I mean this story in the least offensive way possible.
That can’t be a good way to start a post on a wedding blog. Really. But you all know what I’m talking about. You’ve all met one of those really skinny girls who they’re their fat. You kind of hate them, just a little. Especially when they say to you, who is at least 3 pant sizes bigger, “No, girl, you look so good! You have a great body.” Yeah, we’ve all met those kind of people. And it wasn’t until my buddy Taylor told me I was being like that. Like the skinny girl.
You see, sometimes I get in this bad habit of looking at one too many photography blogs. It doesn’t happen very often, but once in a while I get carried away. Like I snowball blog jump… And I honestly, it doesn’t leave me feeling excited about photography. I get discouraged. I can’t help but focus on the negatives. I start thinking how much cooler these photographers are. How many neat things they’re doing. How much they’re published. How fabulous their technical skills are. And it’s like I can’t see the light.
I was telling this to my buddy Taylor and that’s when told me to shut up and that I was acting like a skinny girl who thinks she’s fat. Yeah. I wasn’t exactly encouraged at first, but then he explained and I was flattered.
Needless to say, I tell you this story because it’s so easy to compare ourselves to others. And really, that gets you NOWHERE. The best thing you can do, at least that I’ve found, is to throw all those discouraged feelings out the window, grab your camera, and start shooting. Doesn’t matter. Just start. Try something new. Experiment. And through that process, you’ll end up making things that you’re really proud of. And when you’re really, honestly proud of your work, you don’t care what the Jonses are doing. Just what you’re doing.
And that’s exactly what I did the other day. I called Jes and I said, “We’re creating something tonight. Put on your fake eyelashes.”
:-)
And this is what we came up with:
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Rene – the 2nd from the bottom pic of you looks like it’s from Saturday Night Live! lol Youre gorgeous!
atta girl.
Just keep creating. When doubt creeps in, just keep creating. If you keep your head down and just create for the sake of it, the rest of the answers follow. Then you look up one day, examine your body of work and say , “wow. Did I do THAT ?”
Keep at it. You’re closer than you realize.
SO fun… you both are gorgeous – inside and out!
gorgeous.
I love you Rene, I really do! I love your story, I am so inspired by it that I am using the same theme to center my next yoga class around. I think your blog is particularly cool because you post these personal stories as well as your work. You both are so beautiful.
There’s nothing like a good friend like Taylor that will tell you the truth. He was so right! You are the BEST. Now, sometimes I get teased because I say that a lot, which kind of diminishes the power of the work best. But I really think that about you. I think you’re the best. I am taught by the best, led by the best, and befriended by the best. When you’re snowball blog jumping, you just think about that. Love you :)
Gahhhh! LOVE!! You are both so gorgeous! These are incredible!
Oh. My. Gosh. Simply…amazing.
OMG you are stunning!!! Love the pictures!!! AMAZING!!
What a great post. :-) And love these! You look incredible!
You ladies are gorgeous!
Hi Rene! I just wanted to tell you that you are an inspiration to me! I’ve looked up to you since I started my photography business a year ago. I really admire your work and think its amazing! I’ve had a problem comparing my work to others and when it comes right down to it, as longs as I like what I’m doing, that is all that matters! Thanks so much again! :)
Ty