#reverb {d 9, 10, 11, 12, 13}

December 13, 2010 - 6 Comments by Mishelle - Secret Agent Mama

December 9 – PARTY.

What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Prompt Author: Shauna Reid)

Erica and Dusty’s Wedding.   It was an awesome way for me to start my wedding photography career.   The people were all so gorgeous.  The setting was absolutely amazing and even historical.  The smiles were plenty.  There was laughter, and fun dancing, and singing, and hugging, and kissing.  Simply put, it was ah-mazing!

There was this moment, at the ceremony, after their Preacher pronounced them “husband and wife”, where he asked everyone to bow their heads to pray, so that Erica and Dusty might pray together as a married couple for the first time.  The feeling was intense.  As I snapped this photo (and the ones that surrounded this exposure) my face was completely wet with tears.  My ears were ringing.  There was  a lump in my throat.  And, a smile on my face.

To document their story was an honor and totally rocked my socks off!

What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Prompt Author: Susannah Conway)

Quitting my Project 365 for 2010.  It’s no kidding that I absolutely love photography, but this year’s Project 365 became a total chore, and it actually, at one point, became something I loathed.  So, I quit.  Why should I force something I love to do?   If it’s forced, it runs the risk of not being great.  It also isn’t fun, and that’s not the point of the challenge.  I’d much rather pick up my camera because I am compelled to do so, rather than because I feel I have to, to not fail.

What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?(Prompt Author: Sam Davidson)

1) Sugar – My body just doesn’t need it. It will help me manage my Diabetes, for sure.

2) High Fructose Corn Syrup – Nobody needs this shit.

3) Old clothes that don’t fit anymore – They only make me angry, so donating them to Ric-Rack will not only make me feel less anger when I’m trying on clothes, it will benefit the local Food Bank.

4) Diet Soda – Aspartame is of the devil.  I need to stop reaching for a diet Coke when I feel the need to drink a fun, carbonated beverage; it’s not like I drink it all that much anyway.

5) Reaching for the phone at every email notification – It’s never something super urgent, so I don’t know why I feel the need to reach for the phone at every “ba-rum” that means “You’ve Got Mail”.    Maybe I should just set up specific times to check mail.  Or not.

6) Procrastination – I need to stop saying “in a minute” or “hold on”.  When I catch myself saying “in a minute” or “hold on” I will just get up and do what needs to be done. (I hope. We’ll see. Time will tell. I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to do.)

7) Negativity.

8) Judgment .

9) Jealousy – I have to stop comparing myself to others.  I am ME, and unique, and special.  When I let myself be jealous of others I start to doubt my abilities.

10) Self Doubt -  This is THE hard one.  I just have to have faith in myself and all I do.  From motherhood to business to cooking chicken breast!

11) Fear of Failure – I just have to believe in myself.  Every mistake is a learning experience.

This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Prompt Author: Patrick Reynolds)

This fall a Yoga class was offered at our Parks and Rec.   A free Yoga class?  I couldn’t pass that up.

There I was, standing in the middle of the back row of a packed room.  Our instructor, Morgan, asked us all to stand in mountain pose.  She led us and asked us, soothingly, to close our eyes.  It was in that moment that I felt the energy of almost 60 people, breathing together.  The feeling was unlike anything I’ve ever experiences and in those few minutes of deep breathing, I visualized for myself all that I want out of life.   I was alive and present.  And, it was beautiful.

When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas, it’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Prompt Author: Scott Belsky)

Personally, I have a few project ideas in my head.  It’s actually taking those ideas, getting out, and doing it.  I have research to do. People to find.  And, time to carve out of our busy schedule.  I feel, though, that once it’s executed, these ideas will make a great collection of stories.   Something to share with the world that will be meaningful and absolutely worthwhile.

As for the photography business, Michael and I are working on marketing strategies.  He’s also been equipping himself with knowledge about the HD video aspect, and once we get rolling, I believe, that there is much success in store for Mishelle Lane Photography.