Finding inspiration in the everyday, ordinary moments is one of my favorite things to do. It is a challenge, for sure, but I welcome the challenge. It's something I am always and forever working on.
​I have worked hard to train my eyes and my brain to seek out these things- to study the light, to think about composition, to think about colors. 

There are others whose work I admire, who I feel are so much better at this than me. But I also know this: comparison is the thief of joy.
You will never know joy if you are comparing your progress and your work to others. Your path is your path. Your creative journey is yours alone. 
 

Here are a few of the ways I continue to find inspiration in the everyday:

• l look for repeating patterns, colors, and shapes. These are foundational in photography and I'm still always amazed at how I find them naturally in the world around me. It's a fun exercise to do even when I don't have my camera on me. It helps train my eyes and brain to see these things almost subconsciously. 
• I look for beautiful light. Photography is essentially the study of light. I am always looking at the way that light falls on things and the directionality of it. I feel like there is always something more to learn about light. Beautiful light will always be an inspiration for me. 
• I look for things that make me laugh. I love to laugh (who doesn't?!) and I like to think I have a sense of humor. I am always looking for the humor in things, even in my sessions. Kids never disappoint- they are hilarious! And they do strange things! My images aren't always obviously humorous, sometimes it's more subtle. Sometimes it's a juxtaposition. The point is that you find the thing that brings you joy, that makes life interesting. Photograph that. 
• I shift my perspective to one of gratitude. I am going to link a blog post I did here announcing that I had an image chosen for the inaugural exhibition of the Documentary Family Awards "Transforming Perspectives". I think this blog goes more in depth than I will here about the subject, but man, the act of shifting your perspective is so powerful. I've been trying so hard to live my life with more gratitude. I've found that when I intentionally focus on that, life just gets better. Love is the foundation for most things in our life. And honestly, that's just beautiful. Be appreciative. Be present. You'll find inspiration there.  

These are just a few of the ways I am striving to better myself and my art. When I am in a creative rut, it helps to do things that are different. Something that allows you to stretch your creative muscles. Sometimes when you do something out of the ordinary, it sparks that one thing that was missing, or obstructing, your creative flow.

Give some of these a try, ponder on them a bit, then come back here and tell me what you think or what you did. Reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram! I'd love to hear about and see what you are working on! 

I wrote a blog a while back that has been one of my most popular blogs to date. I think it's because we can all relate to the sadness of loss and the bittersweet life we live. It's about those places and people that only exist in our memory, it's for those who are no longer with us. You can read that blog here. 
I was at a session recently and I climbed into an old cottage in quite a state of disrepair. But, I love old things and I could feel it's history.  It was speaking to me. I climbed in to shoot my subject through the tattered and torn curtains. It was clear that no one had been inside for a long, long while. 
As my eyes traveled over the space, I took a moment to take it all in. You can tell a lot about the people who live in a space by their belongings and the things they hold space for...or in this case, the ones who used to live here. There were relics, memories, and old possessions stacked everywhere. 
I turned to my left and I saw it there, tucked into the corner next to the window. The light cast it in a romantic glow and the thick layer of dust covered it like a veil. A piano with the most beautiful, intricate carvings on the front. It had books and papers stacked around it and old lamps sitting on top. 
My breath caught in my chest and the most vivid memory washed over me. I knew this piano, my grandparents had one very similar in their 100 year old home, also filled with relics like this one. I could instantly hear my grandmother playing old hymns and singing along softly, as she picked out the tune. She only played by ear. I could see her hands there hovering over the keys. I could smell something wonderful and warm  cooking in the kitchen. I could hear the Braves game in the background. My whole body could remember the feeling of being there in their home.  Honestly, it was the sweetest memory. 
And, it's funny how these things trigger a memory. That blog I wrote that I mentioned above? It talks about what I would do if I could go back just for one day with my camera and how I would document it...how I would honor that space. But I can't go back, so instead, I shot this moment in the here and now because it reminded me of them. 
And surprisingly enough, all of this happened in an instant. Just the tiniest blip of time in my day.  That's usually the way these things go, isn't it?

I thought it would be fun to connect with my community and share the things I'm really diggin' right now. So, let's jump right in! Here's 3 things I am loving right now!

• Nature/Landscape Photography! I've always loved nature and being outside. During our time in Tennessee, I completely and totally found my calling as a barefoot mountain mama. But one thing I haven't always loved is landscape and nature photos. That's a whole other genre of photography and I'm no where near an expert in it, but I've started really digging nature and landscape photography...mostly plants. I mean, during a pandemic, who ISN'T loving plants!? Here are a few recent favorites, the first one was taken at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. I'm not quite sure what it is, but those dew drop and that light is just dreamy! The second is my Lamb's Ear that I have in my yard.

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• Also, I feel the need for an honorable mention here- I'm totally, completely loving the tie dye trend coming back. How can you be mad looking at tie dye! It's literally like you are wearing happiness! I also love all the 90's trends that are mainstreaming right now. I can still remember the absolute joy of getting a Delia*s catalog in the mail. 

Who else is with me? What are some things you are loving right now? Any trends or fads? I'm also really loving spaghetti squash right now too! 
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