The simple things...

Whoo hoo! I got my camera out again today. I decided to test out my lonely 50mm f1.8. It has been collecting dust lately so I thought I would test it out for something different.

Jackson needed to get outside, so outside we went! I love that Jackson is so interested in the small things in life. Eating bark, watching the washing machine spin, touching leaves and plants.

It is so amazing to be able to watch him grow and develop. I feel super grateful that I get to stay home and be a part of it! Although I must say that today was a big day and I am ready for bed now :)

 

Doing personal photography work is actually quite fun! I can do things at my own pace, try different editing, lighting and angles without any pressure!

Today I posted a bunch of CD's out to clients which was exciting. Still more to send tomorrow. Always so much to do. Note to self, improve editing workflow and general organisation. So much to learn still!

♥Shayla

Who am I? {Building a brand for my photography business}

Is it just me, or do you hate this question too? Way too deep and philosophical for me! That was until today when I stumbled across an online "show" for photographers. The presenters were talking about 3 questions you need to ask yourself when building your brand. For those of you who don't know me, I am a stay-at-home mum who LOVES photography and this year officially decided to launch my business and really get serious about it.

So this was of course the first question they asked. Who are you? What are you passionate about? What excites you? What makes you do "the happy dance"? What things do you enjoy? What comes naturally to you?

I wasn't really sure how to answer many of these questions. I know I like photography, that's a given. I know that I love pretty things. But how do I summarise it. I see other photographers who have a strong brand/ theme and I LOVE it. I think it is so powerful. It makes me want to look at their work more and find out more about them as a person.

One of the presenters then shared this quote. It honestly made me feel giddy inside:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

There are so many amazing and talented photographers around me it is easy to become discouraged. But this quote reminded me that it is about finding and hanging onto what you love and letting it explode.

While developing my business it has been so easy to get caught up in "how to price this package", "where should I advertise", "could I edit that photo better?" etc etc. I was reminded yesterday about the powerful impact photos can have. A photographer I admire in the USA posted images which reflected (as cliche as it sounds) true moments. Real, raw, beautiful, amazing moments. Her ability to make people feel comfortable and be themselves was so evident.

She photographed a beautiful family whose son had cancer. He has now passed on. How beautiful a memory will those photos be to that family?! They will have those to cherish forever. That is why I want to do what I do. Those photos reminded me about why this is so important to me.

It's time for me to stop putting so much energy into looking at what other photographers are doing and start really defining me and my business. Let 'who I am' shine through a little more. Give to others what this photographer gave to her clients. Beautiful, amazing, raw memories full of emotion. 

As soon as I finished watching this video I jumped up and grabbed my camera. I decided I am going to start using my camera to capture and communicate more about who I am and the things I love. These are my memories to capture, as well as a journey of (dare I say it) 'self-discovery'.

So, photo number one: I love tulips! Being a QLD girl, when I was on exchange in Germany, I got such a lovely surprise when Spring came around and there were tulips everywhere! I had never seen anything like it. Maybe in the shops in pots or bunches, but never growing in gardens.

I love the flower, and I LOVE these colours!

I'm excited to share more of this type of thing in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can find out a little more about "who I am" and help create a brand and an identity for my business. I think it might be a little bit of fun too :)

 

♥Shayla

Beautiful Marquees and furniture hire

While reading the latest addition of the Wedding Style Guide I saw these beautiful marquees by Splendid Days.

 I love the chairs used here, and the chandelier. 

 This looks so relaxed, but still stylish and classy.

Tea party! I love the colours and the country feel.

They also hire out individual furniture pieces:


If I could do something like this it would have to have fairy lights! I'm on the search for a nice picture but so far they are all tacky. Will post one when I find it.

ST xo

All things floral...{Beautiful fine art photography}

See more beautiful photos here.

