A Day in My Life in Self-Portraits

 

                                             Like most portrait photographers, I am RARELY

in front of the camera...mostly because people can't

work my camera, so I am never in focus or positioned correctly.

Plus, I'd rather TAKE the photos!

 

I needed some new blog and web site header photos, soooooo....

 

I decided to participate with Holly and Amy over at

The Story of Us in this:

 

I planned to include MYSELF in ALL the photos...doing

what I do during the day. 

 

Lordy!!! 

This challenge was...well, challenging!

 

It was extremely difficult to set up the camera on the tripod and

try to get a focus and the lighting correct without me

actually in the picture yet. 

 

So, forgive my bits of blur in some of the photos as I begin my day in my

PRETTY bedroom!  It took me years to save up the money

to decorate our master bedroom.

 

I sewed the bedspread, pillows and matching

window treatments...UGH!! 

Took forever!  I will NEVER sew another bedspread.

 

I love that the head of our bed is by a window.

(Hubby pointed out when I took this self-portrait that the

window is VERY dirty!

 

Sorry, but we only wash the outside windows

once a year on Memorial Day weekend.)

 

I have never taken a photo in my bed and love this pretty

location and natural light for future portrait shoots! 

 

Except when I'm doing portrait work, my day is actually pretty boring.

 

I drink the SAME protein shake EVERY morning!

Almond milk, protein powder, ground flax seed and Complete Cereal.

BORING!

 

I love to drink the final drops straight from the blender...

ALWAYS! 

 

The equivalent of a vanilla milkshake for breakfast...YES!!

 

 I drink the shake while checking

news, Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.

 

You can check out my portrait Facebook page under

Jill Wellington Photography.  Give me a LIKE, so I know you were there

and cuz I need more LIKES!

 

THANKS!

 

That's my work station where I spend a ton of my

time editing photos and writing blogs and books.

 

My third book comes out in late October!

 

This is a very happy place for me.  Yep, I'm blessed

that Hubby set me up with two monitors. 

(I really wish I had three or four!)

 

This work station is set up in our guest bedroom

where I can flop on the bed if I need a break.

 

Oh, I also use that same thermal glass every morning.

 

After breakfast on the Sunday I took these,

I set up the camera and tripod back in the kitchen

because I knew my hubby would be returning soon with the groceries.

 

Yes, people...he LOVES to grocery shop and coupon!

I write up a weekly menu and grocery list and he

does the shopping.  (Look, he bought my protein powder.)

 I am very thankful because I hate to grocery shop.

 

I always snuggle behind the sweetie when we're in the kitchen

together so I really wanted to capture a photo of our cuddle.

 

I welled up a bit when I saw the photo because I could see the

smile on HIS face showing he enjoys it, too.

 

I'm also stunned at how much taller he looks than me!

But we fit together perfectly. 

 

As I've said many times in my blog...

he's the sweetest and cutest!

 

In our mid-50s, and married for 24 years,

 we're in a heavenly part of life.

Our two children are grown and in college, so we have the fun of kids,

 but not the day-to-day responsibility.

 

We both do what we love to do...I do portrait photography and write

and he plays golf and bicycles on loooooong treks with a bike club.

 

On this day, I needed to work in my basement studio.

 

Recently, we had a lot of rain which leaked near my studio...UGH!

 

Last week, this guy came and dug down to to the foundation to fix the leak.

 

Time to get my studio back in order.  I haven't used it this

summer because I MUCH prefer to shoot with outdoor light.

 

As I've shared in other blog posts, I buy clothing and props

at thrift stores.  I love billowy skirts, vintage dresses...

 

And, ADORE pink and tutus! 

 

I buy things that most people

don't have and don't want to buy for one photo.

 

I use these blankets ALL THE TIME in my portrait work.

 

My rule after a photo shoot is: 

I MUST fold and put back my blankets and clothing,

and store my props before I can begin editing.

(I HATE doing it because I'm so excited to see the photos and edit!)

 

I need my portrait things organized, so I can quickly pull

together and style each photo shoot.

 

Here's my prop corner of the basement.

 

This day, I needed to take my own portraits for my blog.

 

Setting up the camera and running into the shot

is seriously CREEPY!!

 

I have a senior coming in two weeks who wants

black background poses.

 

I haven't done them for awhile, so I practiced with that

and this is my new blog header. 

 

Not sure if I'll keep it because it is kind of creepy...ha ha!

I don't like myself with a black background...too spooky.

 

What do you think?  Should I keep it or do an outdoor self-portrait?

 

After getting my studio back in order...

I did that flop down on the bed in the guest room

and enjoyed another favorite past time...reading.

 

I'm slogging through the THICK autobiography of Britain's

former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

 

We heard him speak while on vacation in Germany in August and

they gave us a copy of his book.  I'm not really enjoying all the politics,

thus the SLOG.

 

After many years of working full time and raising

children, it is a dream to have time to do what I love.

 

Editing these photos and seeing myself up on that computer

screen doing things that make me happy made me realize

that I am at a wonderful time in life.

 

Thanks, Holly and Amy for bringing that into focus for me!!!

 

Also check out:

Photo Show and Tell,  Foto Friday,  Fabulous Friday Challenge,

Kent Weakley,  Ashley Sisk's Scavenger Hunt Sunday