Carrizo Plains National Monument - I am a Finalist in the Viewbug Photo Contest!!!

I cannot even believe this! 2 photos within weeks of each other made it to the Finalist in different photo contests!!! How freaking awesome is this life!?!

Gosh, you guys! Thank you so freaking much for all your love and support. It means the world to me!

Carrizo Plains National Monument -

This adventure was a super spontaneous trip that I took in 2017. I was looking over some of my photography forums and watching the National Parks websites for super bloom information. This lasted for a couple of weeks. I would check in daily to see where the blooms were, how they were doing, and ultimately decide if it was worth taking the long trip.

Well, one day I saw that Corrizo was in full bloom! I just couldn’t help myself. I had to go! So, the next morning I hopped in the car and took the 4 hour trip to the Corrizo Plains National Monument. Man was it worth it!

There were beautiful purple and yellow blooms EVERYWHERE. There was one main trail that you could walk among the wildflowers. It went up a small hill and you could see over the amazing landscape. The view was to die for!

I ultimately wanted a sunset image, so I sat down on the trail and just waited. As I was sitting there, I had my camera on a tripod and I figured, well… why the heck not try a self portrait. I was surrounded by wildflowers and it was amazing!

The day was perfect. It was an incredibly long day trip, but man was it worth it!

The Photo Contest:

A photo contest came open called ‘Sitting in Nature’ and I literally jumped with happiness! I just had to submit my Corrizo Plains National Monument Superbloom photo called “Among the Flowers” . I have been on a mission to submit photos to contests. It is one of my goals this year and I am so freaking stoked that I made it one.

So, here is the image that made it to be a finalist:

I am a Finalist in the Sitting in Nature Viewbug Photo Contest!!!

How cool is that?!!!! I mean seriously though! I am beyond humbled and incredibly excited to be among some of these amazing photos.

If you want, here is a link to purchase images from this adventure check it out here:

Carrizo Plains California Super Bloom Photograph

from $40.00

California Super Bloom Photograph

from $40.00

If you want to see the grand prize winner and all the finalists check out the contest winners.

Have you entered into any photo contests? If so, which ones? Comment below and let me know :) I would love to check them out.

Wishing you the very best,

Bessie

Make sure to check out some of my Landscape Photography Adventures, Tips, Tricks, and How To’s here:

White Sands National Monument - I am a Finalist in the Viewbug Photo Contest!!!

You guys!!!! I am so dang excited.

One of my goals this year was to win a photo contest or be featured in a magazine! Well, this month I made it to be a finalist in the Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol3 !!! This contest is hosted on View Bug and is just such an amazing place and an amazing honor.

I submitted one of my images taken while I was in White Sands National Monument at sunset. Here is the photograph that actually made it to be a finalist:

White Sands National Monument -

I am a Finalist in the Viewbug Photo Contest!!!

I can’t even begin to say how incredibly excited I am about this. There were hundreds of thousands of photos submitted and to be a finalist in the contest and see my image among these amazing great photos is incredibly humbling.

If you want, here is a link to purchase the photograph:

Travelers In Solitude

from $40.00

If you want to see the grand prize winner and all the finalists check out the contest winners.

Have you entered into any photo contests? If so, which ones? Comment below and let me know :) I would love to check them out.

Wishing you the very best,

Bessie

Make sure to check out some of my Landscape Photography Adventures, Tips, Tricks, and How To’s here:

Uninspired? Find Your Motivation | Inspiration for Creative Entrepreneurs | Car Chats With Bessie

Recently I was watching a Peter Mckinnon video. I mean ya, everyone probably saw it because he has a bajillion followers. It was all about feeling uninspired.

He called it photographers block . I thought that was just perfect !  The entire video is really good and it was all about things that you could do  to become inspired again , or to get over this so-called photographers block .  

As I started reading through the comments I noticed a reoccurring comment, or a reoccurring theme. There were so many people talking about comparison. They were saying how they can't seem to overcome the hole comparison game, how comparison is the death of motivation, and how social media is really feeding people to compare themselves to others.

Naturally I started commenting trying to help him to stay motivated. Explaining how they shouldn't be comparing themselves to others, blah blah blah. Then I started realizing that I should just create a video in a blog post about this. There are so many people struggling with this .  So here it is my blog post all about  comparing yourself and what I do to make sure that I don't compare myself to others .  

