I've been trying to find the right words to share where my creative brain has been spinning and its really not coming together so if this is a bit all over the place I apologize, but if you know me well enough you know that's kind of my jam. All over the place.
Speaking of my Jam... I mentioned back in January that I wanted to take my business to more of a storytelling direction. I've slowly been changing up my branding a bit with new packages, making a public instagram as a way of documenting my days photographically as well as bit of my running journey each week etc. It's a little messy and kind of makes me chuckle at how OLD I feel struggling to figure out what to share on which social media outlet, 30 feels like the new 60 y'all ! Also since the beginning of the year I've worked on capturing my own family each day which has been HUGE for understanding my style more . My goal was to figure out where my soul truly lies as far as this little business goes and what direction is next. It has been a LONG winter, even for Alaska standards, and it has truly been an incredible time of growth for me that couldn't have happened without months of hibernation. This Camus quote sums up my first winter here perfectly...
I feel like 2017 has been possibly the most transformative 74 days I've had in quite a while. Editing my personal work daily has totally brought me to a place where my images finally display what I see with my eyes. Since picking up a camera I had done nothing but listen and repeat. I listened too much to professionals of the correct way to shoot, how NOT to shoot, what to share, etc. I followed others style and wanted to simply please potential clients. My goal was to be like everyone else which has NEVER been who I am, and looking back it feels a little embarrassing to be honest. What a boring world this would be if we were all just the same, especially as " artists". It's ok to create something that no one else likes, it's ok to do things a little different, IT IS MORE THAN ok to be your unique self that God created you to be. In fact thats all we really should be doing. It's easy to follow in the path of others but breaking off the path and starting our OWN is where our creativity begins to soar.
Just about my entire life those closest to me said " You know , life isn't always sunshine and rainbows" or sarcastically " Must be nice to live in your world where it's always sunshine and rainbows" and guess what? They were always right. I really do see life in colorful rainbows but only because I choose to . Don't get me wrong we face extremely challenging days, months , and even years as a family. My own day to day life has constant struggles just like every other human being . Finding the light and the color in those situations has always been what gets me through in the end. It's no coincidence what I found when evaluating my work... SUNSHINE and rainbows. All of my favorite images that I've taken for clients or myself have been colorful and full of powerful light, Shocking right ? Who would have thought. It's very popular today for photographers to create a film like look with muted colors and corresponding grain, it's a look that I personally love to look at but it's just not how I see the world. I see it in full color and light which is something that I understand now and am learning embrace instead of hide . This photo is a perfect example of strong light, color, and even a little rainbow lens flare magic if you look close enough.
Speaking of rainbows , it might be that St. Patricks day is around the corner but I can not escape from rainbows at the moment. Literally everywhere I turn ( besides the sky... because WINTER ) but hidden in my life has been rainbows- kinda like the hidden mickeys my kids became obsessed with finding at Disneyland last month. Here are a few I was able to capture
Listening is easy it's the following that will get ya everytime! Over these 74 days I have switched churches, changed bible studies, changed up my camera bag, watched my kiddos grow rapidly, miraculously healed physically, spent time with my husband, got my pace back running, traveled to and from the never ending winter, and really found myself in a place of peace after years of chaos. For the first time since I can remember we have no moves, no deployments, no homes to buy, no pregnancies, no new babies, no long months of training, etc. It's the time to finally breath a bit.
Now again, if you know me at all, sitting still to breath isn't really my thing. I thrive off busy. I could easily start marketing myself locally and take on more clients but deep down I've always know there is something bigger and more in store for the passions of my heart. Somehow being a very ordinary Photographer, Runner, Writer, Mom, and Army Wife can work together to do something extra-ordinary and I can almost smell it. My plan ( and sharing it here makes it real and nerve wrecking so bare with me) is to finally self publish. The plans are all in writing and will not stop buzzing through my brain... literally NON STOP. I won't be giving away any details just yet but it will be about 50/50 stories and photos that have yet to be written or taken . It will be impactful, it will be important, and it's going to hopefully bring joy / comfort / light to at least a handful of people if done correctly. This project will definitely not be completed alone as it will take a community , a community that I feel can be found right where I am. So keep this project in your prayers if you can, and stay tuned as I come back to reveal a little more and hopefully get this ball rolling over the next few weeks.
I'll keep throwing my Sunshine + Rainbows your way friends, and if you're in the lower 48 we'd really appreciate it if you sent some warmer temps ours. Thanks.
-B-
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