Best Practices for Storing & Preserving Your Old Film Slides

In a world that seems so far off from the one we live in today, people used color positive film so that once it was processed, it could be turned into hundreds of little slides encased in either card board or plastic. These slides could be projected or printed and were a convenient and easy way to keep your photographs. When stored properly, these little slides could be kept for decades and were more compact than storing tons of printed photographs. You may be someone like me who was lucky enough to have several boxes of these passed down to you. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, what can I do with these and how do I store them? No worries, preserving these fun blasts from the past is easier than you may think! Through helpful research, trial and error, and building a career restoring film slides, I’ve found the best practices for keeping them beautiful & safe, and I’m confident in sharing my tips with you.

1. Clean them Off

   Not all film slides have been stored properly, and there’s a good chance that they’ve been handled many, many times before. The first step to preserving them is going to be cleaning them off to remove any dust, hair, finger prints, or stuck on dirt. To do this, you want to use either an air blaster or a can of compressed air to blow debris off the front and back of each film slide. Next, you can wipe the slides with a clean microfiber towel to remove any finger prints or more stuck on build up. It’s not necessary, but it may be easier to wear lint free gloves while doing this as to not add more finger prints. Or, you could just do your best to hold on to the outside sleeves while avoiding the inner film. DO NOT use any water based cleaner on your film slides, as this will ruin your film positives. If you have spots that you can’t get off, I suggest taking them in to someone who has the right chemicals to clean them off (someone like me). Sometimes, the film itself is just scratched or damaged, and the spots will need to be removed with digital processing.

   2. Seal them Up

After your slides are clean, its time to put them away for safe keeping. Your slides may already be stored in multiple small, square plastic canisters and while these are nice for containing the individual slides, they aren’t the sturdiest and often times the lids will break or the plastic bodies can crack. In addition, they aren’t air tight, so they can fill up with dust if they aren’t sealed in a larger container. A great alternative to these canister are plastic film slide sheets that hold rows of individual slides and usually come with binder holes already punched in. They’re great for keeping your slides dust and scratch free and easy to store in a large binder for convenient access whenever you need to look through them. However, if you’d like to keep them in the plastic canisters they may already be in, I advise removing all the slides, cleaning out the canisters from and dust and debris and replacing broken or cracked ones. From there, you’re going to want to store them in a larger air tight container to keep dust from building back up.

3. Keep them Dry & Out of the Light

Unfortunately, light can be damaging to film slides. Sunlight can cause damage and cause the film to break down quicker. Moisture can cause further damage and the growth of mold or mildew. To get the most longevity out of your slides, I recommend storing them in a dark, dry place. Either in an opaque container or in a dark closet or under bed storage will do.

4. Limit the Handling of Your Slides

The more you take them out and touch them, the more likely the slides are to get damaged and break down from oils or any other chemicals on your skin. To preserve them in the best condition possible, it would be worth having them scanned and digitized (which you can find a link to here.) I understand the costs can add up quickly so if you aren’t so concerned about quality of the scanned images, there are inexpensive easy to use scanning devices that you can find in a range of places like Walmart or Amazon! I will say, these types of scanners are known for giving inconsistent, lower quality results, so I recommend looking into professional services for the best quality and for any restorations that may need to happen. Digitizing your slides not only protects them, it gives you easier access to them, makes sharing with family members a breeze, and allows for prints to be made if you so like. Also, if you plan on viewing the slides without a projector, you will need to hold them up to a window or LED lighting to backlight them and see the image, which isn’t so fun when you have hundreds of them to go through. But, I absolutely understand the nostalgia of it! So, if you do want to go through your slides by hand, make sure to do it in a dust free environment, don’t touch the film, and be careful not to scratch them!

And that’s it friends. I know not everyone sees the value in preserving film, but these slides not only hold pieces of history but are pieces of history themselves. The more we can take care of and preserve, the more we can leave for future generations to uncover and learn about the world. This is why restoration and preservation is truly so important to me, and taking the steps to do it correctly only takes a little time and effort. I hope you find these tips helpful, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out!

Thanks for stopping by,

Xo Liz

The Best Places to Have Your Downloads Printed…At a Range of Price Points.

