Imagine: SELF

One of the things that I am trying to do this year is really expand my creativity. I have lots and LOTS of ideas that flow through my mind but chasing around 2 kids kinda makes me forget them lol. I am trying really hard to write my creative ideas down and then take the next step and do something with it! I have desperately wanted to do self portraits but am totally uncomfortable in FRONT of the camera. I can look at a beautiful woman or sweet couple and tell them which way to tilt their head, move their shoulder, etc. When it comes to me getting in front of the camera, I completely freeze up and don't know how to pose myself. I guess this comes with years of self doubt and lack of confidence (but I am working on that). In my mind for these self portraits, I wanted something very bright and breathtaking. Some women have flawless skin, great body language, and can just move at ease. I on the other hand, have scars from teenage sabotage :) (acne), a body of a woman that just had a second child, and the grace of a toddler standing in high heels trying to walk across the room.

I headed outside (my backyard, isn't it beautiful!!) with my trusty tripod and camera remote. I left the kiddos inside playing because it was waaayyy too hot to be out there. I can see inside my house from where I am shooting. I set up my camera, fix the settings to where I wanted them, programmed the remote to the camera, and began my self portrait journey. Now, someone watching me not knowing what I was doing would probably think I have just lost my mind. Here is this crazy girl in high grass, running back and forth to a camera. Then she sits down on the ground and moves around like a bee is flying around her! I have to admit, I probably looked pretty silly with some of the moves and poses I was trying. Remembering that I am very ummm, the opposite of graceful, I was attempting to run back and forth in my lovely pink high heels. I quickly decided to run barefoot and slip the heels on when I was ready for them to show. After all is said and done, I am in love with the way these pictures turned out. I just wanted to post these to let other women (and men) know that it's not about how you look at yourself, but how you envision yourself. I feel that these self portraits have brought on more self confidence and a love for how God has made me. I know that I do not have the perfect body. I eat healthy, minus my chocolate addiction, I am pretty active, and I a have a pretty clean lifestyle. This is MY body and my 4 year old tells me I am beautiful all the time!

See more from this session on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Landrum.Studios

Makes My Heart Sing

Business is booming lately and I love it. I have had a few photo shoots lately and I am so thankful for the beautiful people that I am meeting and thankful that I get to capture such a precious moment in their lives. At the beginning of every session, my nerves get started up and my brain juices get to flowing. I am so excited to be working with these wonderful families, nervous that they feel comfortable with me and in my home studio. I can just read the feelings on the mom's face during the shoots. She is thinking, "Oh I hope you can get some decent shots because my child/baby because I feel like all they are doing is running wild/crying." I love showing them some sneak peaks a couple days later because I have so much joy to show them exactly how perfect and precious their child is. My heart jumps out of my chest and sings a lovely song when I have so many great shots to choose from. After I finish working on every set of photos, I think, "Wow this one is my most favorite." Then I have another set that tugs at my heart strings. Here are a few of my favorite things!

Being a Grown Up

You know that feeling you get when something happens in your life and you just think, I am really a grown up now. It happens when you have kids, or buy a house or car and you just say to yourself, I am not a kid anymore, this is for real. I had this experience 2 days ago. I know I am an adult. I'm pushing 30 for goodness sake and I have 2 kids. I received tax forms in the mail for my photography business and I just thought, this is not a game. If I mess this up I can be in some big trouble. How scary is it to be "grown up"?! I am excited about this new journey for our family and my business but boy it can be intimidating. Well, that's enough of my thoughts today. On to editing pics of this sweet baby from yesterday!