Who needs a Therapist when you can Blog?

As I was browsing the internet this morning and mentally musing about what to write in my blog, I remembered a photo contest I happened upon and all the talk I've heard from other photographers about how getting your work out there can do so much to help self-promote. I have resisted contests and Flikr even though most professionals adamantly suggest it. It just seems like one more thing I have to do and honestly I must admit; being a small business owner and thus strategically working to make myself into "brand-name" is really tiring! I'm a mom of three, that's enough to make most women exhausted! I often joke with my husband that I have an alter-ego and then in a deep voice say, "I'm Batman." Even as I'm writing this I'm bouncing a newborn in my lap since he only wants to sleep while being held.Oh, did I mention that I'm also using one of the 6 computers in my office to process client's files, fielding phone calls, entertaining my two older children, AND writing a blog?

A year ago we turned off our cable and for a time I was more productive since I was able to quit my TV addiction cold turkey. These days though I've changed one bad habit for another and social media, blogging, and reading others blogs has become all consuming at times. Albeit this is probably a better use of time since it does help fulfill the goals I have professionally.  What I need is a team of professionals that want to do this all for me and the ability to give up complete control (which is probably going to be harder then hiring) but until my stimulus check arrives (no such luck) I'm going to continue to operate with my current labor force, Caleb, my husband/web and e-commerce team, Terice my hardworking assistant, me, myself, and I. But I digress.

The point of this blog entry is that I'm going to do it. It's time to bite the bullet and get over myself. If contests and photo sharing websites will help increase my Google Organic rating and sales, then I'm ready to go for it.  I'm going to jump in- do the contest thing, become a pro flikr member, and go to bed at 10am so I get up at 5am to start work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, especially the Mom part, but like everyone else, occasionally I have a bad day. It just happens to be right now. So while I struggle with feelings of complete inaquaticy, selft doubt, and piles of personally manufactured guilt, I'm also going to to repeat in my head "you don't have to be everything to everyone." In the hope that by bedtime tonight I'll believe it. Then when I wake up tomorrow I won't beat up on myself so much. Instead I'll start digging through my archives and creating a Flikr account that will knock your socks off! Tomorrow is a new day after all...

  Below is the entry I shot today for the "feet" contest at PhotographyBlog.com . Probably not the type of contest that will get me noticed by clients but the prizes looked appealing. Maybe between Christmas and New Years I'll put up a smattering of images on Flikr to get me started.  Until then I think I'll eat something fattening and watch "The Office" on Hulu.com .That always makes me feel better. :)

Tyler is laying almost off the bed and Alex is between his legs. I'm at the end of the bed trying desperately to keep Alex from moving so I can focus on him. Exposure 1/60 @ F5.6 ISO 200 with 80mm lens. It's amazing how fast they grow up yes? The color is a little too warm, but I kind of like it that way. Thoughts? Post a comment please. And don't feel like you can't say anything critical for fear of throwing me over the edge.  (I'm fine I swear.Just over dramatic at times.)All comments are welcome!

Tomorrow: Maybe I'll be in a less self depricating mood? (These moody blog posts are going to get me labeled at bi-polar or something..)