One of the biggest appeals of a downloadable print is that you get to pick when & how you choose to display it. They’re wonderful for keeping as desktop background art, or for getting printed and hanging them as physical art in your space. The biggest question when it comes to getting them printed though is: where? The truth is, when it comes to printing quality, the more you pay the higher the quality. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get great quality prints on a budget, you just need to prepare your expectations. As someone who has used a range of services, I’m giving you my favorite options when it comes to printing any downloadable art.

Mpix

Mpix is an online printing service that I’ve used for years, and they have never let me down quality wise! I use them for a wide range of options, graduation prints, holiday cards, wedding prints, & film developing. They’re fast & reliable, and no I am no affiliated with them in any way. When it comes to very large prints, anything over 8x10, I recommend them. Their fantastic at keeping quality when sizing up photos. Keep in mind though, the larger the print the more it cost. Mpix has great prices for the quality of their prints, but they can be on the more expensive side. They’re truly an investment for large, beautiful pieces of art.

Walmart

Okay seriously, I’m not joking here! I utilize Walmart’s same day printing service all the time. I love buying downloadable art work and usually ordering medium-small prints to display in my home. Their 4x9 prints start at only 9 cents and I think anything up to 8x10 is worth it in terms of great quality for price! As long as you start off with a great quality download (which if you’re buying from me I promise you are!), then their prints come out surprisingly beautiful and clear. I think they’re 100% worth it if you’re looking to decorate with great art on a budget.

And that’s really it friends! After years of trail and error, my list is short. But, I value quality for price and would never recommend you a service that I don’t have consistently good experiences with. So make sure you save these names and see for yourself next time you’re needing to print my (or any other wonderful creator’s) artwork for your home or office space!

How to be “Natural” in Front of the Camera…a Few Tips For Your Next Session

It's so lovely when you get to witness two people, so sure of themselves and each other, absolutely shine and make the photos all come to life.

But the reality is it can be hard, for most people once the lens is pointed at them. They freeze and start to overthink it all.(That is me, I am most people😬.) I know for me, smiles get weak and unnatural, I get anxious and frustrated, and in the end I’m usually disappointed with the results. Sound familiar? I know, but the good news is, taking photos doesn’t have to be a bad experience, and getting comfortable in front of the camera can be a little easier than you’re probably thinking.
So here's what I've learned, and what you should try to remember next time you find yourself in a session:

You do not have to smile every for every second and every picture. Your face will get tired, smiles become forced, and it gets old real fast. Relax, take smiling breaks and take deep breaths. You don't have to mean mug the camera, but you don't have to be Suzy Sunshine either.

Remember that these photos are for you, they serve as your memories. You want them to be authentic and a representation for who you are at that point in your life.

Movement is good! No need to stand still in the open, you're a human and movement is part of your everyday life. Not only does it tie everything together to look more natural, but it shows up beautifully on camera. Motion is key.

At the end of the day, these things can all break down into: Don't over think it. Be yourself and I promise your magic will follow. Also, make sure to be honest with your photographer about any reservations you may have, that way we can make our directions extra clear and be sure to walk you through these reminders in real time. I hope these tips work for you friends, and don’t feel scared to reach out and let me know when they do!

30 minutes in the freezing cold on a beautiful beach with 2 people that absolutely adore each other is sometimes all you need to create a little magic.

Ready to book now that you’ve got all your tips & tricks? Click Here to find out more info on pricing & booking.

Why It’s Important to Capture photos at All Stages of Your Life

Recently I was going through my photo collection, and I realized that I had absolutely zero up to date photos of my parents and grandparents. It made me sad, because I’m starting to notice they’re aging and realizing how fleeting time is. As someone that loves picking up a camera, I was kind of surprised that I had let this happen. Then and there I really made the decision to change that. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of photos so that in years to come I could look back and remember my parents the way that they are right now.

I think its easy to get caught up in feeling like some stages of our lives aren’t worthy of capturing. We get busy, life gets stressful, kids, work, and other responsibilities take up our time. In the middle of it all we get older, and that seems to be such a taboo topic in our current society. Most people don’t want to see the physical proof of aging, and they sure don’t want it to be captured in a camera. So we start to shy away from the camera, because we feel as though if we aren’t in our 20s and at our prime, we aren’t worthy of capturing that stage of our life.

What people fail to realize is there is so much beauty aging, and though the circumstances that can arise with growing in life can be hard and feel unworthy of capturing, they are absolutely worthy. The journey you take in life makes you who you are, and photographs can be good reminders for what we were going through and feeling at the time that they were taken. Not to relive the hurt or struggle later, but to see the growth and remember just how much things change with time.

