I pulled into my driveway after a bridal session and a quick run to the grocery store and saw this sweetest little bird face. He had an obvious robin belly – almost rustic with browns and oranges – but little tuffs of baby feathers all over. He looked a mess but so cute. I watched him, thinking he was learning to fly. Then I took a few steps closer and realized he couldn’t fly yet. I have no idea how he got to the middle of the yard. His little squeaks as I moved in became frantic and alerted all of the mama birds of the danger. They flocked to the nearest branch and tweeted me away. So I watch him hop away under some bushes. Then I had an idea. I know you’re not supposed to touch birds, but I have garden gloves with dirt on them. Despite the objections from all the mamas, I put them on and scooped up baby and brought him to the only nest I know of in our yard and went inside. As I sat inside, loading the refrigerator with fresh milk, it started to storm. I went outside but baby was gone. NO idea where he went, but I hope his cute self is safe!

There are days I wake up and I know exactly what I want to write about. Either I’d been thinking about it, or I had it scheduled on my blog calendar. Or the obvious – I had a shoot and I need to post it. But then there are days, much like today, when my blog calendar fails me and I haven’t had any inspriation. So I’m blogging about how I have nothing to blog about. I can’t believe it. But there are organized points and ideas about this. Not to worry.

Excuse #1: Someone else JUST wrote about that. I hate being a copycat. Or, seemingly one. This happens when I think I’ve had such a unique idea. But it frequently happens. I plan to blog something and everything I wanted to write about was just posted on a friend’s blog. And better. Sometimes I swear us photographers are on the same wave length. Whatever that means. But it happens so often!

Excuse #2 Everyone has already covered this. Much like the previous excuse, this I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written a post knowing full well that 7 other photographers in my area have already covered a topic. What else could I have to offer about something that is already an industry standard? When we’re trying to set ourselves apart, do we take on an overdone topic? Sadly, I allow this to paralyze my blog rhythm.

Excuse #3 No recent shoots. Obviously, as a wedding photographer, I’m not shooting everyday. There are other things we do to keep our business up and running so it’s impossible to produce sessions everyday. But that is no excuse for not blogging – it just means we have to be creative with what we blog about! And that should be exciting, but it sometimes can be pressure! Especially when….

Excuse #4 I’m not feeling inspired! And this really cuts right to the heart. The truth is that when I’m working in my office doing admin chores, running errands, making calls and answering emails, it’s near impossible to find inspiration or be inspired. And it’s up to ME, no one else, to go looking for that. Whether its a drive in the country, a walk around the mall, a small getaway vacation – really anything can be inspiration. I think it takes a change of environment, but really inspiration can be found anywhere!

So, there it is. Bloggin woes. My excuses. And here is my personal charge:

GET OUT, GET INSPIRED, AND GET OVER IT.

Meanwhile, here is some inspiration for today’s bridal shoot!    1  //  2  //  3

I also love that Martin’s labels the produce that came from local farms. I almost always get suckered into buying THAT over anything else.

A few days ago, I was at home and my mom had mentioned how small strawberries used to be. They were so flavorful and tiny. I remember going to my grandparent’s garden and eating those bite size little things until I wasn’t hungry for dinner any more. But now, when you go to the store, strawberries are HUGE. Like, TOO big. Big enough for you to say that there is something else going on besides some good ol’ farming. Costco had a good deal on a huge basket of strawberries yesterday, and I walked right by it after seeing how huge they were. Then I went to Martins. And they had the neon orange sticker, “Locally Grown.” YES! And, they were little. Bite size. Just as they should be.

Toward the end of my time with Rob Garland Photographers, I had a few conversations with the associates. I wanted to know more. I felt like I was in a rut and didn’t know how to grow any more. But I was about to graduate so I decided to take a few photography classes. My first class was at NOVA. It was a “how to use your camera” class. I knew how to use my camera, but this class really gave me power. I suddenly had so much more confidence with my camera. I could flip to Manual mode and not feel scared! The second class I took was at JMU – black and white film photography. This class taught me to SLOW DOWN. My images weren’t anything to write home about, however, I loved how the class made me step out of my comfort zone and ask people if I could photograph them. It was really fun!

Somewhere in there, in 2009, I started a blog. It wasn’t anything great at all. And I made sure people knew I was growing. I named my blog, Open During Renovations. I’m still really proud of that first big step. I posted the images THUMBNAIL size, as you’ll see if you check it out, probably because I was scared how they would look if they were any larger. It was where I posted my first wedding. The wedding I did by myself. All on my own. I booked it, wrote up a contract, took money, rented more gear, and shot it. The first few weddings fell into my lap. I was still in school, but friends would talk and people knew I was interested and working for a wedding photographer. I think my first wedding I charged $700.

