Whether its all the life changes, the new projects or just the human feeling of never doing enough, creating enough, being enough, I have found myself in quite the creative slump. This whole last week I could barely muster the desire to shoot anything outside of campaigns and just wasn’t feeling that genius spark like I usually do. Since then, I’ve done some soul searching, lots of crying and talks with Cody (my literal saving grace). In all this I realized a few things. 1) slumps happens 2) make note of your places of support and inspiration 3) give yourself grace to have slumps 4) when you’re ready to overcome them, kick its butt AND take ALL the photos.

Today, I’m sharing with you how I’ve been working through this little slump by browsing inspiring places and interacting with and being inspired by my favorite people - I hope you enjoy!

Pinterest

I’m pretty sure Pinterest is slowly but surely becoming everyone’s favorite platform. Whether you’re looking to get inspired for photos or captions or find what you’ll fill your belly with tonight or the decor you want trimming your home during the holidays- Pinterest got you girl. As a long time user this has been my holy grail for inspiration of all sorts. Recently, as I’ve been learning how to use it more for SEO, outreach and so on, my relationship with it has changed. This past week I said heck it and just went to town pinning away on a private board ideas. From quotes that inspired me to think of a blog post topic or editorial photos I really want to emanate in my next shoot- I’ve started to get the creative juices flowing again.

As simple as that sounds, “I got on Pinterest and it was all ok” * swoon * I know it’s not that simple. When in doubt I look up the following things:

Something that brings me joy (example: holiday decorations, cookie recipes, editorial photography)
While these things don’t always apply to what I shoot or my style, they make me happy and frankly, I think half the battle of getting out of a creative funk is proving to yourself that joy CAN be sparked again. Your creative ideas and love and jump in your heart for more CAN happen. This is kind of like muscle memory training in sports- you gotta get back on the horse.
People I admire’s Pins (example: Angie Richardson, Jenna Kutcher, etc.)
Even though I might be going through a slump, my fellow creatives and role models might not be (or they are and looking to Pinterest for similar inspiration). I see what they’re pinning, try to envision what they must be working on, how creative they are and extrapolating these ideas and projects from images. It kinda makes you think- if you can create a whole photo series idea out of two pins someone you follow pinned you bet your butt you can too. It’s all about igniting that spark.
Previous Boards I’ve Made but haven’t visited in a while
That sophomore year dorm board? Yep, haven’t checked her out in a while. Though this may not feel at all relevant to the current slump it does help to re-visit old ideas, thoughts and creative ideas. Though I might be trying to muster up the creative vision for a photoshoot, looking at DIY projects, prints I wanted to replicate and all the glitter a sorority house bedroom could handle is equally stimulating. A spark is a spark is a spark.

Whatever you call these fellow human beings, they are wonderful (well, at least the ones I admire and love on as often as possible). Mostly women, these gals inspire me DAILY to not just create better and push boundaries but to be better. To do more than JUST create a pretty picture. If you don’t already follow along with these ladies, I highly suggest you do - much beautiful and meaningful content to come on your feed ASAP.

Kristle Lauren (@kristlelauren) ALWAYS uplifting and sharing the best things from local bites to beauty products. Her stories bring me joy daily.

Cora Carroll (@coraoliviacarroll) The most gorgeous of adventure and lifestyle photos with as much heart and kindness as I’ve ever seen.

Morgan Harper Nichols (@morganharpernichols) is a one stop shop for soul-filling, heart lifting kindness and grace via her words & beautiful art.