I love seeing my family members in their glory days, before me and when their lives were so different. But I also want memories to be captured of the people that I’ve grown up seeing, who they I know them to be and who they continue to evolve to be as we go through life together. Because I know that one day my memory won’t be enough, and generations to come are also going to want to get a glimpse into what life was like for us all before they knew us.

So lately I’ve been rounding everyone up and not only casually snapping shots at family gatherings, but making sure that I capture beautiful portraits of them too. They’re usually simple and quick, but I already know how important they are. And for as uncomfortable as I am in front of the lens, I’ve been making sure that I’m including a few of myself as well. I know I’ll rediscover them again in a few years and be thankful that I did. And I’d like to encourage you to do the same. A 30 minute portrait session is worth the time stamp that it serves as for years to come. Don’t be afraid of the wrinkles or dark circles or few extra pounds. These things are part of being human, and vividly tell a story when we capture them on camera.

How I Curate Senior Portrait that Stand Out & Stand True to My Clients

Senior sessions- a timeless tradition people love participating in & a well deserved celebration of your hard work! I know from first hand experience that senior portraits can really mean a lot to some people. They often mark the closing of a chapter and serve as a time capsule of who you were when this exciting new turn in your life was coming. But all too often, we can see these photos turning out less authentic and more mainstream. Senior sessions are something that I see falling trap to the latest trends and Instagram “worthy” fads. So how do I go about creating senior portraits that are beautiful, unique, and not too cheesy?

I Get To Know My Clients

Client consultations are incredibly important to me. I like to get to know you, catch a glimpse of your personality, and make a very clear plan of what you’re looking to get out of your session. Communication is key, and I want both of us to be on the same page about how the session is going to run, what the vibe is, and any special ideas we’re throwing in, long before the actual date. This is how I keep my sessions punctual and organized, which greatly reduces stress & anxiety for both me and you (something that is very evident in your photos!)

I Try to Pick Unique Locations

Even if our session is on a campus, I try to pick locations and angles that aren’t often explored in many senior portraits. Of course, popular spots are popular for a reason, they’re usually the prettiest and that’s completely understandable! But anything we can do to throw a little bit of you into your session is going to result in some seriously magical shots. That authentic energy radiates through you and shows up on your face more than you realize. So I try to think of places unique to your degree, special to you in your life, or that really speak to your personality! (P.s. if you need some inspiration, click here!)

You’re My Creative Partner

While I value being hired for my artistic creativity, if I’m creating a session tailored to you I need your input! What have you been dreaming about for this session, what’s your vision, how can we make our ideas align? I’m open and will try my best to incorporate any ideas/themes/vibes that you want to have shine through your session. No idea is dumb or completely unachievable. I promise, I’m one of your biggest cheerleaders and will be full transparent about what I can and can’t accomplish for you.

At the end of the day, I’m an artist and I value my work perfectly blending my style and yours together to create a magical session that you love. I’ll leave you with a little example of my most recent senior portrait session, which involved my best friend and our love for Taylor Swift. It was the best time, and her personality was radiant this entire session, I love to see it!

How I Get Genuine & Smiling Faces From Kids During Family Sessions

It’s a parents nightmare, and why most are hesitant to schedule family photo sessions at all. The session starts, everything is well & good, but after a few photos your kiddos are completely over it. The smiles get awkward, they get frustrated, and then the meltdowns start. This kind of thing can quickly derail a family session, overwhelm the parents, and it all shows on your face when you get the photos back. But I promise you, it can all be avoided. How, you may ask?

I have 3 beautiful godchildren, and between them all, many many years of experience figuring out what does and doesn't work when trying to photograph them. I’ve seen every melt down, bad smile, & totally over it all face you could imagine, and I’ve got it down to a science now on how to make sure none of those things become an issue during our sessions.

So listen up.

Don’t Force them to take the Picture

Kids are human just like us adults. Sometimes, they just aren’t feeling the pictures and I cannot blame them for that one bit. As much as I love being behind the lens, when I’m on the other side its a much different story. So I will never, ever force a kid to take a picture. If they say no, then we move on photograph someone or something else, and don’t make a big deal about it. And ever time, that response is exactly what they need to hear. They’ll take a minute for themselves, but then decide to join in when they see that 1) no one is going to get angry and make them feel bad for it and 2) everyone else is having fun with the pictures, so might as well see what it’s all about.

