I am an Imposter.

I realized recently that a lot of creative people suffer from something called the ” Imposter Syndrome”  You can read a little about it here..

https://kickinthecreatives.com/artist-imposter-syndrome/#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20insecurity%20in%20an%20artist.%20An,they%20are%20not%20worthy%20of%20being%20an%20artist.

Many people feel as if they are learning to do something that they love and that they aren’t good enough.  This can be a fleeting thought or it can really stop you in your creative tracks.  DO NOT LET IT!  There are always going to be people out there who are critics, who look at your work and think” oh I’m better than that”..  or maybe they are just plain better than you.

There will always be someone better than YOU..   and that’s ok.  We all have our places and our creative niche’..  we are all different in our journeys.   Be the person that you are right this minute… and know that person is great.

I’m probably never going to photograph a truly fantabulous famous person. Patrick Swayze did not invite me to the senior prom.  Heck, I’ve had trouble getting a Police K-9 officer this year

( creative project).. But, I can tell you that my lighting classes have been so fulfilling, and the people who have shown up have been fabulous. It’s ok to dream big..

 

So.. do NOT let the imposter syndrome, which exists between your ears, ever tell you that you aren’t doing what you should be doing right this moment.  Your art is your art, and it’s uniquely you.

 

“Hi, I’m Connie. I like photography…I’m a decent portrait photographer. I’ve been published in several books, and really love the commercial work, I teach some great lighting classes, and produce some really beautiful senior portraits”….

Reaffirm who you are..then go do you.published

 

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in and around the new studio.. and a new senior package.

I definitely have identified a need for a smallish senior photo package.  I listen to my feedback, and I am always tweaking products.  I’ve tried in person sales, and it just doesn’t work for a lot of parents who need a budget to work within.  So…. my in studio package is out there!.   The grounds around the studio are pretty no matter what time of year it is.   We took Clara’s photos here last week and I was so pleased with the images .  This package includes the school photo.. It’s a win win.

 

   

Time and practice.. the key to most things.

I get asked a lot of questions about photography.. like which camera should i get?  or which light should i use? …   how do i start a business… how do i get better??

Time… Time and patience and practice..

Meanwhile, while you are putting all this time and patience and practice into play..

Enjoy these …

this is the most gorgeous Wren..  Class of 2022.

Happy New year!

A lot has changed in just a few short months, We have moved! My new studio is more spacious and light. As always we are in full out work mode, and I am finishing up my class of 2022. Class of 2023 is already in line, and I’m ready for spring already ( ok i know it’s going to be awhile).. The weather has been so strange that flowers are starting to bloom.. they are confused with this Virginia weather.

Every part of your 12th year should be perfect. I know that this class has sacrificed so much..

the one thing that I want to be perfect for them are their senior photos.

It’s the end of the year…2021 in photos…

Cap and gown photos always bring me the feelz. I either waffle between extreme happiness and excitement, or a feeling of melancholy that my time with my class of seniors has ended. It goes by so quickly these days..

This year has been difficult.. and that’s no joke. These seniors have been in school and out of school and virtual online school, and sometimes they were somewhere in between all these options.. I vote to stamp out Covid as quickly as possible. I know we all want that and a sense that life has returned to normal. For these seniors who sacrificed so much this year. I hope that you have a wonderful summer.

One thing is for sure, I hope that you all know you hold a special place in my heart. I am wishing you all the best in the future, and in everything that life has in store for you.

so this is 2021.. a year in review. We have climbed through trees, across rivers.. into barns.. and it’s true I’ve stuck many of you into flowers and trees.

Always remember and never forget these adventures my adventersome souls. Always remember that you are Gaw-jus, just like you are.

xxoo

C

High School Senior Photography

( new work ….. because I’ve totally neglected my blog and website and have been slacking)

These are Nicole’s senior photos..

This girl totally blew me away.. We had fun! I loved everything she wore in the studio and on location, not to diminish the fact that she has a lovely photogenic face and a personality that makes you want her to be your friend. She’s a quiet girl, but she’s the one who if you are lucky enough to know her, she will be your friend for life. Nicole drove an hour and half several times with her mom so we could create her senior photo portraits, and I really can’t think of an honor bigger than that.

Since I write like I talk, you’ll just have to excuse the run on sentences.. typos.. etc.. But, this was a gorgeous setting. It’s historic downtown Petersburg.

When you are photographing in a spot that is over used.. or used frequently, be creative in the choices you make, and for all that is holy, stay off the tracks.

I digress,

a note to nicole..

you are kind .. you are beautiful.. you are what makes this world a better place.. Happy Graduation Nicole.. Now go change the world!

xxoo….

C

the world needs more super heroes…

Every senior year has it’s challenges. There are ball games and proms. and end of year testing and college picks..

This year.. it’s been super special. My seniors have made so many changes, and have suffered through so many days of not knowing which way to go.

One things that will always be the same, are your senior photos. We have to capture the memories that we can, once gone they are gone forever.

So to Melanie, and all you other super heroes out there. .. Cheers to making it through this crazy year.. and cheers to new beginnings and things starting to slowly return to normal.

I’m ready for some normal.. how about you?

xxoo

C

Prom season..

This year!!!   it feels so  different still..

there are no giggling girls. there are no limos.. there is no real prom. It pretty much stinks, especially when it’s your last year of school….so, we celebrated with photos…

 

We celebrated Abbey’s prom with gorgeous portraits in her dress… with her friend lilly.

I love working at this local church. The people there are lovely, they always open their arms to us. Abbey is off to college in a few months.  I will miss her, she’s one of my best lighting assistants ever. We have had some adventures over the last year. 

So, beautiful Abbey…  i heart you.. and your family.  You go do your thing!  I can’t wait to see her fly.

Senior Photo Studio days…

studio days.. are my favorite days.. We have time to chat and visit a little. Covid has changed that somewhat, but luckily I have huge windows in my studio that are open… even when it’s chilly out. My seniors, they don’t complain…

We wear masks until these shots are taken..

I have tweaked my lighting so much over the last years, and I’ve gotten a little more skilled at creating shadows where I want them and highlights where they are desired.

These Studio photos of Sara are gorgeous…

but then so is she.

Senior Photos Chesterfield Virginia.

It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly Christmas and I’m just now finishing some of my senior portrait collections. It’s been a wild ride this year. Covid has really changed things and they way I do things. The one thing I think it’s really done is to pull into sharp focus ( no pun intended) that that senior photos are probably the most normal thing about this disastrously dastardly school year. My seniors and I.. we have a had a great year. It started last March and several seniors have rolled over into next spring. In other words, we ran out of time.

This is the time of year that I sit back.. well.. not really that doesn’t happen. ..but I try to take time to reflect on my goals. What is it that I want to deliver.

I want to deliver timeless photography and portraits. It’s that simple. We have the fun photos that are taken and placed on instagram and snapchat.. and all the tik-tok we need.. but at the end of the day, I want you to have something that you can keep on your wall … forever. Like the day that Nicole and I caught the train 🙂