Hello! It’s WHP Featured Vendor time! This week it is my extreme honor to be hosting Pitter Patter Creations and Photography by Julee Pyke. In addition to being a photographer, Julee makes an assortment of gorgeous crocheted hats! Her hats make perfect props for those newborn and baby sessions and are a great accessory for the stylish baby! Meet Julee and learn about her passion for crochet, and then take a look at some of her beautiful creations! And, of course, we have an awesome giveaway, so make sure to read to the end and enter to win some goodies of your own!

About Julee and Pitter Patter Creations and Photography, in her own words….

My passion for crochet started when I was just 16yrs old. I began by making scarfs and blankets for family and friends. Now more then 10yrs later I decided to open a business, thus I started Pitter Patter Creations and Photography. I am still fairly new at the business thing so I’m learning as I go! I am also a wife, mother to a one week old son, a 16 month old daughter, and a step mom to a 15 year old daughter. I am a full time RN and a casual photographer, and though I am busy, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Crocheting is my passion! I love trying new patterns and experimenting with ones that I have used for years! Seeing my items on a newborn babe, a young child, and even an adult makes my day! I hope you enjoy my work as much as I do and I thank all of my present, past and future clients for your continued business, patience and encouragement as I strive to reach my goals!

{You can see more of Julee’s beautiful photography here.}

Now take a peek at the sweet hats and baby sandals that Julee sent for me to review. My little great nieces look just adorable in them! (I may be a bit biased, but the photos tell the truth!) The hats are very soft and I love how the flowers are on a separate clip that you can take off and wear alone, as well. Versatility is always great!

And who can resist little, baby piggy toes all dressed up in these cute sandals?!?!

Now, on to the giveaway! Julee is generously offering up a monkey hat with diaper cover AND an owl hat in the color and size of the winner’s choice. This is a $65.00 value and it will go as a set to ONE lucky WHP fan! You cannot win if you don’t enter, so keep reading to find out how easy it is to do just that!

Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. Go “like” the Pitter Patter Creations and Photography Facebook page {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then come back and make ONE comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry! *And, while leaving love and thank yous on their FB page is not required, just remember that everyone loves a kind word or two!*

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful items available from Pitter Patter Creations and Photography and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from Pitter Patter Creations and Photography during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn two more additional entries for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page and Twitter account, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the Facebook post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

**Liking/joining the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Tuesday, May 8th (in the evening-EDT) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.**

{Please Note~ This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering this promotion you acknowledge that you are providing your email contact information directly to Wild Hearts Photography in your entry. If you win this promotion you acknowledge that you will be providing your name and shipping address to the specified vendor and not to Facebook. All winners will be posted here on the blog. Please note: International entries are welcome, but you may be responsible for the shipping cost of the prize. Prizes do not have cash value and may not be returned or exchanged.}

Hello! It’s time to kick off a brand new WHP Featured Vendor! This time I am happy to introduce you to Caitlin Hoffman. Caitlin is a consultant for a unique online catalog company called Thirty-One Gifts. When Caitlin first contacted me about being a featured vendor, I wasn’t really sure how this would fit into my usual featured vendor “structure”, so-to-speak, since most of my vendors have been owners of handmade photography-related props and items or private boutique lines. After taking a quick peek around her site, I quickly surmised that you would all love hearing about Thirty-One Gifts and would also love the wide range of products that they offer. Read a little bio about Caitlin and then take a peek at the adorable tote that she sent for me to review. And, of course, don’t forget to enter yourself in the giveaway for a chance to win an awesome prize!

Bio: I am twenty five years old, married with one child-an eighteen month old baby boy. I started with Thirty-One Gifts in December of 2011. I joined Thirty-One Gifts because I think it’s a phenomenal company that promotes the success and sisterhood of women (“Thirty-One” is based on Proverbs 31)…plus I love, love, LOVE all of their stuff!

You can take a look at all of the wonderful bags, totes, accessories, and home decor in the online catalog and also read about the company here. From both a photographer’s and a mom’s point of view, I see tons of items here that would make my life easier and more beautiful at the same time! Many of the bags and totes would work perfectly for hauling all of my extra equipment and props to a location shoot, while keeping me looking professional and stylish to boot! I think the baskets would also be great for some newborn studio shots! Here is the adorable monogrammed tote that Caitlin sent for me to review. It’s a sturdy tote with plenty of room for props and other goodies. Just look how cute it looks with my initials done in one of my two favorite colors!

