Most Current Notes

You know the phrase “Dance like no one’s watching”?

Well after a fun night on the town, dancing like an audience-less banshee, the next morning was spent laying in bed with no further ambition for dancing – or much else.  I spent a good amount of the day just hanging out in my pjs, thinking about everything – and nothing.  However, the day was not a complete write-off, because from the dark void of my exhasuted mind came a quote.  I’ve never heard it before, so I give myself credit for making it up (although I’m sure I’m not the first one to it).

“Work like you don’t need money”

We hear cliche sayings of this kind all the time.  Often, they are so overused that the meaning is lost or disregarded.  To me, it’s not just a quote about what type of job to have. It’s a bigger message that tell us to ‘do what makes you happy’.

We all know people who hate their jobs. They complain about work all the time, yet do nothing to change their situation.  They say “I can’t”…..

“I can’t afford to work anywhere else.”
“I can’t ask for a raise.”
“I can’t get that promotion.”
“I can’t do whatever I want to do.”

Yes, actually, you CAN.  It might seem difficult at first, but you CAN.  “I can’t” is just an excuse used to avoid innovation and effort.  (But more on that some other time).  My reason for bringing this up is that – in my world – “I can’t” is a phrase that doesn’t exist.  Only opportunities and choices exist.  You CAN do ‘whatever you want to do’, but it might be hard to get there.  It’s possible to do things in your life that sustain your mind, body and soul… you just have to figure out a way to do it that allows you to sustain your finances as well.  It’s just a matter of solving
the puzzle.  (And ignoring people who tell you puzzles are lame).

You should first know that I’m not a full-time photographer.  I’m better described as a ‘Freelancer’.  ‘Career’ is a foreign term.  I do this-and-that, and I like to refer to myself as a Jaqueline Of All Trades.  So, before my big night on the town, I happened to be working one of my many
jobs.  I was performing some mundane, brainless daily task that would make many employees grumble.  But not me. I was smiling!  I was happy to be there at work, and thankful that I was able to perform such a task at all.

Due to no obvious outside influence, I suddenly understood that I’m one of the lucky ones who does the work they want to do. I feed my bank account while also feeding my mind, body and soul.  I put conscious effort into doing the things in life that make me happy, and discarding the things that do not.  So when I go to work, I don’t think “Aw man, I have to go work.”  Instead, I often catch myself thinking “Yay, I GET to go to work.”

Let’s go back to the quote.  “Work like you don’t need money”.  I do need the money.  We all do.  Finances are just a part of living in organized society.  So, of course, I work in order to make money.  However, it’s the attitude I bring with me that changes the way I view the necessity of the work.  Instead of focusing on dollar signs and bills and debt, wouldn’t we all be so much more cheerful if we redirected that focus toward enjoying the work we do throughout the day, the relationships we build with co-workers, and the sense of fulfillment we get when we feel we’re of value?

Just something to chew on.  (I hope it tastes good)

Welcome everyone, to the first official blog post!

“What’s with these blogs anyway?”  Well, most photographers operate blogs as part of their creative process.  It’s a place to express their artistic selves, and display their works.  It’s also a sounding board, where clients and supporters can express themselves by leaving comments.

I always thought typed-up blogs (like these) were cliche.  “Every photographer has a blog”.  Well, I don’t want to be like every other photographer.  I’d rather do my own thing.  I felt that it would be easier to express myself using my voice and facial expressions.  Like a conversation.  So, a while back – as an alternative to the standard typed-up blogging process - I started a vlog (video blog) on YouTube instead.  Near as I could tell, no other photographer was doing it.

The vlog concept was fun!  And different than what other photographers were doing!  I loved it.   But it is soooo much work to shoot, edit and post videos.  I was beginning to spend more time making the commentary videos than I was taking actual photos!  Backwards, right?  It got to be so tedious, that I stopped maintaining the vlog.

Although the vlog is still out there in cyberspace, I am ready to harness a medium that allows me to focus more on the photography.  Focus on my clients.  I want a place to showcase my gorgeous models, and their stories.  So!  Without further ado, I welcome you all to my brand-spanking-new blog.  It’s a photo gallery.  Kind of a library.  But also like a social gathering, where all my models are hanging out under one ‘roof’. 

I’m excited to use this new medium, and to express myself and my work.  I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!  Thanks everyone!