.jpg)
Here we are, friends, entering week 7 of lockdown. Stay at Home Orders have been extended through the end of May here in Illinois. I hope you and yours are all safe and healthy, and as sane as possible during this very strange time. My family and I are doing OK. I’ve been focusing on the many positives in my life instead of giving into the anxiety swirling around the “what-ifs.” We have our health, our safety, and each other, and I am so intensely grateful for all of that.
So, JSP. Although outdoor, distance photography has been cleared as OK in May, after a lot of thought and soul-searching, I’ve decided it makes the most sense for me and my family to keep JSP shuttered until Orders lift (hopefully) in June. We are all in this together, but everyone has their unique situations when it comes to how best to cope as individuals and families. I have a lot of reasons for this decision, but a big one is the thought of having to tell any one of your kiddos to keep their distance from me when they are running in for a hug makes my heart hurt. The greater amount of planning on the front end that would be required on both of our parts, the distance during the session, the fact that salons are closed and a lot of us would have to figure out how to hide our roots (I jest…sort of!) all point to more stress than it’s worth right now. I’d rather we wait and have the fun, lighthearted, friendly photo shoot experience we have all grown accustomed to. It’s the soul of JSP and I’m not willing to compromise that X factor.
What I am going to do is start “The Eventual List.” A waitlist for scheduling once Orders have lifted. You email me and let me know you’re interested in photos sometime in the remainder of 2020. I will email you back once we get the “All Clear,” and we will find a weekend date that works. (Since all of my plans for the rest of the year have been wiped clean, I will have ultimate flexibility!) Sound good? If you’d rather just wait and see, and contact me once things become clear, that’s fine, too. This has definitely been a growing experience in letting go of planning, control, and A-retentive tendencies!
From the bottom of my heart…I miss you all so much. I feel privileged that I have been able to be there for my family during this difficult time, but a big piece of me has been missing since I’ve had to put aside my camera. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t feel lost in all of this. I can’t wait for the day when we can meet again safely and comfortably and we can catch up, friends. Thank you for sticking with me through this. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces again soon.