the worst blogger

I am the worst blogger ever. But I've accepted it, because while I'm terrible at personal blogging, I do a lot of photo blogging through my photography business blog and I Instagram a ton. That counts, right? Visual blogging? I'll take it.

It's the down season, which means doing lots of photo backups, updating packaging, and doing a redesign. I don't like changing things a ton every season, but my style evolves and I get a chance to reflect how I feel, shoot, and dress though my site and materials... why not use the opportunity? I'm stoked! I'm adding some fun through punches of watercolor, some texture through elements that look like old graph paper... it is going to look so so awesome. Plus my client info packets are going to get an overhaul by using giant red envelopes, bird paper clips, stamps and textured tape... am I boring you? Because I absolutely love this stuff. Walk me into a Paper Source and FORGET about it, I'm absolutely gone.

I've been on a major M83 kick lately... what is it with French/European electro 80's revival music that just gets me every time? I have been listening to their latest album for months and haven't gotten tired of it in the least. I guess I've always loved stuff that reminds me of 80's electropop, but our friend Colin told me the other day that I might have a secret fondness of shoegaze. Never would have pinned myself for that genre, but whatever it is, I can't stop blasting it in my office!

I'm doing a lot of planning of our year (it just happens when you're a wedding photographer... everything mapped out in advance) and realized that we're going to California 2 - 3 times this year. For being a Midwestern transplant, I'm sure in my home state a lot. The craziest part is that I'll be in Northern/Central California for most of those trips, and revisiting my hometown for the first time in 4 1/2 years (it happens when your parents move out of state right after high school graduation). Sometimes I think back to the time I lived there and it feels like a hazy dream, like it barely happened, and then I start really concentrating on the places and circumstances, and it all comes flooding back. I think of when I was a graduating senior... I had no idea what the outside world was really like, what my style was, what I loved to do. I've experienced SO much since then and gotten a better grasp of my identity and style. The weirdest part is that I'm going to be doing an engagement session while there! I've never thought of my hometown from a photographic standpoint before, and when I lived there, I didn't have the passion/skill I have know... it's just so weird to think about.

In "stay-tuned" news: Joel and Colin got me a very old (1910?) tenor banjo this last week. It needs tuning pegs, a bridge, and strings, and then we're good to go! I can't wait to get playing on it... I'm thinking of using nylon strings and tuning like a baritone uke, because I love that sound. We'll see how it goes, I'll keep you posted (hopefully).

Ciao!