Hello everyone,
So we have found ourselves in quite the weird position as though we have all been grounded – not allowed to see our friends, family, be in groups of more than two people, one hour of exercise, only out for food shopping and essential work…
So, what is a photographer whose work mainly consists of meeting up with other humans meant to do??
The first week I had so much motivation, so much energy, I did so many things that had been on my list to do, and more. I finished the props I had been working on for my Easter mini sessions, even though I knew in my heart I was not going to be able to go ahead with it (this was before lockdown). Instead, you might have seen I did a self-portrait with it to post on Easter. I am hoping my eggs will survive until next year! They took so long! I even tried another self-portrait which I love.
I photographed the wedding album I had received a couple of weeks ago but had not set aside the time to photograph. Took blog photos and wrote a blog post I had meant to write for a while (not relevant at all now so it is one for the drafts).
Yes, I was getting so much done that when the first weekend came up and I slowed down; it all suddenly fell on me that I wasn’t going to be working for a while, people were dying and I couldn’t do anything about it other than stay at home!
Safe to say the second week was not as productive! Bounced back in the third week, received some lovely products to photograph from Mummy’s Marvellous Makes which proved to be a welcomed activity to get my creative juices flowing again. I am in love with the results!
Next up another shoot, I have been proud of during this time is my virtual shoot with my friend Larissa. Way out of my comfort zone but I ended up being captivated with how delicate and beautiful they turned out.
It has been challenging to adapt to these uncharted territories of not being able to do my usual work, my aim has been to refine the behind the scenes of my business, particularly my website (still not finished!) and what I offer. Working on my own branding I think will enable me to help others with their photography, even more, when I can get back to it! Educating myself, practising with whatever I can, coming up with new ideas. This will all be so beneficial in the long run!
I have been going on bike rides, doing yoga, I’ve even been trying meditation. These are all ways I have been trying to keep myself not only fit and healthy (well, I’ve also eaten a lot of cake so to counter-balance that…) but trying to not let my mind wander to the doom and gloom of it all! Staying creative has been a challenge and I’ve found my mind wanders a lot more, I have always been a bit of a procrastinator but it got worse once I didn’t have shoots to edit to put off doing website, blog etc!
Short bursts have been the best way I have found to deal with that, trying not to put pressure on myself to get it all done in one day. Having time has been wonderful to be able to figure out how I want everything to look. How I want to move forward in my business. I’ve been trying not to be too hard on myself when I have days where I just can’t seem to find the focus, we are in the middle of a pandemic, after all, Lucy!
I hope that this has been interesting to see what I have been up to so far! It is a little bit like you are all reading my diary… I think it is important to document how you have dealt with this time, even if it is a short journal entry. At some point, it will be history and it might be intriguing to come back to in the future – how did you spend your time when you had lots of it? Are there new parts to your routine you want to keep? Stuff you have realised you do not need? Check-in with yourself! And be kind as well, it is okay if you haven’t got a lot to write down, rest is also good for you.
Well, that is enough rambling from me! Thank you to those who have read this. We are all in the same storm right now, so be kind to one another, and I will see you on the other side.
Have a great day!
Lucy x