We Can Do It!

As Ricky would say, "Lucy, you got some 'splanin' to do." And I do. I owe it to you ladies to truly explain to you what Pin Up is all about, bc it's not what many of you think, and I think after this little "chat" you will find the inner pin up in you, as I have as well.

Why do I LOVE pin up photography? Is it because I am a sexy girly girl? Don't make me laugh! I am far from sexy! I love to wear tall army boots, high top sneakers, or throw on a back pack and hike into the middle of nowhere. I'm just growing my hair out from a mohawk and I just upgraded my closet from 2 dresses that I wear about once a year to 3. So- do I have some hidden side to me? No. I appreciate Pin Up for what it is- creative, fun, angelic, timeless, and above all else- confidence.

Pin up isn't about being a size 2, it's not about being Vogue cover material, and it's not about being half naked in a centerfold. It's about having confidence in yourself, stepping out of your box, not caring, appreciating yourself, and producing an image even your grandma could enjoy- and I really mean all of that!

Let's have a short history session- pin ups were originally photographs or paintings that men would literally 'pin up' on their walls, next to their bed, or when they were off in the war. They weren't scandalous, they were simply a flirty version of your everyday girl!

This all started last year when I ran my first pin up special. I only did it bc it was close to VDay and I wanted to try something different, plus it was as close to model / fashion photography that I was going to get, which is a passion of mine. I was pretty naive about the true essence of pin up, looking back now, but it has truly taught me so much.

Like what you ask? Well, last summer was the first time in probably 10 years that I have went into public with shorts on. Don't understand what I am trying to say? I'm saying that even at 5 foot 2 and 104 pds I was too self conscious to go out, anywhere, in shorts bc I didn't want ppl looking at my body. I would sweat and die in the middle of summer in jeans before I would put on a pair of shorts- you might catch me in a skirt... Then I started doing these pin up parties. I started dressing up for them too. I started photographing myself for promos. And before you know it, I had bought a pair of high wasted black shorts and wore them out to an event our town has that draws in more ppl than you could ever imagine, and I didn't think twice about it. I liked those shorts, I was going to wear them, I was going to rock them, and I did not have one care in my mind about who saw me in them bc I felt good! And I 100% accredit that to my Pretty Little Pin Up Parties.

Was it because being around group after group of these girls who were booking parties was empowering? Was it because I saw myself in some of these nervous yet beautiful girls? Or was it because it taught me curves are awesome and there is not 1 girl out there with a "perfect" body and that's even more awesome, bc all that means is that we are real, living, human beings that can all relate on the same level- we aren't perfect and you're a joke if you think you are!

Aside from it being a great emotional experience for me, let's talk about you really quick. Sure, you can book a party with me, it can be a girly day, but I want it to be more for you! I want it to be that day when you realize you have the potential to be timeless, a show stopper!! I'm not here to judge. If you do want to get photographed as a nude goddess, well girl, you work it!!! But that's not what I'm offering at my parties. So when you book a party with me, yes, your price includes my set up, my time, my props, your hair done, your make up done, and all that jazz. But it also pays for that first day in your life when you realize you're a women, you're strong, you don't have to hide under that coat, no matter what size you are, no matter what shape you have, and you're going to do it in a way that is SO classy it's going to make even the sexiest of girly girls jealous.

And above all us, keep that inner child alive- no girl should ever turn down the chance to play dress up. <3

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

― Marilyn Monroe

Anything is possible, while driving

So my husband and I have this thing. Every time we go on vacation, or drive fairly far away (and I find we actually do this quite often...) we find ourselves talking about "crazy" things we hope to one day accomplish or ideas we would love to live out. I say "crazy" bc, really, are they so crazy? Or are they just crazy because we've been taught to live safely, to not take unneeded risk, to be happy with what we have. And while I AM happy with what I have, and I don't really consider myself risky, and I am one to worry about everything, I am, by far, probably more than anything, 

a very big dreamer.

The "problem" with this? So is my husband. This causes my dreams to, at times, get even further out of control! That's why I think we have gotten this far in our relationship without killing each other though, especially during times of actually living out some of our "crazy" dreams- like finish the construction of a house (that contained only plywood and studs) by ourselves at the age of 20, both start our own business by the age of 25, and the countless DIY projects we have taken on,bc we secretly love it. 

With that being said, my latest road trip talk was taking my business to the next level this year. It consumed several hours of our trip to Savannah from Michigan. This talk was different though. This talk felt really in my grasp, and I was EXCITED, so so so excited about it.

I keep saying I'm really looking forward to this year, but it's here! We're living it! 2013 has begun and I feel like in a few short weeks I've kicked it into high gear. 

I'm READY!

Are you..........?

So,when do you dream? What's your "crazy" talk?

Make it not so crazy. Make it not just your dream.

Live your dream.

Today. 

90 and counting.

2012 was a beautiful year.

I turned my love and passion for photography into an official company-  A.J.B.C. Photography

My husband built me my own inspiration get away- what most call my studio.

And I learned MORE than I ever could have imagined about myself.

I also had the support of so many wonderful people- my family and my friends and my dedicated clients, who most now fall under 1 of those 2 categories :) I've had the pleasure of working with SO many great people! And I can honestly say I've had fun on every single one of them!

All 90 of them. 

Yep, that's right. 90.

