These are the days of our lives …

I’m kind of tired of trying to market my business.

Okay, five minutes just passed as I stared at that statement.  I’m feeling equal measures of panic and peace.  As a small business owner, a part of every day for the last 11 years has been spent trying to let the world (meaning Madison WI) know I’m here and to attract new clients.  I have the best web site designer who has created this beautiful site and I feel like I’m not using it to it’s full potential.  That ends right now.

Today marks the first day of the new blog here at sweeneysphotography.com.  I will no longer be trying to sell or market anything on the blog section of the site.  There are hundreds of portrait samples in the Galleries.  If you want to know services, prices or specials – please click on the tabs above.  There is a ton of information throughout the site and if it’s not – then send me an email or give me a call.  I would love to talk to you!!  Better yet, stop by and we’ll chat over some of my fabulous coffee or tea – I may even have some Chex Mix to share.

So here’s how the blog is going to look from here on out.  Each weekday I will be sharing my photographs.  Not just wedding or kids pictures, I will be sharing it all – even personal photos.  I will share a bit of the story behind the photographs and in the case of my “Art” – I may even be showing you all a bit of the process by way of video (but only if it’s a good hair day).

Wednesday is now:  Share Random Photographs From The Past

These were taken backstage while the stylists prepared their models for a fashion/hair show in Milwaukee WI at the Art Museum.

IMG_5027 photographer in Madison WI IMG_5026 photographer in Madison WI IMG_5021 photographer in Madison WI

Photographer in Madison WI – Art

I have a friend who (among other many titles and designations) is a counselor in a Wellness Center at a college.  She has posted many interesting articles on the subject on various social media sites.   Often times the subject matter makes me pause and think about how well  I’m really living.  Today she shared an article on the subject of “where do you go to relax?”  Some suggestions were yoga class, a hike in the woods – a dark room to meditate.  All being great places but none that I could say I practiced.  So I’ve spent a few moments throughout the day trying to think where I go or what I do to relax.  Honestly, I was stumped.  I enjoy many activities but I couldn’t honestly say I did anything for the purpose of relaxation.

 

Tonight I decided to work a bit on what I call  my art.  I sometimes have images randomly appear in my brain that just swirl about until I’m ready to let them come out.  *Side note to self – I may need to chat with my friend about these visions ….  Anyway, as I was working I began to feel a bit calmer and somewhat detached from my surroundings.  I wasn’t thinking about work or home or the tension knot in my neck – it was just me and the art.

 

So, I guess where I go to relax is in Art.  In a about 30 minutes – I will find it in a bag of chocolate chip cookies.  😉

 

Heart Light - photographer in Madison WI Plaid Butterflies - photographer in Madison WI

 

Photographer in Madison WI & Milwaukee WI

Every now and then I get to do some pretty cool things.  Last week Saturday was one of those events.  Go to their website to find out more:

http://www.pablove.org

“The mission of The Pablove Foundation is to fund pediatric cancer research and advances in treatment, educate and empower cancer families, and improve the quality of life for children living with cancer through hospital play, music and arts programs.

The Pablove Foundation is named after Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Jo Ann Thrailkill and Jeff Castelaz and the little brother of Grady Gallagher. Pablo was six years old when he lost his valiant yearlong battle with bilateral Wilms Tumor, a rare form of childhood cancer. Imbued with his spirit and inspired by his strength, Pablove is dedicated to the daily, global fight against childhood cancer and the suffering that comes in its wake.

We fight on in order to amplify one simple message: kids get cancer too.

Your support of The Pablove Foundation helps us help kids with cancer.”

IMG_0197 photographer in Madison WI

Wedding photographer in Madison WI

I’ve been in business for almost 11 years.  I’ve photographed hundreds of babies, high school seniors, families and couples celebrating their wedding day.  I do what I do because I love it.

Last night I met with a couple to go over the images for their wedding album.  Seriously the nicest people ever.  We took care of business and then hung out for a while chatting about Star Wars and the fact that if you stick your finger in and out of your ear it will sound like Pacman.  (I still have not tried it because I don’t want to look silly – even if I’m the only one that sees it.)

This morning I came in and found a little note on Facebook saying they wrote a review and posted it on Google.  Thank you so much Mike and Amy!  This is why I love to do what I do.

“We hired Sweeney Photography for our wedding memories. The experience that Mary created was excellent. From the first time that we sat down with Mary to discuss the contract she showed that she was as invested in making our wedding as special as we were. She stayed in contact with us along the way to see how things were progressing and made sure that the closer we got to the event that all the bases were covered. On our wedding day she showed up early to get the preparation shots and even helped with some last minute details as the time got closer. She stayed at the reception until she was sure that we got all the shots we wanted. When we finally saw the end results of all the shots she had taken we were blown away by the quality and work she put into the final product. Mary’s professionalism, quality, and attention to detail is only matched by her great attitude and wanting to have fun while capturing your memories. I would highly recommend her to anyone who has a photography need. Thank you again Mary, you rock!” – Mike G.

IMG_0039a wedding photographer in Madison WI