As a photographer, it’s so easy to get stuck in a creative rut by never expanding the places we search for inspiration. Prior to Pinterest, we’d visit other photographer’s sites to be inspired, to get a grasp of the growing trends, we’d read photographer’s blog posts as a way to help us take our skill to a whole new level. It’s a great place for us to be inspired on every level possible.

Now, so many of us rely completely on Pinterest to help us become inspired.

I’ve recently realized that if we all just continue pinning, who is out there creating something new? Who is seeking fresh ideas? Who is setting the bar for the rest of us?

And why can’t it be you? Have you ever asked yourself why your work isn’t being pinned? Why are you the pinner? Why can’t you be the pinn-ee? (it’s a real word. Okay. It’s not, leave me alone.)

I’ve been challenging myself on ways to be inspired beyond stalking other photographers’ websites and Facebook fan pages. (you do it. Yes, you do.) Here’s a list of ways and places for you to go that may help when you are challenged creatively.

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(grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to check these sites out. They are UH-MAZE-ING.)

Think retail. I have often looked at catalogs and wished I could be sitting with the models simply because their surroundings are so interesting, the colors so perfect. Some of my favorite photographic inspirations: Boden, Matilda Jane, Anthropologie, Mini-Boden, Tea Collection, Pink Chicken, Johnnie B., Revolve Clothing

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Style blogs. Think a bottle of nail polish can’t inspire a session? Think again. My favorites: Fabulous K, Making it Lovely, and everything nice, luella & june, Mrs. Lilien, Daydream Lily, Fab Sugar, Lovely Clusters

Feel at home. Have you every considered that your personal style is how you can personally style your own sessions? Don’t steer away from what you love and feel comfortable in. Be true to who you are and stick with what makes you tick. One of my favorite things is perusing home decorating blogs. I have found these to inspire me to surround myself with pretty things. This in itself? Inspires me. Blogs + sites I love: Apartment Therapy,  How About Orange, Nesting Place, House of Smiths, Sweet Pickins

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Magazine websites. a dose of everything. Glamour, Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens, InStyle, House Beautiful

Photography Forums. My favorite – Clickin’ Moms. This is a forum filled with thousands of photographers. The thing about this forum is that it will inspire you to technically improve your skills both behind the camera and behind the computer during post-processing. (and offers the workshops to help you do just that.)

My point is this. It doesn’t have to be a perfect photographer with the perfect clients and perfect clothing with the perfect golden sunset to inspire you. It can be anything, if you allow it. Branch out, think outside of your typical box, create a dream board, keep a notebook handy, consider colors and textures and arrangements in everything you see. This is how you will set yourself apart from your competition.

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I wrote this post for Clickin’ Moms. I am thrilled to be a blog ambassador for CM. I can’t really express what a great resource CM has always been to me with regards to photography. (both pro and hobby)

I have a special discount code to anyone that is interested in improving on their photography – just click here (must be that specific link) and you’ll receive 20% off your membership using code FOLDINGLAUNDRY.

One of the things I’ve learned over the years since starting a photography business is that there’s not a lot you can rely on, especially in the beginning.

When will I book another session?

How much will my client spend on prints?

Will I make more than $22 this month?

Will my clients be happy?

What if the weather ruins my session that’s been scheduled for two months?

The one thing we all have in common as photographers, pro or not, is weather concerns. For me, especially in the beginning, if the weather was too cold or there was snow on the ground or in the forecast, that was an automatic DO NOT BOOK on my calendar. I just never considered that anyone would want to take their kids out in the snow to take photos. And some people? Maybe even most people? Well, they don’t. There are different types of clients out there. Those that want the perfect image of everyone looking at the camera, smiling, wearing matching polos and then there’s the other kind of client, the one that just wants their family photos taken, cold, rain, laughing, crying, sweating -  it doesn’t matter.

I learned two years ago to never shut my calendar down during any time of the year. Even on the hottest of days and the heaviest of snowfalls, beautiful images can be captured. You have to be able to take the risk and learn how to handle each challenge individually as it comes your way. Scheduling a session with a family is difficult, especially these days when everyone is so busy. Even though you’re rescheduling due to something completely out of your control, it’s still frustrating to parents to have to reschedule – so do whatever you can to avoid this frustration, this helps ensure that they’ll not only return as a client but they’ll tell their friends and family how you overcame this giant struggle and managed to create their dream session even during the most challenging elements.

Here are some examples (real! examples!) of sessions that had weather challenges with them and how we fought against the elements and captured beautiful moments rather than having to postpone and rearrange schedules.