Don’t Over Pose and Over Direct

I’ve met kids that have big, beautiful, award winning smiles on demand. I’ve also met kids just like my god daughter that when told to smile, end up looking like Anthony Hopkins “fava beans” gif from Silence of the Lambs. It’s comical, and bless her heart she has no idea how or why she’s doing it, but it doesn’t make for a great family photo. So the best approach I’ve found is to turn it into something fun. Distract them in the moment, try to help them forget they’re even taking a picture. Whether that’s playing a game, saying a silly word, jamming to their favorite music, or using their siblings to entertain them. This not only gives you that natural, bright smile, but it also helps them feel more comfortable and they’re way less likely to burn out within the first few minutes of shooting.

and lastly,

Let them Get Involved

Kids are curious by nature, and the more you involve them in the process, the more trusting and comfortable they will be around you. I like to have kids help me make mom and dad smile, & maybe even let them take a few clicks with the camera themselves. Often they like to see their pictures right after you’ve taken them, and I’m happy to oblige and give lots of words of affirmation. That’s how I get relaxed, confident kiddos in my sessions, and the results are always fantastic.

So it’s really not hard. You’ve just got to let go a little bit, don’t micro manage and try to perfect your whole session. Humans were not made for perfection. When you can let go of the “perfect shot” in your mind, you start getting the most authentic shot. And that my friends, is what this is all about. Capturing the real and raw human experience, & creating timeless memories. So the next time your photographing those cool as heck kiddos and things start to go off the rails, take a deep breath and remember to give them room to breathe and a chance to trust you. It will make all the difference.

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How to Prepare for Your at Home Portrait Session

At home sessions- I love them, and encourage them! They’re intimate, authentic, and raw. They’re really, really good for creating images that are true to a person’s character. They’re also great for someone who doesn’t enjoy taking photos in public spaces, but isn’t looking for a studio portrait either. But, there are a few things that you should do to make sure that the session goes smooth for not only the photographer, but yourself also.

1.Make sure your space is clutter free

I know- it is not authentic or realistic to expect that someone’s home is pristine and perfect on a daily basis. The reality is, most of our homes (including mine) are busy, a little messy, what I like to call, lived in. And that’s perfectly fine! But for this session, its important that the unnecessary clutter is cleared out. This is because it will be the first thing to stand out and cause a distraction in your photos if not. We tend to forget the little things that are messy or out of place when we live with them day to day, so imagine you’re going into someone else’s home to help them prepare and use that to tidy up your space. Now, if you are not a minimalist that loves clean, crisp backgrounds, by all means do not change your space to that. I myself am a lover of knickknacks, books, floral arrangements, basically anything you can decorate your home with. So for my home sessions, I don’t change those things, because they’re a part of who I am. But I do pick up the random sock on the floor, the morning coffee cup still on the table, and any piled up junk from my counter tops. The unnecessary clutter is what we don’t want, but if its a part of your personality and can tell a bit about you, absolutely don’t change it. This also applies to any space that you want to use outside. In fact, I find that clutter outside shows up even easier than inside, so make sure that you’re prepared for that ahead of time also.

Clearing out your space ahead of time saves your photographer time from having to stop and move things during your session, and makes the whole day run smoother.

2.Keep it professional

As photographers, we know that photographing someone in their own space is only possible because you trust us. It can be a little unnerving having someone come into your home, a safe space that you love, and photograph it. We know that it requires a level of respect, professionalism, and sensitivity to do, and speaking for myself I will always give my clients that. But, the respect should go both ways. Remember that as nervous as you may be for them to come into your home, they are probably just as nervous to be there, especially if you don’t know each other on a personal level. You guys have a mutual responsibility to make each other feel as comfortable and valued as possible, and if you both fulfill that responsibility, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful session.

3.Have fun with it!

The whole purpose of these home session is to showcase who you truly are. If you’ve done the two previous steps in this list, then you’re all set up for success. All you need to do is remember to have a good time! Put on some music, maybe make a cup of tea or coffee, and relax. These types of sessions aren’t supposed to be stiff and posed, they’re meant to express the comfort and sense of self that you get from being in your home.

So that’s it friends. I know that if you do these 3 things, your home session will not only run smoothly, but you’ll also get more out of it than you could have ever imagined. These steps are really going to help your photographer give you images that people will look back on years from now and say “Wow, this speaks to who they were perfectly.” If you’ve got any other questions about how home sessions work, don’t be afraid to send me an email, I’m here to help.

