I haven't updated in a month and a half, mostly due to lack of internet access. I'm at work right now so, thankfully, I have a good, stable connection.

I've been in a really bad slump for a good while, both creatively and otherwise. I've found it really hard to pick up my camera because I feel pretty dry on ideas. The ideas I do have require equipment I don't have yet.

At first, I was starting to worry that photography was a passing interest for me. It sucked because I had been basing my entire schooling off of that, including fashion design and hair/makeup.

Then, I went into a pro photo warehouse the other day...
I was like a pup again. My eyes widened and I got -super- excited about all of the stuff that they had. I started geeking and discussing the more technical aspects of photography with the store owner. She referred me to this week long seminar that's going on about pro lighting techniques, held by some really huge names in the photo industry. She told me that it'd most likely be exactly what I need to help improve my aesthetic.
It was then and there that I knew that it wasn't just a passing phase for me. Nothing to date has gotten my heart to race like that other than falling in love with my ex.

I know this is the path for me. After some deep soul searching, I think I kinda figured out why things have been so dry lately.

1. I just moved back to Florida from California about a month ago. The culture change was a shock to my system and I've been very unhappy here. I left my cats and my friends behind. A lot of the people I've met here try to involve me in major drama and it's been dragging me down even further.

2. I've got a traveler's heart. I -love- to travel all over the world and explore new cultures. The only reason I moved to Florida in the first place is so that I could keep my job in the airline industry and continue to travel.
As soon as I got to Florida, my job pulled my travel benefits because of a company downsize, so to speak. I felt duped and trapped because I couldn't just go back to California due to obligations to my roommate, who wants to stay here.

3. I had to pull out of school to move. I was working really hard towards multiple degrees, but decided to put it all on hold because of this job.

Factoring all of that in, my photography's been suffering a lot. In addition to that, my lack of equipment has been hindering me as well.

I'm more optimistic now, though. I've got enough money now to get decent strobes and a backdrop system...I've got jobs at other airlines in California that are interested in hiring me...I'll be able to get back into school again and finish off what I started...
Yeah, things are starting to look up. Slowly, but surely I'm getting my spark back.

Keep an eye out for new pieces in the near future.

~F.C.