July 8, 2020
Kind friends,
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this blog post, but I’m happy to say that the PAUSE ban is being lifted incrementally in NYS. I am able to photograph sessions and events (yay!), and am trusting venues to know the restrictions regarding hosting weddings, etc.
If you are planning your wedding, and have questions, please know I’m here, and will try my best to assist!
April 18, 2020
Sweet friends,
I hope you are well, and staying safe and healthy during this strange time in our history. I think of you all daily, and my heart is still breaking that you are all having to plan and potentially postpone important life events at this point in time. While I am always one to look on the bright side, I know that it is sometimes hard to do, especially for some of us who are very involved in the medical fields, are considered essential workers, or have potentially even lost someone to COVID-19. Sometimes life feels heavy, and all we can do is walk through it together.
As most of you probably know, the PAUSE ban on non-essential work and the stay-at-home order in New York has been extended again - now to May 15, 2020. If any of you had sessions on the calendar with me between now and then, I have been in touch with you to reschedule. 💕
I know that there has been talk of "reopening" the state in phases, and, to be honest, I am not sure what that means for weddings. I guess we can only know what we know today. But, if you are considering postponing your wedding or changing the type of wedding that it is (maybe from a full-blown wedding to a smaller elopement, if the ban is relaxed somewhat), please reach out to me as soon as possible to discuss dates and options to reschedule. Even if it feels like it may be premature, I am happy to be in contact with you. It is my joy to support you, even (and especially) during a pandemic.
When my mom was in the process of passing away several years ago, I didn't want to talk to anyone about it, but I did want someone to just sit next to me. I craved that connection and support - just from knowing that another human being was sitting with me in my grief. If you are grieving something (or someone) important today, please know that I am sitting with you in it - although virtually. There is power in presence, even if it is through a computer or phone screen.
Love you all.
April 6, 2020
As of today, the Pause Ban has been extended through April 29, 2020 in New York State.
All sessions have been or will be rescheduled through April 29. Should the ban be extended past April 29, I will be in touch with all of my sweet clientfriends with sessions and meetings on the calendar to explore rescheduling options.
A few helpful tips and resources regarding NYS right now:
If you are still planning on holding your wedding soon after the ban is lifted, please keep in mind that all town and city clerk offices are currently closed, and so it is very difficult to obtain a marriage license. 😔
If you are wondering if you should explore rescheduling your wedding, THIS ARTICLE is extremely helpful.
If you are considering moving your wedding date, please send me an email sooner rather than later to explore your potential options within my calendar so we can still work together. 💕
This is all so hard and weird, but please know I think of each and every one of you every single day. Sending air hugs your way.
xoxo
March 20, 2020
In consideration of the New York State governor’s new executive order, publicized today, I will be rescheduling all previously-scheduled sessions through April 5, 2020. I will be reevaluating my calendar on a biweekly basis, and will determine the best course of action for scheduled sessions after April 5 on April 6, and sending out a new communication to my precious clientfriend then.
As of today, I will not be scheduling any new sessions for the time being, as I am working hard to be sure I am able to accommodate rescheduling my current clients. However, if you are looking at 2021 wedding dates, I’m still ya gurl. 😉
Sending calming vibes to and prayers over us all at this time. One day, we will get to welcome the magic back. Waiting in solid and sweet anticipation of that day.
xoxo
March 16, 2020
Precious people,
I sent the following email out to all of my current clients yesterday - March 16, 2020. Of course, all of this information is subject to change, but for now, this is where my sweet little business is at.
xoxo
Hi, my friend(s),
I hope you are as well as you can be right now, and staying safe, healthy, and warm on this chilly early Spring day.
In light of the current COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak, I wanted to reach out to check in on you, and ensure that we stay in touch during these uncertain times. ❤️
For Smaller Sessions (Couples/Anniversary/Portrait/Maternity/Engagement) in March, April, and May 2020If you have a smaller session scheduled with me within the next 8 weeks (between today and Monday, May 11, 2020), unless I am feeling under the weather, I am still planning on keeping these on the calendar. However, if you or a family member feel under the weather yourself, please let me know as soon as you can prior to your session, and I would be happy to reschedule. Additionally, if you are just concerned and/or anxious about leaving your home, I absolutely understand that, and am also happy to reschedule for this reason, as well. ❤️
For Weddings in April and May 2020
#1. My heart is breaking for you. To have to think about these things while planning a wedding is weird and sad and unprecedented. The fact that you may be wrestling with whether or not to continue planning for an April or May wedding is so hard to consider. I am sending 10,000 good vibes and air hugs your way.
#2. If you have to reschedule your wedding due to concerns about the coronavirus, please reach out to me sooner rather than later so that we can put a gameplan in place. I am working with my couples as much as possible to be able to find future wedding dates that work for both of our schedules. More than anything, I want to be your photographer - not necessarily for the money you are paying me, but because I genuinely like you. Not being able to work together would feel like when your mom cancels your playdate with your best friend because something else came up - just plain lame. ❤️
For Weddings After May 2020
Right now, the CDC guidelines are stating that it would be best to postpone events with guest lists larger than 50 individuals for the next 8 weeks - which brings us to mid-May. I am hopeful that we will be in a much different (and better!) predicament 8 weeks from now. I am happy to be a listening ear if you are nervous about your wedding scheduled for after May, but for now, I would like to continue planning for "business as usual" for weddings scheduled for this particular timeframe. Of course, this could change as early as tomorrow, and if it does, I'll reach out again, and join hands with you to create a new plan for your fab day. ❤️
For Pre-Wedding Planning Meetings and Site VisitsAs with the smaller sessions, I am planning on keeping all scheduled pre-wedding planning meetings and venue site visits on the calendar. However, if we were planning to meet in person for your pre-wedding planning meeting, I will be moving this to a virtual chat, instead. Site visits can still go on as planned, as long as venues are open to our visits.
With any of these things, if you need to reschedule, please do not feel guilty. These are uncharted waters, and the fact that you are all planning big and special life events during this time is just bananas. Trust your gut, and do what is best for the good of everyone involved. ❤️
And, finally, it is very likely that anxious thoughts are soaring right now. Here are a few things that help me when I am feeling nervous - I hope they are as comforting for you as they are for me:- A Yoga Sequence for Anxiety, from Yoga with Adriene
- A Yoga Sequence for Bedtime, for Yoga with Adriene (helps with insomnia)
- A Meditation Practice for Anxiety, also from Yoga with Adriene
- Remembering that we can't worry about something, until we actually have a concrete something to worry about ❤️
- Dark chocolate and peppermint tea
I adore you more than you know.
xoxo
