Monday, August 17, 2009

FOCUS

Focus has definitely been on my mind lately....I've been paying more attention, focused attention day to day and I gotta tell you; it sure beats multitasking! I'm starting to really pay attention to when I'm focused and productive in the traditional sense, and when I'm more philosophical and "in my head", not thinking about goals, but questioning and pondering life. It's what I call "thinking broadly".


I think it's natural for ones mind to flow back and forth over the course of a day or a week or a year, but for a long time I think I beat myself up about being in one mental mode and telling myself I really SHOULD be in the other...for example, spending a Monday morning flipping through a trade publication and thinking about different ways I could be running my business when an inner critic is telling me I SHOULD be doing something more "focused" in the studio.



And sure, there are times I'm under a deadline and can "force" my way into either of the way of thinking that I need to be in, but understanding that on regular days, it's not only okay, but it's GOOD to plan the day around what way I'm naturally thinking. I mean, I have lots tasks, like we all do, and it isn't always easy to prioritize...it depends on if I'm thinking broadly or feeling like focusing in on one task.




Lately I've really felt a pull for creativity--due to the fact that I've been spending MOST of my thought time on the business side of business. It's time for some of my extra thought energy to be swung back over to creating. I remember a few years ago being swung the other way; overflowing with creativity but feeling guilty for not feeling like focusing in on zeros and ones. It's like the girl with curly hair who wants straight hair, and visa versa! So I feel pretty good now because instead of judging myself, I'm shutting up and listening instead...lol...pouring myself fully over to whichever end of the "FOCUS" spectrum is beckoning me.



So this is an invitation for you to take a look at how YOU uniquely function...I'd almost venture to say that lots of disagreements people have can be rooted in differing modes of thought...one parent doesn't want to camp on a certain weekend because there's a game on TV (focused thought), the other parent insists because the kids are only young once and it's the least disruptive weekend to be out of town for the family routine (the broad view). Or, you're strolling through every aisle of the superstore...getting idea after idea for your next big project or party (broad) when your cell phone rings and you are asked why you aren't home with the cough syrup yet (focused)!!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

BABIES!!!

Hi Everybody!

Okay so there is quite the baby boom occurring here at Julie Watts Photo! No, not me, silly, it's you, my clients (though I introduce my new niece at the end of this post)!!

Through weddings and seniors I meet most of you, and from those photographic roots, you ask me to photograph your bellies, your babies. And I get so excited for your pregnancies...I didn't know I'd actually get to photograph my clients create families for themselves, year after year. It's a very dynamic part of photography...the ever-growing body of my work that is not just one chapter of my client's life, it's chapter after chapter...each one as fun as the next because I get to KNOW you all so well...and it's not just "any" photographer coming over to photograph your newborn, it's YOUR photographer, Julie Watts.

So in celebration of all of the buns in the oven I'll be photographing over the coming months, here are a few memorable images I've created for you in the past!

This little darling totally knocked us out with this wildly classical looking pose and expression!


The soft...slow...snuggly...this is the life of a Newborn...(above)


Tasty toes and scrumptious baby chub


Overflowing with personality


Anticipation...your a big FOUR year old now...


Portrait of a Snowbaby

Lilly's Curiosity


Emily in a Dress, all Grown Up (above)

Just Plan Mischevious and Adorable!!

Addison...too busy Dreaming to be mischevious....yet! Adorable since the beginning...

And introducing Nuala...a new friend of the Julie Watts Photo! She's a bright little thing and appears to have couch lounging DOWN at only three weeks. What an absolute DOLL, don'tcha think?!


What a peaceful, beautiful way to remember childhood...outside with your mom and dad and nothing else...for most people, pictures are a major part of remembering your childhood...and these experiences are authentic moments that are sparked into existence because of a need for current family pictures...so the experience turns out to be just as much as memorable as the images themselves...which leads me to give you a little insider info about a special promotion I am lining up. In coordination with celebrating my NEW, STYLISH website being launched, I'll be offering a LIMITED number of past clients a family portrait session September through November, in plenty of time for the holidays...



And above are my own little darlings...and there's ONE more addition...our family welcomed a new NEICE on July 21...baby Alaina Marie!



Aunt Julie Rocks!!! lol