{The super cute Dr. Seuss quilt set and fabric trees shown in these images are from my last featured vendor, Quietude Quilts!}

Okay, now the really fun part…you can enter to win a $50 gift certificate to Caitlin’s Thirty-One Gifts shop! Keep reading to find out how to enter! You can also find more fun stuff at Caitlin’s other online businesses: Discovery Toys and Body By Vi Challenge. Whew! She is one busy lady!

Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. Go join Caitlin’s Thirty-One Gifts Facebook group {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then come back and make ONE comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry! *And, while leaving love and thank yous on their FB page is not required, just remember that everyone loves a kind word or two!*

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful items available from Thirty-One Gifts and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from Thirty-One Gifts during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn two more additional entries for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page and Twitter account, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the Facebook post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

**Liking/joining the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, April 24th (in the evening-EDT) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.**

{Please Note~ This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering this promotion you acknowledge that you are providing your email contact information directly to Wild Hearts Photography in your entry. If you win this promotion you acknowledge that you will be providing your name and shipping address to the specified vendor and not to Facebook. All winners will be posted here on the blog. Please note: International entrants may enter, but may be responsible for the shipping cost of the prize. Prizes do not have cash value and may not be returned or exchanged.}

I’m so happy to introduce you to this week’s WHP Featured Vendor~Quietude Quilts! I absolutely LOVE their sweet little beds, cradles, quilts, and other fun accessories (banners, tiny stuffed trees, pillow, and more)!

A little bit about Quietude Quilts in their own words:

We are Jonathan and Kelsey, a young married couple, together handcrafting heirloom toys and classic photography props. We are proud to come from creative families…both of Kelsey’s grandmothers were quilters, and both of Jonathan’s grandfathers were woodworkers who built and owned their own businesses. We love following in their steps with our own creative and miniature twist. Our work has developed throughout the last couple of years from a quilting hobby, to a toy shop of doll beds and doll quilts, to supplying photographers with newborn and toddler beds, canopy beds, princess and pea sets, cradles, bunk beds, and all sorts of bedding accessories. We love using classic and timeless designs for our woodworking and quilting, and especially that we’re able to blend our talents and interests together to create high quality props and toys for your businesses and families.

Take a peek at the adorable bed that they sent for me to review. It was beautifully made, assembled easily with provided instructions, and looked amazing in the photographs! I loved the color of the stain on this one as it gave it a look that blends with so many backgrounds and accessories. Perfect for baby boys or girls, it photographed perfectly with my pink props. It was sized just right for the newborn twins, and I can see using it for babies up through the toddler years and even older. The sturdy construction and simple styling makes it a great choice as a studio prop or as an heirloom toy for any child.

And now here’s something for you to get happy about! Quietude Quilts is giving away an unfinished newborn bed to one lucky WHP fan! Whooot!!!! Read below for information on how to enter. AND…as an extra bonus, you can use the code “QQWILDHEARTS15″ for a special 15% discount off of any bedding purchases in their shop throughout the duration of this giveaway.

Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. Go “like” the Quietude Quilts Facebook page {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then come back and make ONE comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry! *And, while leaving love and thank yous on their FB page is not required, just remember that everyone loves a kind word or two!*

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful items available from Quietude Quilts and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from Quietude Quilts during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn two more additional entries for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page and Twitter account, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the Facebook post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

**Liking the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, April 9th (in the evening-EDT) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.**

{This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering this promotion you acknowledge that you are providing your email contact information directly to Wild Hearts Photography in your entry. If you win this promotion you acknowledge that you will be providing your name and shipping address to the specified vendor and not to Facebook. All winners will be posted here on the blog. Please note: International entrants may enter, but may be responsible for the shipping cost of the prize. Prizes do not have cash value and may not be returned or exchanged.}

