Entering My Romantic Era

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Last week I received an e-mail about the studio space that I am on a waiting list for my photography business. Unfortunately there are still no new openings and none expected to open any time soon. I have been on this waiting list since last April, and although I was told it may take a year or longer, I still feel sad that one has not become available yet. I feel ready to take the leap. I want to create and go into business for myself. I have the confidence now and the skill and a head full of creative ideas.

I could look elsewhere, but this studio in particular is so close that I could ride my bicycle there on a nice day. It is also a perfect space for photography, meeting clients, and for connecting with other artists in the building. It is also in my price range. Yes, I will continue to wait.

Meanwhile, I cannot conduct photo shoots in my tiny apartment for numerous reasons. It is a rental so I do not own the space to use for business, the ceilings are too low to photograph couples or do full body photo shoots with a backdrop, there are not enough outlets to plug in lights, and I also have neighbors that live below us. Even though I cannot conduct business here, I can do some creative studio-like photos and self portraits. I have decided that I’m not going to wait to do some creative photos for myself.

 I am entering my romantic era.

I have heard the saying “romanticize your life,” so much lately that it feels over-used. But there is something to be said about romanticizing the ordinary. To dress in a way that brings you joy, to be creative, and to be mindful of the little things.

I am tired of waiting. I want to start creating. -Even if I cannot create everything I want to, I can start right now.

For my blog at least, I can do mini studio sessions at home. Even if things are not perfect, I can begin right here and now. That is the true romance of life; that you get to decide how you send your time. You cannot always wait for things to be perfect. Sometimes you have to simply start and everything else will arrive when it needs to.

This lovely off the shoulder blouse is by one of my favorite style brands, Simple Retro. It is called the Ethel Beige Lace Blouse and you can find it here.

So yesterday morning I set up a little backdrop in my living room when there was still some good window light. Even though I was exhausted and my hair was a mess, I started to take some photos. I used the book I am currently reading, Little Men by Louisa May Alcott, as a prop. I took out a flower from the kitchen vase and the vanity chair from our guest room. Instead of setting up my pro camera and going between lenses, I set up my Fujifilm X100 V with its single attached lens. I laughed at myself and snapped away.

I am still too critical of myself. But I do not want it to stop me from being creative or gaining confidence to show up in my own work. As a wedding photographer, I spend most of my time behind the camera photographing other people. These past few years of running my own blog have taught me many lessons about being in front of the camera, gaining confidence, and feeling empowered to take up space and show up. It has also taught me to accept myself in ways I have never accepted myself before.

This year for my blog I made a few vows to myself; that I would go back to my roots of showing more Connecticut and New England places to travel, eat, or experience. I promised to share more crafts and recipes. And I also promised myself to show up in a creative way, even when I was not feeling my most confident. So it really is a new era.

I hope that you find ways to romanticize your life this year.