Photography

Christmas Minis 2018

October 22, 2018

Madison Yen Fall portraits Christmas Minis

Y’all it’s not even Halloween yet. So you know what time of the year it is?????

TIME FOR CHRISTMAS MINIS, OF COURSE!

I know a lot of people have been waiting for final details, so let me give you the scoop for Christmas Minis this year! Woo woo!

There will be sessions on Nov. 3rd, Nov. 10th, & Nov. 17th.

First Session! Overton Park on Nov 3rd: Fall themed!

Just pretty outdoors-y photos in a park. These will be super solid family portraits with a forest, nature look. Here are a few shots I have taken at the park in the past. These were taken in the winter and spring, so there will be a lot more greenery this time of year. I’m hoping the trees will be changing by this time! If you’re looking for some nature-y portraits and not wanting to travel outside the 240 loop, THIS is the session for you. Bring your pups and dress for fall! This session is $160 for 15 minutes and $220 for 30 min. Past brides and Christmas mini-ers receive a 10% off discount! Hurrah!!

The Second Session! Merry Christmas Tree Farm on Nov 10th: Christmas themed!

This session will be with PJs and Cookies at the Merry Christmas Tree Farm in Nesbit, MS (right outside of Southaven). This session is pretty Christmas-y, and is ideal for little ones in their Christmas PJs! I will have a blanket for them to hang out on and enjoy some Christmas cookies and milk. If you are not wanting to do Christmas PJs, have no fear, we can ALWAYS do gorgeous shots around the tree farm. I do not have actual photos of what this setup will look like, but here’s an inspiration photo from pinterest. And the rest are photos that I’ve taken at the tree farm so you can get a feel for the space! I will provide: milk, chocolate milk, egg nog, and Christmas/holiday cookies! Woohoo! 15 minute sessions are $175 and 30 minute sessions are $235. Past brides and Christmas mini-ers receive a 10% off discount! Hurrah!! Remember, you don’t have to wear PJs….you can dress your kids up. You can all have matching PJs, OR you can all be wearing normal clothes! We can use the scene or not! This session is what YOU want it to be! I’m here for you!!

**If you decide on this session, please note in the signup form how many kids and if they are doing PJs or not so I have a good estimate for cookiessssssss!**

Photo by Lana Sky Photography.

Third session! Nonconnah Greenbelt in Collierville on Nov 17th: Christmas themed!

This session will be at a park in Collierville. The park is actually more like an open field of taller brown grass, and I will have a Christmas tree set up with some ornaments. I do not have a photo of what this setup will look like, so you’re just going to have to trust me! This session will only be an evening sunset session, and I’m only doing 15 minute sessions here. AKA, very limited space. Here are a few shots of the area, and then imagine a cute tree in there. I will also be bringing a blanket!

15 minute sessions are $175. Past brides and Christmas mini-ers receive a 10% off discount! Hurrah!!

Ok, so there you have the sessions. I’m super excited for this year! Let’s get into our FAQs!

1. What all is included?

— All of your high resolution images for print. Images will be color corrected and edited, and I do not limit the files I deliver. I take what I can in the amount of time we have, and I deliver all of the images that are acceptable!

2. Can I bring my pets?

–Yes!! Please bring them! All of the places I have chosen are cool with pets. Just bring a leash, treats, and baggies to clean up after them! If you want them in your holiday cards, then I want to photograph them for your holiday cards!

3. I did the Christmas sessions last year. Can I get a discount??

–YES!!! Past brides and past xmas mini clients will receive a 10% discount (YES, this includes Yen Studios brides as well). Email or message me to book your spot today. Spots are FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.

4. What about rain??

–In the event of rain, the sessions will be rescheduled for Sunday, the next day. If you cannot make that day, you can choose one of the other available spots in the session dates.

5. Payment?

–Payment is due at the time of booking. After you sign up for the session location and time slot, I will send an online invoice for you to pay by check, card, or transfer. Payment is non-refundable and must be paid in full before the session. If for some reason you cannot make your time slot, you can apply this amount to a different photography session or schedule a spot during my Spring Mini Sessions.

6. Do you sell cards too??

–Yes!! I do have Christmas cards for sale. I will have samples to show you at the session and you can order through me or on your own. If on your own, I have discount codes for Mint. Inquire at the session.

7. What should I bring??

–Just bring yourselves! If you have babies/kiddos, I’m a huge fan of bribing! The sessions are only 15 minutes, so keep that in mind for good behavior. If you are bringing pets, bring: treats, leash, and baggies. Also, bring ANY props you’d like in the photos (ie. blankets, signs, scarves, ornaments, etc.). I will have a cute red and black blanket that can be used as a prop!

8. Turnaround time??

–I know y’all are most likely sending these out for holiday cards. Soooooo, I will be editing as fast as my fingers can take it to deliver these in ONE WEEK, booya. Merry Christmas! <3

9. Delivery??

–I will be sending the photos out in a password protected online gallery. You can download your images from there!