Now it's kind of inevitable right? We have social media in our face, we have the world at our fingertips because we carry our smartphone everywhere we go. So we are getting inundated with so much information .  We see all these people being so successful, and we begin to doubt our self. We begin to think what's wrong with me?  

Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People

I'm here to tell you my friend that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you . You see the problem with social media is we see everybody's highlight reel . Do we even really know  that this is real? That their successes real? That those photos are real? Yet we want to compare yourself to something that we don't really even know  the truth behind it .  The other thing is is we don't see the struggles that these successful people have been through. We don't see how long it's taking them to get to where they are today .  We might have been in business for only a couple years yet we're comparing yourself to someone that's been grinding it out for 10 or 15 years . We have to remember this  or the other idea is to just stop comparing yourself  two other people on the internet . Now hear me out . . .  

I say that we start comparing ourself to ourself .  I'm sure you're kind of wondering what I mean but just listen for a second and you'll totally understand where I'm going .  If we start comparing ourselves to our self we will start realizing how far we've come in our craft . Take a moment and look back at when you first started . Look at your photos, or your Creations, a few years ago . Now compare them to something that you just did recently .  Don't you notice how far you have come ?. 

“ Now if that is not motivation I really don’t know what it is ”

You can see your success . You can see your growth. You can see how awesome you're becoming.  You can see that you are getting better . You can see all the changes that you've made throughout the years to be where you are today . Now if you would have stopped pushing forward you wouldn't be the badass that you are today. If you would have stopped because you kept comparing yourself and thinking that you're not good enough then you wouldn't be as good as you are today. So my friend stop comparing yourself to other people and just compare yourself to yourself. Whenever you start realizing that you are comparing yourself to others, and you realize that you're starting to feel down, you're starting to doubt yourself, and so forth pull up your old stuff. Pull up your old images from years ago and start comparing those to the ones that you just took. Believe me it's going to make you happy, it's going to motivate you, and it's going to make you realize that you are getting better, and that you will continue to get better as time goes on as long as you continue to pursue what you love.

Lets compare some of my photos:

So there you have it. My progression from 2007. Whenever I choose to compare myself to myself I begin to feel so much dang better. I see how far I have come, I realize how much I have grown as an individual and a creative. Then, I become inspired to do more, get better, try harder.

“So lets stop comparing ourselves to other people. Lets just compare ourselves to ourselves. ”

Can you relate? Leave a comment below! I would love to hear how you avoid the Photographers block, how to avoid getting uninspired, how you find your motivation to continue to do what you love.

Wishing you nothing but the most positive 2019!

Bessie

The Creative Process | Inspiration for Creative Entrepreneurs | Car Chats With Bessie

Ahhh, being a creative… We have so many different ups and downs. The creative process is tricky, but it is only tricky when it comes to your mind. We play so many mind games on ourselves it is crazy.

There are a ton of different funny quotes about the creative process. You can find all sorts of images that can make you laugh and that you can completely relate to. I just figured, I would create one myself, explain what actually goes on in our heads, and then share it with you! So here goes nothing. I hope you enjoy, get a good laugh, and can relate to it all :)

The Creative Process | Inspiration for Creative Entrepreneurs

Car Chats With Bessie

So here is my version of the creative process:

1. Yas! This is awesome!

   This is the beginning of it all. We get inspired, have an awesome idea in our head, and are freaking gung ho to make it come to life.

   At this point we gather all the supplies, all the things, maybe some coffee along the way, and then get to creating.

2. This is hard…

   As we start ‘making it happen’ it becomes apparent that the idea is way harder to make come to life than we expected. We begin to question ourselves. Like

   • “What the hell was I even thinking starting this project?”

   • “This seemed so much easier in my head”

   • “Why the crap do I do this to myself”

   • “What is wrong with me? Why isn’t this easier?”

3. This sucks!

   After we get to creating, realize how hard it actually is, and start seeing the product actually come to life all hell breaks loose. Everything gets questioned. We begin to doubt ourself because things may not be going as planned. We get uninspired, sad, and we start all the negative talk…

4. I suck! I should quit.

   Yep, all the negative self talk one can, or can’t, handle. This is in the heart of the project. Where we begin to want to give up. Where we question everything and when I say everything I mean everything. We even begin to question life choices that aren’t even related to the project itself.

   This is where we then also start to compare ourselves to others.

