Ch-ch-ch-changes…

Life as I know it is about to be altered completely.

Okay, not completely.  Gravity will still be gravity.  We’ll still be in Finland.  I’ll still have Olli and my children by my side.

But, changes- big changes- are in the air.

First, we’re moving.

Although we LOVE this flat, we LOVE this area, we LOVE the convenience, we LOVE the lively atmosphere, the street performers, even the occasional drunk (not that there are only occasional drunks in Kallio- just that we only appreciate the occasional one), we don’t love the high, outrageous rent.  And so we’re moving.  To a much quieter, more traditional neighborhood.  To a much, MUCH smaller flat.  But to a flat that we can afford, to a flat 100m from a swimming beach, to a flat near Olli’s brother, Olli’s office, and my favorite of the Elixia Gym branches.

I’m not looking forward to the whole process of moving (who would?) but I’m looking forward to living within our means.  I’m also looking forward to being closer to Olli’s family, to stop hunting for a parking spot every time we return home (indeed, I’m trying to persuade Olli to sell the car entirely), to having a common laundry area to hang wet clothes, stroller storage, a beautiful bathroom, and a well lit living room.

I’m okay with moving.

Second, brace yourself, I’m quitting photography.  Huge, I know.

But remember how I said earlier this year that I was all in?  That I was going to try everything I could think of to make it as a photographer?  Well, I did.  I got my office, I went to the wedding fair, I tried Groupon, I got more exposure to my website- and yet.   And yet.  No dice.

What I’ve realized is that being a good photographer does not equal being a successful photographer.  I think I’m a pretty good photographer.  Sometimes I’m downright great.  But I am terrible- TERRIBLE- at business.  I can’t figure out how to get people to pay me for what I do.  And this is a problem, considering being a photographer is EXPENSIVE.  It costs a whole lot of time and a whole lot of money.

And so, after much hemming and hawing, I’ve decided to end Pikku Arkki Valokuvuas : Little Ark Photography.  I’ll continue to shoot through September 8 (I’ve got room for about 5 more sessions if you want your family photographed before I shut down), but then I’ll be closing up shop.  I’ll keep the blog going at the same blog address, since it’s become a way to sort myself out, record memories, and communicate with the world at large.  But this won’t be a photography blog.  It’ll be a plain old Sarah blog.

Again, I’m ultimately okay with this change.  I’m so glad I tried it.  I’m glad I learned how to use my camera- and Photoshop, Photodex, Flash, WordPress, and some html/css coding. I’m proud of the memories I’ve captured for my clients.  I love that I’ve helped others to capture their own memories.  I’m thrilled that I spent this year diving in.  No regrets.

So, moving and quitting combined with a new baby- never a dull moment in this household…  :)

But onward and upward- ready for better things in store.

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