“My creative process is quite slow. I hear melodies in my head while I'm washing the dishes and I allow my subconscious to do the work.”

Sinead O’Connor

Dear Artist,

Sometimes we have big feelings about our craft. While I was in the middle of these feelings, I wrote down my thoughts. Then when I was feeling better, I replied to myself. It’s been a newsletter in the making for a while, and hopefully, it’s worth the pondering.

My work is stuck

You haven’t picked up your camera for ages, or fleetingly. I know this might be hard to hear, but “Creating is Doing”. There is no creativity without action or movement. If the urge to pick up your camera is low, do something else. Paint, bake, write, or learn a new dance. Fill your cup outside of photography or your medium. Show her grace and kindness by doing something just for the fun of it.

My work is small.

You are shooting and creating often. Sometimes, the result feels smaller than the idea you imagined. Somehow it feels flatter or joyless. And often, when we go through growth stages, it can feel like it did when we first started. It takes up more of our mental energy. Often when we try new techniques or edit a little different, it is like trying on a new pair of jeans; they aren’t comfortable. Maybe your work is smaller, but go back through your past work and see how far you've come. Make sure you are on the right path and haven't changed it unconsciously. Look for the work you love and see what is missing in your current work. Your creativity is patient; she'll wait while you connect with your intuition again.

Your work is good but not great.

Hand on heart, I think many of us sit in here for a long while. It's not a bad place to be. It can get frustrating, though, as we long for all the work we put in to manifest into great work. We see glimpses of it, but it's not a sure thing. Photography and creativity are a long journey, with many side trips. It's not a race, and yet we feel like time is short. Show your creativity a little grace by enjoying the process. You picked up the camera to tell stories; enjoy these stories. Enjoy your craft and your good work. She's worth it.

Your work is bang on. I'm living the dream.

Congratulations! You're flourishing, and you are enjoying the fruits of your labour. Your creativity shines, and others are attracted to it. Again, enjoy the abundance and embrace it. Remember to continue to nurture and nourish your creativity. She's not a workhorse and needs time for rest. It's up to you to honour your craft plus your energy levels. We all want a boss to blame for long hours and feeling overworked, but we are that boss. Schedule in time for you, whether it's a creative model call or something just for fun. Mostly, enjoy this happy place. Your creativity is illuminated, and she is smiling with you.

Personal Projects: HOLDING ON //LETTING GO

There’s one week left before the first instalment of the motherhood project. Eeeeeeeek! Where has the time gone? It's coming along nicely. Please message me if you have sent an email and I haven't replied. Gmail has been sketchy lately. Other than that, I am beyond excited to share it with you and grateful to those who said YES!. I've had tears and goosebumps.

Books, Podcasts, Posts and words of wisdom that nourish my creativity.

Spend a Day Apart From Your Camera to Recharge Your Eyes and Your Heart
”Imagine you are a tourist, for example. Put yourself in a new and exciting place, experiencing things you have never seen before and meeting people whose cultures and speech are different than your own. You are excited, awed, and in love with the experience of life.”

This is a blog post filled with words of creative wisdom. Pause your day to read it here

Until next time, please take care.