Determination and the Purpose of this Blog // 08.13.15

Perhaps this is something that I should've clarified when I started this blog, but that was back then I wasn't blogging very often, so it probably wouldn't have done me much good anyway. However, it is now my intention to blog more regularly, and by that I mean more than just my portfolio and session work. Without a purpose, this blog is perhaps a bit directionless and meaningless, and that's definitely not my desire. So that is why I undertook the writing of this smallish blog post- to help you, the reader, friend, family, and client, understand that this blog isn't just to show you my good side and nothing more, but to not only better know me and catch a glimpse of my life, and to also understand why I do what I do, and to keep y'all in the "know" of my business. I don't want to just share the good times when everything is great and wonderful and looking bright, but also the bad times as well, when I feel like an absolute failure. Because, most assuredly, I don't have a perfect life in the least, and I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not. Too often than not we tend to look at all our "friends" from social media and think how desirable their lives seem, when really, we don't see their day-to-day life of troubles and woes, just like ours. We're also inclined to put 'celebrities' (i.e. people we admire) on a pedestal, when really, their lives aren't much different from our own, unless of course you want to account success.

So, here I am, open and raw. I want to share with you who I am, and that's a big step for me, because I've always been so shy and reserved. Introverts have always seemed like cautious extroverts compared to me. Now, there's a fine line between personal and too personal, so don't get me wrong. Over-sharing personal life can make people uncomfortable, and that's definitely not my intention. First of all I would like to say that I'm always making mistakes, just like everyone else. That's what makes us human and flawed. And as the writer of this blog, everything I write and post is a display of my business (raesusanna.com), because this blog is a just a small (but important) portion of my business and website. I also don't want to use this blog as a recourse to complain. Sure, I'll probably end up sharing through some pretty difficult times of my life and business, but it will in no way be a pity party. We learn by our mistakes, are strengthened through our trials, and grow if we get back up and keep going. More than anything, I want to be positive in everything I write for this blog, even when I'm down and unquestionably failing at everything I do. There is always hope for tomorrow, and each morning is a new day to try all over again.

I guess I should say that the main purpose of this blog will be to educate my readers, and more importantly clients. People like to relate to what's being written, so how could y'all relate to anything in my life, as a mom, wife, photographer, etc., if I never share anything beyond portfolio work? I want this blog to be ripe with positivity and show how driven I am to learn and grow. I'm obviously not a success, so who would want to read about my life and see my work, much less trust me with the very important job of capturing their special moments? Well, we all start somewhere. Jasmine Star shared a very beneficial blog post and video today about success (link here). 

She said, "There are moments when it's easy to look at others and think success came easy to them, they were gifted with luxuries we weren't, and/or they're predisposed to awesomeness. But don't let these thoughts cloud reality. The most successful people are those who have failed again and again, but found a way to get up, learn, and get better."

I may be a nobody, because really, no one has every heard of Rachel Law: photographer. I've never been anyone of consequence, I've never had beauty or brains, and I'm definitely not rich or famous, but I've always been stubborn. And stubbornness can be very handy, if applied correctly. Jasmine Star used the word 'grit.'  

Again she says, "Success goes to those who hustle. All the time, every time. But in order to become successful, you'll have to learn how to deal with--and overcome--failures. Those who work through consistent failures with grace are known as GRITTY."

I want this blog to be a demonstration of grit, determination, courage, and perseverance. Because that's what it takes to be a photographer in all it's professional form. Anyone can pick up a camera, which is why it's a tough world for the real hardy photographers out there. But we shouldn't be impeded, because with our zeal for doing what we love we can overcome all odds. All it takes is lots of determination, patience, and hard work. Lots and lots of work. It's not all glamour and roses. I'm going to fail time and time again, but those times will be my true test. Do I give up, or keep going? That will determine my success. And thank goodness, because if success hinged on beauty, brains, or riches, I'd be out of the game for good. 

August, Summer, and Eva // 08.05.15

Dannie, Eva, and I have been trying to take advantage of summer as much as we can before it's over, even if it just means going to the park in the cooler evening hours. Sometimes we go for a walk, every now and then a bike ride, and other times I just want to take my camera. Eva, of course, loves being able to run around in the grass, smell the flowers, play on the little playground area, dance and jump in her pretty dresses and twirly skirts, and currently isn't afraid of bugs. But that will come soon enough with being a girl. Eeek. She is also fascinated by all the dogs at the park, because there are countless dog walkers (is that even a word?) every time we go.

I can't get enough of Eva's little girl wonder of the world. She makes the best out of everything, because with being a baby, she doesn't really know much quite yet, so even the simplest things are grand. The grass is greener, the sky is bluer, and the world is bigger in her eyes than in mine. My problem is that I get distracted by problems in life, and forget to bask in the beauty of life- even mundane, normal life. Being a toddler, Eva has no worries, because Dannie and I give her everything she needs. So this was what I tried to capture over the past couple of days. We took her to the park and just let her roam around. I wanted to see what she'd do, where she'd go, what she'd get into, and then capture it all. Truth be told, it was haaaaarrrrrd to get these pictures because she is constantly on the move, and by on the move I mean running as fast as her little legs can go. That means I have to chase her everywhere just to try to get a picture, and not being an outstanding photographer, it seems like I'm always missing out on the best shots. I have to act like a maniac just to get her attention for one second, so needless to say I have to set my shutter speed really high. Plus, she won't stand still long enough for the pictures I want to get. I will say this over and over and over again, even though I love my daughter, and I love getting pictures of her, I greatly dislike photographing toddlers. I will do it, but couples and weddings are what really excite me.

My poor husband puts up with a lot from me and my camera. He works a challenging, stressful, laborious job all day, five to six days of the week, and yet still obliges me when I want to go shoot for a few hours after he gets home. Sometimes my incessant talking about all things photography irks him juuuuust a bit, but he always listens, tries to understand, and even poses for pictures sometimes, albeit quite reluctantly. I probably don't thank him enough, but I am very appreciative of his listening ear. 

Totally off subject here, but my husband is from Brown County, which basically means he comes from a hick town and is majorly countrified (without a Southern accent, or at least a redneck one, you just can't read that word right). I've also lived in the country many times (before getting married my family moved at least a dozen times), but I've actually come to like living in town, or at least really close. Now, I definitely wouldn't want to live in the city (think Indianapolis), but living in Franklin is a lot nicer than I thought. We walk to Kroger, and the park is just five minutes down the road. It's so convenient having everything we need and want at our fingertips. I especially love the fact that I have less house to clean in an apartment compared to our old house, but that's another subject for another time.