I was on FB the other day and a photographer friend wrote an awesome status update that totally slapped me in the face six ways ’til Sunday.

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

I have a photography business on the side that I love. I started the year off launching my new site and working with a publicist on industry relations and a referral program. I was on a roll…and then I just came to a startling halt and I don’t even know why. I was so busy working on my business, that I was forgetting to work on reaching potential CLIENTS. And then when I did get leads, I didn’t do such a great job of following through. I told myself it was because I was busy with my day job and having a life, but the truth was, I got apathetic. Losing steam manifested in a number of ways…

When I saw the quote, I was moved. I know I need to focus on my business (thankfully, I have two shoots to edit and another one this weekend) but I know that this quote is affecting me in more ways than just photography. I need to sit down and have a board meeting for the business of life and really determine what things are great in my life, how to get more of them, and also the distractions that really aren’t worth devoting any more time to!

What are the great motivators in your life? How do you pick yourself up and move forward when you’re feeling a case of the status quo blahs???

Not all point and shoot cameras are the same…in fact, some flat out suck!

With an opening statement like that, you know there MUST be a story there, eh?! (Sorry, I spent time with a group of Canadian’s last week.)

In the last two years, I’ve been on the search for a new p&s. Having a photography business on the side, I am quite comfortable with my professional grade camera and lenses, however, my “purse” camera was quite behind the times. A couple of years ago, I was going on a trip and realized it was time to upgrade and that I needed to do it quickly. I ran to Target and grabbed a camera that was about $150 because I didn’t want to invest too much since I already had a nice SLR. STRATEGIC ERROR #1. The p&s was a POS and didn’t last for a year. The next trip came around and I did the EXACT same thing (STRATEGIC ERROR #2)…you’d think I’d have learned my lesson. That cheapo couldn’t take a decent picture to save its life, even with the flash on in a fully auto mode.Ugh!

In my effort to be fiscally responsible and not spend too much money on a p&s, I spent the total amount of what I should have originally spent on a high quality p&s. This weekend, I remedied the situation and you guessed it, spent about $300. I could have kicked myself. Not only did I spend WAY more in total than I wanted to spend, but I learned a lesson that I already knew. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

When it comes to cameras (and many other things), there is definitely a price for good quality. Don’t throw your money away on a “good deal” unless you’ve done your research and looked through reviews. In my rush for a good deal, I threw good money after bad and in three years have purchased three cameras…and I know better. Don’t make the same mistake as I did…do your research and start saving now.

PS – if you’re curious about what I bought, the two poopy cameras can be found here and here. The p&s that I’d highly recommend can be found here!

For those of you who don’t follow my photography blog, you might want to head over there to see a big announcement!

Today is a day I’ve been waiting for and planning for a long time…the launch of www.jenjohnsonboudoir.com.

I shoot boudoir to make women feel beautiful and understand their allure…not just to show off their physical beauty, but rather that indescribable ”it factor” that can only be communicated through the eyes. My clients are all beautiful on the inside and I’m helping them to see themselves as beautiful on the outside, too. And the fact that they’re letting down their guards and creating beautiful images for the man they’ll love forever is so special. Seeing them vulnerable, yet excited to surprise their husbands or fiancés gives me such joy!

So hop on over to my other blog to learn more about the new site, or just go there directly!

Thanks for your support!!!