Confessions from an (almost) Canceled Photoshoot

Flexibility wasn't something that I was known for about 5-6 years ago. In fact, I was probably one of the least flexible people you would likely come across in your lifetime. However, over the years, I have learned that you can't NOT be flexible while simultaneously holding onto your sanity. From time to time, I get a reminder that flexibility is still something I sometimes struggle with. You know that quote, “Life is what happens when you're busy making plans?” Yeah, well, I despise the person who points this out to me when I'm in the midst of getting worked up, but it's something I need to hear in that moment.

My perspective shifted when I became more laid-back and stopped sweating the small stuff, although it took me a while to see the difference this made in my life because I progressively got better as time passed. When things happen slowly, I don't always notice the changes taking place right under my nose. These days, I don't lose it when I get a flat tire or my car won't start. Instead, I simply deal with the situation in whatever way it needs to be taken care of without allowing my emotions to get in the way. It does no good getting angry about things that are beyond my control!

THE KEY IS FLEXIBILITY

On a recent trip to Jacksonville, FL, my Sister and I were planning to do another Haute Mess Threads photoshoot for the new “Geek Chic” line of aprons she just completed. Even though the shoot we did this past summer was thrown together at the last minute, we were determined not to make the same mistake this go-round. We made calls ahead of time, scheduled a day to do it, and confirmed with the models on availability. Everything was going “as planned.”

It wasn't until the day of the shoot, hours before we were supposed to meet-up that we had to cancel. One of our models, who also happened to be gracious enough to allow us to use the same retro kitchen we used last time, wasn't feeling well, so she was out and so was our location to shoot. We scrambled for other ideas, and attempted to find another suitable kitchen, but many leads fell through for different reasons, unfortunately. We attempted to stay optimistic. However, that optimism quickly waned when we just couldn't make it happen.

OBSTACLES EXIST SO YOU CAN OVERCOME THEM

It wasn't until the day after we planned to shoot that an off-the-wall idea was thrown out there. Now that we think about it it was actually something we thought about doing even before the shoot got canceled. Why we didn't remember it in a pinch; I don't know, but I'm glad that Nicole, our lovely model, helped it resurface. If it weren't for Nicole's gung-ho attitude to make this shoot happen, we might have just let it go. But instead, we decided to improvise and post-up at a neighborhood park to do our shoot outside!

With only a couple of hours to get ready, my sister and I picked up some supplies to use for the photoshoot. The idea was to string up a clothesline and use that as the backdrop, so we grabbed a laundry basket, clothes pins, and twine before high-tailing it to the park. Having only arrived a couple of hours before sunset, we didn't have a whole lot of time to look for the most ideal spot. We used about 5 minutes to find a suitable location that provided the type of light I thought would work. By the time we were finished setting up, our model arrived with her own props in tow that required unloading.

MY ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

We considered the Haute Mess Threads photoshoot a success, and the three of us actually had a lot of laughs during the 1.5 hours it took to complete. There wasn't a whole lot of time to goof off because our light was quickly fading, so we worked as fast as we could, which presented another set of challenges, but I managed. After finishing the HMTs shoot, there was just enough light left to take pictures of Nicole in the amazing vintage attire she came to the shoot in. Unfortunately, I only had about 10 minutes to capture images of her, but we were able to get some good ones.

If you'd like to find out more about Haute Mess Threads and see her famous aprons, the ESTY shop is now OPEN! Also, be sure to check out the HMTs Facebook page to stay up-to-date and get in on fan-only giveaways! (She's hosting one right now!)

One thing I will say is that I sometimes forget how much fun I have doing a photoshoot. It was far different from the dread I was feeling prior to getting our ducks in a row. In retrospect, I think that my problem was with myself and how I chose to approach the situation. Yes, I stayed flexible and went with the flow, but I wasn't as excited about it as I was the day before when I knew what to expect. It seems as though I momentarily forgot that my ability to adapt has proven itself time and time again, and that all I needed to really do was trust that I was fully capable of making it happen no matter what obstacles presented themselves. Something I need to remind myself of more often.

While I'm shooting, despite any fears that I may experience beforehand, I feel in my element. Like, I'm doing exactly what I should be. It's probably time I stop looking for confirmation that I'm on the right path because every fiber of my being knows this is what I'm meant to do—as cheesy as that sounds, it's true.

What do you think about the results of our impromptu photoshoot and the new aprons?

Like it? Share it! 

Tweet