Ready to book your home session now? Click below

The Top Three Most Unique Spots for Portrait Sessions in Louisiana

In this blog, I wanted to let you guys in on my top favorite unique spots for portrait sessions! We all know that there are TONS of beautiful locations across the state of Louisiana, but these are my most treasured and I always have a great time photographing here.

Lake Martin

Lake Martin is a beautiful 800-acre lake in Breaux Bridge Louisiana. Not only does it have tons of activities like hiking, canoeing, fishing, and air boat tours, it’s a phenomenal spot for any kind of portraits! The lake is overflowing with large cypress trees and beautiful Spanish moss. I love going here just to hang out and get some adventure in while not being too far from home. Sunset on the lake is incredible, and is sure to make any family, senior, or engagement session magical.

Kisatchie National Forest

Okay, this one is a gem that is close to my heart. My friends and I discovered it during a camping trip our senior year of high school. It was November and the leaves were changing, and the air was cool and crisp, making it a beautiful and enjoyable scene for hiking and exploring. I loved it so much that I took my own senior pictures there in the spring when the wild azaleas were blooming, and it was breathtaking. In the summer, wildflowers are in bloom everywhere, making you totally forget about the Louisiana heat, even if it’s just for a little while. This is just one of my favorite locations in the national forest, but you can read about another one here. I visit often, and I can assure you that no matter the time of year, your session is guaranteed to be vibrant with the abundance of nature nestled inside the national forest.

Your Own Home!

That’s right. Home sessions are some of my absolute favorites. I love nature, and I love the way that portraits turn out when taken outdoors. But the uniqueness of a session in your own home is unbeatable. We as humans try to make our homes an extension of our selves, and it’s that personal touch in the background of your portraits that take them to another level. With a little extra lighting, I’m able to bring the coziness of your living room right into your photos. But honestly, kitchens are my favorite. There’s something beautiful about capturing the mundane things like making a cup of coffee or dancing in the afternoon light with your partner in front of the fridge. The sessions don’t just have to be inside either. Portraits on the front steps of your home or in back yard are perfect for tying it altogether. Those images say “We built this space, and we love it. Welcome.” So, although they may sound intimidating at first, I promise they provide a level of intimacy and individuality that is unmatchable. Photographing people in their personal space is a privilege, and is something I do with the most sensitivity and respect.

So, there ya have it! My all time favorite, unique spots for portrait sessions in Louisiana. I’m so thankful that my career lets me capture and explore thee beautiful places on a consistent basis. But don’t just take my word for how stunning these locations are, check them out for yourself!

If you’d like to explore these places with ME during a portrait session, follow the link below to learn more!

Are Printed Photos Still Relevant?

In a day & age where the majority of our lives center around sharing photos with friends and family through social media, the question of “Are printed photos still relevant?” stands to be disputed.

It’s true, that sharing on social media is the quickest and easiest way to catch the world up with the current status of our lives. Not to mention, the best way to keep out of town family up to date. Especially with the past two years where travel has been restricted, and often unsafe, I know most of us were grateful to the technological advances of the internet for letting us stay connected in a time when we physically couldn’t.

I think it’s true that humans are picking up a camera, of any sort, now more than ever. Photos for the gram, Facebook photos, Instagram (and just about every other platform now) stories. The internet is exploding with images of people, places, and things all over the world. Truly, this is the most documented time period in history as it stands. And I love that!

Obviously this can come with it’s downfalls though. When does it become too much? Are photos as sacred and important as they once were, now that there are so many? Do printed photos even still matter when we have the power to share them instantly at our finger tips?

The short answer? Absolutely.

Growing up, I too took photos of everything. The difference was that I had to wait for my mom to get the disposable film developed to see them. We’d add them to the giant bins of photos that she kept stored under her bed, and let me tell you, I loved that bin. I still do! It still sits in the same spot in fact, joined by a few new ones from us adding to our collection over the years. It’s quite impressive really. Even more impressive is my grandmother’s though. She has shelves of rubber made bins practically bursting at the seems with photos through the decades. My favorite thing to do at family gathering, or any time new friends/partners came over, would be to grab the bins and show them a glimpse of all the highlighted moments throughout my life. This passion has not died, for I now have my own collection of multiple albums and a small box of overflow photos in my very own, very tiny, rubber made bin. In addition, just as my mother did, I have filled the walls of my home in photos of me and my friends, my husband, and our adorable pets. These are the types of details that really make a house, a home.

