Maybe Something Got Lost or Forgotten

    Has it really been almost a year since my last post?  As time always does, it feels like both forever ago and just yesterday.  I think it's been somewhere around nine months and five days, not that I counted or anything.  Nine months, wow.   

That's

one relaxing week at the lake with the whole family plus three other families & their grown children

one 35mm Pentax camera to tentatively experiment with

one successful self-portrait session plus more than a few that weren't quite so successful

one spiritually blessed week at the beach with some super cool youth from Hernando & one pretty awesome youth leader

one first date followed by seven more months filled with dates and hangouts with said youth leader

 two almost sleepless weekends with young girls after God's own heart

seven birthdays--all celebrated with presents and cheer, even if a few were long distance

four and a half days and four nights nannying two energetic, precious boys

several trips to Alabama all of them producing one treasure or another

one fundraiser, raising money to help abused children, photographed and crafted for

one neverending Christmas celebration

one and a half sweaters knitted--zero assembled

one wall of art perfectly curated

two significant haircuts

countless moles dug up and shown off by the faithful hunter Jack & a few turtles found and loved on by the playful possessive Oscar

one and a half diagnoses of fibromyalgia and an autoimmune something

five alternative treatments

numerous migraine days

one amazingly designed website--from Imaginary Jane--that fits perfectly with my new business cards, magazine, welcome packets, and most of all, my logo--that finally came together with a few special touches from Marissa Huber


Title: "Unofferable" by Half Moon Run

But Darling Just a Taste of It

     I was recently reminded of one of my favorite camera apps to date: Hipstamatic.  Yesterday I was outside a good bit of the time playing with the app by taking photographs of the doggies.  Sometimes it is frustrating that you can't see exactly what the picture is going to turn out like until the very end (and yesterday the app had an extremely high crash rate).  However, I am so inspired by the magazine the designers of the app put out called Snap that I just can't help but keep trying to get the combinations just right for that perfect photograph.
     If you're interested in a magazine that has beautiful pictures, hardly any ads, and relevant content (especially the formulas of the photos taken), check out Snap.  All of the photos featured in the magazine have been taken with the Hipstamatic app--seriously, it's fascinating.

Title: "Magpie" by Khushi

You Been Actin' Like You're Too Cool

     If you haven't ever seen Pirate Radio, you're missing out.  Tonight, I was super productive and watched the whole movie (that I recorded on Universal HD)--one of the few super awesome channels we get.  Ladies and gentlemen, I just have to say not many movies make me laugh out loud numerous times and throw my fists up in the air in support of victory.  And by not many movies, I mean no movie does, but this did.  I will admit that at the end of the movie I seriously almost shouted "Rock and Roll" with the characters on screen--I didn't but I did do a little clap.  I will not spoil the ending for you, if I haven't already, but I will say, Pirate Radio is awesome.  It's a must see, highly underrated movie where Derek from Smash makes an appearance.  For those of you who don't watch Smash, you're missing out on a great actor.
     The other day, I had the privilege of setting up a photobooth at a senior party for a lovely lady who just had a birthday.  I'm pretty sure everyone involved had a blast!  I know I had fun just watching them pose!

Title: "High School Lover" by Cayucas

Everything Falls Into Place

     Two days in a row!  (It's like I'm dedicated or something.)  I probably shouldn't celebrate or anything until at least a month from now.   

     Rebranding is almost completely done for my photography business.  It has only taken forever, but my website is being redesigned as we speak and there is only a little bit left in my part of the redesign.  You have no idea how exciting this is for me.  I don't think I truly knew how much I bit off when I want to rebrand, just that I was completely unhappy with pretty much everything about my photography business.  Now I'm doing what I've wanted to do all along with a boutique portraiture experience.  I can't wait until I can share more with y'all but for now, all I'm going to say is get ready for some awesomeness.

     I went out to eat with my parent's and a few of their friends tonight.  It was super delicious.  And I found this wonderful spot.  Despite all of Memphis's numerous flaws, great locations for photographs is not one of them.

