To Blog or Not to Blog... January 24, 2020

I guess I'm not one for over-the-top New Year's resolutions (that are generally destined to fail), but I do love the "feel" of January. It feels like a fresh start...an opportunity to change my direction or at least sharpen my vision of my goal destination. So in the spirit of a new year and new goals, I am attempting what many say is necessary for photographers, but difficult to maintain...a BLOG.  It takes time and discipline, neither of which I seem to have, but I'm feeling up to the challenge for some reason.  It's probably that deep need for a resolution that will stick, but I think I'll go for it anyway.  Naysayers, step aside.  

I like the idea of it. I share some of my favorite images with a little bit of the story behind them. Friends visit and read at their leisure. Potential clients can see my work and hopefully the heart behind it. Blogs generate interest and business (they say), but most importantly, I hope in some way this new thing brings beautiful images that inspire you....as they do me.

I'm not sure why, but a beautiful bride always brings a smile to my face. Maybe it's remembering the excitement of that feeling. Maybe it's imaging all the possibilities that lie ahead of her as she builds this new life with her chosen. Perhaps it's just knowing that this is a day she's waited for and dreamed of...and I feel that WITH her. Whatever the reason, these visions of white...with perfectly coiffed hair and manicured nails, adorned with satin, lace, and fragrant bouquets of flowers...always bring a smile.

Enter Olivia...

I met Olivia several years ago as she and my daughter shared a dorm room at Lee University. They also shared a home state and an area of study.  In college, these are the ties that bind...the same direction home and all night cram sessions.  Art majors were not abundant at Lee at that time, so the two became sources of strength and inspiration for each other as they were greatly outnumbered by education and music majors. Although their time together at Lee ran its course, they remain the best of friends, though many miles separate them now.

When we met, it seemed Olivia's life was on course...plans made...path clearly laid out. But the path changed (several times) as it so frequently does in each of our lives. Everything in between our meeting and these images is her story, not mine, to tell. But I pick up with a happy bride about to marry the man of her dreams. About to start something new. About to become a wife and a step-mom to his son. About to open a new book, turn a new page, start out on a new path...

Enter Blog...

New book.  New page.  New path.  Perhaps it's a bad comparison.  My starting a blog hardly weighs in with starting a marriage, but you get the idea. :-) 

Wish us luck...me AND Olivia.  We will both need a little, but I feel sure she has what it takes for the challenges ahead of her.  Me? Well, we shall see, but hope springs eternal...especially in January.  With a little dose of discipline and some tactics in time management, I'm feeling pretty good about it. 

I hope your new year is off to a beautiful exciting start and I challenge you to join me in trying something new.  Don't be afraid.  Let's just jump in.  

“Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success.”

- Robert T. Kiyosaki

I like that.  Here's to success...and being brave enough to start something new.

Thanks for reading,

Sherry