We had driven by the park a week prior to the shoot to check the flowers and they were starting to open. With all of the unseasonably warm weather we had been having, I thought one week was going to have the whole field completely in bloom. As a matter of fact, I was starting to panic as I watched the weather forecast since they were calling for rain the whole weekend and I thought I would end up missing the flowers all together-again. So, I talked the hubby into getting home early enough on Friday evening to get to the park in time for the photo session. This is where everything began to fall apart. The best laid plans and all that, you know. He did get home, but just a little later than we had hoped. The sun was just starting to come down in the sky and it seemed like it would be perfect! Then, by the time we were half way to the park, it started to cloud over. We pushed on and by the time we got there, the sky was overcast and appearing about an hour darker than it really was. And, the flowers were not all bloomed out. I was pretty bummed out about that, but figured we could still do the shoot with a little fill flash. Well, I pulled out the flash and the batteries were completely dead. Okay-checked the bag. No spare batteries. You have to be kidding me! I never do that! I am always prepared with this stuff! So, I turned up my ISO and did the shoot with all natural light. The girls complained a bit about the little “surprises” that the geese had left in the grass, especially since I made them go barefoot. They were also a little sad when a super “nice” lady yelled at them for picking a few flowers to hold (even though we were not on private property, but at a public park). But, all in all, they were troopers and did a great job! I even took the time to get myself ready so I could step in front of the camera for a few shots and Jim was sweet to snap them for me. He really is a big teddy bear, but he does not like handling my camera. I don’t know what he’s so afraid of, lol! The only thing missing this year was a few shots of us all together, but I’ll take what we got.

I was pretty tired and a bit flustered by the end of the shoot (and did not get to have as much creative freedom as I wanted due to the fading light), but I have to say….I love it! I’m SO happy to see us all together in such a beautiful place. I love the soft, retro tones in the images that give them the feeling of matching the time era of the dresses. Even a little graininess just adds to the effect. I love that I was able to use things that were special to me in this special shoot. And yes, I shoot tons of images of my family, but each one is still special. They change and grow so fast that it’s important to me not to miss out on these opportunities to capture them. And so I do. And I love it! And their “serious” model faces crack me up! I hope you enjoy this sweet, little peek into my life.

If you love the blog templates I used in this post, you can find them in my design shop here!

I have been super excited about this week’s WHP Featured Vendor! Jennifer of OLDCHATEAU is not only a FABULOUS designer, but she is an sweet and amazing person to work with for custom products! I can’t tell you how easily she takes ideas and translates them into real world props that are stunningly beautiful! We have been working together for several months and I am so honored to feature her on my blog for a second time. Get to know Jennifer and find out what the buzz is all about!

A little bit about Jennifer in her own words:

For as long as I can remember I have always gravitated toward and found beauty in the rusted, frayed, weathered, and overgrown. My shop, OLDCHATEAU, was created based on my love of all of these things-especially Vintage. My signature style would be soft and romantic, and I love creating with natural materials including: burlap, vintage lace, and cotton fabrics. From baby blankets to photography props, each piece is unique-often being one of a kind. All of my products are made with the utmost care & attention to detail, in hopes that they will become something that you or a friend will treasure for years to come.

Here is just a small selection of the gorgeous items that are available from OLDCHATEAU, including the beautiful Vintage Lace Basket Garland showcased by Son Kissed Photography, and several items that I have had the privilege of photographing.

As a photographer, I really love how you can get a set of coordinating props that can be used together or separately for endless flexibility in your sessions. All of Jennifer’s creations are extremely well-constructed and crafted from the nicest materials, making them a great and lasting investment. The wide range of products makes them appealing to a large audience, with something perfect for everyone.

I was especially excited to feature this beautiful fabric canopy and matching vintage style headbands in a very special newborn twin session. The sweet nursery pillow was also crafted by Jennifer. It was all so dreamy!

And now it’s time for YOU to get excited! Jennifer is giving away one of these gorgeous canopies and a matching headband to one lucky WHP fan! You will even get to have your choice of several fabric/color combinations. How FUN is that?!!! Read below for information on how to enter. If you just can’t wait to get your hands on some of the shabby sweetness from OLDCHATEAU, you can use the code “WiLDHEARTS10″ for a special 10% discount off of anything in Jennifer’s shop throughout the duration of this giveaway.

Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. Go “like” the OLDCHATEAU Facebook page {HERE} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then come back and make one comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry!

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful items available from OLDCHATEAU and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from OLDCHATEAU during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn two more additional entries for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page and Twitter account, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the Facebook post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

**Liking the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Saturday, March 17th (in the evening-EDT) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.**

{This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering this promotion you acknowledge that you are providing your email contact information directly to Wild Hearts Photography in your entry. If you win this promotion you acknowledge that you will be providing your name and shipping address to the specified vendor and not to Facebook. All winners will be posted here on the blog. Please note: International entrants may enter, but may be responsible for the shipping cost of the prize. Prizes do not have cash value and may not be returned or exchanged.}

Well, I’ve been waiting a long time to tell you my story. Why, you ask, have I been waiting? Well, not so much waiting as trying to find the time to properly tell it. It’s a long story, fraught with both happiness and peril. I’ve been having a hard time putting other projects on hold to write this, and I’m not one for staying up until 2 am to get this stuff done, so I apologize for taking so long. Here it is now…finally. You may want to get some coffee wine beverage-of-choice and make yourself comfortable. Here we go…..

