It's going on 2 weeks since I left Corporate America and I couldn't be happier!  =)  Last week, while my hubby was out of town on business, I gained back 3 lbs!!  Needless to say, I am back on the wagon this week.  I have a new walking buddy, Scarlett, and we have been doing 2.3 miles every morning.  The last couple of mornings we've taken the 2 little ones with us in the double stroller.  We have to take turns pushing it because it is hard, but I will tell you that it is working by body!  I have been so sore afterwards, but I like it.  If I'm sore then I know I am accomplishing something... LOL.  

I am also having so much fun working on my business.  I finished the photos of my family from Easter Sunday, and of Scarlett's Family Easter photo shoot as well.  They are already on Facebook, but I will post them on Flickr, and some on here tonight.  I continue to work on my website.  I took some tutorials and think I am finally getting the hang of it.  Yay!  I hope to have it live soon.

Meanwhile, my mom, (who had surgery unexpectedly last week), is now recovering at home.  She is doing well; although, I think she is not healing as quickly as she thought she would.  I do, however, see her on Facebook at least once a day.  That proves that she is at least improving daily... lol.  But she is still very weak so please continue to pray for her.  "Get Well Soon Mom, so we can go have some Margaritas!!"  

Okay... photo time!  =)


Annie and her kiddos:






Chris and her Grand-kiddos:




Scarlett's Family, (my Grand-Kiddos):



 
See lots more on my Facebook page or click on the top right to see them on my Flickr photo stream.

Thanks for reading "All About My Business"
Crystal Campbell
Crystal Campbell Photography