Brandy Kemp Photography » Blog

While looking for my keys last night I found a diary I started about 3 years ago. I have always wanted to start a diary for my girls but my hand writing is terrible and for some reason it is just a pain to sit down and write.

When I found out my step father had cancer and his time was limited, I delicately asked him to start one. He had so many stories that were so far fetched there is no way any of them would’ve been real but I liked listening to them. I knew my girls would too one day. As far as I know he never did.

While reading over what I had written 3 years ago I kept thinking, I am still the same. I wrote about my photography, my love for my family and how I am hurting from losing people close to me. I know my photography has grown tremendously since then, my family is so much closer, and I still hurt but I can talk about my loss without crying and coming to pieces. I am looking forward to growing even more.

My husband told me the other night, “May 1st, when you go full time, you need to start a journal on your photography.” Smiling I said yes; guess he hasn’t read The Original Rockstar. Its therapy even if no one is reading. Its a motivator for myself and keeps me on a positive path.

Start your own journal. Blogs are free and easy to start, if I can you can. Make sure you write something motivational or positive everyday. Don’t use it as an outlet to lash out at someone. Take that emotion and make it positive. I am not always a positive person but this blog has helped me stay on a good path, its not nice to publish something ugly…Until then

Keep Rockin

One of the best things about my job are unexpected things. Unexpected grins from a newborn baby, unexpected laughter from a couple, capturing unexpected beautiful light are just a few examples. One of the other things? Unexpected thank yous.

A few days ago, while sitting at my desk, a man peeked into my doorway. He politely told me that he was the grandfather of a handful of wookies I had photographed last year. The mom’s went in together and gave him an album of the session as a Christmas present. He went on and on about how he looks at the album all the time and just smiles. He said he was so proud of it when he got it as a gift. He told me thank you.

He didn’t have to go out of his way to thank me but he did. I smiled for the rest of the day. Go out of your way to say thank you to someone today. I bet they will smile for the rest of the day too…Until then

Keep Rockin

I love Will and Grace. I have seen every single episode. I mean that; every single episode at least twice and I still laugh as loud as I possibly can when I watch it.

One episode was with Fannie Lieber (sound familiar?). She is a famous photographer and Will wins a session with her. Of course he carries Grace and they are so excited at the opportunity to have Fannie shoot their session.

Grace says: I love her! She is so edgy. She’s genius. She once took a picture of Martha Stewart when she wasn’t selling anything. She looked so vulnerable. I just wanted to hug her but I couldn’t, cause she’s Martha Stewart, you know.

When they got to Fannie’s studio they were so nervous to meet such a famous photographer let alone be included in her new book that was to be released. When she appeared they were disappointed. Grace actually said she was like a sad clerk at Blockbuster. She disappeared to “reload.” When she appeared again she was WILD! She starts giving out orders on how to pose, gimme this, gimme that. Yelling, music blaring, chest out, lower, lower, lower and she passes out while they are there, all within a few minutes.

Of course they had been in the presence of photography royalty so they go with it. When the envelope finally arrives with their picture from the session, Will is not happy with how he looks. He decides to ask for a reshoot. Fannie is surprised because she has never been asked for a reshoot but she goes with it. After seeing their portrait from the reshoot Grace is not happy with how she looks and they go back for a second time.

Of course wild, eccentric Fannie is tired of it by now and says she is not doing a reshoot. Upset that they are so consumed with their looks she tells them they need to have a baby and get out of her life. They look at each other laughing and then think seriously about it. Fannie shoots really quickly and it is the shot. The one shot that truly shows who they are and how they feel at the moment.

I can relate to Fannie. Not that I am wild and eccentric, although I have been called both but true emotion is sometimes hard to catch. You have these ideas that set you apart from others or at least want to be set apart, but you still have to capture a true look in your photography. One of my favorite things about a session is when I ask him to look at her. They both giggle and smile instantly. No need to say anything else. Its ok to have a good time having a session. Its ok to laugh and talk to the photographer. Its ok to walk around. Its ok to not smile. True emotion is not always shown when directed.

And I can certainly relate to the passing out! I did that Sunday after my maternity session. Guess we all need to “reload” sometimes…Until then

Keep Rockin

When I was little my parents told me if I sprinkled salt on a robin’s tail he would turn around to eat it, be distracted and I could catch him. Never realizing if I could get that close I could catch him anyway. So if you remember me running around the yard with a salt shaker when I was younger that is probably what I was doing, not taking tequila shots.

I have sprinkled a lot of salt since then. Salt on wishes, trust, and love just to name a few. Hoping to catch them. Even though at times in my life the those things had let me down I still tried. I have wondered sometimes if I tried too much. I wonder sometimes if I want too much.

(A little side note on my relationship with robins) My cousin knocked a robin’s nest out of a tree when I was little and I didn’t stop him. The eggs broke and when I told my parents they said I was just as guilty because I did nothing to stop him. They also told me robin’s were mad at me. Every time one landed in the yard I was scared to death, let two or more show up and I thought they were having an uprising. Man, no wonder I am a wacko!

Maybe this is it and I am missing it all because I always have my salt shaker. I think we are all given crossroads in our life. Choices. Which path do you take? Reach down and catch him or carry a salt shaker around? A couple of years ago I started reaching down. I became a better person too although a more curious person. Am I reaching far enough? Have I actually caught my robin? Guess time will tell.

Put the salt shaker down (its not good for your blood pressure) and take a chance with your eyes closed. Maybe you will catch the robin…Until then

Keep Rockin

15 more days and I will be a full time photographer. No more struggling at night to get supper cooked, editing done, orders place all before bedtime. I honestly don’t know how I did it all before so I am hoping that with time to focus I can do even better. No more scheduling my weekends so full I dont have time to do anything but rush from one shoot to another. No more saying just a minute to my family or I am just too tired.

I plan to take the time to learn. Learn a new skill, learn more about the art, learn more about everything. I have about 999 emails forwarded to myself that has information in it I want to know. I will.

I plan to take time to research other vendors, other products that would interest my clients. I have about 999 business cards and paper information from a trade show I went to. I will.

I plan to take the time to shoot my kids. I am so busy taking photographs of other people I haven’t had any of my kids in forever. That is sad. Everyone should have a camera, even if it is just a throw away film camera. Take pictures of your family. I have friends and family gone and no pictures. I will.

I plan to organize extravagant shoots that seem so simple you will be wowed. I plan to do charity shoots. I plan to organize shoots just for little girls and little boys. I plan to be available a lot sooner than I am now. I will.

I plan to take time, take more time to soak it all in. Oh yeah and get the house chores done before bedtime. I plan to crank up the stereo. I plan to go to my daughters games and not look like a mad crazy woman because I am so stressed and worried about this and that. I plan to spend more time with my family. I plan to work on my bucket list. I plan to be involved. I plan to be successful. I plan to fulfill my dream. I plan to make my family and friends proud. I will.

I plan to be a better photographer. I plan to take this city by storm. I plan to be known. I plan to make a difference. I will…Until then

Keep Rockin