Curiouser and Curiouser
Let's Chat (and Solve a Mystery!)
"Curiouser and curiouser," said Alice. And that's pretty much how I feel right now! Today, I'm pulling back the curtain a little to share a bit about me and my winding journey. Why? Because I have a question for YOU, and honestly, I'm a little perplexed.
Sharing what's rattling around in my head isn't something I do often – it's usually a beautiful, chaotic mess in there! – but to ask my question, you need a little backstory. So, buckle up!
Rewind about 23 years. I was a single mom, juggling life as a nanny and preschool teacher, constantly brainstorming ways to use the creative sparks God gifted me with to earn a little extra income. A dear friend and I dipped our toes into the world of cake making. Oh, we had fun! But the time invested versus the money earned just didn't quite add up.
Next, I thought, "Party planning!" Turns out, that required way more upfront cash than my budget allowed. Scratch that idea.
Fast forward a bit. My oldest daughter was about four, I was remarried, and we took a family trip to Disney World. (Stop the presses, I know! For those who know my deep, abiding love for all things Disney World, this is no shocker). While our daughter was happily dreaming in the care of my parents, my then-husband and I got our faces painted. And not just little designs – these were incredible, whimsical works of art. I remember looking in the mirror and feeling utterly beautiful and magical.
When I got back to Maryland, I raved to my cake-making friend (miss you, girl!) about the amazing Disney face painting. At the time, we didn't know of anyone in our area doing anything close to that level of elaborate design. And that, my friends, is when the face painting business was born. It grew, it was successful, and I absolutely loved bringing that touch of magic to others.
As I honed my face painting skills, I started hosting "girls' nights." My beautiful friends would patiently sit while I painted intricate designs, sometimes flowing down the neck and onto the body. We're talking an hour or more for some of these! And then... poof! Washed off at the end of the night.
Now, let's rewind again slightly. I've always, always loved photography. But cameras? All those numbers and knobs felt incredibly intimidating. I used to take my daughter for photos almost monthly, wherever I had a coupon. Usually, the coupon was for one free pose. So, I'd get my one image and leave. Easy enough with one kid. But then my son arrived. Getting one perfect pose with two little humans? A challenge, to say the least.
And that brings us back to where we were. Suddenly, I had not one, but two compelling reasons to push past my fear, buy a camera, and at least learn the basics:
- To capture my two precious children.
- To capture my beautiful friends and the elaborate paintings I was creating on them before they were washed away.
And so, my photographic journey officially began.
Are you still with me? Thanks for indulging the ramblings of an ADHD brain!
All of that is to say, my path has been a winding one, driven by a desire to earn some extra income while still being present for my children, and crucially, using the artistic gifts I believe God has given me (Thank you, Jesus!).
However, finances have recently shifted. What was once "extra cash" now needs to pivot into a main source of income. This brings me to the big question: how do I get my name out there consistently and find clients? It feels like it's this or... well, the horror... quit, stop homeschooling, and get a traditional 9-to-5 job.
This push means I need to be more active on social media. Full disclosure: I really have no clue what I'm doing! I look at my Professional Dashboard, I check the views... and this is where my "curiouser and curiouser" moment truly kicks in.
I find it extremely perplexing, truly baffling, that my most viewed content, time and time again, are photos of me.
Visualize me scratching my head here.
I'm just an average-looking, almost-over-the-hill lady, usually posting quick, unfiltered selfies taken while I'm out on a gig. I pour my heart, my soul, and every ounce of my artistic vision into the photoshoots I do. I strive to capture the beauty I see in others, to create art that tells a story.
So, I'm genuinely asking you all, my lovely audience: Can you please tell me why? Why do you seem to want to see my "ugly mug" (my words!) more than the art I create, the beautiful moments I capture, the faces I paint?
I'm just curious. Really, truly curious.
Please, enlighten me. What am I missing? Feel free to comment on my social, shoot me a text, drop in my Dm.
I included a new selfie of me writing this blog at my hot mess express desk that resembles my brain. You are welcome.
