Why Haven't You Scheduled Your Happiness Session?

The last blog I published was August 28, 2025.

Just three days later, on August 31st, my life changed.

What started as a normal day turned into a horrific incident that landed me in the hospital fighting a serious infection. Part of September was spent in a hospital bed. The rest was spent under home health care with IV antibiotics being administered through a PICC line in an effort to save my hand from amputation.

There were months that I couldn't drive.

Days when I couldn't do simple personal care tasks without help and couldn’t shower without special equipment.

Days when I had to rely on others for things I had always done myself.

Literally, on Thanksgiving Day, my daughter removed the Turkey from the oven because I couldn't lift anything! (I promise it was a real turkey, not a baby turkey)
Baby’s First Thanksgiving: The Cutest Little Turkey in the KitchenBaby’s first Thanksgiving—served with extra giggles, a tiny turkey hat, and memories sweeter than pumpkin pie.

From October to December, physical therapy became my part-time job three days a week.

It was humbling.

It was frustrating.

It was scary.

And it changed me.

But you know what I didn't stop doing?

Capturing moments and memories.

Absolutely not.

Family Photo Wall Art In fact, that experience taught me even more about how important photographs truly are.

Not because they look pretty on social media.

Not because they get likes.

Not because they help us create content.

Because photographs are so much more than images.

They are art.

They are memories.

They are stories.

They are pieces of our lives that deserve to be seen every single day.

Growing up, one of my favorite things in the world was sending my 110 film, 35mm film, and Advantix film off to be developed.

If you're old enough to remember seeing the mail-order film out, you know exactly what I mean.

There was something magical about opening that envelope of prints.

The anticipation.

The excitement.

The laughter.

The surprises.

The memories.

You didn't swipe through them.

You held them.

You passed them around.

You put them in albums.

You displayed them on walls.

You relived the moments over and over again.

Grandchildren Wall Art Design

As a mom, I can tell you something else.

My girls are now 24 and 31 years old, and they still pull out their scrapbooks.

They still sit and flip through pages.

They still laugh.

They still point to people and places they remember.

And every single photograph unlocks something.

A smell.

A feeling.

A memory.

A story.

A moment they had forgotten.

Those printed photographs helped build their childhood memories.

Not the images buried on a hard drive.

Not the ones lost on an old phone.

The ones that were printed.

The ones they could touch.

The ones that became part of our home.

Today, I heard something that really stuck with me.

Laughter releases dopamine.

It lowers cortisol.

It literally helps us feel better.

And it made me think...

What if one of the easiest ways to bring more happiness into our lives is surrounding ourselves with the people, pets, and moments we love most?

Think about it.

Every time you walk past a portrait of your family.

Every time you see your baby's cake smash portrait.  One Sweet Monster Munch

Every time you look at your high school senior's smile before they left for college.

Every time you glance at that portrait of the dog who greeted you every day at the door.

You smile.

You remember.

You feel something.

Those aren't decorations.

They're happiness hanging on your walls.

They're reminders of what matters most.

They're daily doses of joy.

And maybe that's why I believe so strongly that photographs deserve to be printed.

Not next year.

Not someday.

Not when life slows down.

Because life has a way of reminding us just how quickly things can change.

Trust me—I know.

Senior Wall Art Session Example Lorena Athlete As I sit here realizing I am nearing the one-year mark of a day that changed my life forever, I find myself reflecting on everything that has happened since August 31, 2025.

This year hasn't been easy.

There have been challenges, frustrations, setbacks, and moments that tested me in ways I never expected.

But do you know what I love?

It's still been captured.

The laughter.

The milestones.

The family gatherings.

The pets being silly.

The holidays.

The ordinary moments that became extraordinary simply because they happened.

Even during one of the most difficult seasons of my life, memories continued to be made, and thankfully, many of them were preserved.

Because life doesn't stop when things get hard.

Children still grow.

Pets still age.

Families still gather.

And moments still happen.

As I approach this anniversary, I realize more than ever that there is never a "perfect" time to schedule family portraits. Moommy and Me Pet Photography

There will always be a busy season, a project to finish, a few pounds to lose, a schedule to coordinate, or a reason to wait.

But life keeps moving forward.

So today, I want to encourage you to stop waiting.

Schedule the session.

Make the memories.

Capture the joy.

Document the laughter.

Print the images.

Put them on your walls.

Create something your children, grandchildren, and future generations can hold in their hands and cherish long after today has passed.

Because if this past year has taught me anything, it's that our moments matter.

And they deserve to be remembered.

So today, I have a question for you.

If family memories bring joy...  Family Photo 2025

If laughter lowers stress...

If portraits make you smile every single day...

Why haven't you scheduled your happiness session?

The moments you're waiting to capture today will become the memories you'll treasure tomorrow.

And those memories deserve a place on your walls, not just on your phone.

I'd love to help you create them.

— Denise Powers
When Skies Are Grey Photography, Media & Designs

About the Author

Denise Powers is the creative force behind When Skies Are Grey Photography, Media, & Design Studio based in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Specializing in pet photography, high school seniors, branding, headshots, business branding, marketing strategy, and custom digital designs, Denise blends storytelling with her passion for capturing unforgettable moments. Beyond the lens, she helps businesses grow through social media coaching and content creation.

An advocate for rescue animals, Denise dedicates time to photographing shelter pets and supporting animal welfare causes. She is also the author of Pit Bulls in Pajamas From A-Z ,  Tails of Rescue: Heartwarming Tails of Who Rescued Who, & LolliPUPS Sweet Moments of Enrichement celebrating the love and resilience of rescue animals.

Follow along for photography tips, business insights, and heartwarming pet stories!

When Denise is not behind the camera, you'll find her teaching marketing and workshops, helping small businesses grow their visibility, spending time with her family, enjoying the sun and wildlife in her own backyard, and creating memories with her pets.

Her mission is simple: to help people capture, preserve, and celebrate the moments that make life beautiful.

When Skies Are Grey Photography, Media & Designs Studio
450 S. Battlefield Blvd.
Chesapeake, VA 23322

[email protected]
757-335-1130

Ready to book your portrait photography session? Contact us HERE

Capturing memories from Coastal Virginia & beyond, traveling photographer.

Follow along for photography inspiration, marketing tips, local events, and reminders to celebrate the people and moments you love most.

As always, thank you for following along on this journey. Whether you've been here for one day or many years, I appreciate you being part of my story and allowing me to help preserve yours. YOU make me HAPPY When Skies Are Grey!

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I only recommend products, services, and resources that I personally use, trust, or believe may provide value to my readers. Any compensation received helps support the time and resources required to create educational content, maintain this website, and continue serving our community and homeless animals. Thank you for supporting When Skies Are Grey Photography, Media & Designs Studio.

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WHAT I'M CAPTURING IN 2026

Families | Maternity | Pets | Milestone Birthdays & Cake Smashes | High School & College Seniors | Volume School, Dance, Cheer, & Sports | Headshots & Business Branding | Content Days | Community, Golf, & Pet Events