2024 Katie Mihalak Photography's 18th YEAR!

You made me feel STRONG!

I am so looking forward to this year but before I discuss the exciting things coming up I need to take a moment to thank all of my clients from my 2023 Season. As most of you know, in the fall of 2022 I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that required an equally aggressive treatment. So, needless to say 2023 was a rough year of completing treatment and recovering. What could have been a VERY TOUGH year for me ended up being one of my favorite years I have ever had as a photographer and the reason for that was YOU - my clients!! When I think back to this summer and how fragile and vulnerable I felt showing up to sessions and weddings; I was so insecure about my hair which started as bald and ended up being just one odd Chia Pet Experiment and also wondering “Do I have the energy and still have what it takes to do this?” Each wedding and each session I was amazed at the energy that I had and it’s directly attributed to the kindness that met me. There are no words to describe my gratitude to each and every one of you who helped me to find ME again this year.

It is with that renewed sense of gratitude and passion for photography that I enter my 18th year of creating images and making memories for the best people in the world in the most beautiful place on earth (except for those 3 weeks in the middle of winter where I curse my ancestors for settling here, but I digress…)

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2024

Last year I made some adjustments that I think worked well and that I will carry forward to this year.

I am planning more mini sessions. It’s funny - because they aren’t really that mini - you end up getting as many images as you would with a full session but it’s condensed - making kids and dads very happy!

Check out my mini session page for those announcements!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SCHEDULING A SESSION
CLICK HERE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Enjoy a little slideshow of some of the great people and moments I got to experience this year.

Let's talk about Fall, Y'All!

October is to photographers = what April is to accountants. It’s crunch time. EVERYONE wants their portraits in Autumn because let’s face it - it’s the most wonderful time of the year (Sing that, please). My calendar books up so quickly. Funny how no one is clamoring for photos in February! HA!

I wanted to touch on a couple of things to help guide my clients this month. There is always a lot of concern about two things:

1. Fall Color

2. WEATHER

I know you get worried when we get some wind and you see your favorite tree shedding it’s leaves! You might say “OMG! The leaves are going to be all gone by the time our session arrives!!”

I need you to do me a favor and grab some pumpkin spiced whatever (coffee, beer, tea, bubble bath, cereal, pop tarts, mashed potatoes….) and take a deep breath.

It is my job to seek out color and light and follow the weather.

This is my 14th year as a photographer and I am like the commercial “I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two.

I can find fall colors from September through the end of November. It’s probably the best part of my job - I already spent time this morning driving around seeing where the leaves have changed and where they have not (so I can note the late bloomers for later).

Here are some photos that were all taken in NOVEMBER!!

I know it’s different from year to year but I consider the second week of October to be the “peak time” for fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t pretty locations wayyy before that and after.

Now, let’s talk about weather.

Weather is the bane of my existence. I fancy myself a freelance Meteorologist. I have a son who is a Weather Forecaster in the Air Force and although I haven’t pieced together the logistics of how it works - I think that makes me good at predicting weather. HA (Actually I am probably like a weather person because I am often wrong. Sorry, Weather Friends!)

Even though my schedule is crazy full, I do leave times open for immediate rescheduling if the weather is bad. Not only am I concerned about rain - I am not a fan of 100mph winds so that could also be a factor in my decision making. If it’s a mild but annoying wind - I do have beautiful spots in mind that are in low lying areas which cut down wind issues. I look at wind speed and direction - the radar - chance or precipitation etc…. when making my decision about locations.

This is part of my job that I do not enjoy. Looking for leaves = yayy!!! Stressing about weather = baddd!

So, as we look forward to our upcoming October/November session, please know that I am behind the scenes looking for color and keeping an eye on the weather as I consider the best locations for your shoot.

I don’t like to choose the location until the week of because as you know the leaves look different from day to day!!

Just know that as always, I really want to make this the best experience for my clients. I want to have fun and of course I want to make beautiful photographs that you will cherish for years to come.

Thinking Ahead - 2021 Scheduling

I have had quite a few people asking about scheduling for next year for so I just set the online scheduling for 2021. CLICK HERE

Unfortunately - I am fully booked for this fall - I do have a few openings in November but not many.

