Taking My Photography To The Next Level

I will take my photography habit to the next level - This year I will start charging for my photography. I have come to realize that if I do not value my work, why would anybody else.

My first opportunity to achieve this goal game early in 2016 when I was approached about doing an engagement shoot. I even wrote up a contract...it was my only contract for the year. This was my first paid gig. It was SO hard to charge, but boy did it feel good to receive money to help fund my 'habit.' Here is just one of my favs.

While I have been the second shooter once before for a wedding, I had the chance again to do it, but this time I was paid for my services. What an honor to be asked to be the second shooter for a wedding. There are so many out there who would jump at that chance so I feel blessed that Sarah felt I was worthy enough to be her second shooter. I'd love to post more, but there just isn't enough room.

I also had the opportunity to give back with my photography as a piece of my work is blown up and hanging in the Depot at church. This is a train-themed room where parents drop off their kiddos for Sunday School. Last year I went hiking at the only railroad tracks in Oregon that are legal to hike. It is very humbling knowing that one of my photos, larger than life, is hanging on the wall at the church where I attend.

This summer, I was hired to shoot a combination anniversary/birthday party for a couple at the church I attend.  If you know me, you know I would much rather shoot landscapes, nature, etc., than people. People can be difficult; it can be a challenge to get everyone in the group to look at you, or to smile, or to be comfortable, etc.  Again, God is good though as he grows me, as well as my photography. It was an honor that the couple felt that my skills were what they wanted to document two large events in their life. Bartering my skills is just as good as money, and for this occasion, I received a weekend at the couple's beach house. I was able to take my family for a family beach weekend. I hope they enjoyed their pictures as much as I enjoyed their beach house.

I had another opportunity to develop my people photography skills even further when I was asked to volunteer my skills for the annual Woodburn Firehouse Cookoff and be the official photographer of record. I was apprehensive about doing this as this is a huge event in our community and I did not want to disappoint anyone; however, if I truly want to grow my skills, I am going to have to step out of my comfort zone. It was a very hot and exhausting day, but it was a lot of fun.

This goal was about taking my photography habit to the next level, and I think I achieved that. The last opportunity this year came in September when I was approached about doing a shoot for a preschool that was opening at the church where I attend. One of my photos was published in the local newspaper, The Woodburn Independent. What an honor that was. While I still prefer to shoot items in nature, I am every thankful for the opportunities to develop and improve my skills. http://www.pamplinmedia.com/wbi/152-news/321665-201435-woodburn-couple-opening-bilingual-preschool

I had yet another opportunity to reach this goal a few months later when I was approached about selling five prints. Don't tell them, but I would have given them the prints for free. I did feel a sense of pressure though since she worked at the Tulip Farm, was moving out of state, and wanted prints as a reminder of her time there. No amount of money could have brought more satisfaction than knowing out of all the people and pictures they could have chosen, they chose mine.

Smartphone Detox Anyone?

Detoxes are often given major publicity from celebrities everywhere, but they are also beaten down by health professionals because there is not proof to back up half of the cleanses that are trending around the social media world. For all of you who are sticking their noses in their air, thinking that you are too good to follow the detox steps of the Kardashians, I dare you to do this one. The Smartphone Detox.

We are the first people to joke about being addicted to smartphones, but being too obsessed is unproductive and unhealthy. When you cannot go 20 minutes without checking your phone or you sleep with it under your pillow, it is time for an intervention.

This weeklong plan is practical and doable but totally effective.

Monday - Unfollow people who aren't your real friends, unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, and delete apps you don't use.

The detox starts off easily.

I unfollowed roughly 30 people on Instagram and 15 to 20 ‘friends’ on Facebook. I thought I was going to notice that these people were off of my timelines, but I never did. It was actually extremely satisfying. I deleted probably 10 to 15 apps off my phone that I found I was never using. I unsubscribed from 15 email lists. I recommend doing this even if you do not want to take part in the whole week. My inbox became a little less cluttered and the annoying notifications came fewer and further between.

Tuesday - Turn off push notifications.

This was my favorite day. I turned off every notification besides my text message notifications. Everything else I turned off. No more Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Yahtzee.

After this day, I honestly found myself looking at my phone less and less. You do not realize how often your phone is notifying you of something until you turn off the notifications. I started believing in this detox after Tuesday.

Wednesday - Resist the urge to look at your phone first thing in the morning.

This is where the detox started getting difficult. The first thing I do every morning is look at my phone. I usually even lay in bed 15 minutes longer than I should because I find myself on Facebook and catching up on my games. Even when I tell myself I am not going to, I still do it. When I woke up, I immediately went to the bathroom, then down the hall to my office to start my computer for work before heading to the kitchen for coffee. I never checked it one time. I began to start my day without my phone because I forgot about it. I could not believe how fast I got ready for the day without my phone.

Thursday - Set up a charging station outside of your bedroom, and do not look at your phone an hour before bed.

Again, another difficult day. If you are anything like me, you spend an extra half hour in bed reading social media before going to bed. You head to bed at 11 to 11:30 pm but do not find yourself putting your phone down and rolling over until 11:30 to 12. It happens every night, even when I am not tired.

Friday - Go out to dinner, and leave your phone at home.

I did not end up going to dinner, but, I left my phone in my bedroom for the entire meal. I never realized that my phone is such a distraction even when it is in my purse or my pocket. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner without any interruptions on my part. I recommend doing this even if you are not completing the whole week. It is necessary for this day and age.

Saturday - Spend the day not looking at or posting to social media.

Again, this one was a bit tough as I had started making my Christmas cards with friends this day. I picked up my phone, took a picture, and began to post and then remembered...no posting. I do my share of posting, but I am more of a looker. Early in the day, this was much more difficult, but it did get easier as the day went on. It is surprising how it can just be a habit to check your social media.

Sunday - Turn off your smartphone for the entire day.

Literally impossible, right? Now I did keep my phone on for the texts, just in case somebody needed to contact me (most did not know I was doing a smartphone detox so were not aware that I would not be available via my smartphone). I did make a conscious effort to act as if it was off. Let me tell ya, my day was great. No distractions, no notifications; just a calm, happy Sunday.

All in all, this was necessary for me to really part ways with my smartphone. Yes, I broke some of the rules here and there, but overall it was so worth it. If you even think for a second you might be obsessed with your phone, you need to do this detox. It’s a week later and all the apps I deleted are still off of my phone. I only turned back on a few of the notifications, and my phone charges in the other room. It changed my life in more ways than one.

TRY IT.