WIFM?

Ever heard that before?  WIFM?  What's in it for me?  It's a good question to ask about what you yourself are offering another person.  But not from your own perspective - from theirs.

What's in it for me?

I'm trying to write a blog.  So, I take the perspective of the reader and ask "What's In It For Me?"  In other words, what am I offering to you the reader that is of value to you.  When I ask that lately, I have no good answer.  I'm not really offering much but random thoughts and an occasional pretty picture.  So, really, why would you bother coming here?

We all have very limited time with many things competing for that time.  Why would you spend it here?  If I were you, I wouldn't.  I'm not trying to beat myself up here.  I'm not looking for your encouragement.  I'm recognizing a truth a this time in my life.

I'm in the process of starting a new computer software training business complete with business plan, website, and panic attacks of all types!  (See Targeted Content & Training on Facebook!  The website is still under development, but will be www.TargetedContentTraining.com)

I'm also in the process of learning how to be a stepmom.  And I'm learning about IEPs.

Did I mention I'm supposed to be planning a wedding?

And you all have read at various times about my struggles with my health - which, thankfully, IS getting better!!  Yay!!!

But, having all these things going on brings me to a place where I need to set some things aside and really focus.  I'm doing too much and it ends up not being done well and it affects my health too.  This blog has suffered from my lack of time, attention, and focus.  It makes me a little sad, but I've decided to shelve it, for just a little while - despite the fact that I recently started a "Help Therese Kay Photography Feed the Hungry Campaign" for new followers.  I will still feed the  hungry because I believe in doing so.

So, consider for yourself if you are spreading yourself too thin or working too  hard.  If you are, it may be time to take a few things off your list.... even if it's just for a little while.  I've been thinking about doing this for some time, but this little article helped me to make the decision.  Maybe it will help you too.  Live your life in such a way that you won't look back with too many regrets.  Human nature dictates, I think, that there will be some, but let's try to minimize them!!  http://m.guardiannews.com/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying

Help Feed the Hungry at Christmas!

Help THERESE KAY PHOTOGRAPHY feed the hungry this Christmas! For every new "Like" here or every new follower on my blog or website, THERESE KAY PHOTOGRAPHY will donate one food item to the food pantry at St. Stephen's in Lynn. Spread the word!! 

I'm starting at: 

• 140 FaceBook fans
• 17 blog followers
• 2096 visits to my website

Let's see how high we can make this!!

Thanks for helping me feed the homeless this Christmas!

Thank You!

This is a Thank You for all my loyal readers, even when I don't post regularly!

I appreciate your thoughts, your comments, and your loyalty.  To thank you for that, I'm having a sale over at my Zenfolio Gallery and hope you'll swing on by to check it out!

Go to my Zenfolio store, or one of your galleries if you've had a photo shoot with me, and apply this coupon code for 10% off your order of $10 or more.

Thank you for being a fan! Expires Monday, November 26th.

Coupon Code: Thankyou10

In the meantime, enjoy a few of my latest favorite images!

Project 365 Update

Project 365 is going along quite well.  Today is day 39.  I haven't created my image today.  I will!  I'm waiting for inspiration to strike.  On days I'm ill or super busy, it's really tough to fit this in and I do have a few snapshots up there now versus a truly thought out created image.  Nothing wrong with that.  And, on day 39, I've missed 2 days.  Those two were also due to illness.

But, I'm not throwing the baby away with the bathwater!  I'm not going to give up because I've already hit a few speedbumps.  I'm going to keep going.  I'm doing this for my own growth.  I want to learn to be creative   every day - not just on the days I feel like being creative.  I want to learn perseverance and dedication.  And I am, even though it hasn't been as consistent as I had hoped, that is part of the growth process, right?

So, I'm not going to give up despite the challenges but I'm going to keep going because of the challenges!

How are you doing this in your life?  Where are you persevering even when its difficult?  How are you continuing in the face of challenges?  Where are you showing up, even if that's all you do just so you actually showed up and were present?  Embrace that and keep going!  Join me in your own way and learn commitment and perseverance with me!

Below are a few of my favorite Project 365 images so far!  Enjoy!!