Colour me Katie... {Inspire me}

This girl is crazy! Click here and scroll to the end of the post for a dance that made me smile. It has inspired me to make a video. Just need a camera :-) I love what she does with her art and her perspective on life. Make sure you check out her "about" me video. It's pretty awesome. What I take from Katie is to smile a little more, and let go of your inhibitions. Why are they even there? Life is for living!

Anyone who can make sky out of a sheet and paper is worth blog-stalking. Especially if it makes you smile :-)

Love ST xo

{Inspire me}...Moodboards

I love "moodboards". I guess you could call them "inspiration" boards too. Here are two beautiful ones from my new favourite blog Jacqueline Rose. I would love to put together something like this. The trouble is I would run out of printer ink really quickly! Maybe this can be one of my new projects!? I'm gathering ideas of what sort of projects I can do at the moment.

Here are some of my ideas for topics:

--> Weddings (what a surprise I hear you say!)...but real ones, with real brides. And local ones too. I love the wedding blogs out there, but some are very busy and not relevant to the local area you live in, or they don't include budget specifics.

--> Inspiration boards

--> 365 gratitude project

--> Learn a new skill every week (for example, how to make a flower bouquet)

--> Get to know Brisbane

--> Wedding photography mood board!

So now for more of a plan. Lol...I get all of these ideas but starting them is the issue. I want to do everything at once!

Here are a few moodboards I found through google images:

Love ST xo

If I had all the money in the world...{Inspire me}

I would plan mini photo shoots like this one.


How pretty! Jacqueline Rose is my new blogging love :-) hee hee

Inspire me...{Beautiful fine art imagery}

I found the most BEAUTIFUL images today and I am so in love I had to share. This person has compiled beautiful photos that inspire her, and also sells some of the images seen below. She does beautiful fine art photography. See her Etsy shop here.

Today is a beautiful day!

So after my long-winded post the other day, I realised I was complaining and feeling down about something I have complete control over. Also, it contradicted exactly what this blog is meant to be about...so here is to a new day with new and exciting things ahead! I have so many project ideas coming up I'm excited to share. I love feeling positive and motivated. Life is a beautiful gift to be cherished! So I'm ready to live it!

Inspire Me...{Children's party decoration ideas}

I think in my "other" life I was a children's party planner. Every time I see beautiful creations like these below I get so excited! The inspiration and creativity behind these images is amazing! Does anyone else hold parties for their children like this? Please leave me a comment if you know of anyone who is super creative and puts this much effort into their child's parties!

I really love the colours used and the general idea of a "spa" party. Such a girly thing to do but how much fun! Attention to detail is definitely evident here! Oh, and I love the photography too :-)

Images taken from TheTomKat Studio.
Be sure to take a look at this ladies work. She is amazing!

xo Shayla

Inspire Me...Mathilda's Markets

Amongst my searching yesterday I found these gorgeous markets that I wish were on every week. I had never heard of them until yesterday. They showcase local talent of all things beautiful for children. There are some really original hand-crafted items by some very talented people! Check it out here. I know where I will be on the 6th of November! Anyone want to join me?

I love my baby boy...but....

...I'm sure I was meant to have a girl! lol

Click here to see more beautiful girls clothing.

By Pirouette Petti Skirts

My blog!

It's Sunday night, and only 10 to 9pm and yet I am feeling pretty exhasted. My nearly 10week old baby decided to test out his lungs a little tonight and consequently my head is still ringing! So although bed should be calling my name, I thought I would come on here briefly to "debrief" and unwind :-)

I've decided to enter the world of blogs and create a place where I can put together thoughts, treasures I find, words that inspire and projects I'm planning to persue. I figure I may as well share what I'm doing so then people can come along for the journey, hopefully be inspired or just unwind a little with me.

The name for my blog has two sides to it: 'Bowl of Beauty' is the name for a type of Peony flower (which I love at the moment!) and it stands for the contents of this blog.

I'm pretty excited to get started and see where it takes me. Please leave comments and let me know if you have any ideas for me!

Enough babbling :-)

Goodnight world. xo