It’s a Texas thing.  Taking photos in the bluebonnets.  I know people from other states must think we are weird, but……well…..frankly, WHO CARES?  We enjoy it and that’s all that matters.  It’s a family tradition.

My brother was home last weekend on leave from the Navy.  He has just returned from deployment and it had been almost 10 months since he was home last.  You’ll have to ask him, but I would imagine that being in the Middle East on a ship for 9 months would make you a little homesick for Texas.  Taking a trip to see the bluebonnets in the Texas Hill Country was just the thing to cure that sickness.

I made a little video of our trip.  The video was taken with my newest toy the Digital Harinezumi 2.  It’s a cool little toy video camera that sorta recreates the look of super 8 film.  I’m HOOKED!

Trip to Bluebonnets from Cindy Mills on Vimeo.

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.

Wow. Not really sure where to start.  I know that I’ve have a lot of emails from facebook friends recently wanting to know what foreign language I’m speaking and (the most frequent question) “What is #MTH2010″.  Well, the best that I can explain to them is my life has changed.  In one day.  BAM!  Just like that.  Well, not exactly, BAM,  it has been more like a slow change that has been happening for awhile I just finally had my eyes opened last Thursday.

Last Thursday….wait…..let me start further back.  A few months ago I realized that my life had gotten pretty hectic and I was at a point where I couldn’t figure out how to do it all and be happy at the same time.  I was on a one way road to Freakoutville (it’s a real place).  I was overwhelmed and couldn’t get my act together.  I wanted a change, I wanted to be positive again and I wasn’t sure how to get that back.  When I’m overwhelmed, I avoid.  So, as fate (or I like to think God) would have it I was avoiding by reading blogs on the internet.  I came across a blog I had NEVER been to before written by Lara Casey, editor of Southern Weddings Magazine.  I began reading about a workshop that she was launching in less than a week and the first stop was Dallas.  Sounded interesting, but I surfed on to other sites.  I kept coming back though.  There were a nagging in my head that made me need to know more.  So I ventured to Emily Ley’s blog and watched her video blog about her experience at the very first intensive.  That’s when it felt like I had to do ANYTHING possible to get there.  This was something that I NEEDED to be at.  For my sanity.  So long story short I was able to attend on Thursday.

To describe what happened in my head as I participated in this intensive is impossible.  All I know is I could see the twisted, mangled, confusing path that lay before me begin to untangle and straighten out.  All of a sudden I wasn’t so overwhelmed anymore.  I was fired up and EXCITED for the future.  When I arrived on Thursday morning I was mentally a mess.  I couldn’t even introduce myself before the tears started.  I was scared to share my failures with strangers.   But, as I learned at the intensive…..I felt the fear and did it anyway…..and I felt better.  Like a weight had been lifted.  In the course of an afternoon I was able to work through some of that mental mess and get some clarity on where I am going in 2010.

So, where am I going?  What am I doing?  Well, I have 3 major things that I’m going to make happen this year:

1.  I will be my authentic self–When I branded my business I put together something that I thought would convey that I take fun, unique photos.  While, I do take fun, unique photos and like to have a good time during photo sessions I wasn’t exactly true to myself.  I didn’t brand my business based on WHO I AM.  I branded it based on WHO I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO BE.  So, in light of being my authentic self (and also since Saylor will be joining the business) we will be working on re-branding in 2010.  This is a BIG, HUGE undertaking and will take awhile so……please be patient as we find ourselves.

2.  I will do things that make me uncomfortable–maybe that should say that I’m going to do things that are out of my comfort zone.  This means trying new things and learning new things.  Last week I attended a dance class that my friend Corinne teaches.  She has been trying to get me to go for over a year.  I finally decided I would feel the fear and do it anyway.  It was a blast.  Can’t wait to go again.  I also met some really awesome new people.  I plan to do more of this in 2010!

3.  I will surround myself with people that contribute to my creativity–I met a wonderful group of people at MTH2010 in Dallas and can’t wait to get to know them all better.  I think being around people that have similar goals as I do and are incredibly positive and encouraging is the best way to get where you want to go.  I’m looking forward to developing these friendships!