I feel like every year - at this time I am constantly apologizing for not being able to accommodate everyone and I hate it.

If you want to plan ahead for next year but are nervous because you aren’t sure of what your schedule may look so far out - please know that once you are on the calendar - I am super flexible with dates and times.

It's about time!

That’s probably what some of you will be saying after you read this post.

For years I have been notoriously bad at returning emails and correspondences, especially during busy season. But not anymore. Nope! Everyone, meet Marci. Marci, meet everyone. Marci is going to be my assistant in many areas, including ANSWERING EMAILS!

Over the years, I knew I needed help but being a little bit of a control freak I didn’t want to give up the communication between me and my clients. I didn’t want to have someone else corresponding because I was worried that they wouldn’t use the correct amount of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!’s and :) :) :)

Important stuff like that.

But, I had to face facts- my inbox was overwhelming me and when it took me too long to answer - although it was never my intention - it was downright rude to keep people waiting and has, more than once left people feeling frustrated. (If this is you, i am sorry. :( :( :( )

But, moving forward our goal is to answer emails promptly and to keep you informed on what to expect before, during an after a session.

On my end, I am excited to free up more time to edit, shoot and enjoy my life in general. I am so happy to have her on board!

Exciting Announcement :)

Now that Erie County has been moved to the green phase, I am pleased to announce that the amazing Make-Up Artist and Hair Stylist, Brit Crilley is joining my team. If you are interested in hair and make up for your shoot please let me know. Her fee is quite reasonable and you will NOT be sorry.

Brit has 12 years of experience. She’s worked alongside/for companies such as Chanel and Dior. She has even worked on a movie set and with a handful of celebrities. We are lucky that life brought her back to our neck of the woods.

Brit and I have collaborated this past year and it has been the most wonderful experience. Watching her work was amazing. She has such a gift to listen to a clients wishes and really HEAR what kind of look they are wanting. From a dramatic, sexy look for boudoir or a soft romantic one or a vintage look for a “Pin-up” shoot, or a sophisticated look for a headshot - this lady can do it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The confidence that it gives to my clients infuses itself into our shoot and it makes it that much enjoyable and the final product - well it takes it up a notch.

Brit Crilley, MUA /Stylist

If you are interested in adding her services to your upcoming shoot send me an email at ktmihalak@gmail.com and we can work out the details.

Oh and it goes without saying that I highly recommend her for your wedding day :)

On a personal note - Brit is my neighbor and has been a part of my family over the past few years. She and her mother had a salon that they had to close because of the pandemic. When one door closes another one opens and as many people have done, Brit is rolling with the punches and is adapting to change.

I am sad for them for the stress they’ve been through, making the hard decision to close but I am beyond thrilled to have her as a part of my team now.

PS - she isn’t exclusively a make up artist /stylist of Katie Mihalak Photography - if you have a session with another photographer you can contact her bcmakeupartistry@yahoo.com for your shoot as well. Or if you just want to look like a hot mama for date night or want to get dressed up to go to Target. I don’t know….I just know you need her talent in your life :)

814

The top photo was taken on my last shoot before we closed down because of Covid. I didn't know that it was my last at that time but that same night it was announced that we were "unessential". Right away I asked if they would let me just take a few snapshots of the 3 of them once things opened up again. I thought it would be very symbolic and special.

I was so optimistic and I thought by the time we were back open for business everything would be great and right with the world again.

When I first met this ADORABLE couple, Jason and Becca, on that day in March, I was sharing with them that my son and his fiance were moving here from Florida and would be closing on their adorable little first home in the “814” in just a few weeks. I was probably annoying with how excited I was about the prospect of them coming home to put down roots, because well, I was ELATED!

The reality was that on my way to meet them for the shoot, I saw playgrounds with caution tape around them. The reality was that once I got there, I couldn’t go near the baby let alone snuggle him like I usually would. The reality was that I felt so sad because I felt uncomfortable trying to interact with my beautiful clients. I felt like I was doing something wrong and it had been so long since I had photographed anything besides birds that I wasn’t even comfortable with my camera.

