Change. It’s hard.
I moved to Rochester almost 6 years ago. Newly married, excited about life and new beginnings but kinda lost as far as a career goes. I knew I loved photography and I was shooting for fun, as a hobby. I was on a quest to find “a real job” and simply happy to shoot for family and friends and occasionally the friend of a friend. As it turns out, I could not find/get hired for “a real job” which was discouraging, disappointing, and frustrating. Determined to stay positive, my answer to the standard question at age 24 of “What are you doing with your life?” was “I’m looking for a ‘real’ job and doing photography in the meantime.” Fair enough. Soon, my answer was “I don’t have time to look for a ‘real’ job. I’m too busy doing photography stuff and I’m going full speed ahead with it!” Looking back I am SO SO SO thankful no one hired me. Throughout the uncertainty of figuring out what to do with my life, throughout the days of shooting every night and weekend possible and never ending hours in Photoshop, throughout the times of making no money, throughout the times of self doubt and throughout the sacrifices that starting and maintaining a small business and chasing a dream require, I had an incredible cheering section. Most specifically from a great guy named Justin.
So fast forward to now. I am so happy with life in Rochester. I love the work I do. I love our friends. I love being a part of this community. I love our little house. I love my studio space. (The only part I don’t like is being 5 hours away from my family and 2 hours from Justin’s family.) So that’s why it’s really hard to write this and why I’ve been putting it off for as long as possible: We’re moving.
Justin started working for McNeilus last summer and now has a great opportunity with them on the East Coast. So while he has already started his position out East, I’ll be making the transition a little slower, traveling back and forth throughout the summer and eventually staying out there in the fall. I’ll be making fairly regular trips back to visit and packing in a bunch of shoots in while I’m here. Ideally, we’ll be back in the Midwest after a couple years but we are making decisions one day at a time right now. 🙂
This has not been an easy decision. And it’s been even harder telling people and talking about it because then it’s really real. But it’s my turn to support my husband. I believe in him and if I can be even half as encouraging to him as he was to me, that will be a success. It’s time to open my heart and my mind to new possibilities and time to throw off old ways of thinking (and time cling to Facetime, email, phone calls and plane tickets too…. 🙂
Sooooo. Logistics. 1. Any weddings or other shoots that have already been scheduled will not change. Pricing will not change and your experience with me will not change. I highly value the people that I work with and will do everything I can to continue to provide high quality service. I plan on making fairly regular trips back and will be scheduling shoots and scheduling weddings during these times. 2. Anyone interested in an amazing studio space with fantastic landlords? I’m so so so sad to give up this beautiful space. Email me if you are interested in it and I will gladly put you in touch with my landlords. 3. At this point, I’m booking these dates in Rochester, MN/Minneapolis, MN: June 11-20, June 26-July 2, July 25-August 3. and these dates in Portland, ME/Boston, MA: July 11-18. Email me for more specific details.
Thank you all for your continued support. Cheers to new adventures!
Photo by Sarah Field Photography.

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Glenda | June 5, 2012 at 7:35 am
So happy for you Emily, congrats and good luck on your new venture!!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 9:31 am
Thank you so much, Glenda!
Kallie Iverson | June 5, 2012 at 7:55 am
I’m glad nobody hired you either!! 🙂
Congratulations to Justin! MN will miss you, but the east coast is lucky to have you.
To new adventures!
kallie
emily | June 5, 2012 at 9:30 am
Thanks, Kallie! It’s definitely bittersweet but I’m thankful for all great wedding memories in MN!
Emily Steffen | June 5, 2012 at 8:56 am
HOW EXCITING! 🙂 What a fun adventure that you’ll be on for the next few years! 🙂 YAYYYYY! 🙂 So thrilled for you guys and the upcoming opportunities for your family and business! YAY!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 9:27 am
Thanks, Em! I really appreciate it! And I’m so excited for your new adventure as an upcoming family of three as well! 🙂
Zack | June 5, 2012 at 9:14 am
While change can be really hard, I’m so very excited for you two (even though you’ll be even further from CO now). You’ll have plenty of great, new adventures out east.
emily | June 5, 2012 at 9:26 am
Thanks, Zack! We’re relying on your relocating expertise AND a visit from our favorite Boulder-ians!