{Before}

There was a time before I was a photographer. Yes, it’s true-this hasn’t been my life-long passion. I didn’t literally grow up with a camera in my hands. I really didn’t even care that much about photographs. *GASP*!!! I know, but it’s the truth. I probably had some cute, little camera when I was younger, but I honestly don’t even remember it. I do remember my hubby telling me that he had bought me something awesome shortly after we were married. He loved to make me guess what my gifts were, which never ended up working out so well for him. He said it was something fun, full of light and rainbows, and that I could wear it on my wrist. I though it was a diamond bracelet. It was a point-and-shoot camera. Ugh! I did come to appreciate it later, once we started our family, but at that time, I wanted to throw it off of the nearest bridge-and him with it, lol! But, of course, I did neither-and I’m so glad! I used that little camera to capture many vacations, new homes, new cars, my college graduation, my sweet babies, and many more wonderful things. Without it, I would not have had those precious images to look back at and spark my memory. Back then, photography was an after-though. It was like “Oh, I did bring the camera, so let’s just snap a couple photos of this.” Nevertheless, I now cherish what it gave me. Don’t tell my hubby that I really wanted the diamond bracelet, though.

My real passion for photography started when I had my daughter, eleven years ago this month! I loved taking snapshots of her daily cuteness and I also liked taking her to have professional photos done. When she was about one year old, I broke down and purchased my first “real” camera. A Nikon, 35mm SLR film camera with a kit lens. Yep, I was in this before the digital craze. My mom got one, too, and we took a class at our local vocational school to learn how to use them. We learned all about aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and composition….but….I still used the Automatic or Portrait settings on my camera and really never switched it to Manual mode. The main reason for that being cost. It was expensive to shoot film-what with all the costs of buying the film and then of getting prints made, just to see if anything even came out. I’ll admit, I took A LOT of photos even back then and I have boxes just stuffed FULL of 4×6 prints. Most of them I still like and I can see how, at that time, my style was beginning to develop, along with my love for photography.

The next step was making the switch to digital. This happened at Christmas one year, and I must admit, that this time I was more excited to see a camera that I would have been a diamond bracelet. My next few years were spent learning how to use the camera and learning how to edit in Photoshop Elements. I found both to be confusing and exhilarating at the same time! My early photos look like so many that you see from new photographers (or people with cameras who like to take photos). I couldn’t really call myself a “photographer” for the longest time….even after I started my business, I had a hard time with it. Next came some very basic studio lights to play around with. If you look at some of my early work, you will know that I literally mean “play around”. I really didn’t know what I was doing. The thing is, it didn’t matter, I was learning, experiencing, and growing. I got my hands on every book about photography that I could find and read them, cover to cover. I looked at photography forums and yes, other photographers’ work online, and tried to figure out why it was SO hard to get my photos to resemble anything I saw on there. Finally, I started saying “yes” to my friends and family when they asked if I would do their photos and it kind of took off from there. It’s been a pretty typical road since that time…of defining my style, refining my skills, upgrading my gear, learning the biz, shooting, and more learning…and also many, many times of learning the hard way and then working hard to correct mistakes.

As I began to move my work more into the public eye, the whole word-of-mouth thing started up for me. While I still hadn’t totally defined my style, and my work wasn’t the quality that it is today, I found that it did have a resale value. I found that people liked what I was doing and often commented on both my creative style being different and their experience with me being different. They would also comment that they liked my “non-traditional” style. This was the biggest turning point for me, and after making a few major decisions regarding my work, I did start to feel like I had a real business. I decided that I did not have to be like everyone else to work in this field. My style and my approach did not have to be what was considered popular in my area. I’ve always loved to push the boundaries of my creativity and have never liked being put into a box anyway. So, at that time, I decided to market my work based on the fact that it was “different”. And they came. My beloved and loyal clients, many of whom are still with me today, came and tried out a new way of doing photography with me. It was still not a full-time endeavor for me (I worked part-time as a speech-language pathologist and did the photography on the side), but it was becoming a legitimate business. I cannot stress enough the importance of what I learned along the way. The things that “seasoned photogs” are always saying to the “newbies”: Figure out your target market, price yourself correctly for your market, research your equipment and your product offerings so you have the right things for the format of your business, keep learning and growing, push yourself beyond your limits and work HARD. These are the things that make a business successful. And truthfully, they really are.

