What to be thankful for.

I have so many things to be thankful for, yet sometimes I forget. Bad days, inconveniences and tough situations make it easy to brush off the things we should be thankful for. So I am going to make a list of things I am thankful for (of course I couldn’t possibly name everything because we would be here all day).

• The roof over my head

• Clean/running water

• My warm blankets!

• Food in my fridge

• Clean clothes and shoes

• A loving family

• Caring, devoted friends

• My (mostly) behaved dog

• My loving boyfriend who usually supports my hopes and dreams (apparently, having 30 dogs and a pet moose isn’t an option)

• Fresh air

• The ability to live freely and peacefully

• Being healthy

• Learning new skills

• The cute little grunting noise piglets make

• The beauty of changing seasons

• People who sacrifice being with their families to serve and protect others’

• Being able to pick up the phone and talk to just about anybody

• The fact that my dog will stay still for photos

• My camera and gear

• The ability and opportunities to work toward my dreams

• Pizza

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Don’t forget to acknowledge and be thankful for all the things you have that others may not.

∆ Abbi

Things to ask your photographer before your photoshoot.

There are plenty of things you’ll need to know before any kind of photography session, but some things can be ambiguous. Asking your photographer the right questions will iron out any misunderstanding and confusion you may have.

How long will the session be?

Some sessions may only be an hour, but some may be two or three, maybe more. It all depends on what kind of session you are doing. Senior photos tend to go quicker, but newborn photos can take much longer. It’s important to understand how much time you are working with so you can make the most of your and the photographer’s time.

What should I wear?

As a photographer, I usually prefer to shoot solid colors over prints and patterns. I do like patterns, but they need to be implemented correctly, otherwise they become a distraction. Ultimately, the choice is up to the client, but there are some things you need to keep in mind. If you plan on displaying the photograph on your wall, choose colors that compliment your walls well. You definitely don’t want to get your photos back and find out that it clashes horribly with your decor. Good photographers will keep this in mind and help you decide which colors work best.

In what way will the photographs be delivered?

Many photographers provide digital copies of the photos, while some photographers only offer prints and other printed products. There is no one right way to deliver photos, but you need to make sure you know what you want and make sure that the photographer is offering what you want. Here’s my little piece of advice: Order prints! The digital age is upon us. It’s easy to just take the digital images and forget them. Get them printed and hang them on your wall. Share them with your family! You won’t regret it!

How long will it take for me to receive the photos?

Most photographers need a couple weeks at the very least to get everything organized and edited. The length of time depends on how many clients the photographer takes on and how many photos they took during the session. When the photographer gives you a timeline, make sure to respect the timeline, as they have many other clients who are just as eager to view their photos.

What information do you need from me?

Lastly, there are a lot of things your photographer will need to know from you. Information they need could range from your availability to things about your personality. Again, a good photographer will be prepared to ask you all the questions they will need to perform their job effectively. Don’t be afraid to reach out and see if there is anything the photographer might need.

You shouldn’t have to worry about any of these things, though, because hopefully your photographer will already have all of these things, and more, in mind, but it never hurts to be prepared.

∆ Abbi

Why you shouldn't worry about buying the latest gear.

You’ve heard the advertisements before:

“Come get the latest and greatest smartphone/computer/camera/etc.!”

It’s tempting to want the latest things. These companies offer more and more each time, promising better results and more success, especially in the world of photography. And of course, I’m not picking on these companies because they allow us to continue doing what we love.

Don’t get me wrong, nicer gear allows great photographers to achieve more, but my point is that you don’t need the most expensive or latest gear to be a good or even great photographer.

This doesn’t even apply to just photography, it applies to any form of art.

If you are focused (haha photography pun) on the craft and improving yourself, it doesn’t matter what gear you have, so long as you have the ability to create. You can always get better gear later.

Anybody can go out and buy the best instrument, paint brushes, clay, dance shoes, etc. but they will not automatically make somebody a great artist. The artist comes from within.

∆ Abbi

I dropped my lens into my dog's water bowl.

Well, actually, I didn’t see it happen.

Several nights ago, I ran upstairs to my room to get my camera out because the moon looked really cool and I wanted to capture it.

Fast forward to a couple nights ago. I went up to my room to tidy up a bit. I glanced at my dog’s water bowl and one of my lenses was just having a little swim.

So of course I was like, “What the heck??” I’m guessing that in my shuffle to grab my camera, the lens just fell out and I didn’t see it.

Naturally, I was pretty upset because camera gear isn’t cheap, but I did learn a valuable lesson not to store my camera gear near any kind of liquid.

In the end, I decided to laugh about it, because there’s nothing I can do to change the situation! Two good things did come of it, though. First, I ended up getting a different lens and I fell in love with it instantly! I should’ve dropped that other lens in the water sooner! Second, my brother is a mechanical nerd, so I figured he would have a good time disassembling it to see how it works!

The moral of the story: You can gain just as much from a bad situation as you can from a good one. Focus on positivity and you’ll see positivity.

∆ Abbi

6 Ways Cope When You're In a Slump

The last few weeks have been quite a motivational struggle for me. I know I am not the only one. It’s getting colder, it’s getting darker, and for those of you in Iowa, you know the weather has been absolutely terrible!

I would say most if not all of us will experience a slump at some point in our life, but you can’t let it discourage you. There are ways that can help alleviate these feelings of idleness. These are a few things that I do.

Drink Tea

Having a warm drink can soothe your body and mind. Tea is aromatic, too, and that can really help you feel a lot better! I usually go for an herbal tea that does not have caffeine, or a green tea that has minimal caffeine. Either way, drinking tea is a great way to settle you down, warm you up, and keep you hydrated.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to balance your mind, and you don’t always have to set aside a lot of time to do it. Throughout my day, I will close my eyes and focus on a feeling or sound for about 10 seconds or so. Breathing is also important when you do this! When I focus on a positive feeling or sound, it reboots my thinking onto a more motivated path.

Go To Bed Early

It’s important to get enough sleep each night, because you literally need sleep to survive. If I am having a bad day, sometimes an extra hour of sleep can make a big difference. I wake up feeling a lot more positive and ready for another day.

Talk To Friends and Family

Socialize! Call somebody on the phone and have a real conversation with them. It doesn’t have to be about your day or about how you’re feeling, but having a casual conversation with another person can really boost your spirits. I like to talk to my brother, parents, or even my grandparents!

Cuddle/Play With My Dog

Dogs are great because they’re always up for an adventure, even if it’s just throwing a ball down the hallway! You’ll spot my dog, PJ, a few times in my Pet Photography Gallery. He’s the black dog with white chest markings and socks. Giving him extra play time and belly scratches always makes me feel happy and it makes him happier too. If you have a pet, give them some extra attention. It’ll be good for both of you!

Do the Task That I’m Dreading

Sometimes it’s best to just rip off the bandage. Putting off the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, etc. makes my lack of motivation even worse in many cases. If I can muster up the energy to just do the tasks that I don’t want to do, most of the time, it will push me to do more and my motivation problem is gone! The hardest part is starting.

We can’t let our slump get the best of us, because we are all better than that. Ask others for help and learn to rely on yourself for motivation. If you can do those things, you will be okay!

∆ Abbi