Snapshot: May

// What I did //

It feels like May went by so fast, I blinked and it was gone. Aside from crossing run a 5k of my list of goals to complete by my next birthday, we made time to visit with our families, which is always a good thing. I spent a lot of time with this girl during this past month, and loved every minute of it.

// Goals accomplished //

Finally, I pulled some resources together and have officially added off camera flash to my equipment bag for receptions! Woo hoo! It was never an issue of being afraid to learn something new, but rather trying to prioritize equipment purchases, that held me back until now. And while I love the added dimensionality it gives to awesome dancing pictures, I'm still trying to adapt it to my style of shooting. This month, I learned that I really love to add motion to my dance floor photos, and combining that with off-camera flash is a work in progress. For now, I'm mixing my use of off-camera flash with my old ways of shooting, and might do a little posty-post later on just dance floor images, just for fun.

// What I read // 

With all my shows being off for the summer, reading is my new evening pastime (when I can take a break from wediting, that is). I think I made it through three books in May: Where'd You Go Bernadette?, and the latest young adult craze, Divergent and sequel, Insurgent. All three are relatively quick, fun, entertaining reads that would be perfect for days on the beach if you're looking for something to pick up and purely enjoy. 

// What I loved //

This tutorial on making double exposures with a digital camera. I played around with it a little, but am still working on the technique. Definitely planning to use it for some fun things though! 

// What I'm working on //

I wish there were a more interesting answer to this, but weddings, weddings, weddings. And loving every second of it.

// What I watched //

Everybody watched it, and I did too: the inspiring story of Zach Sobiach, the teenage song writer who recently passed away after fighting cancer. Yes there were tears. And then the celebrity tribute version of his song made me smile.

// Who I added //

I mentioned here that I'm trying out a semi-vegan way of life, so I went on the hunt for some yummy vegan things to make, and found The Simple Veganista. Oh my yumminess. It made me excited for trying new things and being creative in the kitchen while still eating really healthy!

// Favorite cat photo of the month // 

I guess we can't have guests over for dinner anymore, now that I've shared this photo. 

Snapshot: April

Okay, so I realize that it is now May, and I didn't recap April. Boo. This has sort of turned into my little work diary, so we're proceeding with April now because I'd hate to miss the opportunity to see the journey this past month - and what a journey it was. Better late than never!

// What I did //

Hello busy season! Okay, so photography officially became my full time job in June of last year, and there are still some things that are new to me…like the three-ish months of the year where you feel like you will never work again and you stress out because you like paychecks and you don't see as much of them. On the East Coast, those months coincide with winter, so it's just a scary season all around. At least now I know? Anyway, once April started, everything changed almost at once and it swept me up and I don't know when it will calm down, although August is looking nice right now. It's good to have a purpose again and people to photograph on a weekly basis - I was running out of things in my home to photograph and the cats can't be on the blog every day, as much as they'd like to be. Specifically, I worked on a lot of weddings as a second shooter and a whole bunch of styled shoots that you'll be seeing on Wednesdays.

// Goals accomplished //

Got to cross off #3 and #9 this month from my list of 26 things to do. I got to work with the lovely Jazmine Turner on our croquet styled shoot and I signed up for and completed a One-on-One With-Intention workshop with Jess Lively. Working with Jess was the most amazing experience and gave me a new direction to take my business. It made me feel more confident and fulfilled, and was the impetus behind my new styled series. You can read my full review of working with Jess right here.

And this was the awesome packet with a beautiful workbook that came in the mail when I did the workshop:

// What I read // 

Back in January, I bought a stack of books and finally in April I got around to reading the last one, the most meaty. But it was a life changer (yeah, along with the With Intention workshop, April was big on epiphanies). Daring Greatly is by the author of this amazing TED talk, and is all about her research on vulnerability. The basic premise is that in order to live a life where we fully experience joy, we have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable. But being vulnerable is uncomfortable and hardest when we feel shame, so we put up barriers. A lot of the book is spent deconstructing the barriers - so many of which made me cringe because I felt like it was directed right at some of my very worst habits. My biggest takeaway was the realization that instead of feeling like "I am enough," I constantly gauge my worth through the paradigm of "I'm not doing enough." There are a lot of reasons behind this, but after reading this book, I feel much more self aware of how I get in the way of my own happiness and feel like I finally have the tools to allow myself to healthfully handle stress and welcome joy. I've already purchased additional copies to give to some of my favorite people…it was that good.

// What I loved //

This article about Jenna Lyons. Having a retail background, there were so many things that I found fascinating, and there were even more little nuggets that were applicable for creatives. 

Also, I loved spending more time outdoors and working on some personal projects. And walking downtown on Sunday afternoons with my husband - he's the best.