10. Wait, where are all of the places?

–Midtown, Nesbit (right outside of Southaven), and Collierville. Don’t worry, I will be doing another blog post to explain locations, meet up points, and what to wear. Sooooo, hang tight!! Just decide on the theme and date that works for you!

11. Can I bring my parents? Or can I pair up with my bro/sis and their families?

–YES! Bring anyone you want in photos! I’m super flexible here! If you decide to go in on a session with your siblings and their families, I recommend booking a 30 minute session so y’all each have 15 minutes. I’ll take a big group shot, and then divide y’all up by family units!

Phew! That’s a lot of info! Hopefully, I covered most of the info with this post! Just email me with questions; I’m happy to answer any additional questions! madison@madisonyen.com

Here’s the link for signup. I’m trying to update this page as much as possible, so times *should* be up to date.

Remember to tell your friends! I love the Christmas Mini sessions, and I cannot wait to make this the BEST year eva!! Christmas Minis 2018, I’m a comin’ for ya!!

Till next time!

xoxo

madison

Lifestyle

Life in Focus: Trapped

January 27, 2018

You know that “trapped” feeling?

That OH DEAR GOD – I HAVE NO ESCAPE ROUTE, NO PLAN B feeling that makes your palms instantly sweat and a wave of nausea sets in is what I’m talking about. Then for me, I take it a step further and my brain starts catastrophizing the situation (like what if there’s a crazy gunman running through IKEA on a Saturday, and I can’t do a damn thing about it BECAUSE I’M TRAPPED in this fucking sea of people?!). Ridiculous, I know. Some of my favorite TRAPPED scenarios are being stuck on an airplane, in really crowded areas where you can’t easily run away, and in an elevator. The former is especially inconvenient because I love traveling. How do I get a prescription for xanax? Asking for a friend….

But in addition to the physical trappings (which suck for obvious reasons), I also get similar panic sweats from being emotionally trapped. Like being stuck in a job, stuck in a marriage (or with someone in general), stuck in your hometown – the list goes on. But here’s the difference between the emotional stuck and the physical stuck.

One, you can actually do something about….if you wanted to.

The emotionally trapped feeling is a slow burn.

Sometimes you talk yourself into staying put because you “chose” this. Better yet, you convinced yourself (or tried to at least) that you actually want this or should want this (cough, marriage/kids, cough). Then of course, there’s always that person who’s telling you there’s no guarantee your situation would get any better, so why risk it?? What if you fail?? You know that saying, “Better the devil you know…” We all know those people. The people who feel the need to SAVE you from the cliff you’re about to jump off of.

“Don’t you know 2/3rds of all businesses don’t make it past their 3 year anniversary??”

I am SO TIRED of hearing this one. I know they’re just trying to “help” me by insinuating I’m going to fail quickly, burn through my entire life savings, and end up living at home with my parents eating twinkies all day, BUT I swear to God that if I have to make small talk about the weather in a breakroom that smells like a fucking Lean Cuisine for ONE MORE DAY, I’m going to murder someone.

Sure – it’s easier, less scary, and more convenient to stick with it. Starting over is hard. And what if you really do leave and it is worse than it was before?? What if you do fail? What if everyone points at you and laughs because you’re the idiot who thought you were different??

These questions are where people usually stop. Stop dreaming. Stop looking for an out. And start justifying their decision to do nothing by finding proof that they are exactly where they need to be and that it’s just not the right time to do otherwise.

I’d have to apply for a business loan, and the economy is complete shit right now.

I think I would need to start an LLC, and taxes are more expensive for that. Maybe it’s not worth it. Actually, I don’t even know if I should set up an LLC, an S-corp, or a Sole Proprietorship. So, uhhhhh, I’ll just wait.

I’m up for a promotion at work. And that 3% raise, man. I would be able to take that vacation I’ve been thinking about!

Someone’s already doing my business idea, so it’s not like it would be new. How would I even make money? Actually, my idea is just kinda stupid. <–I throw this in here because it’s just so easy to have a business idea that you’re super proud of and passionate for, then have one bump in the road or one nay-sayer and feel like a total fucktard for even thinking that the idea made sense in the first place.

The sad part is that I still have all of these fears. I consider myself to be a relatively independent person, and yet I still care about what other people think. STILL. Even after I quit the 9-5 and completely changed professions. Even after I got divorced and took kids and the pressure to have them off of the table. Even while I actively travel around the world all alone. After all of that, and I STILL care what people think. Why?? It doesn’t even make sense. As if other people are the ones who are going to have to live with the consequences of my own life’s actions.

It’s a daily battle to choose me over them. To tell myself that I’m worth it, dammit! THIS is the person I choose to be and THIS is the life that I want for myself.

When I realize that my excuses are what’s putting me in a box, suddenly a door magically appears. (Why does it take so long to realize that the damn door has always been there??)

I challenge you…

The next time you feel trapped, ask yourself this question.