Getting Around Road Blocks

Right now I’m definitely dealing with some issues that seem major and are frustrating. My negative side tells me this is all keeping me from continuing foreword (for a while) in regards to starting a photography business.

My MacBook has kicked the bucket, so to speak, and I’m waiting on a new laptop. Until I get one, I’m not able to pursue any photo shoot opportunities which really saddens me.

Right now, all I can do is focus on getting necessary supplies. I purchased a few curtains I can use as back drops for sessions with newborns. I got them on sale and they are going to look great! I can’t wait for my first client!

Part of me thought that my goals have to be put on hold until my new laptop arrives. I’m just seeing things differently now. There are other things I can work on, to get closer to my short term goals, so that is what I’m going to focus on.

Of course, I can always practise asana!

• Namaste
• Zara

First steps towards starting a photography business.

1 – Come up with a business name
Obvious right? Hopefully just as obvious as the business name I choose. It needs to be something easy to remember and clever. I don’t want it to blend in with all of the other photography names in my area.

2 – Branding and Marketing
I need to create a logo first. Then I can work on creating business cards and a Facebook page. Down the line I may create a website. To start out, however, Facebook will do.

3 – Free Photo Shoots
Word of mouth is an extremely important part of a photography business. I just moved here from Vancouver Island so other than family, I don’t know anyone in my area. To get things rolling I need to start socializing with others in the community and offer them free photo shoots. This will help get my business name out there in a positive light, and it will also help me develop a portfolio.

I’m excited to get things going… Now, if only my new MacBook would get here so I can start this thing!!!

• Namaste
• Zara

Yoga at last!

I was finally able to do a dozen sun salutations today. For the first time in a long time I didn’t have a headache and Rain had her 3 hour nap. My mind and body are saying “yes”.

I didn’t get a photo shoot done today (other than photographing some things I’m selling on kijij) but I’m still calling it a successful day. I DID practise yoga which puts me one day closer to my goal of becoming a yogi.

Short blog tonight, sorry! Tomorrow I’ll be working on my photography 🙂

• Namaste
• Zara

I kept my promise.

Today was a hectic day with Rain. She wouldn’t nap, so I didn’t get my regular 3 hours of daily tasks done. No problem though…

I took her for a long walk and we went to a local cafe. She fell asleep along the way, so I was able to enjoy a coffee and take some black and white photographs inside.

The promise I kept was to practise some photography today. I ended up taking near 100 shots between the cafe and my house. Not bad for a crazy-busy day!

We went to a water fountain downtown, where I played around with shutter speeds and white balance. Then we went to a church which unfortunately was locked. I really wanted to take photos of the interior… Whatever happened to churches always being open to the public ?

It ended up being a peaceful walk and I felt like I accomplished something. What else can I ask for?

• Namaste
• Zara

We are all weak sometimes… and then we become strong .

Today just got away from me. Sometimes I feel like my goals aren’t reachable and other days I feel like “nothing can stop me now” (to quote NIN).

Tomorrow I am promising myself to refresh some of the photography skills I learned in school by taking pictures. I can only take one day at a time.

My laptop died in June and I’m still waiting for my new MacBook Air to arrive. Then I’m going to take a photography course and get moving with this thing!

I took some photography courses in the past and went to Vancouver Island University for fine arts. However, I really want to make sure I’ve mastered my skills before I commit to photographing the most precious moments in another persons life. Marriage, the birth of a child… What an honour it would be to photograph these moments. Moments that can only be captured once.

Yes, a continuing education photography course is a must. I’m really excited to do it! Before this year is through, I WILL have my first client.

As for my yoga practice, I feel like I am back to where I was before I got pregnant, which is great! I need to push myself further and meditate more instead of getting so caught up in the rush of life. I’m grateful that my daughter Rain gives me enough time each day to work on myself while she has a nap. Lately though, my headaches aren’t allowing me to participate in my regular asana practice. I hope the changes in the weather can settle enough to allow me to settle down on my mat 😉

Namaste,
• Zara

Feeling Inspired

My first blog post… 

Let me back track a bit. I’ve been wandering through life looking for my place for a while now. I’ve always wanted to create, and to do something that truly made me happy. I’m really excited that I’ve come to a realization over the past few years. Do what I love. Yoga… Photography… Create to make myself and others happy. 

This blog will document my journey getting there. 

• Zara