In light of trying to be my authentic self I have an admission to make.  Blogging is hard for me.  There I said it.  It’s not that I don’t have things to blog about.  For anyone who has ever met me you know that I have a LOT to say.  Sometimes too much to say.  Why can’t I blog more often?  The answer is: I don’t know.  I don’t know why I put off blogging.  It’s a hassle to resize the photos and think of something important to say.  Seriously, what could I write that will hold your attention?  Maybe it’s a fear of putting my thoughts out there for eternity.  Once it’s online it will never go away. right?

One of my goals for 2010 is to blog more often and I tell you it has been a struggle.  I lay awake at night trying to think of something to share that will be worth your time to stop by and read……still having trouble with that sometimes.

Today, though, I have something to share.  Someone to share about.  Someone inspiring!

Last week I was blessed to be able to attend the One Light Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia.   Let’s just say that I did not have the best grasp on lighting techniques.  Yes, I have been using off camera flash, but it was always a hit or miss situation.  I understood it about like I understand Geometry.  I passed Geometry in high school (barely), but I had no idea what I was doing.  Still not sure how I got through that class.  Anyway, I knew enough about lighting to be dangerous, but not enough to really know what I was doing.  One of my other goals for 2010 was to attend some workshops and this one was at the TOP of my list.  The photographer behind the One Light Workshop is Zack Arias and he is an amazing and inspiring person. If you have a moment you should check out his Transform video.  It is truly inspiring.  Perhaps my favorite part of the whole workshop was the mixer the night before where Zack shared how he got to where he is today.  He shared his story of struggle, disappointment and debt.  Then he shared his story of a friend who believed in him and how he learned to believe in himself and how he built his now very successful business ALL OVER AGAIN without debt.  He and his lovely wife were a joy to be around.  I’m blessed to have met them and their adorable son.

So did I actually learn anything?  Absolutely!  Zack began to explain lighting step by step and almost immediately the light bulb (no pun intended) lit for me.  It is so simple.  I just got it….finally!  I am so excited to now be armed with this knowledge and am excited that I will have more options available to me for client sessions.  It is amazing what a little light will do.  Just check out my photos from the workshop:

First, I want to show you these images that are both straight out of the camera with just resizing and a bit of sharpening.  The one on the left is available, natural light.  The one on the right is one flash, with a 60″ umbrella off camera.

The following images are taken with the same light setup and have had a bit of editing done to them using the TRA Lightroom Presets.

My favorite image of the day below:

One of the big things I have struggled with over the past year is taking personal photos.  I started my business because taking pictures (especially of my family) is was what makes my heart sing.  Somewhere along the way it became work.  Getting the camera out to document my own life became a hassle.  Not to mention the trouble of downloading and editing and then blogging the photos.  AHHHH.  Makes me tired to just think about ALL that work for a photo of my daughter.  I mean, she’s standing right here.  I can look at her.  Then I remembered that there are those whose love her that are not so lucky as I.  They don’t get to see Mia everyday.  It’s definitely not everyday that is snows as much as it did today in Texas!  The main thing that got me bundled up and moving this morning was the thought that NOW is the time to record this.  NOW is the time to tell Mia’s story of a snow day.  She will NEVER again be 5 years old on February 11, 2010 with a sparkle in her eyes because it’s snowing.  Time is fleeting and I was suddenly panicked that I might miss it.

I made the time, and my heart sang.

It’s been 3 weeks since I attended the Making Things Happen intensive and boy has it been busy around here. The main thing we have been discussing and working on is the process of rebranding our business.
You may wonder WHAT is rebranding exactly well………

Rebranding is the process by which a product or service developed with one brand, company or product line affiliation is marketed or distributed with a different identity. This may involve radical changes to the brand’s logo, brand name, image, marketing strategy, and advertising themes. —-from Wikipedia.

As many of you know my husband, Saylor, has become more involved in Cindy Mills Photography since I began shooting weddings. He is my assistant, second shooter and all around shoulder to lean on.  He keeps me from completely FREAKING out when things get a little rushed.  He runs to the car multiple times through out the day to get things we left and he carries all the heavy stuff.  I couldn’t do it without him…and I don’t want to.  We love shooting weddings together.  It’s fun.  Almost like a little date for us.  We get to hang out all day and sometimes even share a piece of wedding cake.  During the ceremony I almost always get teary eyed during the vows, because I am always reminded of our wedding day.  I am always moved to reflect for a few minutes on the last 7 (almost 8 ) years and how wonderful they have been and how QUICKLY they have flown by.  I am truly blessed.  Anyway, back to the topic at hand.  Since Saylor has unofficially been a part of the business for almost a year we have decided to make him an OFFICIAL part.  With this comes some changes.  We feel like we are no longer “Cindy Mills Photography”, but we are a husband and wife team.  Thus, begins the process of rebranding or as I like to call it “finding ourselves”  How do we want to represent this business to our clients and the community?

In the past 3 weeks we have talked, and talked and talked some more about who we are and what we like and we have learned a ton.  So, keep coming back to the blog for updates on this crazy journey.  We are very excited about where we are going and ready for a fresh, exciting new adventure!  Prayers for us would also be greatly appreciated as we make the transition.  We love our clients and we want to be the VERY best we can be for you all.  Thanks for your constant support.