Though with the week we’ve just had, you never would know it!

I have been lax at updating my blog lately – yes I have been busy shooting, and yes, having two children (especially when one is just 9 months old) is a bit more work than having just one, even with help – but I suppose those really are no excuses. Truth is, I have also been doing a bit of soul searching. That is the problem with artists I suppose - perhaps we mull too much? I have discussed some of my thoughts with some of my artist friends, and they agree that we can be a dissatisfied lot at times. It doesn’t help that we are often not happy with our work (not a bad thing, since this causes us to always strive to be better), but I think it is not always an emotionally healthy thing – that is, to always feel that I can be better, that something is “missing,” etc. I mean, there are days when I think to myself “yeah, right” when people tell me how beautiful my work is, etc., etc.

So yes, I have been doing some mulling lately, and asking myself some deep questions. I also recently attended a workshop for some inspiration. This workshop was held at Elevator Digital, and the instructor is a renowned Australian photographer by the name of Nicole Boenig-McGrade. I knew she was going to cover a little bit of the basics (as most of the attendants were not professional photographers), but I wanted to see her because I love her work. I wanted to hear her talk about what inspires her. Then it hit me – all the photographic artists whom I admire and whose work I love are natural light, on-location, FILM artists. So then I ask myself, why am I not shooting on-location? Why am I not using natural light? And most importantly, why am I not using film, when I believe that the most beautiful, longest lasting prints are fiber-based prints made in the traditional wet darkroom? It really has to be seen to be believed – fiber prints g-l-o-w.

Shoot from your heart, Nicole says. I really think this is important. For those who are curious, Nicole’s work can be seen at her website, http://www.nicoleboenigmcgrade.com – please do check out her work. Then try to imagine these pieces of artwork as 20×24 prints, printed on fiber-based gelatin silver photographic paper…

And while I’m at it, I also recently discovered the work of Heather McKay Bowes – http://www.heathermckaybowes.om – and Suzanne Revy – http://www.suzannerevy.com – both of them also work with film. Call me a dinosaur, but there truly is nothing like true black and white film.

Where am I going with this? I really don’t know for sure. I know my studio lights very well, and I certainly am skilled at working those lights to flatter the maternity form, and I also can “work my magic” with babies and children. But sometimes I feel that something is missing. It is that “something missing” that I am seeking to find. It is about leaving my comfort zone.

More to come on this, that I promise you.

My blog is in need of more attention, I know I know! But between tax season, the Children’s Trunk Show, and of course my client sessions, it is so hard to update this blog. I used to do most of my updating after my kids have gone to bed, but my 8 month old is becoming increasingly more difficult – he has mommy radar! It seems like the second I leave his room, he senses it, and wakes up immediately.

Anyway. I am so sorry to keep this family waiting. I know mom and dad have been waiting patiently for a preview. So I’ll keep this short and simply say that Baby G, as you can see, is quite a photogenic little guy!!