The time has come...

...for DJMdesigns to evolve and change again; however, this time I will not be expanding or trying to accommodate more clients.  Instead starting after the Pumpkin Patch this year (2016) I will be dropping my event locations specials to once every four months (possibly once a month), one weekend in that month and limiting the number of standard onsite sessions I do each month, and accepting weddings at a limited capacity.  The focus that I need for my sons is more important and with the exceptionally low client numbers in 2016 and in reservations for the Pumpkin Patch (at its all time low by this time the last four years) it has become apparent that the time has come...it has come for DJMdesigns to slip quietly away and just become DJ McCullough, mother-writer-photographer.  I am currently not even making enough money to make it worth my while.  I am not sad about it; I am not even worried.  This is life.  I suppose ten years is as long as any small business runs and technically I don't even make enough money yearly to qualify for a business license.  I have a small select group of customers who have used me consistently over the last decade who will remain, my family members, and close friends.  I have other projects that could use my attention and my sons need me to be present for them in every sense of the word.  That has become apparent especially these last few weeks.  

By January I will be dropping the main business facebook pages, the website will convert to just a blog (not this one), and will be seen by a select number of people.  I will be keeping all of the committed dates for upcoming weddings, my new teen reps for senior photos, and honoring times with Hunter Farms (on a limited one weekend in October).  For those that have supported me and those who have always been there for me...Thank you.  Please send me friend requests on FB if you want to keep in touch.  I will still be taking photos, but for fun now...

April is Autism Awareness Month

I am a photographer, but always a mother first...my sons each have an autism diagnosis.  Currently every year 1 in 68 children are diagnosed on the spectrum; that is a 100% increase in five years.  Some say it's over diagnoses but if you met my boys (both only partially verbal) you wouldn't say that.  Brushing it under the rug, ignoring it, pretending that it doesn't affect you is not responsible considering the vast growth.  There is in fact NO known cause which means there is no cure.

My sons had had so many limitations foisted on them from the beginning that I look back and am grateful that I told the public schools at the time to stuff it.  I was originally told they would never be potty-trained, speak, or function properly in this world.  They do all three (although speech is a struggle after not receiving appropriate intervention in public schools).  

My oldest son loves his photos taken (the youngest not so much; they are extremely diverse.  All they have in common are red hair and an autism diagnosis).  Anyways, my oldest has recently expressed that he wants to model possibly.  Even though my initial reaction was to try to keep him

From it I realize it would be a great disservice to him.  I never want to put limitations on a potential we cannot know for sure it will be.  I always hope my sons know that I will move heaven and earth to give them what they want and support them in their endeavors.  This could be nothing or everything for Seamus, but we never know unless I let him take those steps.

Life is about growing up and falling down a few times along the way...but sometimes we don't fall; we fly.  I will be adding this link to the album I will share on social media and I am nervous as my son spreads his wings.  

What's happening...

I love writing and I love photography so I will focusing on the blog and posting links to read the new news about DJMdesigns more throughout 2016.  I am still using my most common medium for social media, but for whatever reason my Facebook photography page has had a few glitches and issues over the last eighteen months.  "What are they?"  You ask.  Let me break it down:

•Firstly, my messaging for my page stopped working several months ago.  Not helpful to a business at all.  

•Secondly, I haven't been able to post a photo album for almost two years.  It's why I share from profile to the page now (there have been hidden benefits to this).

•Thirdly, Facebook has been disoriented and telling my clients that I am in Yakima.  No such thing!!!!!!   I haven't left Western Washington and to be honest I don't particularly want to, either.  I love the rain, the green, and my Loyal Customers have been the bestest!!

Businesses evolve it seems with each passing year, especially small businesses as we struggle to meet demand and meet the expectations of an ever changing series of trends.  I see them all in my line of work.  I have to pay attention and I have to keep up.

This is still a small family business though.  I don't have employees which means I am not just taking pictures and editing, but my own receptionist, webpage designer,  marketing manager, blog and advertising specialist, and bookkeeper as well.  It is a one person operation, so hiring me means I may be a little slow to get new calendar dates up or respond to an email until the next day!  Some ask me why I don't charge more so I can pay for more help.  My answer is that it is much easier to find $50 than it is to find $150.  I make more consistent money doing the Event Location Specials than I do anything else.  This feeds and clothes my kids.  This isn't my hobby, this is my job.  I have to be practical.  Perhaps the best compliment I get regularly is:  "...these photos are better than photos I have paid $300 for."  Sure, I might get a single $300 client in a weekend (or month), but the specials can double that when booked out.  It's why I love them so much and why I will cater to those people most when it comes to scheduling.  Of course these are promotional and usually only at certain times of the year, but I am grateful to be working.  

With that being said, I so appreciate my return clients, my referrals, and those who support me.  You all are supporting my family, too.  That means the most to me.

Not everyone can handle non-traditional business models...that is groovy, but realize most traditional photos mean fake plastic smiles, non-specific or generic ideas, and they aren't personal at all.  I provide a service that is all about being personal.  I love that I have gotten to watch children grow, families get larger, and that I have had the opportunity to meet amazing and wonderful people.  

Best of all, it has helped me be the mom I need to be as well as the mom I want to be.  It is because of this very thing that my Loyal Customers have a surprise coming that has been a while in the making.  The next few weeks they will get to see it. I am excited and want to show how grateful I am to you all.  

The best is yet to come!!  ~DJ