Starting a new business is one thing, but maintaining a business while trying to figure out the whole rest of your life is a completely different thing. A business that you are committed to doesn’t just crop up overnight, nor does it maintain itself without some effort on your part. Now came the part where I had to decide where to draw the lines. I had to figure out how to balance my life as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a therapist, and a photographer. I had some huge supporters, namely my hubby, who has endured so many things with me throughout the process. My parents were supportive of my photography “hobby”, but were a little slower to accept that it might become a career path. I mean, I had a Master’s degree in a totally different field, so why would I deviate from that? Why would I want to pursue something that seemed harder and less rewarding than my current work? Eventually, they realized that it was because I had found a true passion and that there was no way I could really do anything else. So much more support came after I started making money with my business, and as a parent, I can totally understand their initial misgivings. Photography is not an easy industry to be in, and the pay is not something that is always consistent. They wanted security for me, as all parents do for their children. My mom, who is my biggest creative inspiration, was happy for my passion and my dad, who is the hardest worker I know, came around eventually as they saw I was going to continue to pursue my dream. And, I have to be honest in saying that people we know…co-workers, friends, and yes, even family, are often less receptive of our business successes than total strangers. This was hard for me to accept, but I forced myself to realize why I wanted to do it….not for them, but for ME. And so I plugged on.

{After}

Now is the part that is harder for me to write about. I need to give a little history to lead into the next part of my story. I had some health issues before I was born and was a preemie baby. I also had a few problems with being sick quite a bit as a young child, but everything seemed fine once I had my tonsils taken out at age 3. From that time on, I seemed to get healthier and stay that way. I had a wonderful childhood and married my sweetheart right after high school. I went to collage, started my career as an SLP, and everything was wonderful. We married young and waited until after our 10 year anniversary to begin our family. The first pregnancy was not so typical right from the start, and during the second trimester I had to be put on blood pressure meds and monitored more regularly. I was still working full-time as a therapist in a nursing home at this point. Finally, two months before my due date I was put on bed rest due to toxemia and the pregnancy was labeled as “high risk”. Many doctors appointments later, we delivered a healthy baby girl. I ended up having a c-section due to the blood pressure complications from the toxemia. The doctors told me I would be fine after the baby was delivered, and it seemed like I was. One year after my first sweet baby girl was born, I found out I was once again expecting. We were thrilled! This time, my blood pressure and protein levels went up so fast the doctor said it could not be caused by toxemia and I would need to have further testing done after the baby was born. Another high-risk pregnancy and another beautiful baby girl resulted. This time I didn’t seem to bounce back as quickly and my doctor referred me to a specialist. After seeing a nephrologist (kidney specialist), it was determined that I only had one functioning kidney, and that the other one was severely damaged during the pregnancies. This meant years of invasive testing, monitoring, and being put on medications to finally stabilize the health of my one “good” kidney. The initial prognosis was that I would probably need a transplant before I turned 40. I am happy to report that at this time my kidney has stabilized and is functionally normally, so by God’s grace, I have not had to face a transplant. My life continued along pretty much normally, until just a couple of years ago.

