Inspired by Sue Bryce | Photography With Soul

For the first time in what feels like the longest time I have not been in any type of schooling. Since I have been free of required learning, I have had the opportunities to explore things that truely spark my curiosity and pursue how to perfect my passions. I am a true believer that once you stop learning you stop growing. 

Through my hunt for knowledge and new techniques, I have been able to find educators that have opened my eyes who teach in my own fields of interest. 

A Photographer/ Educator I follow who truly inspires me is Sue Bryce. She is a portrait photographer who specializes in contemporary portraits. Her portraits are stunning but what really takes me breathe away is Sue's raging passion for her art. Starting out working from her grange in New Zealand to her own studio in Los Angeles, she now travels to teach others how to take control of their business.

I have been blessed listening to her speak through various YouTube videos, facebook live chats, Creative Live courses, and following her progress through social media. She has taught me through conviction and certainty, I can take control of what I want for my business. She inspires me by living her words and showing me through her own work ethic. If you need some personal inspiration, I highly recommend to listen to her wisdom.

(Some inspiration for your Monday <3)

Reach Out | Worst That Can Happen is No

Some of the biggest steps I have made as a creative started with reaching out to other creatives.  
My last months of college were spent running on empty just scrambling to the finish line called graduation. Like so many of my peers I was trying to plan on what was coming after that brief walk across a stage. I knew I wanted to give my photography a real shot as a business, but I didn't known where I wanted to start.  I reached out to a local wedding photographer. I remember reaching out not really sure what would become of it, but I was so nervous because I knew this was something I wanted and i was putting that desire out for others to see.
I ended up interning for that photographer. I still work with Justin as a second shooter, not only did I make a pretty cool new friend I also built my skill and photography portfolio with nothing more than determination and my time.

I have also reached out to other photographers who didn't respond with the same kindness as others but this year I decided it never hurts to simply ask.  I am working on a project with some creatives right now that I am super stoked about; I was taken aback by others eagerness to join in on helping my vision come to life.

Yes, it is nerve-wracking reaching out to strangers,  but the worst they can say is no.
If you want to work with another creative just ask. Who knows what doors you may be knocking on.  The one setting your limitations is yourself.

Learn Something New | Creative Live | Photography

I honestly believe that education is very important; it's why so many people every year are jumping into colleges to learn more about their crafts. Now that I have finished college for over a year( woot woot!!) I have found another place to learn more about what I love, through a source called Creative Live. How it works: CreativeLive brings in specialist/ artists from all over the world and records them in the Creativelive studios in Seattle, Washington. (Learn more about the history here) When you sign up for the class that you want  you can watch the live broadcast for free and if you miss anything you can purchase the class to watch it over and over and over again to your hearts content.

CreativeLive Logo and Design

CreativeLive gives me the opportunity to learn from some of the masters of the photography while I sit back with a cup of coffee and soak everything up like a sponge.   Some of the people I enjoy watching the most has been Jasmine Star, Sue Bryce, Lara Jade just to name a couple. But if photography is not for you there are a load of other classes to choose from - Photo & Video, Art& Design, Music & Audio, Craft & Maker, or Money & Life. 
Seriously, these classes are free when you watch them live and trust me my friend it is totally worth checking out if you have the time. What is amazing is these artists want to help people grow, because if I grow they grow!  It is so refreshing to have people so open and letting me in a small part of their world. They are not paying me to promote (Wouldn't that be nice ;)), but if you are wanting to learning something new or expand your knowledge Creative Live is a great resource and tool.