Another reality was that right before I left for the shoot, my son broke the news to me that they were going to move back to Florida because nothing at all was going right here in the 814 for them. The reality was that I couldn't come up with reasons to persuade them to stay and that broke my heart.

I had envisioned that I would come home from this shoot and run to my office and excitedly post this “Before and After” that I was so eager to make. The reality was that I spent the next few days, very depressed and couldn’t muster up the energy to edit or answer emails.

It’s been a few weeks and I felt bad that I didn’t share this beautiful photo earlier. I try to be upbeat and positive but, man these past few months have been tough. Like many of you who are reading this, my heart hurts for a thousand reasons. I KNOW that many have had it way harder than we have. Oh Trust ME! I know I am blessed in so many ways. I have friends who have lost their businesses and those who have gotten sick with covid or lost someone because of it..THAT’S the tragedy here.

Today, the sun is shining. I feel like things are getting better but back in March , I really thought by June life would be back to normal. Boy, was I naive.

I still cherish these photos, not only because that baby has THE BEST parents (seriously - if you know them - you KNOW) but I still believe that the “814” is the most beautiful place to live both because of the nature around us but more importantly because of the wonderful people who live here. It's just a little tough to live in the 814 these days even for those of us whose job it is to look for the light and beauty in any situation.

Baby Ben is blessed that he will be raised in the 814. Brighter days are ahead.

Mother's Day Gift Certificates/Mother’s Day Mini Sessions with a twist

I am late to the game in offering these. To be honest, I have been in a funk because I was all excited to get back to work for outdoor sessions and had BIG THINGS PLANNED for a Mother’s Day extravaganza. BUTTT guess what? They are calling for snow this weekend! Nothing says happy, spring portraits like freezing temps and snow. (f I was texting this - I would insert the most irritated looking emoji I could find).

So, I have been walking around the house like a mopey zoo lion instead of trying to come up with solutions. But now, I think I got it!

I know it’s too late to mail a gift certificate to ensure that it will get to you in time to give as a gift for Mother’s Day, but you can choose to either have a printable gift certificate emailed to you or I can deliver to you (while respecting our current social distancing rules :)

FULL DISCLOSURE - I won’t personally be delivering but my son and his fiance will be. :) She is new to Pennsylvania and I figured this is a good way for her to learn her way around Erie County!

Here are your options:

REGULAR SESSION $275

Your Mother’s choice of location - we will set a time and date later. Up to 90 minutes - up to 25 people. All variations of families.

MINI SESSION $150 - June 5th and 6th

30 minute session

Location (To be Determined somewhere in the beautiful West County :)

By then the weather Should be nicer and I have some reallly pretty spots in mind.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING FORM!

PAYPAL

VENMO

Make Check Payable to “Katie MihalaK”

Well, Here Goes Nothin'!

Based on the guidelines outlined by Governor Wolf, I am ready to start scheduling for OUTDOOR summer/fall portraits AFTER MAY 8th!. (Senior, families, children, first birthdays..etc)

I will be doing things a little differently (wearing a mask, social distancing etc… but I think everything is doable except Newborn Photography at this time. I wouldn’t feel comfortable handling a new baby. We could make adjustments - just doing family portraits - more of a llfestyle shoot etc…

When you are ready to book - click on THIS LINK

I will be doing all booking through this website - just trying to keep everything straight and let me tell you - with cancellations and rescheduling coming in left and right - that’s no easy task.

(If you are already scheduled with me for this summer/fall - worry not! You don’t need to do anything else :)

Here is the link explaining how scheduling with me works

These are just for regular sessions only - mini sessions will be announced and scheduled separately and will be coming soon!!! Due to the cancellations of weddings - will be offering more of these on weekends.

This is me! :)

Could it be?

What is that I see? Could it be a light at the end of the tunnel?

According to the latest news from the Governor, I think that we Photographers might be able to start shooting again when the first round of restrictions are lifted. I am being very cautiously optimistic. As of today I am not making any solid plans but friends, my heart is soaring thinking of having the privilege to do again what I was put on this earth to do.