Title: "Please Don't Say You Love Me" by Gabrielle Aplin

A Mind's Will to Play

     I'm having a hard time staying focused on one thing.  I'm not sure why--not enough sleep, too much sleep, not enough inspiration, too much inspiration--right now, reasons are like a million to one.  What I do know is that I feel like I have a trillion things started and zero patience to finish anything.  Seriously, the only thing I've been productive on in the past two weeks is Jewel Mania--I've over halfway beaten it, I think.
     I didn't even finish this post when I first started it (because I realized it was time for my Five Things, instead of a ranty post).  However, since I started this post I have gotten a few more things accomplished.  I'm about 70% done with my client workflow setup.  I know things aren't going to be perfect at the very beginning, you can't start where you want to end up.  But I do want to have a legit workflow (and everything else) set up before I begin things.  I'm working on doing it the best I can now, getting it done and then potentially tweaking it along the way.
     I've also been contemplating picking back up my original 365 self-portraits--in a more relaxed manner.  To be constantly thinking about taking more photos of life as it speeds by should be something everyone wants to do.  I don't want to feel forced to take photos, like I'm failing at something if I don't take one every day because then it become a chore.  But I do enjoy documenting life, setting up a tripod every now and again and taking photographs of myself.  I always have.

Title: "Diamonds" by Ben Howard

Take the Time You Need

Five Things I'm Thankful For This Week:

Playtime with the pups when home alone

Photoshoots with a girl who enjoys the lighter side of life

Projects with yarn that might have evolved from crochet to knitting

(photo credit)

Parties with lovely ladies and spring clothes

Plans to restart old resolutions and finish what's been started
(I don't really have a picture of that... since it's all in my head)


Title: "Take the Time" by Manurey
(starts at 0:56)

'Cause I Gotta Have Faith

     I'm coming to you a few hours late--more like 6 but who's really counting?  I'm starting to feel better (did I mention that I have a bad sinus infection) and today is my first time taking pictures with my new photography outlook, so I'm super nervous.  I'm just taking pictures of a family friend, but she's being my trial run on pretty much everything I want to offer.  My nervousness means I want to do everything, but photography.  My mind is racing with everything I should have been doing this week, but put off because I was "resting." Crippling self-doubt is starting to take hold.  I know this stuff.  I've literally been dreaming about posing since I left Texas, but I know my mind will blank once put on the spot.  Plus what if the makeup artist goes overboard (like we all tend to do in the South)--I should already have a full Pintrest board of makeup ideas.
     I guess it's time to suck it up and pull myself together.  I've got this or at the very least I'm going to have a model who is going to be decked out in jewelry and awesome clothes even if the posing isn't out of this world.

Title: "Faith" by George Michael

You Just Can't Win, Just Can't Lose

     It has been over a week since I've posted anything, hasn't it?  It feels like it has been a year.  Since I got back from the photography workshop I've been non-stop trying to rebrand, revamp, and completely redo my whole photography business.   My basic photography skills have gotten better plus I know like ten hundred more things than I did before I went.  I'm not even sure that I would have been able to stumble into some of this knowledge.
     These past two weeks I have been designing, writing, designing, editing, designing, sleeping, and did I mention designing?  I finally gathered most everything together to sit down with Mom today just to talk things through and get her opinion on it and especially so she could proofread, which if you read this blog regularly you know that's one of my least favorite things to do.  I think we discussed things for at least 2-3 hours and I'm still thinking of other items I should add to my to-do list.  So yeah, I've basically been under a rock over here putting together my own amazingly awesome boutique senior photography business.  I'll definitely let you know when everything is up on the internet for public consumption.
     In other news, physical therapy is mostly a hit-or-miss thing right now, mostly misses but I've only been 5 times and I'm so over expecting a miracle cure.  Been there, done that, you didn't miss much.  But from what I've learned at the physical therapist is that I'm hypermobile. All that basically means is that my joints move more than they should (as in being double jointed).  So there's that.
     I'm posting a music video because of the way they made it, so I'm posting the final result and the behind the scenes.  The final video was created with just one 18 second take... how crazy is that?  Anyway, you have to watch BOTH videos!

