These last two weeks haven’t been the most exciting, creatively speaking. Looks like I’m just waiting here for an opportunity to shoot some decent images. I do have tons of ideas, don’t get me wrong, the list is getting longer each day. But the time needed to put all these ideas to fruition is lacking. I only have a short amount of time in my afternoon break, as I call it, to get creative. That too short period of time between me getting home from work and the after school rush. So, I write down my plan, from concepts to props and poses (I have many inspiration boards to print, LOL) and then time’s up! So, I do my best to keep shooting using my iPhone, participating in monthly challenges as usually I can snap something in a minute or less and that’s just fine with me for now. Also, since I can now submit phone images to my portfolio, I create with that in mind.  These photos will serve the challenge and build myself a more wider portfolio! I do have a real shoot planned for tomorrow (Lord help me, I still have some DIY props to create!) so I might have something new to share on the next post, yay!

So, that said, I’ll share some of my images from our ongoing November challenge on Instagram, you can check #fpoenovember if you want to follow us. I’ll also be doing a December challenge with another group, that one I also like because it’s more of a reflection on the year that just passed, and that helps to keep the important things in focus. We tend to forget so fast in this instant sharing world.

I am looking for friends. What does that mean — tame?”
“It is an act too often neglected,” said the fox. “It means to establish ties.”
“To establish ties?”
“Just that,” said the fox. “To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world….
(…)
People have forgotten this truth,” the fox said. “But you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

October is one of the loveliest months. Autumn is always putting on a show in these parts of the world in October and one can only marvel at the colorful sight offered by nature. It’s gorgeous but never lasts long enough.

The colors are turning, and in a matter of days, they are in their full splendor. It’s a pull you can’t resist. I know I can’t. I have to be outside and walk along the paths covered in leaves. Sometimes crisp and crunching under your feet, sometimes damp and releasing that unmistakable autumn scent (not the pumpkin spice type!). The earthy, woody pine, bitter and sweet, fruity and ripe one. You know the one, I’m sure.

If you’ve been following me or my photography for a while, you are certainly aware that I love everything antique or vintage. My home is filled with them (or new stuff designed to match my antique furniture). I love the timeless mood of classic items, somehow it’s like they speak to me.
I also love the retro era, but my interest is limited in a few select items like cameras and radios.

I’m not a true collector nor a hoarder. I’m not looking for the most valued antiques either. I just want to own as many lovely and useful pieces as I can. They’re not purchased to be on display, I use the stuff I get, whether as photography props, furniture or accent pieces in the house.  Also I love to find extra cheap fun pieces for my book cover photography portfolio.  It’s really easy to go overboard and invest tons of money into props that you will end up using one or two times, so finding them for a couple of dollars is always nice.  I can also resell them when I’m done playing with them!

Do you have dreams? What brings you joy?

It’s a simple question, really. I’m sure all of you can come with many answers in the blink of an eye.
The issue here is not really knowing what brings you joy but creating the time and space for it.

When we’re stuck between the rush of our daily lives, routine and commitment to a decent lifestyle, making space for anything else is a challenge.
I have all these desires and dreams that I still need to fulfill yet there seems to be no time for any of them. Some days I feel stuck and wish I could just leave it all (well, not all, but you get the idea) and buy myself a camper van and move around in the direction my heart is pulled towards. Anywhere.