The Blog of Wen McNally Photography -Tybee Island Georgia and Stafford Virginia Photographer

Wow… it’s hard to believe that we’ve already been down here for 2 months. We’ve got this amazing place at the beach for one more month and we’re going to make sure to make the most of it. Last month we had friends from Kansas, Indiana and Iowa visit, all of them on their way back North from Florida. Wen’s mom came down for a week at the last minute and planned to ride back with our son Carder, who was coming to visit us for a couple of days at the end of his leave. The Coast Guard had other plans. After an 8 hour drive, he got a text from his station (in Connecticut) which basically told him that he’d have to leave in less than 15 hours to get back in time for a rescheduled duty… Ah well, we made the most of that quick time too. Sometimes, that’s all you can do.

I’ve had in interest in video production for years and had the opportunity to head down to Florida to do some shooting for a photo industry manufacturing company, with some additional footage being shot for a possible side project later this summer. I had a blast and the client is very happy with the final output. I’m exploring some other avenues for video production as well as continuing to promote my wedding video services. Wen had been inspired to work on a personal portrait project featuring interesting people here on the island (and there are plenty!) which may end up turning into something more. We also found out early in the month that the Cyber School we had hoped to enroll the girls in, was accepting enrollment for the second semester. I spent a couple of days chasing down info and jumping though hoops, but we got it all put together and are figuring the whole thing out.

Being down here has given us a chance to spend lots of time with the kids as well as with the many new friends we’ve met. We’ve talked and laughed and dreamed. We’ve also been reminded that even though we don’t always know what’s ahead, there is a bigger plan… and it’s good. So as we wind down our time at the beach and start cranking up for the year ahead, we do it with a new perspective… and that’s what we were hoping for in the first place.

Looking for a great solution for this years’ Black Friday madness? Why
not join us for something you know you’ll really treasure… Family
Portraits from Wen McNally Photography. Instead of braving the
crowds, we’ve decided to offer up some savings of our own. We’ve
discounted our normal session and we’re also tossing in a quick
bonus… 12 Photo Christmas Cards – $150

Been a while since your last family portrait? Come spend a little
time with us this Friday, Saturday or Sunday and let us help
you create a memory that will last for years to come.

The leaves have started to change, which can only mean one thing… perfect Family Portrait weather (okay, I suppose technically it means other things too, but around here that’s what’s on our minds) So get ready for the Fall Foliage Family Foto Frenzy! (and yes, I know that photo isn’t spelled with an “f”… let’s just call it artistic license) Our beautiful, exclusive outdoor location will provide a stunning backdrop for that family portrait you’ve “been meaning to have taken” for so long.

We’re also offering a special session/image combo as part of this deal. 30 minute family session, 1 5×7 or 8×10 gift piece & 8 wallets… a $390 value for $200!

Wen wanted to sweeten the pot just a little bit more, so we’re also offering super rare Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday Sessions! Oct 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30! Session times are limited, so get in touch with us NOW to schedule yours!

Did anybody see where the summer went? I blinked and it was gone. It’s been a good one and we’ve had a blast with the Seniors of 2012. If you’re still planning to have Wen take your Senior Portraits, September and October are gorgeous and we’ve still got some sessions available.

2011 has certainly been a year of change for us. We hit our stride in a new location and simplified our lives considerably along the way. We watched with pride and a tinge of sadness as our son Carder shipped of for Coast Guard bootcamp. He’s in New London CT for a couple of months, then heads for CA for IT school and then we’ll see where he winds up. Wen even braved a hurricane to spend a couple of days with him last week. We’re also beginning to contemplate the reality of having only 3 kids in the house, as Bryce plans to graduate a semester early in February.

But wait, that’s just the beginning… Our lease on the place we’ve been renting is up in October and our friend has decided to put it on the market (anybody looking to buy a house?) After looking around, weighing our options and spending a couple of long evenings dreaming out on the deck, we’ve decided that we’re going to do something we’ve talked about for years… funny how things work out sometimes.

We know that this is the kind of thing that gets all kinds of rumors going, so let’s try to clear up the one that will probably prove to be the biggest, shall we?

We are absolutely NOT “going out of business.” We will however be “out for lunch” for pretty much the entire winter. Since the primary source of business for us has been Senior Portraits, winter is our super slow season. For the past few winters, Wen and I have dreamed of going somewhere interesting and exciting while we’re still young enough (relatively) to enjoy it. This year we decided to stop dreaming and to do it. In December, we’ll be heading to Tybee Island, GA (about 16 miles from Savannah) to spend this winter at the beach. We’ll still be scheduling sessions and coming back a couple of times, we’ll just group them over a couple of days and knock them out that way. Also, if you’re looking to get away this winter, Savannah is amazing and a family portrait at the beach would make a really cool Christmas present (I’m just sayin…)

We’ll be in the current location at 6 Serene Ct until October, then we’ll set up a studio at Wen’s parent’s place in Hartwood, which is where we do a lot of our outdoor sessions and most of our family sessions. Early in the morning on Dec 3, we’ll point the car south and become beach residents (at least for a couple of months…)

Until then, it’s gonna be business as usual, except that you might notice a slight bounce in our step and a gleam in our eye as we get closer to December and to realizing a dream… If you’ve got one, why not do something today to get you a step closer to it?

Oh yeah… almost forgot. We’re also going to be having a big ol’ yard sale next Saturday, September 17… come on over and check it out!

wen and sean