Archive for May 2013

Just a Hobbyist

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The other day, while browsing Pinterest, I came across a photography article about the difference between a 'hobbyist' and a 'professional'. I was immediately interested in what the author had to say and now that I've read it, I feel like I know exactly which one I fall under.

I am a hobbyist.

Not a professional. Nowhere NEAR a professional. I've wondered for awhile what my photography-thing I've got going on should be called, so this is actually quite a relief to finally have something to call myself, other than professional...I'm one of those 'Momtographers' everyone seems to talk so much about. Some could definitely be considered professionals, but most, like myself, just can't. I'm not trained, experienced or making any kind of profit from photography. Honestly, each time a person refers to me as a 'professional', it makes me cringe a little bit...only because I don't feel like I have earned the title. Not yet, anyway...


It's my goal to someday become a professional photographer...it's right near the end of my current 5 year plan (yeah, I'm one of those people). But for now, I'm just a Mom with a camera and a willingness to learn and play around and teach myself the tricks of the trade...and take a few photos for friends and family along the way. My stuff is far from perfect and it still takes me, on average, 10 off photos to get the good one. But I'm pretty happy with how far I've come in the time that I've had my camera and I'm really excited to see the things I've learned actually making a difference in the photos that I take.


Lately I have been feeling so inspired to work on my photography and I am really excited for some new projects coming up...especially with a little baby bump starting to make an appearance. It's about time I get myself a little more familiar with my tripod and self timer. I can't wait for all of the self-portrait maternity sessions coming my way this summer! And the couples sessions, maternity sessions and family photos for all of my friends willing to let me use them as models...!!

Which brings me to the actual point of this post...

Interested in taking part in my photography hobby?

I am always happy to do photos for friends and family and even friends of friends! If you're here in the Hampton Roads area and you want to do some photos, let me know and we will figure something out. I've learned some new things and I'm DYING to try them!! Every professional has to start somewhere...maybe you can help me get to where I want to be.


<3 Allison

Starting Again...Hold the Rules.

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Blogging is hard.

I don't think I like blogging. At least not the way it's supposed to be done.

I've always loved the idea of keeping a blog. A few years ago I started one, and then I started another one...and then another one...but it never stuck.


This time, I swore it would be different. I told myself I would make it work. It would stick, because this time I knew the rules. I was given a quick crash course of a few terms, tricks and how-to's and I was feeling confident. I was flooded with inspiration, motivation and support...but then...things started to feel...off.

I was gaining followers, page views and readers...but I was losing the desire to continue, because I was losing inspiration and my blog just didn't have a direction anymore. I began feeling guilty for every day that I couldn't keep up with a post. I felt pressure, a ridiculous amount of pressure that I put on myself, to put up a post every day. I started to feel like I was failing, and then I started to resent the blog...which resulted in fewer and fewer posts about increasingly boring topics. 

It made me feel like a failure...a Mommy-bloggy-interweb-modern-woman FAILURE

And it stunk.

And I didn't like it. 

So...I just decided that blogging wasn't for me. I told myself I was giving up, and moving on. Never to blog again...

Which lasted about a week.

Because just as I had decided to write it off forever, last night and the night before, I was laying in bed trying to sleep...but all I could do was think about the millions of things that I wanted to write about. I felt inspired, I felt like I needed to get up right then and grab my laptop and write. Of course, I didn't...I should have...but I didn't. I wrote down a few keywords on my notes app on my phone and then I went to sleep. But those two nights of constant ideas popping into my head made me realize that I don't really want to give up blogging... 

I just want to give up the rules of blogging.


What does that mean? Honestly, I don't even know...because I don't think there really are any real 'rules'. But I feel like there are rules...so anytime I feel like there is a rule I should be following, I guess I'm just not going to follow it. This will absolutely result in less editing, more fun and more 'I don't care what you think' sorts of posts...because, while I'm being honest here...on Facebook, I care what people think. I swore to myself a long time ago that I would never ever post anything negative on my Facebook, because I don't really want everyone on Facebook in on all my daily drama. But Facebook is one thing... 

On my blog? In my space? I don't want to care what you think. I just don't. I love you...but here, in this space...I want to write and I want to write what I want, how I want and when I want...and you don't have to read it, you don't have to like it and you don't have to follow me. 

This blog will officially become exactly what it is...Project Life.

And in my life? Things are messy. Things are honest. Things are busy and crafty and full.
And I like it that way...and I want to write about it...without the rules.

So...here's to starting over...again. The way that I want to do it.    
   

<3 Allison.