// What I'm working on //

I finally gave up on the DIY approach to my website. Sadface. Sort of. While doing the workshop, it became really obvious that it was time to move on and get professional help to make my visual online presence match the places I want to take my business. After following several designers via my google reader, I knew who my dream designer would be and thankfully she agreed to take on my project. I have to be all secretive about it now, but…hopefully mid/late June I'll be able to share it all with you! I'm already so excited!

// What I watched //

Thank you Mad Men for returning during wediting season! It helps so much to be able to time travel back to the glorious late sixties while working on wedding images. 

Also, there was this...

// Who I added //

Max Wanger. He's pretty cool.

// Favorite cat photo of the month // 

Snapshot: March

// What I did //

The first half of the month was full of travel - my favorite thing! And then I celebrated a birthday. Those two things combined make this the best month so far!

// Goals accomplished //

You know how sometimes you know you need to do something, but there's something holding you back from just saying yes? That's how I was about business coaching. I was afraid to spend the money (after seeing how much we owe in taxes, I don't know that I want any more huge expenses for awhile!), and it's kind of scary to put yourself and your business out there to ask for change. I love change and I want to give myself every chance I can to succeed, so I'm hoping this will be a worthwhile investment. The truth is, we all need a coach, someone outside our little life boxes who can see things that we can't, a mentor who can guide us to the best decisions. So I've jumped, and I'm excited/terrified for what I've signed up for.

// What I read // 

Thankfully, traveling afforded some much needed down time, and I got a chance to read one of the books that's been sitting on my Kindle for months now - The Art of Fielding. It started really slow, but once I got into it, I started to really root for the characters. I kind of love how the pace of the book resembles that of a baseball game - because the story, after all, revolves around baseball, but isn't really about it. At it's heart, it's about how you deal when your world falls apart. There are a lot of really great themes that the author/characters explore, like dealing with failure, dedication to a craft, and of course, the various appropriate and culturally inappropriate versions of love. Absolutely a worthwhile read, even if I wasn't sure of it when I started.

// What I loved //

Nashville. Even though it's all about country, I love a town that knows it's soul. And now I'm dying to go back. Also, I'm addicted to my new record player (thanks Ben!) and my SodaStream (thanks Mom!) and finally listening to more music and drinking enough water. And speaking of birthday presents, these just came in the mail yesterday, and I absolutely wore them to a meeting with one of my brides today.

// What I'm working on //

I've got some great ideas for styled shoots that I would love to see come to light in April (which means I'm looking for a hair/makeup artist and at least two couples who are interested in being a part of this. If you think you're up for a free photo shoot in Annapolis, let me know)! I also found out that I was selected as a finalist in the LensProToGo dinosaur contest, so this weekend, I'm taking my dinosaur visitor out and about to get some photos of him with the Lensbaby he came with (which explains the photo at the top of the page...which is probably not the one that I'll submit, even though I like it). Winners will be announced in May. Super fun! 

// What I watched //

One of my friends and favorite artists, Alejandra, posted this video on Facebook the other day. After spending hours in a darkroom in college and taking a class in alternative photography methods, this story speaks to me on so many levels. If you want to see true dedication to a craft, when things to right and things go wrong, check out the video below. If you're a fan of Breaking Bad, you might also appreciate some of the editing…have to admit, for the first few seconds, I totally thought I was watching a video about a meth lab!

SILVER & LIGHT from Ian Ruhter : Alchemist on Vimeo.

// Who I added //

First off, can we just say that finding out that Google Reader is not going to be around for much longer made me feel the same sadness and despair that I felt the day I learned that my favorite magazine in the world would no longer be printed? Because I think those are two of the saddest days of my life. In making sure that I had all of my favorite blogs in one place so that I can import them to another reader, I finally added one by a photographer that I've followed for awhile now…Andria Lindquist. Go check her out, because she is the definition of amazeballs.

// Best cat photo of the month // 

Aslan is on a mission to free the balloons.

Happy weekend! Hope you get to feel some springtime!

Snapshot | February

Thank god it's March. I'm requesting some serious sunshine. That's all I have to say about that.

// What I did //

TAXES. For almost the first half of the month. So many things changed last year, including my +1 and his job, that pulling everything together took much longer than ever before. New goal for this year: buy some software. I also did some fun things, like celebrating two major birthdays and a retirement, and I met with a bunch of AMAZING couples...which led to booking half of my weddings for this year. Hooray!

// Goals accomplished //

Met up with a super fun photographer for coffee and made an instant BFF. She is adorably funny, an avid traveler, and generally makes the world a happier place. One step towards my goal of making new friends :0)

// What I read // 

A lot of magazines. Oops. I think a trip to the library is in order.

// What I loved //

The mashups of hit pop songs with goats (here's a hilarious roundup). I've started singing the goat versions in the shower, much to my husband's chagrin.

// What I'm working on //

Still that pesky website...goal is to have it done by the end of March. And travelling...just got back from a fabulous journey to NYC this past weekend that may or may not have given me some inspiration for a styled shoot. Oh, boy. Next weekend, it's off to Atlanta and Nashville and I can't freaking wait.

