I love being creative. There are always a million and one things that I want to make or do, but usually I end up making very few of them. Turns out I can't stay awake 24/7. Ha ha. One of the things I have always loved is taking pictures, though I didn't necessarily view that as being creative.
As far back as I can remember, I have loved taking pictures. I think I got my first camera while still in elementary school, a 110 camera. The camera with the funny looking cartridge film, and the actual flash bulb cartridge that had 3 flashes on it that could each only be used once and then the flash cartridge had to be thrown away. I moved on to a 35mm film camera for middle school, high school & college. After graduating I acquired my first Canon 35mm SLR. Then when digital cameras entered the consumer arena in the new millenia, I bought my first Nikon Coolpix on an annual girls' trip to Portland in 2000. 5 years ago, I bought my Canon Rebel xTi (digital SLR) before a trip to China and my husband has been trying to keep up with my digital storage needs ever since!
I have been mostly self taught and prior to this weekend, I thought of myself as a shutterbug. A photography enthusiast, but mostly a hobbyist. I would have never labeled myself a photographer. That has changed. I would now say I am a PHOTOGRAPHER.
Last weekend I participated in an amazing photography workshop called CONFIDENCE. If you haven't heard of Me Ra Koh, this blog post that she wrote about her determination to get home for the workshop on the tails of Seattle's huge snowpocalype of 2012 is just a peek at the incredible woman that I got to meet last weekend. I went in expecting to gain some photography skills, some tip gems that would just push my photography skills over the top... but I got so much more than just technical skills. The emotional recharge that I got out of the weekend was a complete surprise, but it was much needed!
I have a new attitude about myself as an artist. Perfectionism has always been a trait that I cherished and cursed. I love the results when something comes out exactly as I imagined it in my head (Better than I imagined? Even better!) But I often was my biggest critic. I came away from the workshop with resolve to love my work more, no matter how it turns out. Within reason of course ;) I intend to practice this new attitude when it comes to jewelry making, photography, cooking, working out... any and all of my hobbies.
Here is a photo I took the day after I got home from my workshop while my daughter was playing dress up... This is totally the stage we are in now! You should see all the pictures I have of her as a princess, fairy, etc.
Anyway, enough ramblings for now. Just know that you may be seeing some different work from me soon... Photos! I am making more room for my first love!
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