Kate spade bag
Two Paths trench
Chloé flats
Chris took these photos of me after we grabbed some groceries and lunch in the Strip District this week. I know lots of bloggers have their partners take their photos but I always feel really awkward asking to be indulged in that way. It isn't that he doesn't always oblige happily, but my blog norms are to take photos quickly and without a lot of fanfare. And asking someone to break from what we're doing to photograph me feels a lot like fanfare. I don't have the camera or the confidence to scope locations. I don't have the time right now either. I wish I did because so many of the blogs I adore put such care and aesthetic beauty into their content. And they never compromise their content by posting with a lot of frequency if they don't have the quality there too. I really admire that dedication.
As I reflect on the last four years of blogging, I've come to grips with the fact that my blog is a tiny, separate thing that I try to maintain by posting frequently, if not carefully. It is independent from my personal and professional spheres. For my own life, it kind of has to be. Many friends don't know about it and as far as I know, none of my current colleagues do. For me this blog would exceed its use value if it became too obtrusive. If I had to dedicate a great deal of energy to it, I would probably have to shut it down. I don't have the photography chops anyway, so the time factor would be like quadruple what it is for more skilled ladies. I am so grateful to have readers despite all of these decisions and choices I've had to make to keep this going. It makes me curious about how you integrate the blog into your private lives.
Do your friends and coworkers know about your blog? For those of you in the classroom, do your students know?
14 comments:
Pretty much everyone knows. But only a descrete few from my work arena. And it does require dedication and planning for Challenges. Everything else is trial, error and learn as you go. Just like teaching.
Isn't the Two Paths Trench the perfect go anywhere coat with just about everything in your closet? Everytime I see a blogger wearing my favorite coat I am amazed that it looks perfect on everyone.
Great outfit! I love the bag.
Most of my friends/family/coworkers do not know about my blog. Obviously, my bf does since he takes all of the photos. I do sometimes feel awkward in front of the camera, but I think that's just part of it. We recently bought a new camera and both of us are learning how to use it, so taking pictures for the blog is good practice. I am new to blogging, so I'm still trying to figure it all out. I often struggle with quantity vs. quality. There are lots of days that I would like to post an OOTD, but we simple don't have time to go out and take decent photos. Part of me just wants to snap a quick pic in the living room and get it up, while the other part of me thinks that if I'm going to take the time to do it, I want it done "right" (so, just waiting until we have time to take nice photos). I enjoy lots of blogs that go about it both ways, so I think it's just about finding what works best for you.
Nope, no one knows...haha, no one really knows in blog land either. It's all good.
I really love your two paths trench. You look incredible in it.
I tell everyone because I am exactly how I am on my blog in real life. Silly and a bit hyper. I've never really been private. Then again, I started a lot of my professional journey after already doing this or other weird creative ventures, so no one is shocked by it. Brian is the type of silly who loves being involved and asks me to read different things he writes or try different concoctions he makes so I feel more like we're sharing and less weird about asking for help. Also, he is very analytical and feels like he lacks a creative side, so I feel good when he looks at a picture or someone comments on a picture he took (that looks really good) and he can feel a little more creative. I don't think there is anything wrong with being either way. I like your blog and how you do things is right for you :)
My family and friends all know about my blog, although only the few with a real interest in fashion read it. My coworkers also know, but thankfully none are motivated enough to look it up. The only time I hide it is when I first start dating a guy- I feel like most men would find a fashion blog silly. Most don't seem to care, though. I only know of one guy I've dated who's visited it.
Hm, my family only gradually found out about it and many of the female faculty at work know about it. It is generally well known on my blog that I am an academic and one could figure out where I teach from my twitter feed, but I have never once named where I work on my blog. My husband was shy about snapping my photo for the blog at first, but when I share the reactions his photos always get with him, he is a fan of doing location shots now.
If it were 4 or 5 years ago, I'd probably be spilling my guts about my everyday life. Now, I'm much more cautious. I struggle with how much I want to reveal about myself on my blog. For example, some days I feel like I want to chop all the heads off in my photos, and other days I feel like I need to branch out and be much more outgoing. Very few of my coworkers know about my blog, even fewer close friends are aware. They either have to ask for the URL or stumble upon it on their own (one close friend discovered my blog and didn't realize it was me until she saw my photo!) I'm also afraid of posting too many photos of myself because I'm afraid people I know may think I'm "vain" or "trying to be something I'm not."
My blog is also independent from my personal and professional life. I like the balance at the moment, but I'm always considering whether it should be more or less.
only a few friends know about my blog, and I don't even think they read it (on any sort of regular basis, anyways). I do feel awkward asking my man to take photos of me. Even though my blog is out there in public, it does feel like a personal thing. I'm actually quite a private person and it would be embarrassing to me if family/friends read my blog. As a result, I am gravitating more towards tumblr.
So true on all counts!
My friends and coworkers do know about the blog, and most just chalk it up to me being "that kooky Carol," though there are a few that are very supportive and think it's cool that I do this. I don't know how many, aside from one particular one, who is more of a friend, work clients know I do this. Haha, that might be weird.
I love your outfit, btw. And I don't like asking others to take my photo either.
Hi Jess,
I am a novice in the blogging arena and have a tiny audience, zero photography skills, and could use a lot of work in the styling department (compared to what I see out there). I definitely need to improve how I blog (the content, photos, frequency, etc.) and never wish to bore my readers (but am sure I do). It's a learning process...
The only person who knows of my blog is my boyfriend and I don't like asking him to take photos of me because I feel like a total goof in front of the camera. As a child I hated having my picture taken and still find it difficult to relax when in front of a camera (it's extremely hard for me to look straight at the camera).
I started my blog to push myself and hope to continue to do so...
I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your photos, you are so beautiful (thanks for sharing)... Oh, and I love love love that trench, it's perfect on you!
I always feel embarassed if my husband is around when I'm photographing myself, and I almost never ask him to take photos of me unless I'm in a big rush and don't have time to set up my tripod. I don't know why in the world I'd feel embarassed about it, though... I have to get over that because he's more than happy to help me. I guess I worry that it comes across as trivial, even though I know he doesn't think so. I do have plans for better photo shoots, but it seems like there's never enough hours in the day. My studets, coworkers, and friends know nothing about my blog and I want to keep it that way. I like the idea of having my own space here.
My sister knows about the blog, and one co-worker who also has a blog who I met via the blog. Other than that though, I don't talk it up and I keep an eye on my stats -- I don't think the students know. They used to not know about my belly dancing hobby but then, one time up in Virginia I danced at a multicultural event and my students were e-mailing me pictures they'd taken of me the next day. And it wasn't so bad.
I too, don't have a lot of time to put into my blog and just take quick and dirty indoor photos. They help me make better outfits though and that 's really all I can ask.
The green bag you are wearing is such an amazing color! I love it!
Monique xx
misszuman.blogspot.com
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