I’m back…

Ok, so I needed some time to regroup. I think I put too much pressure on myself when it came to the blog, but at the same time I had so much going on. I was overwhelmed.

I know nothing about starting a small business. I’m going to be completely honest and open with my life and what I’m doing. I feel like this is a place when I can write and hey, who knows, maybe someone else is going through something similar?

I’ve got the little Etsy shop. 12 sales and I’m not super active on it and it’s only been up for several months so 12 isn’t too bad, so I am happy with that! I’m not good at promoting myself and still feel weird calling myself a “photographer.” Maybe one day I’ll get used to it?

Other than Etsy, most of my sales are local. Right now I only sell photo prints and cards, but I still surprise myself when people actually reach out to me to want to buy prints. Selling photos is not easy. I mean, I love my prints, and I would love to have a huge gallery of my own, but realistically I can’t do that. Well, maybe I could? Ha!

Lots of amazing things have been happening. It’s been exhausting especially since I have the chronic illness thing going on..  I get wiped out so much more easily. It’s frustrating, but I do the best that I can. Now I have the new display at the Milton Artists’ Guild which I mentioned in the last post, a new display at a BioTek building, and had the opportunity to display at a hair salon in Burlington thanks to a friend reaching out to me and letting me know they were looking for a local artist, and I’m still at one library. While all of this has been so awesome, I have felt so run down and burnt out. All of my energy has gone towards these displays and it’s so awesome and amazing and I’m so grateful, but it’s a lot of work and I exhaustion is a big problem for me.

How does one find balance? I can’t seem to figure it out. I know this goes for so many people in the world. I only wish I could bounce back like so many do. It takes me weeks sometimes. I want to do so much, but I am limited.

I am not sure where I am actually going with this post. haha! Maybe I needed to vent a tiny bit, or just explain where I am currently at. I am proud of what I have accomplished even if it has taken a toll on me.

Oh and how could I forget! I was also interviewed for a local paper about how photography is a form of therapy for me and how it helps me cope with living with a chronic illness. The Art Gallery I am a part of has several members with disabilities/illnesses and I was lucky enough to be one of the ones interviewed!

You can read the article here:

http://www.essexreporter.com/local-woman-finds-therapy-photography/

I’m not someone who is used to getting attention and it feels sort of weird, but this was a positive experience and thought the article was well written.

I’ve added in a collage with a select few of the photos that went up in the salon last month. The owner wanted 11 huge 20×30 prints and then four 12×18. I was exhausted, (can you tell -haha), but it all came together and overall, I’m happy with how they came out. She also allowed me to sell cards and matted 8×10 prints which was awesome too. No idea if I’ve sold anything, but hoping that some cards and matted prints will go. I don’t expect to see anything that is framed. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to show and have some new exposure. It’s such a challenge to put myself out there, but I’ve got to do it.

Also, if you’re interested, follow me on Instagram. I have no idea what I am doing, but I try to keep it interesting with variety.

@momentsbykatevt

I’ll leave this here for now and hopefully not takes months to write the next 😉

 

My Display

First I have to say YAY! A few more people liked my post. Yes, I am THAT excited about it. I actually wanted to write that yesterday, but I didn’t have time. And don’t worry, I don’t plan to write that again. Haha.

Yesterday I went to see my Rheumatologist. Things have been rough lately. I try so hard to not say too much to people. I don’t want to bother anyone. I find myself saying comments out loud at times. Sometimes I don’t realize I’m doing it. I’ve always said a sense of humor is key to being able to cope with chronic pain and sickness. If I couldn’t laugh at myself I’m not sure what I would do. I’m a pretty weird person at times. ha!

That part is true! I can be weird. It’s the GOOD kind of weird though. When I moved back from Finland I had recently been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome and Fibro and so I decided I should get more active and I joined Zumba. I ended up loving it and eventually became known as the “prop” girl in our community. Me, the girl who has always been so shy and afraid of everything? Yep, me. Never in my life could I have imagined that I would get involved in a group anything especially a fitness one! And I most certainly would not have had the confidence to wear props (clearly overtime,hehe) and bring them for the whole class. Yeah, no. But now, I can say that I did. Zumba has been the biggest reason for this confidence boost and being able to push myself with photography and starting Etsy. I wish I had known this feeling years ago, but I guess I’m happy to at least feel it now!

Here is a picture from today. As I mentioned the other night, I am part of an Art Gallery with some amazing artists. Today I was able to bring some new items in for display and here it is.

 

 

 

So here it goes…

Writing a blog is something that I have thought about for some time. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I’ve never been great with structure or spelling. Once a professor told me that I was an excellent writer, as long as it was a topic that I wanted to write about. Go figure!

My name is Katie and I’ll try to keep my introduction brief. I grew up in Vermont and have always had a huge love and passion to travel, to take lots of pictures, be around as many adorable and fluffy animals as possible, and meet good humans along the way. I love to make memories and enjoy the little things in life. Especially the funny stories that may not have been funny at the time, but now make amazing conversation.

I’ve always considered myself super dorky and socially awkward and now that I am older have learned to embrace it. I love being a dork. Life is fun when you can be your weird and genuine self. I mean, I definitely know who I am as a person and what I love and what I am passionate about.

I have started this blog for a few reasons:

1. I love photography. It’s an amazing therapy for me. I hope it will brighten someones day. I want to spread as much love and joy in this world. So much love, so much! Especially now when the world is so full of sadness, frustration and hate. I will always search and find the beauty in the world. I have to find it. Every day. I have to find it.

2. I lived in Finland for over five years. While there I went through some rough times and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and Fibromyalgia . I want to raise awareness in a positive light. I joined support groups and they were horribly depressing. I can’t be that person. I have to find the good even when my days are rough. So, photography has been that outlet for me. It’s a beautiful therapy. If I’m struggling, but can go take one picture that I love, I am happy. Even if it only lasts for an hour. At least for that time my mindset has shifted and I’m focused on something good, something positive.

3. Turning my love of photography into a small business on Etsy. I’ve been overwhelmed with the love, support and encouragement from friends and family. I have a Facebook page to share photos and recently started Instagram, but I want my personality to shine because honestly, I’m an awesome person to know. You know, super dorky and surrounded by fluffy animals.

Well, I think that’s all I’m going to write for my very first blog post! I’ve got lots to learn, but excited to see where this adventure takes me!

Thanks for taking the time to check this post out!