Personal Work

This is the time of year when I do a lot of personal work. It's a slower time of year for family portraits, so I try to tackle my long list of things I want to shoot for myself. This image came from some recent personal exploration and I just loved the light, so I thought I'd share it.  This year, I've also kept most of my personal work more to myself than ever before. Partially because it doesn't feel like it belongs here and I'm not sure where to put it, but also because it feels more like mine that way.

Since my dad passed away a year and a half ago, I haven't really made time for much personal work. There was a different kind of personal work that needed to be done. But, now I am diving in and enjoying it in a different way. If you are a photographer and you are reading this...I want to encourage you to do more of it. You can learn so much. For me, it has helped with my confidence...it helps make you realize what you are good at and what you need to work at. It gives you focus. It allows you to try something new....to make mistakes while trying something new and to learn from those mistakes. And, it really is your 'real work'...

For now...just a glimpse of some of my 'real work' ;) Because today I felt like sharing.

~ Dana

PS--thanks to Laura (and Nikki--not pictured here) for helping me with this. I have had the privilege of photographing Laura's maternity, newborn, engagement, wedding...after that many sessions working with her was like a fun afternoon hanging with an old girlfriend ;) And, there was Fresca(I LOVE FRESCA).