... to make some changes. During an economy that seemed to be dwindling my business had
previously thrived. In an age when everyone thinks that a nice camera
makes them a 'photographer' other photographers seem to be failing and
struggling; mine hadn't until recently. In my specific field of onsite and event photography I was
doing pretty well; that is until a few personal road blocks created
issues far outside of my control. People wanted me to be able to keep
the studio and I couldn't and be a good parent to my sons. SO, I worked
from home again and worked around their needs. I don't regret it, but
in this day and age people are all about: now, now, now and not about
quality of work and respecting another person's time. People take that
'customer is always right' thing and push it further than it was
intended and sometimes it had meant that the courtesy of people went by
the way-side.
In the almost decade that I have been in
physical business, this last year has seen some of the hardest times
that DJMdesigns has ever seen. I have taken some blows personally,
financially, and there have been some professional hits as well.
Customers have been really amazing and I LOVE my consistent and regular
clientele a lot. They have always been there for me; they have hired me
based on who I am as a person as well as my specific skill set. Not
everyone pays attention to what kinds of photos I take and not everyone likes
my style...and I have zero problem with that.
What I
have an issue with is these same people have made special efforts to try
to take my business in the Shelton area down. I cannot say who it is,
but will say this: If you are hearing rumors and know who I am? You
know what I stand for and I will leave it to each and every single one
of you to believe or not believe them based on what you know of me. I stand by who I am and by the integrity by which I have tried to always maintain. I will continue to do so and hope that in the end, people will make right choices.
Over the last
few months, my business has been waning for the first time in years and I
will not credit it to the gossip, but instead will say it is the declining
incomes of so many people that have lost their jobs connected to the
longest and oldest business shutting its doors for a time. Precious
revenue will be saying good-bye for a while. It is because of this and a
few other reasons, that my little family will be looking elsewhere to
live. I have my eyes set in a few places after careful research of
schools, economy, and potential for me to do other work.
DON'T
FRET, THOUGH!!! I will be continuing my work in Shelton on some of the
weekends and will announce when I will be back in town. I will be
starting a new system for delivering the discs, which will in turn mean a
small increase in fees. Just because I love taking photos doesn't mean
I can do it for free. I have to make a profit or it doesn't benefit my
sons and that means it doesn't benefit me. I will be starting a closed
group on Facebook of my most loyal customers and they will get first dibs on special
sessions AND will have special discounts. I feel like it is fair
considering all that they have done for me. They have supported me when
others haven't. I appreciate them and acknowledge them. AND with that...until next time boys and girls...watch for the new 'stuff' coming and the newest things in the works.
Any and all obligated sessions or weddings will be kept for the 2015 year...any new bookings will be on a special contingency.
