Earlier this year I made a choice to stop taking new photography clients. I thought I'd be perfectly happy to keep my established clients, and direct new prospects to other photogs in the area. It was a good plan, but as summer marched on I was fully grasping how much time it took to be (what I consider) an effective school board member, I knew the busy photo season was going to get really crazy if I didn't give it up completely.
So I'm finally saying it out loud here for the first time: Julie Stephenson Photography as we know it will be coming to an end. I'm excited to focus my time and energy a bit. Choices like these are never easy, but once it is all said and done I know I will be a happier and more fulfilled person. Professionally, I am choosing to focus on my strengths, my passions and my community by being an effective and thoughtful leader. Personally, I am choosing to focus on my kids, my husband and myself.
This weekend gave me a perfect little glimpse of what I stand to gain by giving JSP up...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wHkXVm0YI6scaJ8BX2Pjh6HvjjTXI6nvSp82GkP5uTWzV_tOz8tusOsoHBE-wWB-dEKeYx-rCrEYvQGG5wogbC9NDMdvZ8NWbTYsyagp3D9tW1rNOgEjlIMVjAf1wCflvgU_1kc8q0E/s640/27.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqGkxU9ji8AZctvmdCYqHTR6XE18HpO1yZ8H3qDUiaSURdnjIdGxo0VTngfkIOQ-c7R-d7_kUu2uC71DVwe1Tu2maQZ05hS_JryT9monji9LquldqWNxhL43ISg7ynCjM4gehktm5jvc/s400/25.jpg)
The opportunity to spend the beautiful Golden Hour in The Compound.
The ability to be able to support the Pointers outside of the board room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OJ8LwJ71aRUUkVAKcKk4Eo69kGqQjPcMQsK63WeJwiEh_cXCaUyKXmr-ZmoTkPHpUCZH7dW-RyxgX7GYlGGMQ3vQK5cG9mitQ0aToZKE-gvdSXo0e6_2Ohdx1ecLcOgcPkDPooFFkOQ/s640/29.jpg)
I had a blast watching Sophia move far outside of her introverted comfort zone by dancing in front of a stadium of people.
Plus I had the added bonus of getting Call Me Maybe permanently seared into my brain!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeGGk034uEupRotLefWuP_fC09VIuHBSZstMmMG4R-p0qCD8mv1EwBgHUwX4ClCFgIePWsAQWPLvn5kCCyzRLumVzw5kO0ksOAfBNEDeahkmKiIoSL9dqnZjCygNk-RxGPfd9128xnEs/s640/31.jpg)
Owen is learning so much about football & being part of a team in his new flag football league. I LOVE being able to watch his every expression as he completes a pass or makes a smooth snap! Just another perk of keeping him out of a helmet for another few years.