*Collect ALL your catalogs, and un-wanted mail for a few days, weeks, or a month
(You’re going to need the info on the back when adding them to your do-not-mail list)
*Head to [Catalog Choice] & click “Find Companies”
*Start typing in one by one those catalog companies (i.e. Victoria’s Secret, Crate & Barrel, etc.)
*Complete each task and then recycle unwanted magazines and coupons

Let’s say your catalogs add up to about 5lbs of paper a month. If EACH person reading this blog (about 1,500 let’s say) does this for their un-wanted mail,
- that’s 7,500 POUNDS of paper we just saved!! Seriously, WOW. Only TOGETHER can we make a difference.

Now any more AWESOME ways to help the environment? Please share in the comment section!!
Check out Catalog Choice on [Facebook] and [Twitter]

PS, here’s another [Helpful resource] to remove yourself from unwanted junk mail. (Thanks Leo!)

PS – we will be changing out email address over to [michelle@michellemoore.com] to keep things short and sweet. We will keep running our old accounts for the remainder of the year while everyone catches up, so not to worry.

And while you’re at it, I recommend going out there and grabbing your name as a domain (if you haven’t already). It’s something that you may or may not want down the road, and best to protect your name if you have the opportunity. Unless you are Michelle Moore. Because I’ll be keeping this one forever :)

The brilliant mastermind behind my new logo, look, and feel is [Ribbons of Red]. Renee also created this amazing splash page for my new site. The look and feel is exactly how I envisioned. I could not believe it was possible to have someone all the way across the country be able to understand and convey what I was feeling in my head – but she did it, and I LOVE the final look. Renee, thank you SO much for all your amazing hard work, and I am so very excited for more projects with you!!

Being yourself.

Who am I? Over the years, I have felt the tug of “feeling behind”, or not where I should be at this point in my career. I feel at times I reach for someone else’s ideal – only to feel like I failed miserable after the shoot is over. It got so bad that about two years ago I had to completely distance myself from those who made me feel inadequate as a photographer. I stopped focusing on what they were doing and really narrowed in on what I was doing. I had to stop comparing my age, success, and failures by another photographer’s personal time-line. We are all on our very own path, and it will not mirror those around us. It is good to set healthy (and lofty) goals, but do not be discouraged. We are all given our own unique circumstances, and everyone’s journey will always be different.

I am writing this now, because I feel like my demons are nipping at my heels again. I am trying to stop and concentrate on what makes me unique, and realize my strengths as a shooter. There are many photographers I aspire to be like, or whose work I strongly admire, but I need to stop and understand what my strengths are and work on that. The fashion industry is brutal – one person may adore your work, while another will totally discard it without a second thought. I had a completely eye-opening experience last week that made me realize so many things in the fashion industry (or any industry) should not be taken personally. All art is subjective, and as long as you stay true to yourself that’s all that matters. The people who love you for who YOU are – are really all that matters, because those are the people you are speaking to, and want to be surrounded by.

I hope you know that I am nowhere near perfect, and am constantly growing, overcoming battles, and struggling to find myself in a world where a new photographer is born every second. Keep your chin up, and focus on your dreams. We will all get to our goals in our own time.

Perhaps I am not meant to be exactly what I want, so I hope that over the next few years I continue to understand and polish my strongest skill set as a photographer, and continue striving for what I want to accomplish. I think that’s why I sometimes don’t feel like I always accomplish a certain look in every shoot – because in my mind I imagine it to be something that I’m not, which only leads to disappointment and discouragement. I’m really looking forward to this year being my break-out year, and discovering my best talents – and sticking to them.

XOXO

Feel free to add your thoughts to this post. What have you learned in your career so far – about yourself, personally and as an artist?

Sneak peek from our Jewelry Editorial “Nocturne Suite” – coming soon!

Spread the love!
xoxo

[iPhone Wallpaper Spring#1]
[iPhone Wallpaper Spring#2]

I’m so happy about the warmer weather, and longer light in the day. What makes you excited about spring? Please leave us a comment! We LOVE hearing from you!!

More coming from this shoot… Plussssssss a NEW project launching in early April. Can you guess what it is? I’m SO EXCITED!!! I can’t wait to share!

Spread the love this week!
xoxo

[iPhone Wallpaper Holly#1]
[iPhone Wallpaper Holly#2]
[iPhone Wallpaper Flower Cross-Process]

I got this idea from [Switch Cities] to auction off a special Limited Edition Fine Art Print. Bidding will start at $20, and will close on January 27th, 2010. The winner will receive a 16×24 print of the image below. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the [Save the Children] Organization (in your name). If you have a charity, or personal request for a specific local organization we are welcome to your suggestions. Anything helps, and we are happy to donate where most needed.

[ProDPI] has graciously offered to donated the print, so the FULL 100% of your bid will be donated. I have been with ProDPI for 2 years now, and I can say hands down they are the BEST lab in the country, and have taken amazing care of my orders, and my clients. I am so thrilled that they are able to help out!

[To place your bid], please leave your name & dollar amount [on this page]. Thank you!

This image was taken in Indio, California in early 2008. It is a very special image to me, and I am very excited to share it with you.