no pun intended LOL.
You will all have noticed the break I have taken from the blog over the last 2 weeks. It was not by choice trust me but there has been so much going on that it has been hard to find time to make posts on the blog. I could just throw a few pictures up everyday and leave it at that but I would rather post something more substantial rather than turning the blog into just another pic site. Yes I see the irony of that comment considering that pictures are a big part of the current line up but I am sure you understand what I mean.
We all know that the start of the year was bit of a false start for me. Or so I thought at the time anyways. Some projects that I had been working very hard on fell through and well if you have been reading through my posts you will know that I took it a little hard.
Since Mardi Gras (MG) a few things have happened though that have been really positive in my life.
Firstly let me say again that Mardi Gras was fantastic and I had a great time. Met some wonderful bois and really enjoyed myself. I even got the chance to meet Brent Corrigan which was a blast. I am glad the silly season is over now though because I need to settle into getting some things happening with work.
Last trip to Melbourne I met a boi. We will call him "A" he is amazing and last weekend I went back to Melbourne to see him again and to catch up with my family. "A" is such a sweet guy and although we have the tyranny of distance to fight I think about him all the time. I am still healing after "J" who sent me a text message before MG. I didn't reply but I kept the message. It made me feel weak so I deleted it. Onwards and upwards I say.
"A" is studying to be a nurse and we really connected. I am already planning my next trip down to see him again. Don't know where things will go but I am going to enjoy the ride anyways.
Family time is important and I made sure that I got plenty of it in. It was Mums birthday and my sister is getting married. The wedding is still 9 months away but they are already getting insane over the details. The wedding will be overseas so at least there is plenty of time for me to save.
Last year I had the chance to meet with the Editor of one of the magazines I have been working hard to get noticed by. He was kind enough to offer me some advice on my work and I decided to follow through on that advice. I recently put together a studio shoot to work on my lighting. Shooting outdoors is very different to shooting in a studio. For a long time I found shooting in a studio intimidating, not to mention the cost.
I specialize in shooting with natural light but if I want to get representation then I need to show that I can be versatile and that I can work in a studio.
I was nervous to begin with but part of my skill building efforts has been to work with a couple of really awesome photogs around Sydney. I had the chance to apply what I had learnt in this shoot and I have to say that I am really pleased with the results.
I also took the chance to send some of the shots to the Editor who helped me and his comments were really awesome. He said that I had nailed the lighting and that we should look and doing some work together for the magazine. AWESOME. I suppose the moral of that story is to grab opportunity when it comes.
If I hadn't assisted on the first shoot I would never have met the Editor.
If I hadn't asked for advice I would never have acted.
If I hadn't acted on the advice I would not have improved or proved to myself that I can do it!
If I hadn't had the confidence in my work I would never have sent the shots in and I wouldn't have gotten noticed.
Here are a few shots from the shoot.
So I am not intimidated by studios anymore and I am already looking at my next shoot. I really want to try something with a bit more edge this time. I feel that my work is becoming a little predictable now.
Those of you who have been following my work since the beginning will remember that I had my first exhibition last year.
One of the people who noticed my work and who has been following my progress is based on the east coast of the United States. One of my dreams has been to travel and take photos and I am pleased to announce that I will be heading to NY, DC and Cols to do some photographic work in June. I am also going to be at pride in Ohio.
I will have more details for you as it gets closer to the dates but I will tell you now that I am nothing short of ecstatic. This will be my first trip overseas for sometime and I am looking forward to seeing New York!
There is also the possibility of a second trip to the west coast for a different company but I will confirm that at a later date.
So work is going well. I am finally getting things together. I will be down in Melbourne for work again in about a month and a half and I have begun to generate some serious interest in my work here in Sydney. Things are still a little dicey at times but I am following my passion and that is making it all worth while.
If any of you have the chance to check out DNA magazine (yes you can get it in the U.S. and England) make sure you grab the April Issue. There is an article in there about the cruise that I wrote along with some shots I took.
So that is the last 2 weeks in a nutshell.
Until my next entry have a great day.
Happiness and abundance
Shannon