I kept saying to myself “Self, maybe you should go shoot some landscapes or something”. But I haven’t. I haven’t picked my camera up since March 19th. That’s not where my heart is. My heart is with PEOPLE. I am a portrait photographer. My passion is capturing the heart and soul of people, precious moments and emotions. If I ever had any question where my calling is - it was answered during this quarantine. My soul needs to pick that camera up again and be with my people.

So, what’s next?

Of course, I need to make sure that I am still complying with the guidelines outlined by the Governor, so what that means at this time is that I will be offering outdoor sessions rather than indoor sessions. I will be socially distancing myself - using my “long lens” so we aren’t “all up in each other’s grills.” LOL (Is that still a saying?)

My creative wheels are spinning and this is what I am thinking..

I have a long list of people who signed up for Mini Sessions this past month or so - and I need to start off by thanking everyone for their patience through everything. I get very emotional when I think about how gracious and understanding my clients have been.

So, if you had a mini session scheduled with me you can use your deposit towards any of the following upcoming events that I am planning. (You will get first dibs for scheduling too). After those of you who have already put a deposit on a mini session have scheduled - I will open up scheduling to the public.

Mom and Me Sessions (Will plan for the weekend of the 8th, 9th and 10th of May if I have the confidence that I am allowed to do so - if not - it will be one of my top priorities once I get word that I can shoot again)
Down on the Farm Days - a little later in the summer so that it will be warmer for your little ones. This is our answer to not being able to do Bunny Days.

Cap and Gown/ Family Portraits. This has been HEAVY on my heart. This is for your 2020 Grad (Either seniors, middle school or kindergarteners) - a portrait session in their cap and gown - then a family session with the grad)

Sweet Days of Summer - Watermelon/Creek Sessions - i am obsessed with these sessions

PET DAYS!!

Class of 2020 Senior Portrait Mini Session

SUNFLOWERS!

Then later when more restrictions are lifted -

Retro Sessions

Boudoir Photos

Then Later, Later

Fall Portraits

Christmas

I just ask that you continue to be patient with me as I try to navigate through this very unique time. My first priorities for weekends are for my weddings but as it seems that it will be a while before we can proceed with them, I will create fun mini sessions when I am able.

Brides and Grooms, if you are still reading this far (HA!) I need you to know that the photography/video community is working hard to help you to create a beautiful. meaningful wedding in these uncertain times. It’s time to change and adapt to the current situation and I feel like I can speak for my fellow creative professionals here in Erie when I say, we will do our best to make your day special even though it might not be what you had originally been dreaming about. Updates to come later :)

Dear Class of 2020

I have been sad all day since Governor Wolf announced that schools would be closed for the rest of this school year.

I have no reason to be.

I don't ’t have kids in school anymore.

I’m not looking at mopey faces; heartbroken to hear that they wouldn’t be reunited with their friends and teachers and life as they know it.

I had the privilege to watch my kids enjoy their final sports seasons and the “rites of passages” that every senior gets to experience.

But the kids I photograph somehow become “my kids" and whether I watched you grow up from a little kiddo or I just got to spend 90-120 minutes with you and your parent(s) while I took your senior portraits….you are one of my kids. Through the wonder of social media I get to see my seniors grow up and strike out on their own and because I’ve been doing this long enough I have the privilege of watching them start their own families.

I get to spend time with these amazing people who are on the cusp of striking out on their own and also, I get to spend time with their parents who are struggling to them go.

I’m sad for all of you. And from what I’ve seen you’re all handling this situation with grace.

But this sucks. And I hope you will give your kids (and yourselves) time to grieve for the lost last part of their senior year. Games unplayed, speeches unspoke, songs unsung…..

It’s sad. And for you parents….….you’ve kept these humans alive, happy and successful for 18 years and no graduation? Jeez….talk about anticlimactic..

I hope you’ll give yourself time to be sad and then I can’t wait to sit back and see how your creativity (along with your school district's) will kick in to celebrate your senior.

Big hugs to all of you. I’m so sorry.

Dear Clients:

These are some pretty weird times we are living in, aren’t they?

Just wanted to check in and there are too many of you to contact individually. I look at my calendar and I see mini-sessions for Bunny Days (already passed) Boudoir Sessions, Pet Mini Sessions, Weddings, Senior Portraits, spring family portraits. Ouch. I miss you guys.

