Dog Days of Summer

So I hear from fellow photographers that these blogs are really being read... I still wonder, as I never hear a peep about anything I have blogged. Ho-Hum...
So I have been going to the monthly TCPPA meetings with a friend of mine, and yes each month we hear from great speakers, and learn new stuff, but last week's speaker was GREAT! I am not sure if it was becasue he really did talk a lot about weddings, or what... But I really enjoyed listening to him. I have a wedding coming up soon, and Jill, the new gal working with me is covering the wedding. I am glad to work with her again. Alicia who has been with me since... 2001 or so still works when she can, but I had to find a second person to work as a second shooter and or assistant for when Alicia is unavailable, and Jill has been working out GREAT! The first wedding we did together was amazing. I think you just 'KNOW' when you have a good working relationship with someone. I had a friend of mine working for me a couple of years ago & I only had her work 2 weddings & realized what a mistake she was to have hired her. Really from day one I knew hiring her was not a good idea... but thought since she was a friend, I'd give it a try. However due to being on completely different working levels, her having zero experience, and then I received 2 complaints from clients about her one frome each wedding she was at, we had to part working ways, which hit her personally & we have not spoken in going on 3 years which is sad as I see her a lot with our kids being in the same sports... so now when I hire someone I am skeptical more than I normally would be. So I know this new Jill it will only be her 2nd wedding, but the way we work together already proves it can only be better. I think clients also catch on to the "vibe" as well if I am working well with another or not.
So I have met with 6 couples who are getting married in 2011, and hoping they liked what they saw in my work & in myself & that I will hear from them soon.
On a personal note... My son just had his 7th birthday, and he is finally tall enough to ride the 'big kid rides' at the carnivals. SO FUNNY- he & his cousin get on the swinging Pirate ship ride. At first he is smiling, & waiving & yelling "HI MOM!" Then he is freeaking out, and crying & hollering he wanted to get off! I was laughing to hard I could hardly snap the pics, but I did get some! What a mean mom I am. Rather than 'feel' for him I was laughing so hard! Oh well.. he got off & said "Can I go on that again?"
So that's all I have to chat about for now.