Way of Life Photography, LLC

02/01/2024

The warmer weather and sunlight had me thinking today was Friday. 🥴 It might not be Friday, but it is the first day of February, meaning it’s Black History Month!!

I would LOVE to compile a list of Black-owned small businesses to share and support. Tag your favorite Black-owned small businesses and what you appreciate about them! If you haven’t already, leave them a review too. 😊

01/29/2024

Good morning and happy Monday! The LAST Monday in January. We’ve almost made it to February, y’all!

I don’t think it’s any secret that Indiana is just kinda gross and gloomy during the winter months. I find it’s a lot easier to feel down and defeated this time of year. I try to keep my kiddos private, but I would like to share something that my eldest did that inspired me recently. She had a REALLY rough day last week. She ended up journaling about it and despite all the no fun, just crappy stuff that happened, she STILL managed to make note of several things that were good in her day and how happy they made her. 🥹 (She’s a sweet kid. I’m not biased at all.)

Today I’m reminding myself to practice gratitude for the little things and remember warmer, brighter days are coming. ☀️

What’s one thing, big or small, you’re looking forward to this week?

[Image: a soft sunrise gradient background with white text. Text reads Motivation Monday “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.” -Mark Twain]

01/23/2024

As I’m coming out of a migraine and IH brain fog (this weather system has been BRUTAL!), I was thinking about how far phone cameras (and cameras in general) have come.

The images of the yellow cat (Fergus) I believe are from 2009-2010 shot on a Nokia sliding phone or something along those lines.

The calico (Callie) is from May/June 2014 shot on Windows Phone.

The orange and white cat (Brak as a kitten) is from early 2015, also shot on Windows Phone.

The next image of Brak with our late Chihuahua, Baby, is from summer of 2015 I think. I may have had a newer Windows Phone at that time (sorry, I haven’t checked the metadata to be sure).

The black cat, Butterscotch’s paws hopping through the snow, and Blueberry napping on a desk chair are from this past weekend. And the last two are from this morning. Shot on iPhone 12 Pro Max.

So 14ish years of progress. I’m always amazed by how far phone cameras have come in such a short span of time. 🤯😍

01/22/2024

Good morning and happy Monday!

I know the new year often represents new beginnings and change for folks.

Nobody asked, but a few thoughts on resolutions and goals:

They can be fun. They can be for major or minor things. Life is hard enough - why subject ourselves to needless suffering? If your goals will make your life better and more enjoyable without hurting others (reminder: setting boundaries is not hurting others), then that’s what’s important.

Whatever your goals are this year, don’t be discouraged if you hit a roadblock. Re-evaluate, problem solve, whatever it is you need to do. We all stumble sometimes.

What goals do you have for the year? What challenges are you anticipating? Who do you have in your corner rooting you on?

[Image: splotchy watercolor abstract cloud background in peach, coral, yellow, and yellow-green. The text is in dark blue and reads Motivation Monday “I have learned not I allow rejection to move me.” -Cicely Tyson]

01/20/2024

This is brought to you by the neighbor’s feline.

01/16/2024

Oh my word y’all! How is everyone doing in the bitter cold this week? 🥶❄️ I’d love to see some pics of everyone’s subzero keep warm outfits 😂 pets included, of course!

Humans really screwed up by not opting to hibernate for winter. 🐻 I have always said this and I stand by it. Between eLearning and my brain not wanting to be awake, it’s been an interesting few days. 😅

Blueberry and Butterscotch have appreciated having coats, PJs, and sweaters to wear. While Butterscotch does enjoy snow, it’s a bit too cold for him to play in it right now. Brak likes the cold and hates clothes. He’s probably the only one not bothered right now. 😂 Lucky cat.

01/15/2024

01/15/2024

As you honor my father today, I earnestly hope that you also remember and honor my mother. She was a formidable leader and strategist for true peace. She was the architect of the King Legacy and founder of The King Center (less than 3 months after Daddy died). Without , there would be no .

01/08/2024

I just realized today is Monday. Holidays and school breaks throw me off so bad!

Have a pic of my little menace from yesterday morning as tax. I’ll get back to posting soon 😅

01/01/2024

Good morning and Happy New Year!

I’ve been slacking a bit the last few weeks on the posts. (Read: holiday madness and kids on winter break.) The graphics were drafted and done but didn’t quite make it to social. 😅 I’d like to say the addition of a puppy was also a factor, but he’s been easy to manage!

I’ve also had to spend some time relearning my limits a bit and resting before my body makes me rest. One of the cats gave me a medical alert over the weekend. I haven’t trained her for that. I hope she keeps it up and maybe the pup will follow her lead as he gets older.

Anywhoooo, as plans start to shape up for the year (we have a birthday less than two weeks in and I have a new nephew to meet 1000 miles away!), I may be putting out a few model calls. I have a few ideas I want to play with. 👀 If we make progress on the basement like we’re hoping, I’ll have a convenient studio location. 🤩

Okay okay, enough word vomit from me. On to today’s motivation. 😅

I constantly have to go back to my circle of control and remind myself of what I can put my energy towards productively. It’s hard to stop a spiral once it’s started, but coming back to my circle of control helps tremendously.

[Image description: a muted, warm neutral background with bokeh effect bubbles. Black text reads Motivation Monday:” “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today ai am wise, so I am changing myself.” -Rumi]

12/28/2023

I hope 2023 has been kind to y’all and that you’ve had a wonderful holiday season.

This year was a year of growth and trial and error. I’ve me a lot of awesome people, learned about more small businesses in my area, and gotten involved in my community in a way I never really have before.

I am not new to photography by any stretch. I’ve been shooting for just over half my life. Starting a business though and putting myself out there? WAY outside my comfort zone. But I want to share my art, support my family, and show my kids that we can do hard things and lean into discomfort.

I’m going to be trimming down my offerings and really hone in on what brings me joy. I have a million and one ideas for minis, but they are a LOT to setup and execute. I would much prefer doing longer, personalized sessions. And while I love seeing the beautiful images created during minis or other themed sessions, it’s not something I’m as passionate about. I’m passionate about you being you and being in your element.

I will still offer my mobile portraits and prints for events. It’s a fun, spontaneous experience. Vendor events, fundraisers, birthdays, daycare/pre-k photos, and pet adoption events are all great examples that would do well with that setup.

Additionally, I’ve redone my pricing going into 2024. I want my sessions to be accessible, but I still have a family to support and a business to run. I’m really hoping to find that sweet spot that will allow me to continue to provide portrait sessions and not have cost be too much of a barrier. I get it - everyone’s feeling the pinch right now. It’s hard.

I may have the odd model call here and there to experiment with some ideas I’ve come up with, but that won’t be my primary focus.

Thank you for joining me for my first 9 months of business! 💛

Here’s to a fabulous 2024! 🎉🥳

[Image: white background with a yellow square and graphics like tape on two corners. Text in black reads:
Important Announcement
As 2023 comes to a close and I reevaluate my business, I have decided to no longer offer mini sessions.
There are many amazing photographers that offer them and I will be happy to recommend some. However, minis are SO much work and really aren’t my jam.
My mobile portraits and prints setup will still be available for events. And of course I am still offering full sessions.
See you in 2024!
www.wayoflifephoto.com ]

Way of Life Photography, LLC offers pet and family portraits and lifestyle photography. Way of Life Photo is here to capture the big and small moments in life and provide you with beautiful images.

12/20/2023

I’m now a curious monkey I guess 😂 or perhaps that’s my toddler and I’m the man in the yellow hat 🤔

Revenging samurai 😅🤷🏼 no thank you? Blue Eyed Samurai