On a separate note, due to the demands of family and the training program I'm in right now (Entrepreneurial Training Program, Northern Essex Community College) you will notice a decrease in my blogging frequency.  In order to have some consistency, I'm going to do a simple image round up weekly and perhaps share some thoughts or insights on a particular image.  In other words, to the best of my ability, I'm going to show up!

In Praise of Simple Things

It's not often that I find an ad or piece of propaganda inspiring.  But, today I did.  Today Facebook put up a video that "honor[s] the everyday things that people make to get together and connect."  And most of the video was about chairs.  It was really quite clever and I might even say beautiful.

How often do we forget about the simple and beautiful things in our lives like a chair.  Or a glass to hold cold water.  Or the dish that holds our food.  Or the shoes that keep our feet warm and protected.  Or even the hot water that comes out of the shower when we turn it on.

I want to remember these little things and be grateful.  There is so much to be grateful for.  I hope to catch and remember some of these simple pleasures and blessings in capture them in my Project 365.

 

 

What simple things are you grateful for that you often overlook?

Project 365

I recently met a fellow photographer who participated in a 365 photo a day blog with other photographers.  She said it really stretched and challenged her creativity and she really enjoyed it.  I was sold.

Unfortunately, it was too late for me to join in on the blog.  But, I decided to make the commitment anyway and have started creating an image a day and posting them on my Therese Kay Photography page over on FaceBook.  I'm only on day 10, and I'm already being challenged!  Oh, dear.  So, for yesterday, I posted a quick snapshot I took of my stepson that was not intended for the project at all.  But, I had to post something, and he's sweet and I love him, so, it works.

Today, I got back on the horse and really tried to create an image and will continue to do so.  I'm sure that some days will be better than others - but there goes creativity.  Up, down, sideways.... but always going.

It's important to challenge yourself in order to grow.  What are you doing to challenge yourself?  What are you doing to keep yourself growing?  Please share in the comments!

Here are a few of the images I've taken thus far for Project 365.  Enjoy!

Photography Slows You Down

I recently found this quote on photographer Nathan Grahek's website: "Too often life seems to pass us by at an increasingly fast pace.  I am continuously inspired by photography, how it allows us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in and around all of us."  http://nathangrahek.com/

This is so true.  Taking the time to really look at an object or person, to really be in the moment and connect, is such a wonderful thing.  Photography can be a type of meditation. 

I haven't tried this yet but I intend to.  I recently received some materials about contemplative photography that I'm really excited about.  One of the exercises is to find a subject you are interested in photographing and then sit with it for at least 5 minutes before you take an image.  Just look at it and observe.  Let the image come to you instead taking an image.   I think this might bring my photography to a new place.  Sometimes its important to be fast to click the shutter but, more often than not, it's more important to slow it down.

Here is an example of a time when I spent at least 5 minutes (probably more!) snapping away at some ferns last fall, but it wasn't 5 minutes of stillness.  Here I was taking images and searching for images.  That's not a bad thing to do, but I'm so interested in seeing the difference.



I'll let you know how it goes.  Anyone care to join me?  I'd love to see your results!  Post a link to your work in the comments or share your thoughts.  Happy Snapping!

What a Shame!

"What a shame to waste what God has given us."  This sentence sang out to me brilliantly from the page as I read my daily devotional "Your Best Life Begins Each Morning" by Joel Osteen.  He was talking about wasting time in life being bitter about the past.  I was thinking about talents and skills and what we have to share with the world that God has bestowed upon us.

Some of you might be ready to click off the page right now.  Hey, I didn't know this blog was going to be all religious and stuff.  I didn't sign up for this.  It's not what I want to read about.

But, creativity - the act of creating - is completely entwined with a Higher Being, in my case, God.  You may call Him by another name.  You may envision your Higher Being as a she.  God is bigger than all of that and bigger than all our definitions and limited understandings of Him.  Anyways, back to the point.

We are all given the gift of a day every morning when we wake up.  How we choose to spend it is up to us.  But, what a shame to waste that gift.  Grab on and give it your best.  You'll be glad you did!!

Being Found

Today I listened to a webinar about being found.  Who doesn't want to be found?  I mean, it means someone was looking for you!  Isn't that a great feeling?  Being sought after?  It gives you a sense of value and worth and recognition.

The webinar I listened to was specifically about being found on Linked In during a job search.  (Want to see my profile?  Click here!)

