Inspired Portrait Photography

the * up * to * date

DEAREST Friends:

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. I would like to share the good news about my photography business. We have officially begun “Inspired Portrait Photography” LLC , as of September 2008. My husband and I are developing the new website at www.inspiredportrait.com and you can contact me personally at sherry@inspiredportrait.com

I will be taking location appointments again starting next week, including a wedding event on Saturday the 6th! E-mail me with your portrait interests and I’ll be glad to contact you ASAP.

More to come after labor day!

+Sherry

God Works….(a true story)

Initially I wasn’t going to share this story because there wasn’t much happiness in it,  but it now has a fairy tale ending, so I must share it.

Following my release from my previous employer I was offered “first dibs” to buy some of the items I used in the studio, such as lighting, props etc to get me started with the new business, but while I was out of town at an educational event (Twin Cities Prof Photo Group), all of the items I had selected to buy were sold/or given to someone else. Needless to say I was in shock, considering all I have invested in the business. Instantly I lost all respect and a long time friendship ended. Despite heartbreak, I kept my head up and decided to move forward.

….and it’s great thing I did. I made a few phone calls to other photographers (Side note: I can’t fully explain how amazing my minnesota photographer friends have been since day one. They have always supported me, critiqued me, encouraged me, and shared with me endless knowledge, never asking for anything in return) and everyone had great ideas of how to get new equipment, used items and pointed me where to go next.

So this weekend Lucas and I found ourselves driving 4 hours to Watertown, South Dakota. This past spring a well known photographer passed and his family had decided it was time to have a big sale on all items from his studio. Ralph Ritcher had been in the business over 40 years. He was a mentor to the people I now call my mentors. I was nervous the whole drive there (we paid for gas, hotel and we were a long way from home). I had no idea if we were going to find items I could use or if we’d be able to afford anything. All i can say is WOW. When God is ready to show you a new door he does. The family members were amazingly supportive. I shared my story with them and fought back a few tears. The kindness & generosity of the other photographers at the sale and cost of the used products left me speechless. We filled every nook and cranny of Luke’s car with items I will treasure for many years. Not only was I able to find lighting, props, backgrounds etc, but I was able to purchase them at a fraction of the prices.

One of the best feelings was to know our money went to a well deserving family. I met a few of Ralphs grandchildren, his wife and his daughter. Unbeknownst to them, they took an incredible sad situation and filled my life with hope once again.

So with that I am  one step closer to getting the business rolling. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. Please keep the Ralph Ritcher family in your prayers as they deal with an array of emotions during this time.

and God Bless

Sherry Schultze

Greetings everyone!

I have been busy but i haven’t forgotten the blog(or you)! Yesterday I spent much time researching new lighting to purchase for the new business when my brain got so full of numbers and brands etc, that i took a walk. I simply walked around my home and looked for light, the free light that no one can sell (or not sell) to me. It was a great feeling remembering why I began taking photos….it’s not about the fancy lighting setups or the must have new age equipment, it’s about the subject and the sun. So heres a bit of what I saw around my home yesterday. Thanks for stopping!

p.s. My friend Renee is having her baby today, please keep her and the baby in your prayers!

Dearest Friends

So much to do today, and so much to tell you, but for now I leave you with one of my favorite sayings, seems to ring so true lately as people’s true characters are revealed to me in this time of trial….

Every man’s work, whether it be literature, or music, or pictures, or architecture, or anything else, is always a portrait of himself.

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man. Proverbs 27:19

What’s in a name?

I have been eagerly looking for my new business name. Between Lucas(my husband in shinning armor) and I, we have been tossing around words, ideas, themes and some pretty exciting stuff for the new photography business. I am waiting to release all the info until it’s a bit more official, but I appreciate you checking back, you might even get to help me pick the name!

Along with planning the new business I have some other exciting adventures ahead…..

*Photographing a wedding in September
*Coaching junior high volleyball this fall in lake crystal
*Creating a business plan that will be provide my clients will superior service
*Attending Life light concert in Sioux Falls, SD
*Having lunch with a few old friends
*Holding a garage sale on the 23rd of August during move in day at MSU
*Watching movies with my husband and just enjoying each other
*Planing out my year ahead!

I can’t thank you enough for the out pouring of love and support we have received from you, friends, family and clients. When things at my previous studio(I’ve agreed to not use their name in any future publications) ended, the  job didn’t end the way I had hoped for or imagined, but you’ve continued to believe in us. You’ve also recognized that much of what happened was out of our control. THANK YOU THANK YOU…to everyone who believes in me, in Kendall, Danie and Kandi and what we are able to do to fulfill our dreams!

God Bless

Sherry Schultze

*the photographer – the artist *