Ideas/Changes/Updates!

Well, it is already the end of the month, and while I have vowed to blog more often (once a week perhaps?) I have not been doing a very good job.

On the one hand, there is nothing much going on right now... this is always the "slow" season for photographer's; post-Christmas no one wants their picture taken for a good long time. :) So I am only doing limited client shoots right now.

On the other hand, there is A TON going on! Photographers use their "slow" season to make changes for the new year, and I am sure I am making more than most! I am at such a point of mixed emotion, and mixed excitement, and mixed changes right now. I can hardly seem to focus with so many new projects on my plate.

I'll try to keep it short and sweet (though I probably won't do a very good job of it)... :)

First of all, as all of my wonderful clients know (per the letter I sent out earlier this month), I am finalizing my price changes. (Oh the glories of accounting for time and expenses). :) At the risk of divulging too much information, but with the desire to remain transparent and human, I confess this indeed makes me sad. The thought of moving into a new price range and potentially losing some of the clients I have grown to love is not a happy thought. But, to move into a more pleasant (& business-friendly) :) thought, the quality, style, service, & experience that you will be getting with my 2008 pricing will truly be an incredible value, well worth the investment, and hopefully an experience/product that is different from anything else you can find - I have so many exciting new things to offer! All of these new things will be made available as time goes on, but hopefully in six months my vision will be complete. (Fyi, while the webpage won't have the final pricing up for another week or so, current clients will be getting an email very shortly with the new price list).

Secondly, the biggest news of all, is that I will probably be making a business name change (which will come with a new website). (Again this makes me a bit sad - the nostalgic loss of Shannon Tacheny Photography & Design). But really I am very excited about this! It's going to commemorate the new image, style, artistic vision, and experience that I want to create for my clients (though don't ask me what that name is exactly yet!). :) In the photography world, I intend on opening what is known as a "boutique studio." It will be a little bit art, a little bit shopping, a lot of pictures, and a whole lot of fun! I have always been drawn to the unique, the boutiquey, the one-of-a-kind, the art fairs - why shouldn't I take my business in that direction too! A unique style & experience in photography, and unique product all around. Modern, shabby chic, memorable, fresh yet vintage... everything that makes the quaint St Paul homes & neighborhoods what I love! In a way, I will be closing down one business and making way for a new one. (But don't worry - it will still be me!) :)

With this name change, comes potential for the new studio I mentioned in my letter. I am hoping to find rental space on or near Grand Ave or Selby Ave - such adorable and unique shopping districts in St Paul. But I am trying not to rush this decision. I really need to find the right space, and will make due with what I have for the time being, though moving in the next 3-6 months would be ideal.

On a different note, I am happy to announce that I now have a couple of interns/assistants working for me - Autumn (my public relations and event planning intern) and Aeysha (my marketing coordinator and spokesmodel). (I will have to make them get their pictures taken and post them). They are primarily helping me launch a BRAND NEW EVENT that will take place in April (if all goes well!) that will be an extension of my model consulting & fashion photography. These "Model Integrity" events will help models of all ages gain honest information on how to pursue the modeling industry and avoid the scams that are so prevalent, while also giving them the opportunity to win modeling jobs with local businesses! Much more on this to follow. We will have a whole model integrity website up in a month or so.

And since I wouldn't want to leave out the HS Seniors in the mix, I will let you know we have lots of new exciting features coming for you as well. Cool graduation announcements, fun shoot themes (think urban outdoors & lush studio looks), and exciting new packages such as coffee table style albums & DVD slideshows (both of which will be made available for my children/family clients as well).

The new galleries should be up on the website in a week or two, and I think you will be amazed at the quality and style of my images since the last update (which was like two years ago). This new gallery system will allow me to update them on my own, thus giving you more glimpses into my new work.

Today I am doing a test shoot on some new fabric backgrounds with some fun furniture pieces (trying to keep things fresh and new!) and I will try to post those in the next week for you all to see.

Well, I didn't succeed on being short :) but I did succeed in giving you a glimpse into the new direction I'm heading. Sometimes I forget that you can't read my mind and actually need me to TELL you what's going on. :)

Cheers all!
Shannon :)