Jen Lee, force of nature.
This year has been a whirlwind of adventures in a perfect flow, and I’ve felt the effects of the seasons on my body, mind and soul, more than ever before. I went from the dark, cold winter, of a lifestyle that was killing me, to a new life full of sunshine and possibility. It was hard at times, but it was not short of powerful moments either. My Spring was dynamic, magical and invigorating. I had tons of ideas, I started the Shining Star portrait sessions, I revamped my blog, I took a ton of gigs as Photo Assistant, I learned a lot, I felt connected, I made new friends and I made things happen. I fell in love with my life and (dare I say?) with myself! Then, Summertime came around, and the heat was on. I got some more lovely Photography clients and shot a ton, even though I continued to assist other photographers. I also had fun scouting for locations, shooting up and down the coast and in the countryside. I shot shot shot and I did not share that much, because that’s just how I rolled. I was out and about, I was having the time of my life and nothing else mattered except doing, learning, immersing myself in the experience. That was when I dived in deep and ended up finding my passion for Fashion Photography. The word I chose for my year was “Embrace” and it was through that “Embrace” that everything came together for me. Suddenly, all that nonsense of quitting my job and going through internal crises was validated, logic, perfectly done. When I was in action, shooting Fashion, I felt in a sort of trance as I combined my best skills as a producer, leader, artist and photographer. It felt right. I felt whole. Now, that is one scary thing to admit at midlife: to say that you found something that you want so badly, something you believe that you can do, yet something that seems so far out of reach. Why not something simpler, easier? Less competitive? I don’t know. I just know that I fell in love, madly in love, with how I feel when I am shooting Fashion, from beginning to end, from Prep to Shoot to Post. Love Love Love. Sigh… In that same breath, the support of a community and the best nurturing friends, helping me rise above those moments of doubt. So good. Then I blinked, and it was Fall. A season inviting me to slow down, to enjoy some quiet time and introspectiveness. A season of deep sensitivity, grounding and changing. A season of a bit of romance (husband shouts: finally!!) and also, blues (husband shouts: already?)… Ultimately, a season of nesting, collecting stories, storing inspiration for the winter, spending time with my girls, and finally, bidding farewells and letting go.
As we approach winter, friends, I’m feeling ready to let go of Gypsy Girl’s Guide. This doesn’t mean that I will stop blogging, it just means that I am ready to follow this new path that is calling me. I just don’t want to stay boxed inside a name anymore. (How gypsy of me, no?) There will be a new blog and a bit of change of pace. But still… It’s always going to be the way of the gypsy. Always a life filled with adventure. Always a colorful journey. Always wholehearted.
Stay tuned… I’m planning on a few surprises and I can’t wait to share them with you.
xo