In the last ten years, while raising our girls, building a house and a business, and continuing to work part time at my other job, my health seemed to improve for the most part. Then I began to have intermittent symptoms of dizziness, irregular heart beats, fatigue, and feeling like I was going to pass out. This happened several times while I was driving, but after it happened with my babies in the car with me, I went to the ER. They did a full work-up and decided that I had some heart issues. Specifically, irregular maintenance of my heartbeat. More test, some very invasive, and more questions. Heart disease runs in my family, so it wasn’t surprising, but still hard to face. Then, for a while, it was if a switch was thrown, it all calmed down and I felt great. The symptoms became vague and I was easily able to blame them on other things when they did appear. I also had headaches, but always thought they were related to my allergies, which I had since childhood. So life went on. Until two years ago from this April. My husband had gone with me on a photo shoot at a client’s home. After the shoot was done, on the way home in the car, I suddenly lost the vision in my left eye. I started to panic a bit, since from a speech therapist’s point of view, this meant I could be having a stroke. I knew about this stuff first hand. We called the doctor and was told to get to the ER right away. They did some testing and kept me for 24 hours for observation, saying it was probably a TIA (mini-stroke) or could possibly have been caused by a migraine. I didn’t know much about migraines (just thought they were bad headaches), but knew a lot about strokes, and felt quite a lot of fear at the prospect. I went home and tried to put it behind me. Two weeks later, after driving my mom into town for some shopping, I started getting the dizziness and passing-out feeling again. Nothing I could do would make it stop, but I didn’t want us to be stranded so I drove us home. The whole time I felt like I was fighting to stay conscious, feeling at all times like I was about to black out. I felt hot, clammy, and disoriented. I was not even able to realize that I should have pulled over and called for help. I did manage to get us home (with many guardian angels helping, I’m sure) but I ended up having a panic attack once I got there. This landed me back in the hospital for over a week. The neurologist that I saw there said I was hyperventilating and having anxiety attacks, and that I just needed to take some medication. Those that know me personally, know that by nature I am a calm and confident person. I don’t tend to let anxiety take over or have many issues with being nervous or afraid in normal situations. And, I’m fiercely independent. And, I don’t like to take medications. So, I came home and once again tried to find my “normal”, resuming my daily activities as quickly as possible. Except, that the symptoms became more severe and more frequent. I finally begged my family doctor to send me to a really good specialist so someone could figure out what was going on.

I was eventually diagnosed with chronic migraine disease after seeing a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. Unbeknownst to me, all of my symptoms (including many others that I have at various times) can be caused by migraines. Unfortunately, I was stuck in a cycle of having some phase of the migraine almost continuously, and my central nervous system (CNS) was basically fried. I went through a course of physical therapy, tried some new medications, learned to identify my triggers, and went through a very aggressive 3-day infusion treatment at the clinic to help “reset” my brain. All of that had a minimal impact on my disease. While I no longer seem to be stuck on the continuous cycle, I still experience many of the symptoms on any given day or week. I may go a few days feeling “okay” only to be slammed with a day that is horrible. It’s very random in when it will hit, but once it starts, there is nothing that really works for me to stop it, other than sleeping it off. I have learned that heat and hormones are my biggest triggers and I can sometimes predict what will happen, but most times I can’t. Many different foods are triggers for me, as well. I still regularly experience the vision loss in my left eye, which is part of the aura phase of the migraines, and it no longer freaks me out like it used to. It does usually predict that a migraine is impending, but the actual rest of the migraine cycle may not start for hours or even up to two days later. It is very confusing and very frustrating, not only for myself, but also for my family. Unfortunately, I am unable to take most of the possible medications due to my kidney issues, or I choose not to due to the high risk of side effects. Sometimes I feel very alone in my plight and wonder why it’s happening. The impact of this disease on my life is really even beyond how it makes me feel physically and emotionally. I had to stop driving-which has been the biggest challenge for my daily life. But, after almost blacking out at the wheel on numerous occasions, I realized that I cannot risk my own life, as well as my family’s safety and that of other drivers on the road. Once the symptoms come on, I cannot control them and they sometimes come without warning and with severe intensity. I cannot always go to all the places that I want to with my family-such as school activities, church, restaurants, shopping, events, etc. So many triggers exist in these places and can work together to create the perfect storm for my migraines to flare. Often times, I try to go anyway and will have to leave part way through. I no longer feel absolute confidence in being out somewhere by myself. The loss of independence has been the hardest thing for me-I just never know what to expect to happen. It’s been so difficult for my confidence and the outgoing side of my personality. Family and friends do not always understand what I am experiencing and may misjudge the severity of what is happening to me. I often find myself trying to hide it so as not to worry them. I have learned that while anxiety does not cause migraines, the inverse is true. It is very easy to become fearful when you don’t feel like you are in control of a situation. Research has also shown that migraines go hand-in-hand with many other CNS disorders, due to the impact on the brain and other body functions, such as heartbeat and respiration.

