I hope everyone got out and enjoyed the amazing weather we had this weekend! 80 in October??? I'll take it!

The weather proved perfect for this Rock Creek Park engagement session with Alison and Drew! I just love these two! We first met a few years ago when they hired me to take couples photos. Alison and Drew had just moved in together and wanted some art of themselves for their new apartment. What I remember most about that first session was how beautiful the light was. The sun was out and everything was soft and golden!

A lot has changed in the time that we've known each other... my friendship with Alison has blossomed and Alison and Drew are now engaged! I'm convinced they have the sun on speed dial because once again, beautiful, golden light blanketed their photo session! I can't get enough of this natural back lighting!

Below are a few sneak peeks from their engagement session in Rock Creek Parkway. You know the drill--more will be shared soon! Also coming soon is a big announcement, and you wont want to miss it! There's a lot of really exciting things going on right now, so stay tuned!

In honor of National Cat Day, here are some favorite kitty photos!

Guys, it's been one amazing weekend! Are you ready for this?

1. On Thursday my husband surprised me with Ghostbusters on Blu Ray!

5. I know by now it sounds like all I do is sit around and watch TV, but I promise that's not true. I spent all morning Saturday tiding up our bedroom because WE'RE ALMOST DONE MAKING IT OUR OWN! Backstory: We bought a condo 2 years ago and are slowly but surely redecorating each room. Earlier this year my husband built the most beautiful floor-to-ceiling wood headboard for our bedroom, but there is still a few things we need to do before the room is completed. We're so close to that final, finishing touch! Look for before and after photos coming soon!

​6. Yesterday I worked on a presentation because TODAY I'm speaking to a group of students at Prince George's Community College about how I use my journalism degree in the real world. 

7. I also spent time preparing for a BIG announcement that's coming soon! I'm really excited so, stay tuned! (Nope. No babies. Tacos... possibly. But no babies.) ​

​It's been three years -- THREE YEARS!! -- since I started my little side hustle. Sometimes I still can't believe it! I have to give a huge shout out and thank you to all of my amazing clients who have made this possible. Without you, I wouldn't be living a life that I love!

Like a lot of millennials, my photography business isn't my primary source of income -- it's my side hustle. You see, I also have a "day job." (Okay, let's face it -- it's more like a calling). I'm a labor activist! I spend my 9 - 5 running communications for a special division of the AFL-CIO called the Transportation Trades Department. 

My home office is soooo less glamorous, but it's here that I get to pursue another passion: photography.

Don't get me wrong -- I friggin' love my life, but that doesn't always mean it's easy. Balancing a career with a part-time business (not to mention a 12-year relationship and social life) is challenging, but, when done correctly, it's also incredibly rewarding. 

There's obviously no right or wrong way to balance two career paths, but given that I have three years of experience under my belt, I wanted to share some of the things I've learned along the way. Believe me when I say didn't have this down pat overnight. Learning to manage a day job and part-time business took a lot of trial and error, and I'm still working at it! 

1. Manage the expectations you set for yourself
I'm the kind of person who wants to give 110% no matter what, all of the time... but because it's my primary source of income, my day job has to come first. At first, this was a hard pill to swallow. It means not being able to interact with clients during regular business hours, turning down week-day gigs, and being forced to put a lot of really cool ideas on the back burner. It also means understanding that, unless I pursue it full time, my photography business is probably never going to make me rich.

But you know what? It's all good. I've seen a lot of growth in the three years since I started Jonna Michelle Photography, and that's what matters most. In the first year that I started this business, I had a total of 14 photoshoots -- and most of them were unpaid. (I was still trying to get my name out there!) This year alone, I've completed 22 photo sessions and there are more on the books!

2. Understand that there will be ups and downs
I'm not just talking about ups and downs at your day job, or with your side hustle, or your emotions  -- I'm talking ALL of it. There will be days when you don't feel adequate enough, when you just want to give up and throw everything out the window. There will also be days when you'll feel like Super Woman (or Super Man). There will be days when all you want to do is focus on your side hustle and days when you  want to throw it all away. That's just how life works. The important part is to ride the roller coaster and understand everything you're feeling and experiencing is all just part of the process.

3. See your work as a labor of love
I work. A lot. But, as I've said repeatedly here, I'm also lucky. My work doesn't feel like work because I'm doing what I love. If you don't feel the same way about your side gig, you may want to rethink it.

4. Make time for yourself
Notice this doesn't say take time for yourself... that's because, when you're being pulled in so many directions, you've got to make down time for you. Because I have a day job, most of my photo sessions happen on weekends. That means weekends where I have no work are extremely valuable -- and limited. Each year, I select two to four weekends during my busy season (basically Spring through Fall) and block them off. These are non-work weekends purposely set aside for spending time with friends, family, or going to the spa. 

5. Get plenty of sleep
This is a must. Sleep is critical for your health and well being. That's not me talking -- it's science. It's always why my bedtime each night is 10 p.m. sharp.

I'm telling you, this has been the year for weather reschedules! The last headshot session I did had to be rescheduled a handful of times because of rain. These headshots, with Virginia-based freelance journalist Alexa, had to be rescheduled more than a handful of times because of excessive heat. But in the end it all worked out. Alexa and I met on the first day of the year that it really felt like fall. It was perfect!

Alexa has a really interesting job. As I mentioned, she's a journalist and she covers a number of beats, including crime, the military, families and mental health. When she first started thinking about headshots, she new she wanted something that looked professional and welcoming, but with just a little bit of grit. We decided a cityscape background would be perfect. 

To get this look, we met at one of my favorite headshot locations--the National Portrait Gallery in downtown D.C. As a photographer, I love this location because of how much variety it gives clients. The museum's atrium is filled with gorgeous natural light and stone walls, which is perfect for a neutral backdrop. (It's also perfect for rainy days!) Step outside and the museum's entrance offers an unobstructed view of the city. The best part? The museum has public restrooms, which means clients can easy make a quick outfit change.

You can check out other headshots I've taken at the National Portrait gallery here, here and here. Enjoy!