It’s so hard to know what to do because we are all on hold and we really don’t know when this will be over. As someone who lives by her Google Calendar, it’s killing me to not be able to deal with each week by saying “Ok, we will reschedule for ‘such and such’ a day. The future is so unsure right now, I am not confident enough to be rescheduling just yet.

I WILL be rescheduling all of our mini sessions and regular sessions but I want to wait until I know that I will definitely be “back in business” again because the thought of rescheduling everyone then needing to reschedule AGAIN is enough to make my brain explode!

Some brides have asked my opinion on what to do about their May/June/July Weddings. Of course I (like everyone else) have never been through anything like this and can’t tell you what to do for sure. But I can tell you how I have seen people deal with it:

1. RESCHEDULE - This helps to cut down on the stress of “should I or shouldn’t I”. Just make the decision and go with it. Some are rescheduled for later this year and others are scheduled for 2021. I think these couples are just glad to be done with the stress of it.

2. SECURE A BACK UP DATE - A lot of people have conferred with their vendors and have come up with alternate dates in case it’s not possible to go forward with their original wedding date. My advice is that you should do this sooner than later so that your vendors/venue’s schedules aren’t filled with other’s doing the same.

3. WAIT - Some people are just waiting it out. That’s ok too but you might want to at the very least think about option #2 before alternative dates are all filled up.

   In my opinion (and what do I know..not a lot) I think that I will be able to do regular sessions before weddings will be allowed to take place. I can’t see the government allowing large gatherings like weddings for a while. That makes me incredibly sad and I could be wrong but I think it might be a while.

I personally want to thank all of my clients for not only being understanding about having to cancel but also showing me their concern about my livelihood. I have been moved to tears more than once because of your friendship.

I will be in touch!

Dear 2020 Brides Part 2

I just want to say that I’m proud of the way you’re handling this uncertainty right now. No doubtedly under a lot of stress, the brides who’ve contacted me have shown nothing but “grace under fire” and have shown concern for the unique position that we, as wedding vendors are in as well.

All I keep thinking is this; when this passes, and all of your beautiful plans come into fruition, I think this wedding season will be the most beautiful I’ve had yet. I think you brides and grooms won’t be as concerned with the little details that can drive you crazy on your big day and there will be a bigger appreciation of being able to celebrate the things that matter most in life, friends, family, love and new beginnings.

Hang in there and keep in touch.

Xoxo

To My Dear 2020 Brides

My goodness, what a time to be planning a wedding. I want you to know that my heart is with you. There is so much BIG stuff going on that I am sure you don’t want to share that you are upset that maybe you had to cancel your shower or reschedule your wedding or are thinking about it.

I am sorry, my beautiful brides. I know all of the time, effort and excitement you have and are putting into your big day.

I have had a few brides who have rescheduled who had spring/early summer weddings.

What I need YOU to know that on my end - remember your contract? LOL Probably not because we like talking about the FUN stuff in it not the “blah blah blah” stuff. But…there’s a part in there about needing to reschedule because of “Acts of God”. I didn’t include a pandemic in there because - like who the heck could have seen this coming…but I think this falls under “Acts of God” . I said that we would work together to find another date that works with you and your other vendors. So far it’s been beautifully easy.

All of the vendors in our area care about you and your big day. You need to know that. We will do what we can to accommodate whatever you need.

Just keep in touch with me. A bride emailed me yesterday after speaking with her venue with their available dates and it just so happened that there was one date in particular that her DJ and I still both had open. It was perfect. She sent me the Saturday dates to see if it would work with us before she explored the idea of a Friday or Sunday wedding - which is a great option too if you need to reschedule.

Hang in there!! If you are one with an early wedding - and are upset about having to reschedule - just imagine how extra special it will be when your big day arrives.

Andddd - it will be a great story later about how you had to reschedule your wedding because of a pandemic. Can you imagine talking to your grandchildren, “Back in my day Grandpa and I couldn’t get married when we wanted because of a flippin’ Pandemic!”

Hang in there and be in touch! This too shall pass!