{Now}

The thing that I want people to know after reading my story, is that you do not have to let the challenges that you face determine the outcome of following your dreams. I have had to accept that I have limitations. I have had to admit to myself and to others that there are things I cannot do, no matter how much I may want to. My wonderful clients have been more than understanding in working with me throughout this whole experience. I’ve had to tell them, when I’m getting too hot or dehydrated, that I need to take a break or even that I may not be able to continue their session. Most of the time I am able to make it through. Careful planning, and having my hubby assisting me at all sessions, has greatly improved my ability to do my job. If you were to ask most of my clients if they noticed a difference in their session, they would probably say they did not. Switching gears in my business to include more commercial photography has been a great way for me to continue doing what I love. It can be much easier to work with models and set up the locations and shoots to accommodate my needs and my timing. Graphic design has also been a life saver for me. Most of the time I am able to sit at the computer and do my work there. Some days I feel close to “normal” and can plow right though my to-do list. Other days I have to force myself to go at a pace that doesn’t aggravate anything.

The very random nature of migraine disease makes it difficult to deal with. I don’t try to make excuses when I cannot do something. I try to be honest with both myself and my clients. I’m dealing with it the best way that I know how, and I’m seeing the best year on the books that my business has ever had. I’m also seeing the biggest amount of growth on my social networking pages. I have made the switch to doing this work full-time without consciously deciding that I would. It’s been only by God’s grace and the support of my family and clients that it is working out this way and that I am able to continue helping to support my family with my income. I cannot thank all of you enough for being my fans and being my friends. I have loved the relationships that I have formed through my business. I hope that reading my story inspires you to know that while challenges will come in the pursuit of your dream, and sometimes they will knock you off your path for a bit, you can overcome them. You can learn to think about things and do things differently when you need to make something work. You can learn to accept your limitations while at the same time pushing them. You can and should let others help you. I don’t exactly know what the future holds, but I just take each day as it comes. I thank God for the many blessings that He has allowed me to have. I try to think about what I’m capable of doing and do it well, rather than dwell on the things I can’t do. I never give up. I don’t let the migraines have full control, but I have learned to respect what they can do to me. I thank God that what I have is not something so scary, such as a terminal disease, but something I can live with and learn how to *kind of* manage.

One of the biggest reasons it’s taken me so long to tell my story is because I have a hard time being SO personal. It’s not easy for me to open up to others. I hope you know that I love helping people (main reason that both of my careers have been people-oriented) and if my story helps you, then I am glad I told it. If it shows you a little about what living a real life and trying to have a business is like, then I’m happy I told it. If it’s not that interesting to you, well, sorry-it’s the best I’ve got!

You can find information on Migraine Disease on Migraine.com and also here. These have been terrific resources for me in understanding what migraine disease is and how others are coping with it. Migraine disease is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders facing young adults.

It’s WHP Featured Vendor time again! Yay! I have an awesome, new vendor for you to meet today-Martha of Pink Pansy Props! Read about how Martha got started doing crochet and how she transformed her hobby into a business, then take a peek at the beautiful hats she sent for me to review. You can also enter a fun giveaway to win something wonderful of your very own!

I learned to crochet a looooooong time ago while spending time in the summer with my Grandma. She was an amazingly talented lady who knitted and crocheted beautifully. I am so grateful that she had enough patience to teach a wiggly, little girl with a very short attention span! Over the years, my enthusiasm for the craft has waxed and waned….usually coinciding with the birth of my own three babies (all girls, and all needing adorable little hats and booties…:).

After starting my photography business, I pulled out the crochet hooks once again to make a few props for my tiniest clients. My enthusiasm was ignited when I discovered the amazing yarns being made available by a whole new cottage industry of fiber artists! Hand spun, hand dyed, thick/thin, art yarn…different and exciting yarns, opening up infinite possibilities in creativity! I have gotten to know some fabulous people, and really enjoy being able to support other small, home-based businesses. My favorite days are when I receive a batch of yarn, then can work up something new and totally unique! I truly hope my fans enjoy my little creations as much as I enjoy making them!

Take a look at the adorable hats that Martha sent for me to review and try out in my own studio. They are simply amazing-both in artistic style and quality! The hand-dyed yarns are gorgeous and the fancy trims add that something “special” that make these perfect for photography props. They are great for newborn shots, but I could easily see using them on older babies, as well! I just love them!

Now on to the giveaway! You can win a $50 gift code to be used during any of the Ready-To-Ship sales! Keep reading for all of the details on how to enter and win!

1. Go “like” the Pink Pansy Props Facebook page {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then make one comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry!