// What I watched //

I'm ashamed to admit this...but I got sucked in and watched all three seasons of Downton Abbey in a period of less than a week (not saying how much less). OMG. 1// What took me so long to jump on board? It fits so perfectly with my love of everything Jane Austen and 2// Why do I have to wait until next January to see more? I'm in love with these people and have decided that everything sounds more classy with a british accent. And how amazing are all of the castles? I want one.

// Who I added //

A few months ago, I pinned a picture of a chair from IKEA that I saw on Design*Sponge and fell in love with. I then went out and bought the chair. And then a few weeks ago, Nubby Twiglet shared this link in her Link Love column (always full of inspiration). I loved what I read in that post and decided to look further into the archives...and then came across that picture of that chair that I had fallen in love with, which is when I knew, without a doubt, that Jess Lively was a kindred spirit. I love getting her "Wish I Knew" email newsletters - they are like golden tickets in email form once a week. But what's even better is her mission of helping small business owners do things with intention, which is a message that fills my heart with happiness.

// Best cat photo of the month // 

Linksy got himself stuck in our coat tree.

Happy Monday!

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Most of these photos were made by me. Here are links to the ones that are not // top left // bottom right //

Snapshot: January

I'm not good at working on Thursdays. Maybe I'm too excited for Friday? I don't know, but Thursday tends to be my least productive day of the week. And instead of fighting it, I'm embracing it (which I can, because I usually make up for it by working on the weekends). Thursday is now "get inspired" day, to be filled with reading and workshop videos, blogs, pinterest, and new things to think about.

And on top of it, it's the last day of January. Which means looking back to see what happened this month. I'm kind of nostalgic by nature, and I believe in celebrating successes, but's what's a party without people to share it with? And hopefully something that I found this month will inspire you and give you something new to explore and get excited about. It's always better to share great things so that we can all enjoy them!

What I did: Made gifts for last year's clients, went on a hike, cleaned out my email, started a business plan (and subsequently abandoned it because organizing all of my 100+ goals was too daunting...I need a goal intervention), started systemizing some of my workflow and researched a lot of productivity apps, got all of my client questionnaires on my website, put myself on a blogging schedule (we're still working on sticking to it, but it's getting better!), booked a lot of travel for the end of February and March (so excited about this - I'll be visiting Illinois, NYC, Nashville, and Atlanta, and always love to see old and new friends), put together a completely DIY styled shoot...that will be on the blog tomorrow :0) Oh yeah, and Ben and I finally (after signing a contract in October) purchased our condo, making us officially homeowners!

Goals accomplished: Feeling really good about off-camera flash, after using it for the styled shoot. Can't wait to bring it to weddings this year!

What I read: The Fault in our Stars...probably one of my favorite books ever. And I am working through the stack below. I have made a personal commitment to attending a workshop twice a year, but this year, I really, really, really want to do a big one, that requires travel (read: expensive), so I'm saving money during the first half of the year by participating in an online workshop and expanding my business library. Right now I'm in the middle of The War of Art (I know, am SO late to that party)...it's a lot to digest, but oh-so-thought-provoking.

What I loved: // Kid President...I'm pretty sure everyone posted it to Facebook, but it put the biggest smile on my face, and if you haven't seen it yet, go do it now, seriously // This Isn't Happiness...a great tumblr that has a lot of inspiring stuff, all kinds of art. I could easily spend an entire day there // Glee coming back made my month // And...I got a sneak peek of the new Sitehouse designs from Promise Tangeman Creative that rocked my world (you can see them on Monday if you go sign up for her newsletter) // Also, gold and black is my latest obsession and I think I'm going to cover my kitchen in it, now that I own my walls and can finally paint them!

What I'm working on: Scared to say this, because then I actually have to do it, but...after seeing the new Sitehouse designs, I've decided to redo my website. It's time...I feel like I've come a long way with my photography and branding from where I was when I created my website last summer. I'm also going to start a 30 day video project tomorrow...do it with me! And, as always, looking for new DIY projects for my house and to share (I pinned a bunch here, we'll see which ones end up working ;0).

What I watched: Sheep LED art...yes, really. This just proves that you can make art out of anything. Easy A...late to the party again...which officially established Emma Stone as my new celebrity crush. And this amazing documentary...absolutely life changing, there are no better words.

Favorite Cat Picture of the Month: yes, this is a gratuitous category, but still. See below.

Who I added to my Google Reader: Breanna Rose - love her modern, minimalist, vibrancy // Ben Sasso - fun, bright, film photographer // Ann Street Studio - fashion, edgy, editorial photography duo (this month they did an amazing photo tour of Italy...my heart is pulling me back there now)

What did you do // what did you love // what are your latest obsessions // in January? Leave them in the comments below!