Title: "Havoc" by While You Slept

She'll Show You a Trick or Two

     Last weekend, I attended a photography workshop.  It was wonderful.  I'm now contemplating the ways to basically rework everything in my life related to photography and business.  I know it will take me time to figure out everything, but eventually it will all click one way or another.  For the first time in my life I have been able to take what I see through my viewfinder (and in my mind) and really translate it into a picture.  Before the workshop, the photographs would turn out well, but just not quite there.  The photographs would never be what I expected them to be when I finally looked them over.  Now is a different story, sometimes they come out even better than what I thought.  It makes me seriously drop my jaw when I look at the back of the screen.  I love it.

Title: "Indian Summer" by Stereophonics

I Been Pushing For This For So Long

     Friday I fly into Houston, Texas and make my way to Huntsville to participate in The Kitchen Sink Workshop, a photography workshop that covers everything but the kitchen sink.  I'm pretty stoked.  Some how in 2011 when I was first venturing into the world of senior photography, I stumbled across Amanda Holloway Photography on Facebook.  Since then I have lusted over her photographs.  To say that I am super pumped to have the opportunity to learn more about what I love (and not have to blunder through to find my way) is an understatement.  Yesterday, I laid out everything to pack and I'm normally the girl who wakes up super early the morning before we leave on a trip and is throwing things in a suitcase (after staying up late the night before trying to get the necessities, i.e. clothes and camera/laptop packed). I'm too excited and nervous to be a procrastinator for this trip.  I'm so worried I'm going to forget something vital (like my camera or brain).  Hopefully, we'll get there safe and sound and without me going crazy from nerves first.
     On a totally unrelated note, the music today comes from the background music of Zoe, the Border Collie, performing all of her amazing tricks.  While a part of me wishes I could teach Oscar all of these tricks, I know that it takes a lot of time and patience.  Patience may not be something I have in spades.  Plus, before I start trying to teach him any adorable tricks, I probably should figure out a way to teach him and Jack not to dig (and not to bark at the cat).

Title: "Desperate Measures" by Marianas Trench

That Rumbles My Master Plan

     I feel like a broken record and who really wants to listen to a broken record?  So in case you're wondering why I've been skipping blogging so much, I'm saving you from myself.  I'm working on becoming not such a broken record, I promise.  I'm also working on a fun January playlist that I'm hoping to have ready by next week so be on the look out for that.
     Until then I'm keeping up with my daily photography projects which you can follow on Flickr.  (I'm also working on this blog as a whole, which hopefully you'll see in the weeks to come.)

An outtake from this latest Project Life photo

Title: "Show Me the Way" by Richard Allan II

(song actually starts around 2:00)

Hope That the New Year Don't Look Like Last

     HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I spent yesterday at work and then I was busy making frosting for cupcakes and preparing for my first stab at a photo booth.  My parents attended a New Year's Eve party, hence the need for cupcakes and a photo booth.  While I hoped I would have spent the time between when I came home and the actual stroke of midnight being productive and editing photographs, I came home feeling like I got hit by something achy or at the very least completely wiped out behind the boat multiple times and spent my night zoning out pretending to watch TV.  

     I did manage to swig down some champagne, which is of course the most important thing, and put together a short gif of photos, the second most important thing.  I hope you enjoy the small teaser because there is definitely more to come!

Title: "New Years, Old Years" by Marc Scibilia

You're Gon' Find Your Way, Find Your Way to Be

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

I've been productive!

I'm working on being a little more professional in on and around this blog/

First step, a working manifesto (that I probably will display somewhere on here).

Next step, a new site map.

 My first attempt at gloves that have designated fingers!

Of course, there are things I would probably change if I made them a second time, but I love them.

