After months of taking portraits for work, I decided to use my day off this week to check out the Seattle Arboretum, a botanical garden in the middle of urban Seattle. I have to say, despite the mud and the rain, I think this garden is even prettier in the Fall than it is in the Spring. Boy, were there a lot of photographers there though, carrying some pretty serious equipment. I'm wondering if it's almost cliche to be a professional photographer and have just posted 25 pictures of maple leaves mid-October at this point. Here's to unoriginality! Whoo! Anyway, it was really just an excuse to get out of the studio for a day. I was feeling burnt out on people and wanted to do something different (for me). It was kind of an odd experience to return my focus to nature/landscape themes. I kept catching myself thinking things like, "Oh, a person would look so great right here!" And, "This would make a fantastic background..." It was harder to switch modes than I expected, to remind myself, no, this tree is not a prop - it's the SUBJECT. After 10 minutes, I'd found my rhythm again and I kind of felt like I was back in art school, just taking pictures for art's sake and not because I was being commissioned by someone or needing to make sure they were marketable.

For those of you who like my portraits, not to worry, while I'm still working as a photographer at the portrait studio I've been at for the last year, I'm also branching out with my own business. I have an engagement shoot and a wedding coming up at the beginning of November. I'm very excited to be at point where I'm finally ready to build my own business. It's going to be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Cross your fingers/wish me luck!