But how many other people love the feeling of a printed photograph in their hand as much as I do? Again, is it really that important?

I will say, the emotions connected to a physically printed photo can never be replicated by a digital one. Neither can the style or the nostalgia of it. Seeing them all collaged together in a photo album or a scrap book, organized by major events/time periods, is a feeling that is irreplaceable. Photos have this wonderful ability to tell a story, and printed photos make that story feel more real, more tangible, because they’re a physical thing that you can hold in your hands. Have you ever had your bestie over and pulled out the albums, grabbed a glass of wine and sifted through all of your childhood memories? Because if you haven’t you really should. Printed photos give us the chance to create an experience, to form a bond, to really connect with the people that we are sharing them with. And there is something beautiful, and very important, about that human connection that it grants us. It’s easy, convenient, and even fun to view a stranger’s life through a screen, but it’s never going to going to be the same as being able to sit face to face with them and hear the story behind each photo.

As a little girl, I just adored going through my parents wedding album. Even though they were divorced, it gave me a glimpse into the people that they were before me, two people still in love and celebrating that love, and that was beautiful and fascinating to me. So naturally when I got married myself, I was absolutely insistent on creating our own wedding album. I love it and I know that I’ll be able to pass that feeling on to my own children one day.

I really think that if you aren’t printing photos still in 2021, you’re doing yourself a disservice. It doesn’t just have to be the important events either. I have photo albums dedicated to trips with friends, weekend hangouts, and every day mundane snap shots taken through the years. Whenever I need a reminder of the good stuff, or if I’m just feeling nostalgic, I pull out the bins and reminisce. They don’t have to be the best quality prints, and they don’t have to be strictly film either. They just need to mean something to you. Not to mention, printing is incredibly affordable. My favorite every print store? The local Walmart, as they normally have 4x6 prints for as cheap as 9 cents. They must be tired of seeing me there by now.

So, the next time you have a beautiful family session, get some stunning personal portraits, or save that really good selfie of you and your best friend, get it printed. Store them in a sealed, dry environment, event water and fire proof if you’re wanting to be extra cautious. And the next time your important people are around, make some coffee, pull up a seat, and make that human connection, the one that we are all craving.

Nate’s Senior Portraits

Growing up, our mothers were best friends. Every birthday party, holiday, trip to the zoo, craft making session, and hot summer day was shared with the Hayes family. I’ve watched this guy grow and change and become so much cooler than me in the past 18 years, and I just love him to death. Now, here I am taking his senior pictures. My sentimental heart can’t take it.

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Carley’s Portraits

My sweet bestie let me take some portraits of her a few days ago. The afternoon weather was cool but the sun was hidden by the clouds, which was a bummer but we still made it work. She’s giving me all the dark & moody vibes just in time for Halloween weekend!

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Exploring the Louisiana Landscapes

The weather the last few weekends has finally felt like fall, so my husband and I have been seizing the opportunity to pack up the car on Sundays and drive off to some remote hiking location with zero cell service, and truly enjoy our lives for the day. Between these fun excursions and soccer games for my three beautiful godchildren, I haven’t had much time to do some extra work for the studio like I had planned. Which is fine because this weather is scarce and fleeting here, so we must take advantage of it whenever we can. Just like how Mr. and Mrs. Cullen pull the kids out for camping in sunny weather. Ha!

Now that the 70 degree breezy days are a thing of the past here for the next few weeks, I am taking the opportunity to do some catching up. Like writing this blog post! And I promise the point isn’t to complain about the weather the whole time. While on these little adventures I was able to capture some really beautiful photographs of the Louisiana landscape. And let me tell you, when I’m not sweating profusely and being eaten alive by mosquitos, I truly have a little more admiration for this state that I’ve been itching to get out of for the past 8 years of my life. So I thought I’d share some of that admiration with you guys!

Kisatche National Forest, Valentine Lake Day Site

The first weekend we visited Kisatche National Forest. This is a hidden gem in north Louisiana that my friends and I found for a senior year camping trip in high school. When we first visited in late November, the air was cool, crisp, and the leaves were all shades of red, orange, and yellow ( something these south La kids had never seen in their state because it stays 90 degrees until December down here). It was truly the best camping trip of my life, and I’ve been a frequenter of the forest ever since. So this time I dragged my husband out to the Valentine Lake site to not only enjoy the weather, but to also do some astrophotography!