   • “Why do I even try, look how good they are doing”

   • “What is wrong with me?”

   • “Oh crap I can’t ever find anything around here. I really need to get better at being organized.”

   • “I definitely shouldn’t have had all those drinks during New Years”

   • “Why can’t I ever finish a new years resolution? Oh ya, because I suck!”

   • “I suck. People are just lying when they say they like my stuff”

5. This might be ok…

   After kicking our own ass, possibly for days, we start to see the final product. We start to realize that there might be some hope. That there is a possibility that the project might turn out just ok. Maybe not great. Maybe not what we expected it to be, but good enough.

   • “Huh…. maybe it’s not that bad”

   • “Maybe it will turn out ok. I guess I will finish it just to see the final product complete, but I won’t share it with anyone”

6. Yas! This is awesome!

   The project is complete. This phase might take a few days to actually make it to. We might be stuck in phase 4 or 5 for days. When I say days, I mean freaking days. Not like seconds, or minutes, or hours…. DAYS.

   We inspect the project, look at it over and over again, talk to our Mom about all the good and bad aspects of it. You know… why it sucks and why it might be ok. What all the flaws are about the final product. What might make it a pretty cool accomplishment.

   We then walk away. Sleep on it. Inspect it again. Eventually we realize how awesome it really is and we get the courage up to share it with others.

So there you have it. The creative process. The funny, somewhat ridiculous, and oh so very real things we go through on a day to day basis. Being a creative definitely has its ups and downs. It can get crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being a creative, being able to have a vision of something and make it come to life :)

Can you relate? Leave a comment below! I would love to hear your version of one of the phases, or your version of the entire creative process :)

Wishing you nothing but the most positive 2019!

Bessie

Stop and Celebrate! 500 Followers on Youtube!!!

Stop and Celebrate!

500 Followers on Youtube!!!

So I want to first of all say thank you all so much for all your love and support! This has been some sort of crazy adventure and it sure is an awesome one, but what is this blog post about really?

The point of this post is to freaking stop and celebrate! So often do we accomplish things that we have set out to accomplish only to just let them pass by with a blink of an eye. We forget to show gratitude, we forget to stop and realize how far we have come, and we forget to freaking celebrate.

If we just continue on down the road acting like these milestones are no big thing then they become no big thing. We get it in our head that we haven’t accomplished anything, we begin to feel down on ourselves, and our motivation goes out the window.

What does 500 followers on Youtube do for me? Absolutely nothing, but guess what…. it was a goal of mine this year. I wanted to make it to 500 followers and check it out… I did!!! That means 500 people like my channel. That means I can help 500 people learn photography. That means 500 people get to come along with me in my crazy adventures and I can inspire and help 500 people! That to me is fan-freaking-tastic!!! **insert fist bump here**

So, yes this blog post is to say thank you. Yes this blog post is to celebrate, and yes this blog post is to stop and realize how far I have come since I started my business, but ultimately this blog post is to tell YOU to stop and celebrate. Celebrate all the things big or small. Stop and have a beer, go out to dinner, take the night off, do something that makes you happy. Something that tells yourself congratulations.

This is me telling you to stop and celebrate! Take the moment to realize your accomplishments :)

It Was A Miracle

Well here I am sitting at the DMV for the fourth time in a little over a month. How the heck does this happen? Do you really want to know? Well I decided to buy a truck from out of state... 

OK ok, let me tell you how I got to where I am today, sitting on a cold concrete bench, at 7 in the morning, waiting for the DMV to open.  

I sold my Toyota Tacoma over a year and a half ago. I was determined to buy another Tacoma as soon as I sold it, but nothing to my liking ever came up. You see, Toyota’s really do hold their value and yes I was being pickey. So a year and a half later I was starting to get ancey.  

My “Old” Truck:

One day the exact Toyota that I had been waiting for popped up in Washington! I was so dang excited, but a little nervous to buy a truck from out of state. I have only heard horror stories...  

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and make a bonzi trip to Washington. I thought it was the perfect excuse for a road trip and I have so many places in Oregon and Washington that I want to photograph so it was a win win win! I rented a car, left around 4 in the afternoon, and made it to Medford Oregon just before midnight.  

The next day was the day! The day I get my new truck! So off I went to continue my adventure. I decided to stop in Salem Oregon for some lunch at my favorite place... Chipotle. After eating my lunch in my car, you see I had to bring Yota with me, I continued on.  

