In Person Sessions moving forward - and my letter to Covid. | Ithaca NY | Sierra Shawn Photography
Dear Covid,
Oh how you tried to jack up my plans, but I shifted, I side stepped… I have juggled a lot more than I ever did before. so THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF MY POWER. Thank you for testing my mental health, almost hourly. Thank you showing me that no matter what I am in alignment with my goals, and where I am headed even in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you for bringing some of the most amazing women into my life - not really covid related, but happened during covid — shout out MATRIARCH COLLECTIVE!
Now… lets get something straight, I am aware that lots of people are afraid of your, so I am going to just ask you really nicely, to please get the fuck away.. Please go. I have adjusted to life in quarantine, I don’t hate it.. Myself, and whole bunch of other people agree with me that life can go on even if you are trying to scare them into not thinking it can. I am not saying life has to go back to normal, but your survival rate of 99% is basically proof that its kinda time that we are let out (queue who let the dogs out!) . Don’t ya think?? I am all for you coming back if you want to in the winter, do your thing then covid.. I am sure lots of others would accept being able to stay home during snow storms that also happen at that same time you are visiting.
Yours truly….
Sierra - a mom ready to let the crazy dogs out (dogs = kids)
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Okay, that is really all in good fun. I know that we all kinda feel how we feel about it, some are over it, and from my perspective, a lot of us moms who are juggling school, our own jobs, getting outside when its not pouring or snowing.. you know regular Ithaca spring weather. Life is still moving by, and I agree that social distancing is still important, but I feel like it was important before all this, now we are basically being courteous of other people and giving more space which was needed before as well… QUICK STORY - one time I was at Wegmans, was in the check out line, another person ahead of me… I had unloaded my cart and I like to stand in front of it - You know I wasn’t paying attention and almost paid for their groceries because they were right there next to me.. I had basically crept in without knowing it.. I was so embarrassed. - Now I keep my 6 feet distance.. I wear my mask. We have been self isolating basically until mothers day, then we caved a little.. so from now until JUNE 1st, I am self isolating again, in case I caught anything… BUT on JUNE 1st, I am opening back up fully to take on ALL sessions, the amount of sessions I will be taking in a month will be cut because its important to not overdo it in times like this. These sessions will not look the same as before, I will still keep social distancing a thing, and masks will be worn (if you prefer me not to - just say so I would be delighted to do so!). Its going to be learning curve because sometimes I have to touch you to put you where I want you (looking at you kids - and dads 🤣)..
Lets chat hospital births - I don’t have definite answers on when myself (or even other birth photographers locally) will be allowed back in. Its hopeful that this year.. I am open to booking a hospital birth on the chance they let me in, or you plan to do it alone and I would be your 1 person - again, I don’t know if they would truly allow that. As long as you understand there is a chance that I may not be allowed in, I am open to booking. In the case of not being allowed, we would do a session once you get home (open to doing a leaving the hospital - going home session - meeting siblings) and then either an in home newborn session or a child(ren)/family session around 3/6 months. HOME BIRTHS - it is up to you, like I stated up above. I am still socially distancing and basically mostly self-isolating. I am happy to book home births, and have been in contact with local home birth midwives. I am actually announcing (you are hearing this first!!) on TUESDAY JUNE 2nd a home birth special pricing for the rest of 2020!
Even after June I am going to still be booking empowered virtual sessions! I actually LOVE THEM A WHOLE BUNCH! The women that I have met so far are truly remarkable human beings, the connections I have made through these sessions is healing.
I feel like that covers everything.. thank you for reading my letter to covid (especially if that’s what brought you here) and for checking in about sessions moving forward. Sending you all lots of love, and I can not wait to get creative with you, and document all the fun in our lives because LIFE IS MEANT TO BE LIVED, CHERISHED, and HONORED! So, lets do that!