Molly | June 5, 2012 at 9:25 am
Yay for new adventures! When should I start looking at plane tickets for us to come and visit? 🙂 🙂
emily | June 5, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Molly, it’s going to be hard to visit when you are actually living next door to me…
Think about it?
Justin | June 5, 2012 at 9:28 am
You are an amazing woman. I’m lucky to have you!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 9:31 am
xoxoxoxo.
shelby | June 5, 2012 at 10:14 am
We’re cheering you both on from the sidelines back here in Rochester! Praying & wishing you all the best in this new chapter of life. Zack’s right, change can be really hard, but sometimes it has a way of placing us in experiences we never even dreamed of & then later look back & are so thankful for the discovery. May this adventure also continue to bring you & Justin even closer together as the awesome team that you are! …and you’re so right…that is definately a beautiful definition of success!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Thanks, Shelby! I’m hanging on tight for the adventure! And you’re right, skype dates will be happening!
shelby | June 5, 2012 at 10:18 am
oh yeah & Rocky says “rrr-ruff!” which is german shepherd for “love ya emily & justin!” (he’s also looking forward to the occational skype with ike 🙂
Kate | June 5, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I couldn’t believe it when my mom told me. I was totally happy for you guys, but, so far away 🙁 I’m so excited for you both and and can’t wait to see what kind of photos you come up with from New England with your new adventures!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Thanks, Kate! I know, it still doesn’t seem 100% real yet. Visitors are welcome….hint, hint. 🙂
Melissa Ellyson | June 5, 2012 at 1:27 pm
EMILY! We’re really excited for you guys and your new adventure!! I know whatever you do you’ll succeed! Joe and I have had many similar conversations so I’m sure I’ll be getting in contact with you someday to ask you how you did it in a new community!! 🙂 Blessings to you guys!!!! 🙂
emily | June 5, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Thank you, Melissa! Sounds like change is on the horizon for you too! Let’s chat! 🙂
Kary Salisbury | June 5, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Congrats to Justin on the new job !! Well I missed you when you left Watertown and I will miss you even more as you move farer away!!! You will do fine where ever you go … I hope all the best to you two !!!
emily | June 5, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Thanks so much, Kary! I STILL miss your chocolate chip pancakes. Those were seriously the BEST!
Abby Ronnebeck | June 6, 2012 at 11:35 am
Such a hard decision, but best wishes for both of you!
Moving far away was one of the most thrilling experiences for me ever, I hope it is the same for you.
emily | June 7, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Thank you, Abby…I hope so too! 🙂
candace | June 6, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Change IS hard. *hugs*
I’m so grateful for my many Rochester memories with you and Justin. This new chapter will bring lots of new wonderful experiences, faces, and adventure. It won’t be easy letting go of what you’ve worked so hard to build but it’ll be worth it. I know we are already so far away but this post makes me miss you even more than I do already! Sending all of my love from the CO mountains to your new home on the coast! xoxoxo!!
emily | June 7, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Thanks, C! You guys are our inspiration….hope you’re ready to dole out lots of relocating advice! Are we seriously going to be three time zones apart?! What’s up with that?!
shawna [of styleberryBLOG] | September 26, 2012 at 9:46 am
Gah! How exciting! (that coming from a military mover, change is FUN!!) Of course, I just now realized that Rochester is where you are…and that is #1 on our list of next stops, so I might be picking your brain if the stars align! Save travels & happy new adventures! Maine is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
emily | October 2, 2012 at 11:55 am
What?!?! You might be going to Rochester after we leave?!?!?!?!!? 6 years ago, I never thought it would be so hard to leave but we loved it there and can’t say enough good things about it! Keep me posted! 🙂