In 2012 alone I had 90 sessions- which blows my mind.

I know it may not be a lot to some companies but knowing I started this business MYSELF and knowing I did the work alone, well, 90 seems like 2,000 (and believe me, some days it DID feel like that, rushing to meet deadlines, completing last minute orders, driving hours away to return hours later- yeah, I know, I know, I secretly love every minute of it!)

I wanted to post an image with this entry and I thought there was nothing more fitting than, literally, the last couple I photographed in 2012.

Do they know I photographed them on the beach, arm in arm, walking into the sun? No.

And I think that's what makes it even more beautiful for me- how ironic that fact is. 

Thank You, from the bottom of my heart, for an amazing year!

I couldn't be MORE excited about 2013!!

Here's to 180!

Take a part of this with you

   For the first time in, I cant even remember when, I set aside 2 weeks and labeled them as "vacation" on my calendar.

   The first week got away from me. We were supposed to take 16 long days and travel all the way out west, exploring mountains, indulging in artistic towns, and seeing new sites. Instead, my work load was too heavy and I spent that week trapped in my office playing catch up.  Really think about that. I sacrificed time with my husband, amongst gorgeous scenery to sit in a dark room and stare at a computer screen....

   That's not right. Plain and simple.

  Yes, it felt good to get caught up, work on some new things, and tie up those lose ends before vacation, but I never, ever wanted to turn into that person- where work was more important than LIFE. I love my job, it's my obsession, it's my addiction, it's what helps me express myself, and it pays the bills, but... it's still my job.

   Many people think working for yourself or out of your home is awesome, and most days it is, but also remember exactly that- my work is in my home, therefore, how can you ever get away from it!? There's no door to lock up and walk away from for the night, there's no answering machine that will keep people satisfied until I have time to get back with them and there is no one else to pick up my slack when I am sick, gone, or need a day to myself!

   So, with that being said, the 2nd week of vacation we decided on the good ole Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (again, for the 6th year in a row.) I can't even say I don't know what draws us there, bc I know EXACTLY what it is. It's not the mountains, even though those are exciting to explore, it's not the art, even though that always leaves me with a sense of inspiration, and it's not the southern cooking, even though that leaves us very happy at night. It's the fact that everything, and everyone there moves through life at a peaceful and slow pace that I envy and while we are there, we can pretend to live the same way for a few days.

   We can wake up in the morning and not rush out the door. We can drive through town, stop calmly at the red lights, and inch our way down the road as we look at the scenery. We can do what needs to be done during the day and get back to our room where we can lay in bed before sleeping and talk about the day, read a book, or watch t.v. Please, again, really think about that. Am I saying my life is SO busy that I can't even find the time to read a book at night before I go to sleep? Yep. That's what I said.

   Again, that's not right. What is there to life if you don't have enough time to slow down and do the things you love, even if it's for 30 mins? Ok, I know it's not the end of the world, but it was really starting to alter me. The number one reason why I fell in love with my husband is because he made me feel like it was ok to dream, to live, to explore, and to not worry so much about the "right way to live." Somewhere, in my busy life, I had lost that and I felt like this vacation was 9 days for me to get it back.

  Did you know that in Tennessee if it snows a foot, no one INSISTS that you still HAVE to come into work or the world will end, like in Michigan? That they obviously value life more than money.

   Did you know in the south it isn't uncommon for someone to leave a note on the door that reads "Closed for the day for my daughter's birthday" during regular business hours? They obviously cherish life's precious moments more than everyday hustle and bustle.

   Did you know in the mountains the weather doesn't always go as planned, the sun doesn't always shine when you need it to, and the animals don't come out so you can get a picture of them exactly when you pass by... There's a true sense that the world is much grander then you could every imagine there, definitely grander than you or I and our lives. I was glad to find that again.

   In short, we took a few days to shop, to hike, to sit by the river, to explore, to relax, to view art, and to appreciate the land the animals.

   The image to the right was from the aquarium, one of our rainy day trips. It's me with the jellyfish. I have never, ever seen a more beautiful site, almost to the point that they were hypnotic. To walk away from them was difficult. Animals that we viewed there were amazing and truly made me question what is real and make believe- they were unbelievable!

   The thing that I was most excited about though was to be able to sit, and stay sitting, long enough to create... It's something I do every day for my job, but with digital tools. It's so different when that creation comes out of you, made by your hands, as a true reflection of what you and only you are capable of, without any helpful tools.

   Amongst all this I made a pack with myself, to not lose this sense of life again, to take a little of the south with me when I returned back home. Promise myself, at 7:00, work is done! Those images that I was so close to finishing will have to wait until the next day, those people who text you at 10:00 at night on a Sunday will have to remember that I have scheduled weekends too. And I mean this all in the kindest way. Most people DO understand, and that's what I have to work on. It's ok to take a break, it's ok to have a life, and it's ok to treat my job, like a job! I need to bring that balance back! 

   So with that, I leave you with a peaceful view of the mountains, early in the morning, wrapped up in fog, with the sun dancing on the trees hoping you have balance in your life or will find it soon, that your love for life will never leave, and that we all take the time to take a deep breath and remember why we are here. Not to work all the time, not to play all the time, but to live, happily, progressively, truthfully... in a way that allows us to smile when we lay our head down onto our pillow every night.