Normal times: strange times.......

Life is not normal at the moment and it can be hard to stay positive and motivated. We all deal with these things in our own way, but it can be important to keep a positive mindset. Negative thoughts and anxiousness can mean our brains narrow our view of the world and as such it can be hard to see better things. Positive views, thoughts and emotions can help the brain consider more possibilities and can increase mental productivity. So with all that is going on at the moment the one thing we do know is it will not be forever. And based on that, even though I miss shooting I can still plan my shoots for the future when all this comes to an end.

As a creative I often find I have too much going on in my head at any one time, so this is a great opportunity for me to get the thoughts and ideas down on paper. I can plan shoot ideas, design sets and work out styles. I can search and source potential models. I can search and source potential new clients. And I can practice. I am lucky to have my own studio so I can do self portraits, and work out new lighting set ups. However, self portraits are not easy. The tech side is OK - it is being a model that causes me a problem. My resting face looks like I am sucking a bumble bee, so I resort to a smily face - not easy when you ar the only one in the room and you have to laugh at your own jokes! Still needs must and it is a good way to test new lighting set ups.

I am also revisiting some old images and trying new edits on them and I am going through and rereading some of my many photography books to get ideas and inspiration.

So life is not perfect at the moment, I do have down days when I am anxious, but I take myself off for a walk, a bike ride or do some relaxation in the form of Pilates.

Soon this will all be a thing of the past and it will come to an end and when it does I shall be ready to hit the ground running, be well prepared and motivated and get back to shooting.

Stay safe. Stay sane.