I have really been procrastinating this. I don’t know what to say, how to say it. And what is there really to say that hasn’t been said already? I have typed, deleted and retyped because I truly don’t have the words so I will just answer my current most commonly asked questions regarding COVID-19.
What are your thoughts?
It is a very crazy and uncertain time for sure. I know this is serious and want to do my part as far as social distancing goes, etc. I have been keeping His truths and promises on the forefront of my mind and not allowing fear to creep in.
My heart breaks my hearts for my clients, they have worked so hard to plan such a big day and instead of having to finalize the details, they are having to uproot their plans and make new ones.
My mom, dad and brother all are in the middle of it as first and second responders. Travis interacts with people daily as well. My granny has extreme respiratory issues. And the list goes on. But with all of that being said, I can’t let my worries, fears and anxieties overrule me. I have to draw the line and stand firm. They are doing what they are called to do and that is to serve people. They will be taken care of, even if it means they get the virus.
What does this look like for your business? How is COVID-19 affecting your business?
I have had three weddings canceled and seven weddings postponed and all of my contracted second shooting work canceled. I am extremely grateful to have clients who have handled this with such grace and patience. I have done research, worked with other business owners through this and I am confident that my business is equipped and prepared to take care of my clients.
The Governor of Virginia left a lot of grey room. In his briefing on March 30, he issued a stay at home order for nonessentials. Previously, he said that nonessential businesses must close IF you can not abide by the social distancing rules but also stated that we must stay home if we are not going out for essentials: groceries, exercise, etc. and golfing but then said again that if you go out and are practicing social distancing that is ok too. See what I mean by the grey area?! I asked for advice from my aunt who is an emergency management director at a local university and she said “Yes you are allowed sessions as long as it’s only a family who live in the same house. And you stay at least 6ft away from them.”
So! With weddings taking up 90% of my schedule this spring and summer, my schedule is now almost clear. The sessions that I do have on the books will be rescheduled if the client would rather wait for all of this to pass. If the client is still interested in the session as of right now, we will proceed with it. I have reached out to my clients with sessions in the next few weeks and will take it day by day. This also is a case by case decision. And this can and I’m sure will change!
How are you and Travis doing?
We are doing good. I can’t say it enough - We seriously have true peace about this. We stand firm in the fact that we will be provided for. We are filling our minds with His truths and leaning solely on Him. He WILL take care of us.
We are thankful that currently Travis still has his job and if it comes down to it, we don’t have too much overhead cost to live. We are grateful to be stocked up on about a month's worth of groceries and as long as we provide food for the chickens we won’t go hungry haha. We are staying out of public spaces as much as possible and finding lots to do around the house. So far we have planted sod, made a small greenhouse and started our veggies garden in it, power washed the deck and are hoping to get some fill dirt for the yard and mulch for the flower beds.
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In the coming week keep an eye out on the resources I have been using as a business and how I have kept His truths and promises at the forefront of my mind during all of this! Super excited to share with yall!
In the comments: How are you doing through this? How are you being affected?!