Feed the Soul, Not the Ego

'Ello! After years of shooting in typical "on-location" and somewhat orchestrated makeshift studios, I figured it was time to shoot in my most comfortable setting. I feel most myself sitting in a sea of pillows or on the floor, working away at photo-sets and graphic work..casually balancing a hefty energizing dose of coffee and killer beats. And my glasses, which never really makes it beyond my own walls, or work, but shit...I'd be dodging and burning like a senile blind man without them :) AND CUPCAKES.duh. So this is kind of a cross between a snazzy contemporary boudoir..and the actual reality of my editing environment :) Of course, a cylon swimsuit is quite possibly the coziest of garments amidst the week long 90 degree heat we've been catching in Seattle. Like, really, it's hotter than blazes...and if you are wearing pants when you don't have to....it's time we have a talk. I was able to shoot this quick set in the 20 mins it took to do a software update on my computer, which is the only way I know how to multi-task lately :) I posted earlier this week about the weird vacancy of not being able to shoot large scale editorials anymore...which has been both a struggle and an incredible life lesson. When it comes to my own creative ideas and process in photography, I like to make my own rules. Clients are cool, but clients can also be a bitch. As much as I barely have the time to shoot anything these days, it's given me absolute creative freedom within my own personal work, which is something most people dream of as a photographer. To have the ability to put forth work that feeds my own creative soul, rather than fulfill the needs of a hasty client job...that's bliss. When you rid yourself of worrying about being associated with the big names and focus more on your own big ideas, it's like rebirth. Now, let me say this. Rebirth doesn't mean you get to run around glueing feathers to your head because you can. In my case, rebirth is working all week and then carefully finding convenient weekend gaps to produce quality work. Just as in Spiderman, when Peter Parker got the whole "with great power comes great responsibility" line from uncle Ben...this is kind of the same deal. Creative talent is power. It's a big deal to have it, but it's important to be realistic. If you aspire to glue feathers to your head, or photograph trees, or buildings, and you have no constant client itching for that, be real. I don't work my ass off working full time every week to waste my weekends on photo-work that doesn't speak volumes about what goes on in my head. It's all about balance, knowing who you are, and making things work. Happiness to me, is a comfy safe-haven filled with pillows, cupcakes, strong coffee, and my less than reliable laptop. It's a job during the week that challenges you in design, and a slice in time on weekends to experiment and feed the soul, not the ego. So, here I sit, on my blankies, writing a fucking novel to y'all:) HAPPY SATURDAY! :) XOXO And the cylon suit is by Jeffie.com but you can't have it because it's all sold out...wah wuh... go buy some leggings instead, silly! JEFFIE.COM