525,600 minutes

I have been gone, for quite some time. I have allowed several things to fall behind, to the wayside, to the point of only slight existence. I am elated to say, as cheesy and cliche as it may be, I am back. Fully and wholly returned to photography, as a business and a passion. The past year (or perhaps longer) has been a very rough transition for me. I went from being a very private, secretive person to feeling as if everyone I had known knew all of my secrets, all the things I was hiding, all the things I had been ashamed of, in the wake of a tragedy. I shut down. I went from being a stay at home mom, part time photographer, to being tossed back into the workforce full time and I have had a difficult time balancing the additional responsibilities. Many things have suffered as a result, and this business was definitely one of them. I used the excuse of wanting to be settled in my new job before I took on too many photography assignments, and while that was absolutely true, it was an excuse I abused. I completely stopped marketing. I stopped posting work. I stopped looking for new clients. I fulfilled prior contracts but didn't look for new ones.

Thankfully, this is changing. The damage is reversible, and soon it will be a tiny chapter -- an anecdote, really-- in what will be a lively tale. Several months ago I met another photographer, who has changed my life in ways I can't even begin to appreciate. He took this wilted dandelion, pushed it to silvering, and helped scatter all those delightful wisps, where they're now growing new ideas, plans, goals. Because of him, I am back working in film again. It's still being processed by a third party, but hey, a girl can dream about her future dark room, right? Until then, I'm supporting another local business. I recently bought ten rolls of Ilford H5 black and white film, 36 exposures each. That's three hundred sixty chances to get it right, to find beautiful things, interesting things, captivating things. Three hundred sixty glorious frames of everything around me. I've been on the hunt for more vintage bodies and lenses, so if you find any, let me know. Just picture Ariel in her trove with all her treasures; that's me with all my gear.

I have so many new processes to mention, new methods and new products as well, but I'll save them for another day. This rambling photographer needs to get caught up on her editing. Stay tuned for updates and images of my new samples, arriving any day now.

All the best,

Danaë