I can't wait to wear these to work so my fingers won't be cold.

However, by the time I'm done with the other hand, my internship will probably be finished.

I know CODE!

Well, let's just say I have a somewhat working knowledge now.

I can get by with what I know (and I can teach myself anything else I need to know... which means I probably will a few repetitive tags or what not, but it will get the job done).

I learned HTML code so that I could put together a sidebar for my book club's blog, I'm rather proud.

It's almost time to start a new 365 project!

As I stated before, I think I'm going to do 2 separate photo-a-day challenges.

This is the prompt for the second challenge. 

I'm already starting to contemplate what I could photograph.

Of all the Christmas gifts I received, my favorite Christmas memory/present was Skyping and Facetime with my Sister and Brother-in-Law.

We waited to open our presents from each other until we communicating.

It was a very surreal moment watching MM and Greg open their presents from us and made me really appreciate the technology that we have.

While I would have loved to be in Hawaii again this Christmas--because let's face it, who wouldn't want to be in Hawaii over Mississippi?--I'm glad Mary Margaret and Greg got to have their own special Christmas (alone for the first time).

Title: "Up Up Up" by Givers

Gonna be an Optimist About This

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

Poetic Phrases

(and of course thesaurus.com that makes it all possible)

(Photo Credit)

Foreign Films

(as long as you can pay enough attention to them to read the subtitles you're in for a treat)

Editing Epoch

(I finally have almost all of my backed up photos edited--I just have 2 more sets that will be finished before Thanksgiving break is over)

Shopping Sprees

(Mom and I finally went to the Memphis Free People store.  If it was blasphemous to equate that store to heaven, I would in a heartbeat--mostly because of the decorations)

(Photo Credit)

Forthcoming Feats

(I'm making some fingerless gloves, if I can ever figure out what the pattern is talking about)

a Gracious God and Faithful Father (in Heaven) 

Title: "Pompeii" by Bastille

I've Got to Turn This Thing Around

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

Mom's birthday went pretty smooth!  

We had the best dinner last night (and she loves all her presents, yay).

I have a NaNoWriMo plan.

I might not stick to it, but it makes me feel like it's more accomplishable.

I feel pretty good about my progress even if I am a little behind.

I'm writing everything out first and then typing it.  

(I know it may take more time, but I can't write successfully on my computer.)

I'm super thankful for David Holt helping me out at an event for Click.

I really wish I had taken a photo of David in action, but hindsight is always 20-20.  

(So I stole this picture from his Facebook. Thank you, David!)

Having a super busy and yet super successful Saturday.

And having the best spot to take senior pictures didn't hurt either.

Where has this guy been?? (Or really why haven't I heard of him until now?)

Title: "Trouble" by Ryan Keen

      

I Got the Lights in My Eyes

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

(Photo Credit)

Books.

I need to remember whenever I'm feeling a little listless/restless/over everything,

I just need to read a thrilling book.

(Photo Credit)

Photography workshops.

I'm getting super excited for a workshop I'm attending in late January,

I booked the flight and the hotel this weekend.

Photos.

I finally figured out these photos on here,

they're bigger now.  Did you notice?

Puppies.

I'm spending the weekend with my adorable buddies,

especially now that Oscar's fur is naturally turning a shade of pink.

Heroes.

I heart Peter Petrelli/Milo Ventimiglia.

Remember when the show was the "it" thing?

Title: "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)" by Neon Trees

Keep Your Eye on the Light and It Will See You Through

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

I just bought Adobe Creative Cloud for the next 365 days.

Plus VSCO film, a set of pre-made presets that make your photos amazing as in like film.

I made it to the stripes!! 

On the blanket I'm working on.  I hope it's going to be big enough!

My cookie flower

Ole Miss won Homecoming!

Even though I wasn't there, I have some Grove pictures from last weekend.

And last, but not least, my inhaler.

This has helped me breathe easier this past couple of weeks. 

Title: "Carla" by Life in Film