Astrophotography can be really tricky, you have to know how to use your camera settings and be able to adjust and troubleshoot on the fly, but it’s also the most rewarding form of photography in my opinion. Maybe it’s because I have a strong love for physics and a want to understand the world beyond our planet, but I think everyone should be stopping to look up at the night sky a little more often.

Spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy

If I could, I’d sit here and talk to you about astrophotography all day long, but that’s another blog post so lets move on.

The next location we visited was Chicot State Park, a local favorite down here and a fantastic place for hiking. There are tons of great trails all over the park, but I always like to make it a point of visiting the Louisiana State Arboretum, and my husband had never been, so that’s where we went! The Arboretum is comprised of several beautiful trails and we were able to explore two of them before the sunset, and the mosquitos, were upon us. This is were my beloved mushroom prints come from, as well as my most recent cypress grove picture that I shared (if you haven’t seen these, check out our social media!) We had so much fun that we decided to go back the next Sunday and bring our friends.

We woke up bright and early at 5:30 am, and were on the road by 6. It was cold enough to need a jacket, the bugs were non existent, and we were some of the only people in the park. This time, we explored a few new trails both in and outside of the Arboretum. It was a great morning of hiking and catching up with friends, something we’ve greatly missed in the past almost two years.

Louisiana State Arboretum, Pawpaw Loop Trail

Chicot State Park

Chicot State Park

And that’s all I have to share with you today friends. I promise to share more of my favorites spots in the future, and once the weather is nice again, I hope to run into some of you out there!

Until then take care, and know that I’ll be dreaming about nice, cool weather with you while we wait for winter to fully descent upon us.

Starting Your Own Business: Fun, Scary, & a Whole Lotta Work

For just about as long as I can remember, I have been in school. I love it, I love learning and routine and reading and all the other aspects that most people hate about it. Through elementary, high school, and then college I have walked in bright eyed and eager in every classroom. So when I decided about a month ago now to drop out of college and start my own business pursing my long time hobby of photography, I was terrified. Who was I, and more importantly what was I worth, if I wasn’t getting a college degree? My entire self worth had been built around getting a good education, a safe job, and getting the hell out of this town. So why was I changing the plan now?

I wasn’t happy. And I mean, deeply unsatisfied to my core. Despite being successful in school, learning more than I ever imagined, and being just about a year away from graduation, I just couldn’t take it anymore because I wasn’t happy. In the process of throwing my entire being into my school work, I had really lost every other aspect of my personality. School consumed my life, and because I wanted to go to graduate school, it wasn’t even close to being over. I also realized that I could continue exploring my passion for physics on my own through reading at home, a pass time much loved but much neglected for the past probably 10 years. So for as much as I love learning, I knew that our existence is not concrete, and I did not want to spend what I had left of it consumed in a Mechanics I textbook (even though it’s a pretty good read). I want to be consumed in nature, in the vast wonder of the night sky, in the earth, and in life around me. I’ve never felt more free than when I’m somewhere in a national park with no cell services surrounded by beautiful scenery. So that’s what I’ve decided to do.

It just so happens for me that photography has always been a beloved pass time, and its also the perfect way for me to share those grand experiences with the people around me. That’s why Goldsmith Studios was born, to capture the beauty around us, bring it to your home, and hopefully inspire you to get out there and see it for yourself one day. Now I know I’ve just made this whole experience sound amazing and dreamy and like something straight out of an inspiring Netflix movie, but let me assure you, it is no easy feat. I am extremely lucky to have the support of my wonderful husband, an opportunity to make money on the side doing contract work, and have the basic ground work laid for me to start up this business. Still I’ve worked hard to establish a new routine and battled major imposter syndrome, criticizing my own work more harshly than ever before because quite frankly I am terrified to share it with the world. Plus, I have absolutely 0 experience running a business, so there’s been that whole learning curve. But the earth has a lifespan and so do we, and I refuse to spend mine not seeing all that this universe has to offer. So, here I am, pouring out my heart through my artwork to strangers on the internet. Truly, not something I thought I’d ever say, but I’m thankful to be here. Even more, I’m thankful to you for taking the time to check out my work and read what I have to say. That alone is enough support for me to keep going. I hope you’re able to stick around and watch as I ebb and flow with all that life throws at me.