Dress: Chicwish c/0 | Lip Stain: Anastasia Beverly Hills | Sandals: Halogen
When I first starting blogging, back in January 2015, I remember really overthinking every photoshoot I did. At that time, I was putting up new posts every 2-3 days, all taken by either Mike, my mom, or my sister. I was also posting on Instagram twice a day every day, so that added even more mini iPhone shoots to the mix. I realize that a lot of bloggers keep up that kind of content and more, but I think it’s fair to say that the ones who do either blog full time, don’t work a strict 9-5 type job, or have a boyfriend/husband who’s a photographer (by the way, if you are a blogger who works a 9-5 and also posts on your blog 5 times a week, I give you some serious props because that’s gotta be tough). I personally have not found a way to balance my job, blogging, social life, and family in a way that allows me to get more than 3 blogs a week.
After making my loved ones take photos of me so often for so long when I first started, later on I finally had to make the decision to adjust how I was going blog. I felt guilty for making them use so much of their own spare time working for me, when photography wasn’t even something they were interested in (I have a background in photography, so I just taught them the basics, and by the way they all ended up being really great at it). That’s when I started working with professionals. I now have a couple of photographers that I work with on a regular basis, and they are fantastic. This solved my problem of having to ask too much from Mike and my family (although don’t get me wrong, I still ask a lot of them), but it also meant I was wasn’t getting the same amount of content that I used to. A professional photographer’s time is really valuable. Your photoshoot might take 30 minutes, but the work they do behind the scenes, sorting through and trying to pick photos they think you will like and editing them, takes a really long time. On top of the work they already do with other clients (wedding photos can take months to edit) they have a lot on their plate. If you’re outside of the blogging scene you might not know, but a lot of bloggers and photographers work together on a collaborative basis because the partnership can be mutually beneficial, so often I am not paying my photographers. This isn’t because I don’t want to, either! If I could I would, but you can see how that kind of charge would add up fast for how many photoshoots I would need. The point is, because of all these reasons, I decided that in order for me to feel like I’m not spreading myself too thin in all areas of my life that I would like to excel in, I would have to keep my content on the lower side and focus on making what I had the the best it can.
Another thing I realized after blogging for a while is that I really love having beautiful photos! I spent most of my young adult life doing photography for other people, so much so that I forgot to get my own graduation photos for college. So, I always have had a love and appreciation for well done photography, as I was always striving to be better. Once I started working with professionals, I realized how much I enjoyed seeing the photos from every shoot. It was so exciting to see such gorgeous, well-done photos and fun that I got to be in them, and I still feel that way now! I mentioned that when I first started I really focused on making every shoot perfect, but the more experience I got, the more I realized that if I’m not going to relax and enjoy what I’m doing, then I really shouldn’t even be blogging. I’m not saying that I stopped caring, I care more than ever, but I stopped taking the joy out of it by worrying too much or taking myself too seriously. This included me picking clothing that I loved, not just practical clothes that were going to sell, and letting the style of the shoots be fun.
I think this photoshoot is a perfect example of me doing my blogging the way I want to. Yes, I’ve learned that photos of a dress in a field don’t sell dresses. How many times have you frolicked in a field in a maxi dress? It’s a lot easier to justify a purchase when you can see yourself wearing it, and I know that. However, I have always loved organic shoots. I love nature, animals (where can a girl get a cute baby deer to take pics with?), and the boho vibes of a maxi dress flowing in the breeze in an empty field. So, yup, that’s what we did (me and my awesome photographer for this photoshoot, Cassie of Effjay Photography). I love everything about this shoot! I even made one of the photos my profile picture on my personal Facebook page. I had fun taking the photos, and felt good about them when I posted them on Instagram. That’s all I can really ask for in this business! If I make a little money, then yeah, that’s great (I work hard for it), but the strive to earn money off of everything I do doesn’t consume me.
If you made it through, thanks for reading this novel!
