We have had rain all week. Since our neighborhood is surrounded by trees, it has been especially dark and gloomy. I love it, but I wonder if I will take a picture indoors before 3:00pm ever again. Instead of moaning about it, I went outside for a walk.
This got me thinking about my pictures, in general. I’m getting better (if I do say so myself) and I really enjoy playing around with my camera. I just wish I had a style. Consistency is the hallmark of success. If you look around, the most successful bloggers, writers, and artists have an identifiable aesthetic. This isn’t limited to creative endeavors, either. Doctors, lawyers, burger flippers–the good ones have a style or technique only they can bring to the table.
If you want bright and sharp, visit Summer. Tristan is almost always romantic and dreamy. Heidi wows me with her rich, earthy tones. Soule Mama is pure and authentic. The Pioneer Woman is saturated and rich.
That’s what I want with my photographs (and blog), but I haven’t yet developed a style of my own. Instead, I’m all over the place. Dark, light, natural, edited, cross-process, soft, warm…you name it, I’ve tried it. It’s not good to do that, but I’m not complaining. This experimentation is part of the journey. Eventually I will get to my destination.
While I was outside I also thought about blogging. I’ve been getting a number of emails lately asking for tips and resources. I have to laugh when I get these emails because no one is more filled with angst about blogging than I am. It’s in my personality to over analyze and second guess, and I don’t hold back here. I’ve also checked out most resources out there, so it’s probably a good thing to ask me before you waste your money.
For those who are interested, I recommend Holly’s class, Blogging Your Way, if you want to make your blog more than just a hobby. I took it last year and loved the required assignments and class participation. If you don’t force me to show up, I won’t. Holly’s class requires participation, and I think my blog is better for it. (The above is not an affiliate link. I make no money off this recommendation.)
Holly’s classes are seasonal, but there are immediate and less expensive resources, like books and blogs. I’ve tried to read ProBlogger (I even have the book), but I can’t get into it. I don’t feel it applies to my blog, or maybe I don’t want it to. It can seem formulaic to me. There are too many rules about list posts and catchy titles and headings and three sentence paragraphs. Headings? What am I supposed to do with that? Can you imagine?
Answering the door without a bra: don’t do it.
I mean, please.
Then again, the most successful bloggers online read ProBlogger, including blogging hero Tsh OxenReider from Simple Media. (Here are her blogging tips.) Depending on your blog and goals, you may get more out of it than I do.
I did pick up one e-book yesterday that I thought was well worth the $8 price tag, so much so that I became an affiliate. It’s The Simple Blogging e-book by Rachel Meeks of Small Notebook. I bought it and completely forgot my no-spend October, which means -200 points for me. Oh, well. The price didn’t set me back much, and I love it enough to recommend it, something I rarely do.
I think this e-book is perfect for the beginning blogger and the blogger who isn’t effectively balancing blogging with life. If your blog is larger than mine, or if you read ProBlogger and company, this e-book may not be for you. I enjoyed the feminine perspective, love that she is a mother to young children, and found the last half of the book full of ideas that I will start incorporating here. (There is one that will make quite a few of you laugh and think of me.) I admit, I was a little worried during the first half. It’s geared more towards a beginning blogger and the sections on writing (how to do it better and faster) were not relevant to me because I believe writing is one of my strengths. Rachel admits that writing is what she likes least about blogging, so expect the tips and suggestions to cater to someone with the same struggle.
And that is that. Normally I would stay here at my desk and wait for the proper concluding paragraph to enter my head, but today I am going to take a page out of my new e-book and go play with Mr. Nicholas in the rain.
Have a great day, friends.
As usual, I hear you about defining a style. I’ve been thinking about the same thing lately. The interesting thing is though – I think you do have a style. I am pretty confident that if I were scrolling through my reader quickly I could pick out your posts and photos. And if I am being honest, I “skim” a lot of blogs that I subscribe to but always read your posts in their entirety.
Also, completely agree about Holly’s class. I just finished the most recent session, and she used you as an example! Just bought the e-book as well, thanks for the suggestion :)
Thanks so much for sharing these resources. As a brand-new (public) blogger, it’s all VERY helpful!
You took the words out of my mouth. I have very similar feelings about wanting to find my style. Thanks for sharing these resources. I’m off to check them out!
I have read almost every blogging book there is. I have more that I have liked, but this one I really loved, probably because it speaks to a lifelong problem I have: balance. I’m not good with it. When I want something, I can be like a dog with a bone.
“consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” – ralph waldo emerson
so there.
(don’t check the full quote if you don’t already know it off the top of your head, okay, because it will just make you argue with me and i like your style the way it is.)
What you see as having no style of your own, I see as you being true to ‘phenomenally indecisive’ and including us in your exploratory process which is wonderful. And I also think that you do have a recognizable style.
Thanks for the resources as well. I’ll check into them. I did crack up though thinking about your response if you suddenly saw a huge spike in traffic because you included a heading with those key SEO search words ‘answering door no bra.’ What can I say? I’m a geek.
Thanks again for what’s always a morning brightener.
hmm. i’ve been reading your blog long enough that i feel sheepish just now posting a comment. you remind me an awful lot of one of my dearest friends. i do think you have a style and it’s refreshing. i really enjoy your writing style and lack of pretense. i like that your blog is different than the others i read/skim. i always READ your blog.
also, taking a break to go play with my boys is always the best way to clear my head…well, sometimes wine works better, but usually playing does the trick. :)
Thank you for the love Miss Jules:) I am excited to check out Rachel’s book, thanks!
I think you do have a style though. I love seeing pictures of your living space, your style in how you put it together is fantastic, so simple and lovely.
I’m still up in the air as to what I really want to do with my blog. It started as an offshoot to my semi-private blog, but I’m still trying to figure out how much I really want to share with the whole world. Some days I don’t care, but some days I feel fiercely private. I find I edit myself erring on the side of caution more than not.
Thank you for the resources though – perhaps flipping through them will help me figure out what I’m really aiming for.
Thank you Jules for recommending my book. It’s so funny to be reading your blog and then all of a sudden from over my shoulder my husband says, “Hey there’s a picture of your book.” and then I’m reading about myself. I’m so glad you thought it was good.
I definitely think you have a photographic style. “Real and warm” are two words that come to mind.
I found your blog this morning through a link on Small Notebook and am loving reading through your past entries. If I had a blog, I would likely post that I was swooning over Pancakes and French Fries, which is why it is best that I not have one. I agree with the other commenters that you do have a recognizable and tasteful style.
A well really written post! Thanks for some of the blogging links I did not know of before.
Enjoy the photography, no need to feel pressure to make only one “style” of images! I think your pics are great!