If I had to isolate one thing that I love the most about myself or the one thing that I think is the best part of me, it would be my art.  Making things has been a part of my life since I was little.  I was lucky enough to attend a visual arts high school here in Houston that really helped me develop that side of myself.  From high school on, making things has become an exercise that I cannot live without.  I've tried mind you.  There have been periods in my life without art.  It never lasted long and I'd find myself crafting or gardening or doing something creative.  My hands cannot be idle for too long.  I get a little crazy, depressed and confused.  Now I know these signs but for years I'd just get all bent out of shape and unhappy and not really know why.

 

My husband is an attorney and from the outside his work may not look real creative but in reality he is.  He is a wonderful writer.  He crafts contracts like a novelist crafts his novels.  He geeks out on words and the nuances of the sentences.  Other lawyers read his writing and compliment him on how perfect it is.  He also writes nice stories and the best love letters ever.

 

With my photography I am given the chance to be creative almost every day.  It's not easy though.  Recently I am finding out that my creativity (and I think everyones) is not a never ending stream.  It has to be tended to and nurtured.

 

If I just shoot, shoot and keep shooting and do nothing to fill the creative gas tank it eventually starts to run dry.  I find myself stuck, frustrated, bored and anxious about the work that I am doing.  I start making mistakes and I lose my focus.  This is true of everyone whether you are making photographs, being a stay-at-home parent, writing novels, being a lawyer or whatever you may do every day.

 

We all need to find a way to fill up the creative gas tank.  For me, it means stepping out of what I do every day and doing something a little different.  It means taking pictures that I may not normally take.  France did that for me.  You do not need to travel to Europe to get new creative energy though.  There are a lot of ways to get inspired.  My good friend, Brene, wrote a great post about the importance of restoring your creative energy and how vital it is to the hard job of parenting.  My partner-in-crime Danny Clark has started a new project (look here and here) that is helping him nurture his creative spirit. 

 

So, the question that I have for you is what are you doing to take care of your delicate creative energy?  Do you feel like it is waning?  I'm sure some people feel like they may have lost it entirely.  I assure you though, it never goes away completely.  It is just buried and it really wants to come out.

What does this have to do with The Monday Lesson?  If you are going to take photographs that you love, you have to get creative.  How are you going to do that?  This is the question that I am posing to you today.  Here are some ideas:

 

- Journal- keep a little "idea book".  Maybe it is ideas for stories that you are writing?  Maybe it is doodles, ramblings, musings, collages?  When your kids sit down to draw maybe you could too?  No one has to see these things.  They can be your secret.  Sometimes we need privacy as we start getting creative again after a time out.

 

- If you are teaching yourself photography, try taking pictures of things that you wouldn't normally photograph.

 

- Move- No not houses or anything, move your body.  Try a Nia class at Nia Moves or a dance class or martial arts.

 

- Craft

 

- Don't just watch your kids play with the moon sand or the playdough, get in on the action too.

Now that I am back at work I have been asking myself the same question.  What can I do to keep my work vibrant, personal and unique?  What do I need to do to keep myself excited and keep the energy going?  Read on and I think you guys can help.

 

Saturday I had a great session with the Rahimis.  While I was taking the pictures I felt myself getting excited and I was loving the images.  It's a wonderful feeling.  I wanted to share some of them with you.

 

 

 

Newborn photography is a favorite of mine.  No matter how many newborn sessions I do, I am always struck by how amazing babies are.  If the session goes well, the baby is relaxed and I am able to really watch them and be with them and make some great images in the process.  That is how it was on Saturday and it filled up my creative gas tank.

 

 

 

I love it when babies smile in their sleep. My grandmother used to say it was the angels talking to them.  I love that idea and whenever a baby smiles in their sleep while I am shooting I imagine an angel whispering in their ear right there next to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, my answer to keeping my creative energy flowing is to follow the work that I love and try and push myself in new directions.  I am going to try some new techniques too.  I am hoping that you guys can help.

 

Hear ye, hear ye!  This is an official model call!  I am looking for the following:

 

Newborn twins: 2-4 weeks depending on birth weight and age.  Know anyone having twins? 

Pass this along.

Newborn single babies: 2 weeks old

 

What's the catch?  What do you get?  You get a free session and a free 8x10.  What are the rules?  I will likely only photograph the baby and I get to have creative control over the session.  You will have to sign a model release.  I am using these images for my portfolio and a book that I am working on.  I will likely have an idea of what I want to do and will focus on one pose.  It won't be anything weird and you will likely love it as well!  Questions, give me a call at the studio.  (713) 255-2882.

 

OK, now go and get busy being creative.  I will too.  I'd love to hear how you get creative.  Share your ideas with us and comment!