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful items available from Pink Pansy Props and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from Pink Pansy Props during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn one more additional entry for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

That is a total of four entries available per person. Liking the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Please only post the four comments. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, February 27th (in the evening-EST) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.

{And of course, this giveaway is in no way affiliated with, or sponsored by Facebook or it’s entities, and all entries will be made directly through Wild Hearts Photography here on this blog post. Winner will be posted on the blog and notified via email.}

I am very excited to have The Paisley Pear as our Featured Vendor on the blog this week! First, read a little bio about the company and the owners, in their own words, and then take a look at some gorgeous frames and enter the giveaway! Enjoy!

Meet Jenna and Ryan Shaefer! Are they not completely adorable?!!

Here are some more images of their gorgeous frames and the style and color options that they offer:

I cannot even tell you how fun it was to open the package containing the frames that they sent for me to review! I literally squealed when I pulled these out of the box! SO pretty! So modern, fresh, and fun! I love the color and the style of both of these frames! I had no trouble at all deciding which images to put in them. Excellent quality on both the woodworking and paint, with the edges worn off just enough to lend them that bit of “shabby chic” feel that I love. Perfection!

Now on to the really fun part! You can win your choice of either a 10×13 Black Dottie ($56 value) OR an 11×14 Baby Blue Otto ($64)! Keep reading below for all of the details on how to enter and win!

1. Go “like” the The Paisley Pear Facebook page {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then make one comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry!

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the beautiful frames available from The Paisley Pear and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from The Paisley Pear during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn one more additional entry for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

That is a total of four entries available per person. Liking the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Please only post the four comments. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 12th (in the evening-EST) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.

{And of course, this giveaway is in no way affiliated with, or sponsored by Facebook or it’s entities, and all entries will be made directly through Wild Hearts Photography here on this blog post. Winner will be posted on the blog and notified via email.}

Yes, it’s that time again! Time to introduce a new Featured Vendor! Roxana is the owner of Paturici Pentru Pitici and she creates adorable hand-made hats, blankets, and other items. She is sweet as can be and a true artist with her creations! Read a little about her and why she started her business, and then find out how you can win something wonderful for yourself!

About Roxana in her own words-I am a mother of three little girls who are six years, five years, and twenty one months old. I have been passionate about knitting and crocheting since I was a child, but it wasn’t until my third baby was born that I discovered a whole new world of colors and choices to make great stuff for kids. I started making clothes and blankets for my girls, and after hearing from others how much they liked my work, I started making hats, booties and all other cute stuff for babies. I love making owl hats and I have made so many color combinations, but my true love remains my blankets. It’s been less than a year since I started Paturici Pentru Pitici, and even though I started it as a hobby, it’s starting to grow as a little business. I feel that it is my way of bringing color into people’s lives and I am so happy when others appreciate my creations! The support that I get from my fans gives me the inspiration and the desire to make more and more beautiful little things for little people. “Paturici Pentru Pitici” means “Little blankets for little people.”

Take a peek at the adorable hats and headband that Roxana sent for me to review. I absolutely love them and the quality is outstanding! They are very soft and have a durable construction that will help them to last for many years to come.

You can win your very own beautiful hat from Roxana! She is giving away these adorable hats to three of my fans! You have a chance to win one of these unique and fun creations for your own child or to use in your studio! Keep reading below for all of the details on how to enter and win!

1. Go “like” the Paturici Pentru Pitici Facebook page {Here} and “like” my Wild Hearts Photography Facebook page {Here} and then make one comment on this blog post that you have done both. This is the only REQUIRED step for entry!

2. You may get an additional entry for taking a peek at the adorable items available from Paturici Pentru Pitici and coming back to this blog post and commenting which item you love best.

3. Another additional entry can be earned by making a purchase from Paturici Pentru Pitici during the duration of this giveaway! Make sure to come back here and comment about your purchase!

4. You can earn one more additional entry for sharing about this giveaway on your Facebook page, including a link to this blog post. Please @tag our fan pages in the post or include a link in your comment here so we can verify it.

That is a total of four entries available per person. Liking the fan pages is required and the additional entries are optional. Please only post the four comments. Entries will close and the winner will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 5th (in the evening-EST) and posted here on the blog after the winner’s entry has been verified.

{And of course, this giveaway is in no way affiliated with, or sponsored by Facebook or it’s entities, and all entries will be made directly through Wild Hearts Photography here on this blog post. Winner will be posted on the blog and notified via email.}