I’ve had this post in my head for a while now. It wasn’t until Turning Tides that I really started to evaluate what it all meant. I love social media. I love facebook. I don’t get out much so it helps me to feel connected to everyone in both business and personal relationships I have. It makes me feel like there’s an outside world and although I am up to my elbows in poopie diapers, dishes, and laundry, I am a part of it. When I was at the retreat I had told Jess that I was relieved to hear her say that she didn’t love blogging because I didn’t think I did either. Well, now that I am home and have had some time to process I think my view has shifted a bit and become more streamlined. Let me explain.
Prior to the retreat I don’t think I loved blogging because I was looking at it the wrong way. I was looking at it as an obligation. That I had to blog about every shoot that I did, and each little thing that happened in my life. How could I possibly keep up with other people? Well. After the retreat and honing in on the idea of Turn Down The Noise I am looking at it more as a fun release of the silly thoughts in my brain and the great shoots I get to do along the way. I also don’t know that I had anything to say before the retreat. Going there made me feel stronger in my convictions and much more confident in my feelings. Maybe I was too scared to put myself out there. But Lauren showed us what can happen when you share yourself with others.
That being said, I am lucky to have the choice of how I want to share.
I don’t love Instagram. There. I said it. To me, its like going back to Big Wheels after I’ve been riding on a Harley.
I don’t love Pinterest for photography ideas either. Jess gave us her reasons, and I think they’re great ones. Why would you want your clients telling you how to create your art and vision? I don’t. I want them to trust my talents to create one of a kind and unique imagery for them. I don’t need other people’s ideas to do that. I will keep it for decorating ideas in my home, kid ideas, and recipes, but that’s it.
I don’t love twitter. It’s annoying to me to use because I tweet it, then it gets re-tweeted, then it goes to facebook, then more comments get added, but in a completely new thread. Why don’t I just post it on my facebook business page to begin with? Sometimes it’s just too much for me! It’s overwhelming!
I’m turning down the noise and simplifying my life. Because in all reality, there are things that are MUCH more important for me to be focusing on. That’s not to say someday I won’t do MORE things with those apps or tools, but just that I will spend more time on one channel of communication than others.
I love facebook. I need therapy because I love it so much. There’s even an MSNBC special report called The Facebook Obsession. I’ve seen it. Three times. That’s how much I love facebook.
My blogging has taken on a new role now as well. I blog when I can, and look at it as a way for me to tell the story of my images and the experience of photographing my clients from my own perspective. I can get out the images and emotions that I am so excited about when I am shooting and editing, and I am able to look back and feel my heart ignite with happiness while reliving that moment or experience when I’m looking over my final post. It’s such an amazing feeling to share my heart with the world, because I want to, not because I have to.
