New Mom, New Hobbies: Adventures Beyond the Camera

Hey Photo Friends!

Third newsletter coming at you! 🎉 This week I'm itching to talk about my latest adventures in the world of "things I'm probably going to be hilariously bad at but trying anyway."

As a new mom, I've discovered that while my heart feels fuller than ever, my creative cup sometimes runs dangerously low. Between daycare dropoffs, full time contract work, starting a workout routine, +more, finding time for self-expression can feel confusing and tbh, impossible lol.

Operation: Remember I Have Hobbies That Don't Cry

This past month, I've been yearning for creative outlets that offer a different kind of mindfulness than photography—ones that let me work with my hands in ways that don't require perfect lighting or editing software. A hobby that could allow me to actually unplug and not stare at a screen. A hobby that might cause frustrations at first but hopefully??? can be a good creative outlet haha -

Pottery: AKA "Playing with Mud Like a Fancy Adult"

I've signed up for a pottery class starting April 23rd! That's right, I'm willingly adding MORE mess to my life.

Why pottery? Well, I figured if I'm going to have clay-like substances on my clothes anyway (seriously, what IS that?), might as well make it intentional. Plus, there's something wildly appealing about smashing clay when you've been up since 5am.

I'm 100% expecting to make the world's most lopsided mug and then force everyone to compliment it. "Yes, it's SUPPOSED to spill coffee on you from that weird side-dribble thing. It's ARTISTIC." So… I’ll report back after my first class 😎

Gardening: Because I Clearly Don't Have Enough Living Things to Keep Alive

My other budding interest (pun absolutely intended) is gardening… I recently read in a book that gardening basically solves all of life’s problems. Kyle doesn’t think I have the patience for it which, naturally, has made me want to go for it even more LOL.

BUT. I'm terrified. Like, sweaty-palms terrified. What if I'm a plant serial killer? What if I spend hours digging in dirt only to grow three pathetic cherry tomatoes that cost me basically $47 each when you factor in all the supplies?

My neighbor's garden looks like something from a Martha Stewart fever dream, while I'm over here Googling "can you overwater succulents?" (Spoiler alert: YES, and I've done it TWICE).

I'm thinking of starting with herbs in cutie little windowsill pots. Apparently mint is basically the cockroach of the plant world and CANNOT BE KILLED, which sounds like my kind of challenge. Plus, when I inevitably forget about them for days on end, I can just say I'm making "dried herbs" on purpose. Clever, right?

Camera Life: Baby Photos Galore!

While I'm dabbling in pottery and plants, photography is still my first creative love! These days, my camera and I have been hanging out in nurseries and capturing the squishiest newborn cheeks you've ever seen. I've been booked solid with maternity and newborn sessions (hello, tiny fingers and toes!), which has been both exhausting and incredibly fulfilling.

All this baby photography has me SUPER excited about my upcoming Motherhood Mini Sessions at the end of the month! These 15-minute sessions are perfect for capturing those fleeting moments between moms (and dads) and kiddos of any age. I've got this dreamy outdoor setup planned with the most gorgeous light filtering through the trees, and I can't wait to create some magic! I’ve been trying to get creative with my marketing since I’m detoxing from social media… it’s been an interesting journey to say the least lol. You don’t realize how much you rely on social media for marketing until it’s gone!

If you know someone who deserves to exist in photos with their little ones (instead of always being the one behind the camera), send them my way! No pressure though - I'd rather share these sessions with people who truly want them than fill every spot with aggressive email campaigns. That's not my style!

Tell Me I'm Not Alone!

Are any of you balancing creative hobbies with tiny humans? Or just struggling to remember your camera settings while juggling parenthood? Respond to this email with your stories or photos of your gloriously imperfect creative attempts. Misery loves company, and I need to know I'm not the only one who sometimes mistakes the lens cap for a coffee lid.

Until next time, may your focus be sharp and your baby naps be plentiful,

The Creatively Curious Overexposed Photographer

This Month's Photo Challenge:

Take a picture that captures how it feels to be utterly terrible at something new. Bonus points if it makes other people snort-laugh.