Finally, I made it to Washington! I test drove the truck and it was everything I wanted. Seriously so dang excited! So we came to an agreement and I went to grab my wallet and to my surprise it was gone! Like gone gone! Like no where to be found gone! 

As I frantically tore my rental car apart I finally came to the conclusion that I had lost it. I traced my steps trying to figure out where abouts it could be and... DING... Chipotle. Yes the Chipotle in Oregon. So I took a deep breath, called the Chipotle, and to my dismay they did not heave it. After hanging up the phone I realized that I set everything on the roof of my car. Yes all my food, my drinks, napkins, utensils, and... dun dun dun.... my wallet. I figured all was lost at this point. Someone probably picked it up off the street after it tumbled off the roof while I dove away clueless. My heart sank. I didn't have any money, any credit cards, or any ID. It's amazing how our entire life is in our wallet. I was in Washington with nothing.

The only thing I had was a checkbook. So I asked the gentleman if he would be OK with me writing a check. I think he realized how freaked out I was and he agreed. Let me tell you there are really amazing people out there!  

So I purchased the vehicle with nothing but a check...  

After finalizing everything I was on a mission to get to Salem as quickly as I could in order to see if I could find my dang wallet. I figured it was a long shot, but I had to try. Yes that meant that all my Landscape Photography dreams were thrown out the window to be completed on a different trip... but I still had to try to find it. 

As I rolled into the Chipotle parking lot I scoured the streets. I went into every store asking if a wallet was dropped off, just fingers crossed that some amazing person turned it in. Nothing. ...

I walked up and down the road. Nothing...  

I drove around tracing my every move. Nothing...  

The last possible place that it could be was somewhere near the on-ramp to the freeway. At this point I was starting to accept the fact that it was gone. I started to try and figure out what in the literal heck I was going to do and how I was even going to get home.

So I slowly drove down the on ramp watching each side with a hawks eye. As I creeped closer to the highway I knew that it was over. I started to push the throttle to begin to merge and then... what is that?! MY WALLET!!!! There is was on the side of the on-ramp, open, with money and cards all over the place. 

I pulled over in a flash, ran out to grab my wallet, and then started picking up all the things. Can you even believe it?! I know to this day I still can't! I found everything except $50 and a picture. Let me tell you I am so dang thankful. As I was walking up and down the side of the highway gathering all my money and all my things all I could think about is God is Good. Like so Good!  

So the rest is really history and here I sit at the DMV waiting to register my truck. Yes it's been multiple trips to the DMV, but it's not really bothering me :)

Now, I have a new truck for new adventures!

Bess

Hey! If you enjoyed this blog make sure to check these out:

A New Logo for Bessie Young Photography!

A New Logo for Bessie Young Photography!

A new look for my business!!! I am so dang excited to announce my new logo! Holy moly! I have been wanting to create a new logo ever since I started my photography business, but I just didn't really know what to create. This logo has been years in the making and it is finally here! Woohoo!!!

So, what is the deal? Why did I do this really?

I created my original logo in a rush. I started my business and needed a logo, so insert quick pretty logo here. Now ever since then I had plans to change this logo, but I just didn't really know what to change it to. Now after 3 years of being in business I finally figured it out! Ya, 3 years seems like a long time, but it really did take me that long. This entire time I have been trying to really nail down where exactly I want to go with this photography business of mine and how I really want to brand it.

Starting out, my business was jumbled with a  bit of confusion on whether I was a landscape photographer or whether I was a portrait photographer. Well if you have stuck with me this long you know I am both! I definitely am not into pigeon holing myself because I love both equally; however, it has been a struggle to figure out how to work them both into by business without confusing people lol.

To be honest, I still struggle with it a little bit, but I think it finally worked. Now how does this all pertain to my logo? My logo was basic. Very simple and easy; however, I really wanted something that meant something to me and matched my brand. You see I am a landscape photographer and an outdoor portrait photographer that incorporates landscapes into the session. I mean how cool is it to be able to take landscape pictures with beautiful people in them? Well, its freaking cool! I digress.... back on topic :)

My logo needed to match my brand and it took me awhile to figure out exactly what that was. One day I started designing logos on paper. Really trying to make my logo beautiful and something that actually meant something to me. Something that I was going to be truly proud of. Well after multiple attempts I finally got it! It took me almost a full day to design this thing in Photoshop and I am just so dang proud!  So without further a due here it is the new Bessie Young Photography Logo:
 

So what do you think? I would love to know your opinion! Now each item in this logo means something personal to me and I am just so stoked!!!