Now, I listened to this webinar for a few different reasons.  One, I happen to be looking for a day job that helps me live and work my passions and pay the bills so I can continue my photography.  Two, one of my passions is being a job coach and this was an excellent set of tools that could be used in a job search.  Three, it also can help me get exposure for my blog and for my website.  Yes!  I have a website!  You didn't know?  Check it out!  www.theresekayphotography.com

What did I learn and why am I sharing it on a blog about photography?  OK, so here goes my line of logic.  Photography requires creativity.  Creativity requires risk-taking.  Taking a risk is hard and scary.  Putting yourself out there to be found is a risk and is scary.  So, therefore, being found is part of photography - especially if you are wanting to make it a business!

So here is the scary part.  What happens if you are found?  What happens if someone says, hey, I think that person or that person's skills, or that person's art is what I've been looking for.  And, suddenly, you are in a spotlight...big or small.  And people are looking at you and your skills and your art.

And you get scared.  What if you disappoint the person?  What if the person thinks you're a fraud (or discovers that you are a fraud - even if you're really not - you know what I'm talking about here, right?)  What if so many people find me I can't keep up?

And then there's the other fear.  What if I put myself out there and nobody wants me?  What if I think what I created is beautiful and everyone else thinks its hideous?  What then?

All these fears are valid and need to be addressed.  Journaling, talking with friends, counseling, prayer, and positive self-talk are all tools that you can use to address those fears.  Believing in yourself and in the work you are creating is paramount to your success.

Here are a few strategies that I was exposed to (and am still learning about) during this webinar.

• Being found online, whether on Linked In or otherwise, is only a stepping-stone to face-to-face or other more personal interaction.
• Have lots of connections both in and out of your industry.
• Have connections with other people who have lots of connections (On Linked-In, you have access to the third level of your connections so this can be exponential!)
• Be sure you are using appropriate key words on your website, your profiles, your blogs, etc. 
• Listen!  What are other people in your industry doing and talking about?  Are you participating in the discussion?
• Create a personal brand!  Who are you?  Your resume lists your skills but not your passions and enthusiasm.
• Create a call to action.  (What's a call to action?  Simply put: including a call to action means asking your reader to do something. Check out http://www.kinesisinc.com/marketing/use-a-strong-call-to-action-to-generate-more-leads/ which is where I've started to learn more about it myself.)
• And, get lots of links back to your own website.  This is called SEO - search engine optimization.  I'm definitely still learning about this and am very open to suggestions and ideas.
• IMPLEMENT!!!  So easy to gather ideas, ideas, and more ideas and never do a thing.  Anyone out there use Pinterest?  Yeah, so you know exactly what I mean!

What are you doing to be found?  I would love to hear some ideas!  And how are you dealing with your fears of being found?  Please share in the comments!  (See, a call to action!!)  If you like what you read here, share it with others!  (Look!  Another call to action!!)

Word Clouds

I discovered word clouds today.  How cool!  I've seen them before, but never really completely understood their use other than aesthetics.  Enter, a junk email advertising how to maximize your use of Linked-In as a job search tool.

Well, having been a former job coach and currently looking for my next day job, I took a peak.  And what did I discover but word clouds.

You may still be wondering what a word cloud is.  Basically, you input text and the program will analyze the text and spit out the key words randomly.  However the key words are weighted by size.  The bigger the word, the more times you used it.

How does it apply to a job search?  Well, input your resume - get your word cloud visually detailing how you described yourself in your resume?  Is that the way you WANT to describe yourself?  Did you really mean to say belligerent 3 times and have it so prominent in your word cloud?  (ha!  Just kidding.)  Now you can do the same thing with your Linked In Profile.  And then you can do the same thing with your target job description or target company.  How do they match up and what can you adjust?


So, fiddling about, I decided to try it with my blog.  Yes!  You can do it with a blog as well.  Below are my results...

Now, as my readers, I begin to wonder if this is what you want to read about when you come to my page.  Is it?  Do you want to read about these things?  Or were you wanting to read more about photography and the creative process?  Yes, I write this blog for myself somewhat, but really, I write it for you, my audience.  So, tell me, what would you like to hear more about?

By the way, want to try creating your own word cloud?  Check out http://www.wordle.net.  It's cool and I can imagine all kinds of possibilities!  Have fun!