So there you have it.  How I’m changing my life.  I’ve never thought that writing was one of my strengths, but this post just poured out of me.  I’m fired up about making things happen.  I’m a little nervous about putting these thoughts out for the whole world to read, and I’m definitely feeling the fear, but you know what? I’m going to do it anyway!

I’ve been obsessing over a few things recently.  I thought it would be fun to share some items that I just can’t seem to get enough of!

First I’ll start off with my Dad…of course, since he is the first Dad I knew. My Dad is always good for a laugh and usually up for a good time.  It’s fun to watch him tease Mia with the same jokes that would send me into a giggling fit when I was her age.

Here we are right before my Senior Prom:

And a couple of years ago at Thanksgiving.

And my favorite…..Dad swinging with Mia

Then, there is my Grandpa.  He was very special to me.  I miss him so much and even now that he has been gone for seven years this month sometimes a smell or just the right song in church will leave me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.  I don’t have very many photos to share of him since most of them are still part of my mom and dad’s photo collection, but here is one that I have and love of him holding me as a baby.

And my Dad with Granny and Grandpa.  I’m not sure of the year.

Then of course, more recently some important Dad’s in my life are my husband, Saylor,

and my father-in-law, Jay.

Everyday I thank the lord that I am lucky enough to have had ALL of these wonderful Dad’s in my life!  They are all special in their own ways and they have all contributed something to making me and my daughter the very lucky girls that we are!

Thank you for all you do! Happy Father’s Day!

My dear friend Corinne’s sweet husband arranged a little surprise party for her last night for her 40th birthday.  I would say she was DEFINITELY surprised.  It was a little dark and I forgot my flash, but I was able to capture her reaction.  PRICELESS!!

I just came across some devastating news that is a prediction for now, but if it comes true will most likely change my life for the worse!

This article says these HORRIBLE, please don’t let it come true words:

As the recession deepens, economic forces continue to drive consolidation in the retail industry, debt comes due and increasingly discerning consumers buckle down on discretionary spending, an analysis by 24/7 Wall Street predicts that a number of well-known brands are likely to disappear before the end of 2010…………….

6. Old Navy apparel: 24/7 Wall Street said that parent company Gap - which currently markets the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic brands - is “a three-brand company living in a two-brand body” and cannot continue to sustain all three in the midst of steep, across-the-board sales declines. Old Navy, which is the weakest brand, will most likely not survive………..

HOW is this possible?  I can barely move in Old Navy when they have a sale.  I’m mean literally WALL to WALL people.  AND WHAT is the GAP thinking?  I mean who can really afford Banana Republic?  Gap is a little pricey too in my cheap opinon.  In the last 4 years, I like to call them the “I had a baby and what the heck happened to my body, what am I supposed to wear now” years, I have found only a handful of stores where I can actually find clothes that fit my misshapen body.  Sadly, if you cataloged my wardrobe 95 out of 100 items would have an Old Navy tag on them.  The other 5 would be my favorite style of panties from Target which took forever to find and were discontinued promptly after I found them.  It’s a good thing I stocked up!  I’m looking for a new supplier if anyone knows of good place.  I’ve tried Victoria’s Secrets, Kohl’s and even (head hanging in shame) the 6 to a package from Wal-Mart.  I just can’t find the right ones.  Sorry, I got a little off track.  Where was I?  Oh yeah,  I don’t know what I will wear without Old Navy.  That may sound funny, but I’m DEAD serious.  I’d be naked!

So get out there and do some good!  SAVE OLD NAVY!

So yesterday was my birthday…again. Funny, how they just start running together somewhere after age 30. All in all it was a pretty good day. I got a much needed new printer/scanner all in one. Love it! I got to eat seafood twice and I got Sprinkles cupcakes.  What else could a girl ask for?  Seriously, I am just like a kid in a….uh….cupcake store over these things!  I love that there is a WHOLE bakery dedicated to JUST cupcakes.  I love their style too.  Such cool marketing pieces.  Anyone who knows me know that I will buy items just because they come in cool packaging.  Check out the birthday yumminess!