So of course I had to make some cool Swag!!! Check out the new travel mugs and coffee mugs:

Thank you so much for all your encouragement and support. You are amazing and I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate you. Thank you!

I hope you all enjoyed this blog. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Wishing you a very beautiful day!

Bessie

Do you take the time? Landscape Photography Tips and Tricks - Sunflower Fields in Sacramento

Do you take the time?

Landscape Photography Tips and Tricks

Sunflower Fields in Sacramento

So if you don't know by now I absolutely freaking love road trips! Growing up, that is what we did.... we took road trips. We saw some amazing things, made some of the best memories, and had the absolute most fun. Since going out on my own, I continue to road trip. It is like it is ingrained in every inch of me, it is part of my gypsy soul. To be honest, I crave road trips.

The Story

This past weekend I ended up taking a road trip up to Washington. On the way home it was late. I mean late late late. I was in Redding at about 3 in the afternoon which meant hitting Sacramento during the worst portion of the day, rush hour. This would then have me arriving around 10pm.

So I decided to stay in Redding for awhile in order to avoid traffic (i hate traffic). I went to a local brewery which was absolutely amazing called Fall River Brewery. Then I stopped at my go to out food, Chipotle. Finally, it was time that I could head on down the road and not hit crazy traffic in Sacramento.

As I was passing through Yolo there was this amazing sunflower field. I had to decide, do I stop to take some pictures, or do I just keep rolling because if I stop I am going to get home crazy freaking late...

Do you stop to take the time?

So it was decision time... do I stop or do I continue? Obviously I ended up stopping, but it really got me to thinking.

There have been so many times that I have been on a road trip and didn't want to stop to take the time to take a photo. I regret each and every one of those times, but for some reason I still have that little voice inside my head saying that I don't need to stop, that it isn't a big deal, and that I am on a schedule.

Now am I really on a schedule? No not really. So why is it that we get so caught up in the have to get there right now kind of mentality? Why is it that we feel guilty for taking the time to stop? Why is it that we put a time schedule on E V E R Y T H I N G?

You see, it is difficult to schedule seeing the sunflower fields bloom especially when you live over 4 hours away. So why was I struggling so hard? Honestly, I do not have an answer for you, but I figured if I am struggling with this, then maybe you are too.

Take the time to do what you love

I wanted to encourage you to take the time. Take the time to do what you love. Yes, it might put you back 10 minutes or even an hour, but guess what... at least you took the time to get some epic photos.

We really need to stop rushing ourselves. We really need to stop and enjoy the roses, or sunflowers in this instance. Maybe you have no idea what I am talking about, maybe you think I am crazy for struggling with this, but maybe, just maybe you needed to hear this. I am hoping that I can encourage you to take the time for you. Take the time for what you love. In the end you will not regret it, you will only regret what you didn't do.

There have been way too many times that I regret not stopping. I missed out on some epic shots, but I am learning. I am growing, I am trying to get better, trying to quiet that silly voice inside my head.

You see, if I wouldn't have stopped I would have missed getting these epic shots:

This is my little message to encourage you to keep doing what you love, to stop and take the time to do what you love, and to not feel freaking guilty about it.

I hope you enjoyed this blog, and the video. Do you struggle with this? Leave a comment down below. I would love to chat with you!

Until next time my beautiful friend,

Bessie

 

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Things don't always go as planned - Backpacking Devils Bathtub Graveyard Trailhead

Things Don't Always Go As Planned....

Backpacking Devils Bathtub

Landscape Photography by Bessie Young

Earlier in July I set off for a 4 day 3 night backpacking trip into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Graveyard trailhead starts at Edison Lake in Fresno California. The original plan was to stay at Devils Bathtub for a night and then head over to Graveyard lake for the remainder of the trip. Well let me tell you, things don't always go as planned.

The Trip to Devils Bathtub

The trip started off hot. The weather was calling for highs of 70 and lows in the lower 40's. The first day was a tad bit warmer than expected, but I started in the late morning so it wasn't too hot. I hiked from Edison lake to Graveyard Lake having to take quite a few stops to let Yota, my Boston Terrier, take a breather and cool off. We made it to the lake with plenty of time to enjoy the evening, set up camp, cook dinner, and just relax.