And this is the scary part of the blog post. Where I post images from my first “on my own” weddings and sessions. I look at these, and I’m proud. Scared to post, but proud that I have them. They represent this girl, who had NO business in the photo business. But she made the best of the knowledge she had, and pushed herself forward.

Part 1. Hanging out with Hannah + Luke. Two great friends who live in AZ and were awesome enough to meet us there. It was our first time vacationing with another couple, and I have to tell you, I’m a fan. It takes a little more honesty and sacrifice when it comes to things you want to do, but the rewards TOTALLY way out the “downfalls” if you consider them that. For example, Chad had to sit in a HOT sushi restaurant and the poor guy hates the smell of seafood – he just ate rice! But we rewarded him with 3 days of MEXICAN!

Part 2. Visiting Jacqueline + Jen. Two of my friends live out in San Diego now and it was SO awesome to see them! Jacqueline is a wedding photographer and Jen has been a best friend since high school! I loved seeing where they lived, and getting to learn about their life since moving west!

Part 3. Grandpa + Anne. This is the most fun – Grandpa took us down to stay on the Navy Base on Coronado. WHAT A TREAT. We were totally spoiled and loved every minute of our time with them. This trip had been a long time coming and I’m so glad we were able to go and visit!

Other exciting things that happened?

- mexican food 4 times in 6 days.
- walking around Old Town San Diego – SO FUN!
- eating at Il Fornaio – best Italian in San Diego I’m convinced.
- our plane getting STRUCK BY LIGHTNING on the trip home
- meeting sweet Blue and seeing Jake [instagram pic] again [Jacqueline and Jen's pups]
- putting my toes in the sand
- visiting the most vivacious dog beach I’ve ever seen
- worshiping at a west coast church [the same one where Switchfoot came from!]
- eating California style tri-tip
- getting a flat tire at Seaport Village – boo.

Congrats, you two! I can’t wait for your wedding!

I cradled a glass mug of the remaining decaf in my hands to warm them up. I’d been photographing a bridal party performance of “psycho killer” by the Talking Heads, and by the end, they were frozen around my camera, so I took a rare brake. I stood next to Bill’s mom and she leaned over and said something to the effect of, “How lucky are we? That’s all I’m going to say.” We watched Bill and Cordo dance in the center of a circle, looking so in love and carefree. And I agreed with her. The couple is awesome. But I imagine some of their awesomeness is the product of great family and friends. The entire day was a joy to photograph because of the depth of love everyone held for the couple. We were all there to celebrate the marriage of Cordo and Bill, who married in the same church as Cordo’s parents on the Eastern Shore. A boat ride around the corner lead us to a beautifully planned cocktail hour and reception, right in their back yard. Everything was so personal and I’m excited to share their images!

Ceremony // The Church of the Holy Trinity
Reception // Private Home
Caterer/Coordinator // Gourmet by the Bay
Florist // Monteray Farms
Cake // The Main Ingredient
Band // The Bachelor Boys Band
Gown // Paloma Blanca

Needless to say, Gia was really excited to see her mom and dad!

I’m so split on this sales tax thing.

Did you know that Photographers have a special clause? We are required to charge sales tax on services. Most all other services in Virginia aren’t taxed – only products are taxed. But with photography, it’s different for some reason. So when you hire a wedding photographer, you pay sales tax on the ENTIRE package instead of just the products you buy! I don’t know why – but it seems a little unfair. Who was that guy who thought this was a good idea? I would like to meet him just to ask about the seemingly discriminating clause! “Why sir? Why?”

And if you want a wedding photographer based in Virginia, don’t be surprised when you’re charged sales tax! I have clients ask, “um, sales tax, really?” And all I can do is say, “yes.” And sometimes I send them a copy of the clause just so they know I’m not pulling scratchy, irritating wool RIGHT over their head. It says:

Title 23 VAC 10-210-2050 A. Sales. The tax applies to sales of photographs, portraits, prints, slides from camera film, photostats, blueprints, frames, camera film, etc. The tax does not apply to charges for developing films (including movie films) and coloring or tinting photographs. The tax is applicable to the total charge to the customer for a photograph, slide, etc., including, but not limited to, charges for labor, photocomposition, setting design, photography time, and any other components of the charge, regardless of whether such components are separately stated. The tax also applies to the total charge for aerial photographs, security photographs, audio-visual films, and similar items produced under a contractual agreement which includes design time and similar labor charges.

But you know? All in all, I’m so thankful to be able to own a business. And if this is what it takes, no matter how annoying? It’s ok. I’ll pay it to be able to do what I do. And on that note, enjoy a 1.2 dogwood portrait.