I guess I am an artist of sorts..try to be anyway.

At the moment I am struggling with what I take pictures of. I have this expensive camera which I love but am not happy with what I shoot.

Sure, a lot of them are pretty and pleasing to look at but they don’t fill me with any artistic contentment. I know where I want to take my photography and what I wish I could be, but I can’t seem to get there. At times, I think having a fancy digital camera almost hinders my chance at growing as a photographer because things are so easy. Its very easy to take pretty photographs of blooming flowers and yummy gooey desserts but really…what the hell am I saying about myself with those kinds of photographs?

Maybe I have to put myself on a ban of F&F photography (food and flowers) for a few weeks or even a month. I wonder if I could do it?! I know I really want to shoot portraits more than anything. I do shoot a lot, its just unfortunate that I can’t share a lot of them. I need models, seriously!

In becoming a portrait photographer however I as a person need to grow some guts. I am such a chicken around new people so its tough.

Anyone got any tips on how you deal with this artistic blockage?

of opportunities for something you want to pursue…

In the past couple of months I have had to knock back 6 different weddings. These lovely brides and grooms have asked me to shoot their weddings and its absolutely heart breaking to tell them that I am not an actual wedding photographer. I teach 6 year olds for a living.

As I have talked about before, I am shooting my first wedding in September. Its for a very old, dear friend and someone whom knows I am no professional. Unfortunately for her, she and her new hubby will be my guinea pigs. I guess after I do that wedding, I will figure out if it is in fact, something that I would like to do more.

I adore weddings, I adore details and when I was a teenager I dreamed of being a wedding planner, so it kind of makes sense. However, I am also a very anxious person whom is nervous around new people, and I am very concerned about doing a good job. Weddings are highly stressful and I don’t know if I will actually enjoy doing it because of that.

Its so lovely to know that people like my style enough to want to ask me to do their wedding and I have felt terrible when I have had to say no to each of them. Anik, I hope you find someone fabulous!

In other photography news…look what finally came in the mail! I just loaded some film, so fingers crossed that she works!

Its a Yashica Mat 124, which is my first real foray into Medium Format photography. This is why I have been wanting to delve into the med. format world for a long time. *sigh

Its here! Its here! I have finally received my Artist Copy of our Polaroid book, For The Love of Light. I cannot contain my excitement at being published in such a magically beautiful book, let alone any book! I can tick off number 2 on my 100 List. Well, kinda…I want my own book someday.

It is such a thrill to have been included with so many amazing photographers, many of whom I have admired from afar for a long time.  Its just slightly bizarre that my ugly mug is actually on the cover too. Jen tells us that there are only a handful of books left, so be quick if you want a special edition copy. They came beautifully packaged with a print of one of the photographs. I was lucky enough to receive Ann - Kathrin Koch’s gorgeous airport print.

Today is a good day.

The books are being shipped and some have already arrived for people in the States. There are only a few left, so be quick if you would like a copy. We are really pleased with how well the book has sold and so thrilled that it has been received so well.

Hopefully my copies will arrive sometime this week! I’ll be hanging out near the mailbox a lot this week as I am also awaiting the arrival of my new Yashica Mat 124 camera. Its my first real foray into medium format photography and I can’t wait.

Sean and I just got back from a mini trip to Victoria where we got to play in the snow. We had fun and I can’t believe these holidays are over already! Another term begins tomorrow..oh my!

And this little puppy really hopes there is going to be a side show.

I’m not paying $130 to go see one band at a festival that does not entice me at all. Its taking a big risk that they will do a sideshow however. I’ve never seen them live and am desperate to!

Oh shiny, frappy gods, please do another show in Sydney and please do not let it be on the same night Mr Bright Eyes is playing.

There isn’t any info on the website as of yet, but hopefully after Parklife go on sale, we may hear something.

Message from Allison…