4am. Still no sleep....

In a dreamland, where there are no schedules, deadlines or other pressing things - I will find myself one day in bliss.
I won't worry about snoozing through the next busy day or failing to put the right jeans on early in the morning, when the sleep finally catches up with me.
Woke up in the middle of the night, only to find my brain clicking away at all the unresolved stuff I had carried around in my head for weeks, typically - unable to spare time for any of it. In 15 minutes or less (just like in a dream) - I came up with concepts and plans for the next 6 months of my existence. Well, actually, I think I did it for at least next 5 years, but you know how things usually get a bit blurry after 6 months, and plans become more of a computer program rather than a to-do list.
If... Then... Else... And What Not.

Oh, but the planning part is so important. I remember a few years ago attempting a draft of my first ever business plan. When all that failed one try after another I concluded to myself - this stuff has never worked for me, I'll just... "wing it". Now looking back it is clear that I would never get anywhere if I didn't have some sort of a plan. Only I prefer the word - Vision. It keeps changing, it keeps perfecting itself. You will re-write, review, re-address pretty much everything and the secret is to stay flexible and in allowing these things evolve. "If it ain't on our list we ain't doing it" attitude should be replaced with something more open minded. Not necessarily "anything goes", but perhaps a perfect balance between the two will compliment your personal and/or business growth nicely.
For a photographer - your style would never be the same if you have never shot a wedding or a birthday party and saw what dynamics affect the image. If you never photographed a bug or reflections in puddles to understand how commitment to creativity develops the eye.
Growth spurs are the best, they are like windows being wide open on the first real spring day, when everything smiles at you, when all the lights seem to turn green wherever you go, and the birds seem to sing your favorite songs.
All of that said, I still have no sleep and I guess I'm off to do more writing in my "business plan" folder. File never turned out to be enough, I'm too random and unstructured. Yes, I'm awesome that way.
I guess I'll just milk it while it's pouring. These few precious hours sure will save me many a brainstorming session in the coming months.

And you... You have yourself a Magical Day!

Black eyed beauty - photographer's treat...

What a great networking night yesterday!

If you are a "creative" you have got to check these people out. The group just keeps getting better and better. The next meeting is in April and the speaker, I know for a fact, is going to kill it. Last night we got to hang out at the local brewery, had a tour, tasting and some pretty cool new people to meet. Then the owner, Rick, made a remarkable presentation about brewery, Sam Adams and the industry in general. I, personally, thought the man is a speaking genius. By the way, they do tours on Fridays, so go check them out if you are a beer geek. I certainly am not, but it's pleasant to watch someone's passion develop and transpire.
Join the group on:
Meetup.com and/or LinkedIn


I am still recovering with my foot (broke and sprained it about a month ago...), so didn't take any pictures (I thought I was lucky I could stand for more than 10 minutes). So, I AM getting better, but certainly not "there" yet. It is strange how things work out. When I had both healthy feet I barely had time to meet people and now.. They show up in my life even though I don't seem to be going anywhere. Universe just keeps working in its miraculous ways, huh..

In other news - check out this brave young woman who gracefully posed for me and my friend - for the 1st time in her life! Can you tell? No.. Because she is what my friend called "a natural". 

Well connected to the camera and a person behind it, good listener and soo beautiful. Sometimes I think what else is necessary, really, to start modeling - just watch and listen what you're asked to do, you will be just fine. Gotta be brave though. Not everybody expresses with their body freely when the shutter starts clicking. Being comfortable when you are being recorded in any way is a good skill to develop for everyone. Just like speaking in public, really... Will you freeze? Or will you let go and enjoy the process?

And the last but not least. There are a lot of great camera reviews out there, but this one got my attention, because it is anything but ordinary. And check out the video guy - he is wearing his Canon on a Nikon strap, which kinda rocks, because I really like folks for whom Nikon versus Canon is just Tool1 versus Tool2.

Have a magical day, my friends and ... Enjoy this spring!