caitlin elizabeth photography | post-it note organization system | eastern shore portrait photographer

during my move to the eastern shore, things got a little crazy.

i was trying to keep my clients back across the bay happy

plus working on starting my business on the shore.

i had a terrible time keeping up with where i was with which client

in the editing/proofing/ordering/shipping process

while still doing all of the 'business-y' things.

i've heard of many photographers using a spreadsheet to keep up with their to-dos

so i tried it!

keep in mind: i was an english major. 

numbers are not my friend.

and i still use my fingers to add/subtract small numbers.

so spreadsheets terrify me :)

(because i associate them with math)

despite my affinity for paragraphs instead of excel cells, 

i was pleasantly surprised by how well the spreadsheet worked 

for keeping up with client information!

but it fell short when it came to my 'business to-do's

so i had to figure something else out.

i use to keep lists. everywhere. about everything.

any scrap of paper i could find would have some sort of list on it:

grocery list

things to pack on my next trip list

upcoming meetings list

favorite quotes list

running tally of the number of times my history professor said 'umm'

...

you get the picture.

but i would lose them.

so keeping a 'business to-do' list was out of the question.

i needed something that was tangible, easily accessible, 

and worked for me.

enter: office supplies.

i <3 office supplies.

especially post-it notes.

the little ones?! GAH!

i am ALWAYS at my computer. i probably spend 10x as much time

in front of the computer as i do behind the camera

(sad, but true)

but that's what makes this system WORK.

each post-it has a 'business task' that needs to be done

most of them have blog ideas that i'll use as

'filler post' when i don't have a session to blog!

but they're also things like 'pay taxes' 'website design' 'new proofing site'

read 'sales without shame' 'order strap' etc.

since i'm always at my desk, i see these little reminders constantly!

i get so much satisfaction throwing them away as they're done :)

head on over to the CEP facebook page for a preview of last night's session

with an eastern shore beauty - and i need you to weigh in on which edit you

prefer of the image (black and white, or color!!)

caitlin elizabeth photography | eastern shore portrait photographer | casting call

CASTING CALL

caitlin elizabeth photography is in need of non-professional models

for upcoming shoots on the eastern shore of virginia!

1. an engaged couple (only requirement: they must be completely enamored with each other)

2. a senior girl and boy (they must be seniors this fall) from a local high school

(must be from a high school on the eastern shore of virginia/maryland) 

if you know anyone on the eastern shore who fits either of these descriptions

please have them contact me at caitlin@caitlinelizabethphotography.com :)

serious inquiries only please!

caitlin elizabeth photography | FEATURED

that's right, i'm still in shock too.

head over to www.imoinkblog.com to check out my interview

and feature on terra and john's photography blog!!

happy friday y'all :)

caitlin elizabeth photography | personal

forewarning: there aren't any pictures in this post.

i'm boycotting. (just for today)

yesterday evening, jennifer came to the shore (alllllll they way across the

chesapeake bay bridge tunnel) to take pictures of my beau and me.

it was absolute perfection.

we ate supper overlooking the water.

we laughed.

we drank beer. 

we caught up.

then we hung out and jennifer did her thang.

(which she is awesome at)

we laughed (so much).

we danced (not very well). 

we skipped (well... tried to)

we waved to passers by (will's dad - on a scooter).

then we watched the sun set.

rreeaaalllyyyyyyy watched it.

and appreciated it.

i had my camera in the car, but i didn't touch it. 

i wanted to soak in the sunset with every cell of my being.

and remember it. the feeling of it. 

the way the water looked, calm and reflecting the subtle pinks, oranges and blues as 

it meandered out to the bay.

the way the breeze played with the hem of my dress and tousled will's shirt.

the smell of the warm, heavy, brackish bay water.

they way you could close your eyes and the colors still stretched out like

watercolors across your eyelids.

i wanted to live it.

and live it i did.

thank you jennifer, for your beautiful photos - and for helping 

me remember what it's like to live.

<3

check out jennifer's previews of the session!!  

caitlin elizabeth photography | packaging

i'm getting ready to ship out a print order today

(have i mentioned how much i LOVE prints?!)

and i thought i'd share how i choose to package some of my products!

i make my own packaging (and if i can do it - anyone can.)

which makes it SUPER affordable to have interesting packaging without breaking the bank.

there are three 'parts' to the way i choose to present clients with their prints:

the burlap 'slip cover,' the muslin wrap around their prints, and a handwritten note! 

i have a soft spot in my heart for texture. colors can get my heart all aflutter too,

but textures... they get me every time.

i love the rougher burlap paired with lace (which i found in my grandmother's basement -

thanks grandmama!), it gives it a more delicate feel.  then the note with twine

holding it together and the wrinkled craft paper... gah! 

the stitching is a labor of love

well, not really, it only takes me a few minutes with a sewing maching,

but it's so worth it! i paired a lighter thread with the burlap because

i didn't want it to blend in. i wanted to SEE the stitching :) 

 a side note concerning this AWESOME CHEST

i found it at a thrift store and i am enamored with it :)

here it is! all ready to go :)

choosing prints from your session is a BIG DEAL. 

they're art to go in your home! 

and i know my clients mull over which ones they want very carefully

so when they receive them, it should be an adventure

and packaging is part of that!!

and just like i promised - here's another preview of something that will be on the new website!!