That night seemed incredibly warm, but I didn't think much of it. I didn't have my thermometer on, so I thought it was just my metabolism being heightened from the long walk in and the big pasta dinner I ate that evening.

Devils Bathtub Hike Details:

Distance: 4.5 miles one way

Elevation Gain: 1,551 feet

Trail Type: Out and back

Lake Elevation: 9,167 feet

Things don't always go as planned - Day 2

After packing up all my gear I headed off to Graveyard lake as planned. The day was getting hotter and hotter and with that I was getting a little concerned that Yota would be able to finish the hike.

About halfway to Graveyard I decided to take a break. You see Yota is a dog that will definitely out walk me, but not on this day. She wasn't panting hard, her tongue wasn't large, but she kept laying down every time I would stop. This was just weird. She is always out in front chasing lizards along the way. The break was the moment that I needed to make a decision. Was I going to head back to Devils Bathtub or continue on to Graveyard. As I sat there contemplating my day, Yota kept falling asleep. She was just so tired.

The Decision

I knew from the moment that I decided to take a break I was going to carry Yota. I might be overly cautious, but I couldn't imagine if anything happened to her. 

My choices were to hike to Graveyard which was all uphill, or head back to Devils Bathtub which was all downhill. Now Yota is 22 pounds and adding 22 pounds to an already 35ish pound pack is quite a big deal for me. So I decided to go with the flow, take it easy on myself, and head back downhill to Devils Bathtub.

Ultimately it ended up being a really nice day after accepting the fact that I wasn't going to be able to see all the pretty lakes that I wanted to see.

When I got back to Devils Bathtub I ended up taking a nice long swim in the lake and then relaxing on the beach for the afternoon. After my lazy afternoon I set up camp and started to scope out my area in order to get ready to take some pretty sunset images.

That night I made sure to turn on my thermometer to see how cool it got. It ended up only getting down to 58, mind you it was supposed to be in the low 40's. Ya, so much different that what was forecast.

So, the moral of the story is to really just go with the flow. If I wouldn't have gone back to Devils Bathtub I woudn't have gotten some really pretty pictures and early morning shots. I also wouldn't have been able to just relax and enjoy the moment, the breeze, the fresh mountain air, and just being in nature.

I hope you all enjoyed this blog. Have you been to Devils Bathtub or Graveyard lake? If so leave a comment below . I would love to hear about your trip!

Wishing you nothing but amazing adventures and pretty pictures!

Bessie

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Should I Quit? - Photography Tips

Should I Quit?

When is the right time to quit?

This is a question I have asked myself throughout this photography journey. Should I quit? I'm not the best at what I do, hell I'm only half decent to say the truth.

As I look at other photographers work I sit there is utter amazement and awe. I have so much to learn and so far to go before.... before I make it.

Am I a fraud? You know the saying is, fake it until you make it, but what if we never "make it"? What is making it anyways? When do you decide to stop? When do you decide to stop trying, to stop pursuing your dreams? When do you finally recognize that you won't "make it"?

I was talking with my dad the other day and asking him when do you decide enough is enough? When do you give into the pressures of society and just stop pursuing your dream? When do you decide that you are just wasting your time?

My dad just looked at me and smiled. He took a deep breath and said

“Oh sweet Bessa, you never stop. You are never wasting your time pursuing your dream. you never stop doing what you are passionate about, and you never stop doing what you love. Why would you? ”

So I ask you this my beautiful friends, why would you stop? Why do we believe this false idea that we aren't good enough? You are good enough. Let me just repeat myself on that... YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

When should you quit? The answer is never. Not as long as you love what you are doing. You should never quit, never give up, and never stop trying. If you are loving what you do why would you quit? 

So what if you aren't the best. So what if you don't make if... for whatever that might mean to you. If you have passion to create then just freaking create. If you love what you are doing then never stop doing.

Never quit my beautiful friends. Never stop creating.

Bessie

 

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New Photography Work Space - I Made A Desk - Inspiration for Photographers

New Photography Work Space

I Made A Desk

When I first started my photography business I bought a plastic desk from Walmart. You know, one of those fold up white picnic desks. Well, I have had that desk for a few years now; however, it just wasn't doing it for me anymore. Ultimately, it wasn't very inspiring. It was bland, white, uncomfortable, and just not all that awesome. Now, it worked for the time I had it. It was a great desk and functioned just as it should. It is just that I got to a point where I needed a nice pretty desk. Something that would inspire me to be creative. Something that I wanted to sit at rather than had to sit at.

