A Pink Surprise
Last weekend, in celebration of our anniversary, my husband surprised me with an impromptu trip to Edmonton for the Pink concert.
What can I say, he does have his fleeting moments of redemption.
Seriously though, it was truly a great weekend. Everything was perfect. From the mouth watering pre-concert Italian meal at Bianco, to the luxurious stay at the historical and apparently haunted, Fairmont Hotel. A great concert, then, a delicious breakfast, after a 40 min wait, for a table - at De Dutch in downtown Edmonton.
I sat down to write something poignant and meaningful - But today those kinds of words escape me. This week has been a busy one.
Not too busy, but busy enough, with a couple of photo sessions, some inquiries, a few quotes, texts and emails. When there are none of those things, business is grim, and self esteem hitting rock bottom is just around the corner. So I shall bask in the tedious non fun end of this business, which eventually rolls into creative opportunities and getting to do what I love, which is take pictures.
Mishaps and Milestones is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Today, anxiety is at an all time high. I chalk it up to an impending weekend wedding photo job. This anxiety thing is nothing new. It’s how I dysfunctionally operate.
Ah the life of a self employed creative. Good times.
I despise the fact that the first week of September is already drawing to a close. Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. Warm and golden light, orange and brown hues. And just the right amount of warm and cool. Thankfully, here in the Sask everything is still green, so I can mind f*ck myself into thinking it’s still summer. I just don’t love the seasonal impending doom. The fact that fall, tumbles into winter. Submerging us into dark frigid days, that seem endless. The deep darkness of winter.
Alas, the downward spiral has begun. It’s cold enough in the mornings that I have resorted to sitting inside for the morning coffee and writing. I can feel myself grasping at summer moments, as it’s slowly slipping away.
Deny, deny, deny.
Garlic hangs to dry in our kitchen. A sure sign of fall.
The Anniversary
Last weekend, in celebration of our anniversary, my husband surprised me with an impromptu trip to Edmonton for the Pink concert.
What can I say, he does have his fleeting moments of redemption.
Seriously though, it was truly a great weekend. Everything was perfect. From the mouth watering pre-concert Italian meal at Bianco, to the luxurious stay at the historical and apparently haunted, Fairmont Hotel. A great concert, then, a delicious breakfast, after a 40 min wait, for a table - at De Dutch in downtown Edmonton.
Pink Concert Common Wealth Stadium Edmonton AB
On the road back to S’toon, stopped in to see some good friends for a quick over night. Made our way home on labour day Monday.
Phew it was a busy one. Not one dull moment and some great memories made.
Espresso
Which leads me into next story about my somewhat impulsive buy, that I am not yet regretting.
I could not stop fantasizing about the frothy perfectly balanced espresso that the Nespresso machine brewed in our hotel room.
This is why my husband avoids taking me fancy places. It’s a worm hole of frivolous and unattainable future expectations.
So this morning while writing, and staring into nothingness while everyone else slept, I sipped on some deliciously frothy ‘kick ya in the ass’ espresso. Then I transitioned into some coffee. I am now level 10 caffeine overdosed, which is not helping my pre weekend, wedding photo job, anxiety.
Pray for me friends.
Until next time
xx Tam
Leaving you with some pics from the weekend -
Herded like cattle into the stadium
View from room 324 at the Fairmont Macdonald Hotel Edmonton
The Styled Photography Session
Contrary to what I used to tell myself, I’m quite capable of styled shoots. They can be liberating, and inspiring. In the past I had expectations of the whole experience being mechanical and unfulfilling.
You, as the photographer and choreographer, are manipulating that narrative, your subject, and the vibe.
I felt like I was cheating on my non posed, on the fly - in the moment genre.
Styled or contrived
Contrived - To deliberately create, rather than arising naturally or spontaneously. Created or arranged.
Carolyn at the Lawrence House
Contrary to what I used to tell myself, I’m quite capable of styled shoots. They can be liberating, and inspiring. In the past I had expectations of the whole experience being mechanical and unfulfilling.
You, as the photographer and choreographer, are manipulating that narrative, your subject, and the vibe.
I felt like I was cheating on my non posed, on the fly - in the moment genre.
Elopement shoot model Kaytee stands gorgeous in this Daci Gown - Bouquet from Wild Bloom Tofino Hat - West Von
Styled Elopement Session Tonquin Beach B.C.
Styled sessions can also give a photographer the chance to collaborate with fellow photog’s. Showcasing locations, venues, stylists, florists, makeup artists, clothing lines you get the picture. This can broaden the reach to your preferred client base, create content and promote the style of photography you want to hone in on.
Also, it’s a shit ton of fun, and in this case, some pretty soul filling scenery, so theres that.
It’s a win win ..
Unless that’s not really the style of photography you are looking to promote. And then your just in it for the shits and giggles, with a creative splash of fellow photog camaraderie.
Which can be extremely therapeutic, causing you to run into the Pacific Ocean fully clothed.
Me - Image by the talented Robin Lafond
Quite often theses styled shoots take place with numerous photographers involved. You know the old saying, “too many cooks in the kitchen”
Everyone feverishly clicking away and directing poses, trying to capture one or two unique moments, the other 12 shutterbugs may have missed.
In the frenzy of it all, the chances of that happening seem pretty minuscule.
But everyone sees art in a different light, and so in the end there are usually a few moments captured that stand out to you as something you would want to call your own.
Now, where do you post all this beautiful content? When it’s not really what your photography brand is all about?
Or is it?
Well thanks, I thought you’d never ask. Why I post it on my instagram feed so I can further confuse my existing and future clientele as to what the hell I’m actually focusing on behind my lens.
Britt on Tonquin Beach
Jillian - Grid + Gertie Dress from Wild Gemini Dress Rentals
Post - Styled Photography Session
And so the battle goes of posting anything at all.
Step 1 -Torture yourself over which pictures best emanate your “photography style” whatever that is.
Step 2 - Agonize over crops, tones and finishes.
Step 3 - Close your eyes and commit. Slap those babies up on the old Instagram. Because it’s your work, and you are proud of those chosen few.
Step 4 - Don’t count the likes. Post what makes you happy. Hence my random and non conformed professional Insta feed.
In the end I always find myself longing for those impromptu happenings, those unscripted moments. Capturing a moment in time. And an opportunity to tell a story.
Those are the things that I love the most about pictures.
xx Td