Mud pies in a slum or holiday at the sea?

In August 2007, Rosalind and I began our photography business when Rosalind recognized that I loved photography and had potential. We were expecting our first child and I was going to be staying at home to care for him while attending seminary. Over the past almost three years, God has blessed our endeavor and we truly believe it was His provision while we were preparing to go back into ministry. We’ve been blessed to have wonderful clients that we considered new friends. We’ve seen seniors graduate, couples begin their lives together and new lives begin. And, loved doing so.


However, since the first part of 2010, we’ve felt that God was telling us to trust Him with our future.. financially and professionally. I am nearing the end of seminary and we both felt that God was calling us back into ministry. We also felt that God was telling us to close Chris Reinolds Photography and make the commitment to return to a ministry position. After much prayer, we came to the decision to honor God’s command. Shortly after we committed to God that we would close the business after our current photography commitments are completed, Chris was called by our local church (First Baptist Church of Gray Gables) to be the part-time Children’s Pastor. We praise God for His faithfulness and His entrusting us with both the photography business and this new adventure.

Because of these happenings, Chris Reinolds Photography will be closing. We wanted to blog about this for a number of reasons. First, we wanted to ensure that there was no misunderstanding. We are not being forced from business by the economy or lack of customers. Chris Reinolds Photography has become a profitable addition to our family’s financial situation. The only reason we are closing this business is to be obedient to God. We could continue booking photography sessions and weddings on weekends but ministry is a full time, all consuming calling. We feel strongly that, if we were to be partially obedient to God, we would be fully disobedient to God. Second, we wanted to reassure any customers that currently have photos that need to be ordered. We will still allow you to order your photos through September 30, 2010. We will be running specials through this time and will give you all details of the specials if you are interested. Third, we truly wanted the focus to be on the honoring of God. He is the first and last reason this business existed and the only reason we were successful in any capacity. He is the one that provide for us to purchase the equipment and gave us the ability to do photography.

To our customers, thank you. We have loved capturing your important milestones and “ordinary” moments. If there is anything we can do to assist you in the future, please contact us at chris@chrisreinoldsphotography.com. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!!

"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." — C.S. Lewis

So much fun.. - Jacksonville, FL Wedding Photographer

We told Thomas one thing when we started this session. Caroline is beautiful in her own right.. but, he really was our secret weapon. Thomas makes Caroline absolutely SHINE. (And, really, ladies, who doesn't want to shine??) As the session continued, this statement proved to be true over and over. Here is a tiny preview of the time we spent with Caroline and Thomas. We can't WAIT until your wedding. Hope you love these.

Looking Forward.. - Jacksonville, FL Wedding Photographer

We started the engagement session with Lyndsey and Clay on the streets in front of One Ocean Resort. After a quick wardrobe change, the adorable couple met us on the beach. We thought it was neat to see that there was a wedding being performed on the beach close to where we were taking pictures. If you look at the photos with Lyndsey and Clay by the water, you will see the ceremony site in the background.

Lyndsey and Clay were also so brave! When planning the engagement session, Lyndsey asked if it would be ok if they ended the session in the ocean. Well.. umm, YES, PLEASE!! We love when couples are brave and fun. The water was pretty chilly but they did an awesome job.

Lyndsey and Clay, we hope you love your photos. We truly enjoyed spending time with you guys and loved seeing you two laughing and loving on each other. We can't wait to see you as husband and wife in July!

Happiness is.. - Jacksonville, FL Wedding Photographer

.. at the very least, happiness is found in LOTS of laughter. And, after spending this afternoon with Lyndsey and Clay at Jax Beach, we learned that they love to laugh. This is a TINY preview just to hold them over until we are finished editing the whole session.

Lyndsey and Clay, we so enjoyed spending time with you and are so excited about your upcoming wedding!! Hope you love these teasers. :)

Pass or Fail

As a result of being in business for a while we have come to know the meaning of passing or failing.  In order to succeed in anything you first had to fail at it.  So to honor that uncomfortable part of life we want to start showing you the "Pass and Fail" of our lives.  Whether it is personal or business, our successes bring us joy and our failures teach us something...most of the time.

This weeks Pass or Fail:  Home Improvement

I am definitely no Bob Vila but I know my way around a hammer and a nail.  By my own measurements my success rate is about 50%.

Finished our surround sound.  There is about twenty feet of extra wiring stuffed up there.  Don't worry everything's capped.

 I am very proud of my pot rack capabilities.  I actually got into the attic crawlspace to put down reinforcement beams in order to safely secure the pot rack.  Boom!

 Built on Christmas Eve.  Not for adults.  When I sit on it...well it isn't for adults.  Why say more?!

 The chair rail looks perfect in the areas that I didn't have to fill in the cracks.  What do you want from me?! Do I look like Ty Pennington?!

 So I broke the door.  I replaced it.  PEOPLE PAY ME TO TAKE PICTURES!  Yo no soy (I am not) Handy Manny!

 In all seriousness I didn't do this one but I thought that I would throw it in here to highlight someone else's failure.  Manufacturer.

Here is a Fail moment from one of our most recent shoots.  During the Crews Day After Shoot, in the middle of the shot Brandie states, "Oh wait, I have a bug..."(Off camera flash)"...in my eye."  Sorry about that Brandie. 

 

Specials, Specials, Specials - Jacksonville, FL Wedding Photographer

Take advantage of our lowest price of the year. Seriously, this is a complete package.. and the price will not get any lower. :) This offer expires on 3/1/10.. so, hurry!

Wanna hear specials??? - Jacksonville, FL Wedding Photographer

If you look to your left, you will see a new part to our website. If you enter your email address in the box, we will add you to our mailing list. You will receive an email from us giving you a heads up on any updates and, most importantly... SPECIALS and SALES!!

We take your privacy very seriously and will never sell or give your information to any other party. We also promise not to spam you. If you're no longer interested in receiving our emails, simply email us at chris@chrisreinoldsphotography.com with 'remove' in the subject and we will remove you. Also, we reserve the right to remove email addresses from the list if you are found to be using the information for malicious purposes. :)

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday!!