So this weather, huh? I guess last year and the year before spoiled us! Pennsylvania winters in my mind’s eye ALWAYS looked like this. 

I want to start by saying that Tanya and I are on the same page when we say: rescheduling people is the very last thing we want to do. It’s awful. It’s exhausting. It’s the worst. 

When we talk about rescheduling a day for snow or rain, it’s something that we don’t take very lightly. We weigh the options and focus on many issues: 

Is it safe for people to travel? 

Is it worth risking sketchy travel for picture day? 

Is the weather going ruin picture day in any way? I.e. stressed parents, wet clothes or hair, etc. 

How far away are they coming from? 

Will my car make it back home on my awful road afterwards to my kids? 

What will the roads be like when they’re traveling home? 

And many other things like that! We know to get out of the house for photos is no easy feat. We know you’re likely getting ready several hours ahead of time and have been psyching up the kids (and hubs) for quite some time including bribes for toys, candy or ice cream if they do a good job and smile nice. 

So when we have to make the dreaded phone call or text that we have to reschedule, please understand, it pains us to do it. More than you’ll understand. We know parents of one year olds immediately go into thoughts of “… but what about the cake?” And parents are upset because they might have taken off of work for their daytime appointment. And we understand all of these concerns and they’re all part of the decision making process. 

Today was supposed to be a full studio day. Starting early and going all day ‘til my afternoon appointment. Last night, we anticipated the snowy morning and pushed everyone back to a later time and I was able to move my afternoon appointment to late morning. It was when I was stuck going up a hill to my appointment and had to back myself down about 40 feet into a major road that I had an epiphany. I can’t stress this hard over making decisions about weather. I can’t change it. I can only go by what the weather apps tell me and even then, every one you look at says something different. So all that’s left is my gut. 

Not everyone has four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Not everyone is comfortable driving in slick roads. Some of my clients come from an hour or two away. Some live close or in the neighborhood across the street. When I cancel and you begin to question my decision, please remember I only want what’s best for you. I would never be able to live with myself if someone got hurt on their way to or from my studio because I thought pictures were more important than the weather forecast. 

This year seems to be worse than many years in the past. I figured out why. My Mondays and Tuesdays are booked solid because those are the days my kids are in school. The other days are light days because they’re not in school. Not sure if you noticed, but most of these snow storms have been hitting on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Throwing a big ol’ monkey wrench into the whole system, thus making us reschedule (the very thing that stresses us out more than anything) so many sessions in the last few weeks. 

So I guess I am writing this for February 2021 but I also think it’s applicable to all times of the year. Please give us grace when we have to make that dreaded call to you. Please know we didn’t make the decision on a whim and we did it based on all the information available at the time. Sometimes, it turns out to be the wrong decision (it’s currently sunny and black roads as I’m writing this blog in my bed with a twitching eyeball) but we can only do what we think is best for everyone. 

This is not geared toward anyone in particular just generally letting you know my weather policy and strategy behind it all. 

One last thing: whoever is asking/praying/wishing/hoping for snow on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays… if you could just stop doing that, it’d be greeeeeaaat! 

Stay safe and warm. Xo Lg