I began my search for a new desk during the Black Friday madness last yer. I thought that I could get something for somewhat reasonable. Well, let me tell you.... I was wrong. I guess I just have way too expensive of taste :? Everything seemed to be about $1,000 after taxes, shipping, etc so I began thinking that I would just make my own.

If you don't know this about me, I used to run an Etsy shop that was a rustic home decor shop. I created all sorts of fun wood things from log tables to kitchen items. I haven't ever made anything as complex as a desk, but I was up for a challenge.

When I started, all I knew is I wanted it to be rustic yet fit my current living room vibe which made shopping super easy. I went to Lowe's and Home Depot for all my supplies.

I am so incredibly excited for the way that it turned out. It took a few days to make and a few days for the stain to actually dry.

There is something to say for an inspired space. If you are a creative you completely understand. You need to be somewhere that is going to inspire you, somewhere that you are going to want to be, and somewhere that will get your creative mind going. This space is exactly that for me. As I sit at this desk, I just smile. I smile knowing that I made it, because it is beautiful, because it is exactly what I wanted, and because it just makes me happy.

Now, with this new beautiful desk, I will be able to create the Free Stock Images that you all have been asking for! Yay!

I hope you all enjoyed this blog. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Wishing you a very beautiful day!

Bessie

2017 Year in Review and 2018 Goals

2017 Year in Review and 2018 Goals

Wow 2018 is next week!!! Actually it is only in a couple of days. Can you believe it? I know that I am in shock! Serious shock! This year went by so fast.

Being able to do a year in review and goal setting is so much fun. I love looking back on the year and reminiscing on everything that has happened. It is amazing how we forget the little things and don't realize how much actually happened within the year until we actually stop and think about it. So, lets look back on what happened in 2017 for Bessie Young Photography.

2017 Year in Review

1. I split my website into 2!

The biggest thing that happened for my business is the fact that I split my websites. This was a huge endeavor, it took a lot of time, but I am so incredibly happy that I did this! So now, all my landscape images, behind the scenes, how I got the shot, and tips/tricks are on this website. All my everything pertaining to portrait photography is on www.bessieyoung.photography

2. I was able to go on so so so many adventures.

- Death Valley National Park and Badwater Basin

- Corrizo Plain National Monument during the California Super Bloom

- Olympic National Park

- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington

- Snoqualmnie Falls in Washington

- Backpacking the Ansel Adams Wilderness

- Solar Eclipse in Oregon

- Finding Fall and the Alpine Loop, Utah

3. I started sharing Tips, Tricks, How To's, and Tutorials on my Youtube Channel!

Wowza right?! I mean holy moly man. Talk about a busy year, and that is just the landscape side of my business!

Ok, so now lets chat about 2018.

2018 Goals

1. Create a 2019 calendar and get it ready to sell by October 2018

2. Work on my Sierra Nevada Mountain Wildflower Guide Book.

Yep you read that right! I have been working on gathering content for years and years. Getting pictures of the wildflowers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be challenging as they only come out once a year. I finally have taken all the images of the wildflowers that I want in my book. Now, I need to compile all the data and create a book. This is going to be a big undertaking but I am so ready for the challenge and to be able to see one of my biggest dreams come true :)

Growing up I absolutely loved getting nature books. It was something that my parents got me for my birthday quite often. I loved going outside and trying to name all the bugs, birds, trees, and especially flowers. I always said that one day I will make a book, only better. One with good images. One where you can look at the picture and not have to guess. Well, that time has come my friends! That time is now and I couldn't be more excited.

3. Start my shop!

Ok so if you didn't watch the video I am going to be adding a section to my shop that includes coffee mugs, T Shirts, and more for photographers! I am so excited about this. Everything is going to be hand drawn, designed, and created by me. I will then get it printed and everything will be printed and designed in the USA. This was a huge thing for me and took me a little while to actually find a printer that was USA based; however, I found one and am so incredibly excited to start this section of my shop!

So that is everything. My 2017 in review and my 2018 goals. So what are you most proud of from 2017? What are your 2018 goals? Leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Wishing you Happy New Year and a wonderful 2018!

Bessie