Making Things Happen

Boy it's been a while since this blog's been used. Reason for that is that there are a lot of changes that have been happening over the course of the past months. I've been juggling 3 jobs + getting photography gigs on the side, which I'm really not too stressed about. I'm blessed to have jobs that don't need me to be present 8 hours a day in a week. So even if I'm literally working everyday, I don't feel overworked at all.

I'm also quite happy to announce that I will finally be moving out of my parents' house and into a cute flat down south. I was going through my posts and saw this entry about apartment hunting and realized it was exactly a year ago when I decided I would put my efforts into finding a new place to live in. I love how events were orchestrated without me having a clue it was actually going to happen! One of the reasons why I wanted to move out aside from the tedious journey from the north to the south everyday, is that I wanted to push myself to work harder and earn more. I don't want to be too comfortable earning X amount of money and feeling content having everything handed to me on a silver platter at home. I want to be able to work for it. And I think at the age of 25, it's about time that I did that.

Speaking of big changes, I'm still contemplating whether or not I should keep this blog or just keep photoblogging. I mean I've been blogging for 9 years now, maybe it's time to change it up a bit and start something new.

This second-half of the year is getting pretty exciting!

Photos and Words 11: Soul of a Journey

I love how life can surprise you. You make a timeline for yourself and your priorities change in a snap! I'm not saying it's a bad thing, these surprises can actually do you some good!

That photo up there is a reminder for me to work towards being 'location-independent' when it comes to work. Meaning, a goal of mine is to be anywhere around the world, and still get some work done. I want to be able to live on the beach for months and still rake in money online. Photography will always be a passion of mine, but there are things that I also want to delve into (which I will reveal very soon) Who says you can only have one passion?

Photos and Words 10: Your Reality

Thanks to some NLP (Neuro-Linguistics Program) training that happened this week, I got to get to know myself better in terms of my personality and how to deal with people who are different from me. It was a good reminder that no matter how different a person is, there are always ways to have healthy conversations with them.

Aside from that, I was also reminded that I'm very blessed to be able to work at a photography studio that allows me to do other personal and professional projects.

When we were asked why we go to work everyday, most people answered, "Because I have to pay the bills/ help my family/ make rent" - these answers were all driven by FEAR. It seems that fear tends to become our drive to do accomplish things nowadays.

As we grow older and realize the many responsibilities adults have, we become more cynical and negative. We lose our childish spirits and just become completely jaded. We think to ourselves, "THIS is reality. If something good happens, it'll just happen. But this is it."

Why can't we be driven by our LOVE for our passions instead? We've forgotten that we choose to create our realities. We choose the jobs we get, the kind of work we do. Everything is a choice.

The facilitator asked us to make a list of what we Love, Hate, Like and Dislike and asked us if what we're doing now allows us to be surrounded by the things we Love and gives us time for the things we Like. I'm pretty happy to say that my job allows me to do exactly that. It also helps me get rid of the negative baggages that I used to carry around.

Destiny doesn't dictate what happens in your life, you do. Now go kick ass and create your own reality! 

Photos and Words 09: Bet

Photos and Words 08: Respond

In case you didn't know, I am currently trying to brand my photography! Last year was a year of trials, errors and learning from my mistakes as a photographer.

I think that when something ignites in your head, you have to respond to it right away, otherwise you lose your rhythm and drive. This was my spark - To truly build a business and a brand for my services.

So far I've established my website and Facebook page. As far as business tools are concerned I'm not even half way there! But at least I've got the ball rolling. 

I have a long way to go! I'm really excited to share my growth here with you and show you some collaborations I did with passionate people!

Photos and Words 07: Get Up

Been a while since I came out with my next "Photos and Words" post.

This one holds true for what I've experienced this year. You assume that people know what you do for a living and just expect them to come to you. But you really have to get yourself out there and make yourself known. Tell people about what you do and ask them how you can be of service to them. In line with this, I've also realized that you can't be shy when you want something. You have to be completely confident in what you do.

So stop sitting around, email those potential clients, message them on Facebook and promote the hell out of yourself. Make things happen.

Photos and Words 06: Seek

 Stop looking around and start looking within. 

Photos and Words 05: Incredible

Photos and Words 04: Lost

There are times when you think you're going nowhere. It gives you a sense of panic and doubt.
"Is this the right path? Nothing's happening yet, should I go on with this venture?"
Based on my experience, it's okay to get lost. Because it gives you the moment to reflect on whether or not it's for you.

I panicked at around March this year because I had a hard time looking for clients. I was thinking, "Shoot. Not another dead end. Maybe this really isn't for me." I had self doubts. But I realized that it hasn't even been a year since I started to do Photography full-time. I'm way ahead of myself. Everything takes time. Now I'm really blessed for being able to book shoots. I grab every opportunity even if it means losing sleep for 2 days or straining my back for a couple of hours. I love it.

It's okay to feel lost sometimes. It gives you a whole new perspective and points you to the right direction.

Photos and Words 03: Badass

I just realized that people have no work/classes today. Woot! Woot! Enjoy your long weekend lovelies!

Photo and Words 02: Bliss

 It could be a job you've always wanted, a new hobby, the love of your life or traveling. 

Whatever your bliss is, I hope that you get to find it.

I'm off to Bohol for work this week followed by an engagement shoot in Ifugao. It's going to be a long and tiring week but I'm so grateful that I get to shoot and do what I love. I've never been to either places, so it's going to be a new experience that I can't wait to enjoy!

Be back soon with heaps of photos! 

Photos and Words 01: Limits

I've decided to put out a new segment called "Photos and Words" that will come out every Monday to start the week right. Hopefully this inspires a lot of you as the work week begins :)

Photos and words will feature photos by your truly and words that motivate me personally. Really excited for this one! It will be w weekly creative output for me as well!

Photo by Tabitha