This particular session was COLD. It was a maternity session, Mom was due any day and we had to get the session in. We headed to the beach and bundled up. WAY bundled up. We had so much fun. (especially the kids)

RAIN! The morning of this session, I laid in bed and listened to the thunder rumble outside, I heard the rain hitting my windows. I checked the radar and knew there was no way it would clear up in time for the session. My client and I texted back and forth about the rain that was ruining our plans. I suggested we push it back an hour. We did. I’m so glad we did. Also, underneath that blanket is two more thick blankets, I did that so their bottoms would remain dry. Lesson: be flexible! be prepared!

HOT. OMG, so hot. We scheduled this session at 8 in the morning knowing that the temperature was scheduled to reach 100 degrees that day. It was already crazy hot but we knew what we wanted for this session. So, we went early. Tip: always bring a sweat rag for parents. (especially for dads!) Oftentimes, parents are so busy making plans and preparing for their kids that we forget about the adults. Make that your job!

WIND (And cold) I call this session a “drive by shooting.” This was for my son’s two year session. I knew exactly what I wanted and where but the weather was nasty. (I love that you can’t tell in any of these images just how bad the weather was) We jumped out of the car, I set up up, grabbed the baby (okay, toddler) and went crazy with the shutter. We were in and out in five minutes. Tip: work quickly!

FREEZING. This session is one of my favorites. It was ten degrees outside, there were snow flurries, we were in the middle of the field where the wind was whipping us without mercy. We persevered. I don’t know what would have happened had we rescheduled. We were all so busy, I’m afraid we never would have found the time to shoot again. Samantha passed away six months after this was taken. I’m so glad we didn’t let something as little as the weather stop us from meeting and capturing this amazing moment.

Lesson: don’t let the weather control your business.

Only YOU can do that.

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I wrote this post for Clickin’ Moms. I am thrilled to be a blog ambassador for CM. I can’t really express what a great resource CM has always been to me with regards to photography. (both pro and hobby)

I have a special discount code to anyone that is interested in improving on their photography – just click here (must be that specific link) and you’ll receive 20% off your membership using code FOLDINGLAUNDRY

Last week I received a copy of Beyond Snapshots by Rachel Devine and Peta Mazey.

Beyond Snapshots is a super cute book for anyone wanting to take better photos. It contains great images with simple tips on how to shoot in manual, I highly recommend the book, even to those who can shoot in manual, simply because the images themselves will inspire you.

This Thursday, Clickin’ Moms will be teaming up with Jill Krause, the CM Ambassadors and the authors of Beyond Snapshots on Twitter for a twitter party to celebrate the release of the book.

(I won’t be at the party because of Listen to Your Mother, otherwise, I’d be there!)

(any level photographer is encouraged to attend, you do not need a fancy camera, just the passion to learn!)

(okay, enough parenthesis.)

Join the party to learn how to improve your photography and to win AMAZING prizes. You can visit Jill’s blog to RSVP for the twitter and learn who exactly to follow and to see a complete listing of the prizes that are being given away. (you must RSVP at Jill’s blog in order to enter to win prizes. Super easy to do!)

So, go, HAVE FUN!

In the midst of all of the craziness in my life, I’ve accepted a new role as blog ambassador to Clickin’ Moms. I started out with Clickin’ Moms in 2008 after stumbling upon their website. I can recall jumping in to the forums and discovering so many great things regarding photography, it’s like walking into a store and realizing the store has everything in your style, so you spend hours sifting through the inventory, walking around, browsing and walking through again and again.

Clickin’ Moms has been a great place for me to learn, to be inspired and to be with my peers.

Basically, my new role is to continue telling you what I’ve been telling you for years:

Clickin’ Moms is awesome.

It’s an incredible resource and may be just the thing you’ve been looking for if you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, whether that means you just want to improve, learn to use your DSLR or you think it’s time to go pro.

The forums are filled with so much useful information, but the thing that I love the most is CM University. I have learned more from CM University than any other organized classroom setting and/or tutorial that I have ever taken.

I urge you all to check it out – luckily I have a special discount offer just for you guys!

20% Off 6 months or 1 year using code: FOLDINGLAUNDRY
or a free trial using code: LAUNDRYTRIAL

Also, if you sign up for the their newsletter (which is AMAZING and not annoying at all when it hits your inbox except it’s a little annoying because I stop whatever I’m doing to check it out), ANYWAY, sign up here and receive some free digital goodies.

So, if you have an interest, a passion, a love for photography, stop hesitating on taking it to the next level and do it now. And start with Clickin’ Moms.