Well hello there, 2013. Although many people out there thought we wouldn’t even see the light of day come January 2013 (literally) I knew you’d still be here. Which is good, because 2013 is going to be a a fabulous year! So many awesome creatives around me are gearing up for a great year as well with courageous goals, plans of new branding, new websites and perhaps even a fresh start. I’m not sure yet what 2013 has in store for me. No, I haven’t made a list of a zillion resolutions or even a “13 in 13” list that I hope to get accomplished in the next 355 days or so. I’m just in the beginning phases of laying out my vision for 2013, and even I don’t know what it’s going to look like yet. I’m learning to be still and let my vision cook s l o w l y. I’m taking my time in evaluating what worked – and what didn’t work in 2012 and the lessons that I learned from each. Goal setting in 2013 for me is more of a process than a lengthy to-do list.
But one thing I know for sure is that I need to shoot more for myself. I spend a good majority of my time behind the lens shooting for other people (which I’m grateful for, don’t get me wrong), but I’m always left with a sense of guilt for not capturing more of my own life as it happens. Especially my little ones. With my big girl camera. I have thousands of tiny little images on my phone strewn throughout the world of Instagram and Facebook, but not enough that I physically have. Printed. In my hands. Of my own children. My little Nashy Pants is going to be ONE next month. ONE. How on earth did that happen? Did I capture enough of his first little year, sure. But did I really catch the essence of his, all his little Nashyisms and everything in between? Certainly not. And Jillian … only a few times in front of my camera for her. Which makes me really, deeply sad. And I don’t want to be sad about it anymore.
I see so many great projects going on a round me by photographers and creatives alike that always start off with a bang come Jan 1 and I have to admit, I even felt guilty for not jumping on that wagon. But an image a day with my real camera? Yes, that was too lofty a goal for me, I’ll admit it. But then I came across an idea by the lovely Robyn Oakenfold that hit home and felt just right. She called it Project 52. One photograph, each week, each child. And I knew in my heart of hearts that wouldn’t be asking too much and at the end of the year I would have 52 shots of my kids being … kids. No set up shoots, fancy clothes, bribes if they do what I ask. Just them being them. So here is Week One of my Project 52. Enjoy.
First up is Nash. Who has been crawling for the past month or so. He’s super fast and into everything. He’s been looking at the stairs for the past week, and I can see his little mind at work wondering how he can possibly climb them. And his favorite past time? chasing around our kitty, AJ. And then grabbing him by the ears and “snuggling” him. I’m sure the cat thinks he’s being tortured, but it’s all that little baby hands know.
And then Jillian. Who’s officially 6 now. And she know it all. Really, she does. Tonight at dinner (dressed in her princess dress of course!) she stood up and declared that she’s going to be giving everyone in the house a massage tonight. I swear I have no idea where she comes up with this stuff. Oh, wait. It’s gets better. And that the first massage is free, but the next one is $1.75. And that every one after that is $1.39. But if mommy and daddy pay together she will give us a discount and that our massages will be $4.99 for 10 weeks. Yes, those were her exact words. And as you can see, she was dead serious. It was pretty funny. But that’s my Jillian. She’s going to be a brilliant telemarketer someday.
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