Shoot for the stars, no matter how far

Why is it that when you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, we tell them that they can be and do anything they set their minds to. Yet, when an adult is asked the same thing, if what they say seems to be outside the norm or unattainable due to some weird standard, we tell them to be more realistic with their dreams and goals, and are very ready to knock down their dreams.  At what point do we go from telling kids to shoot for the stars and don't be afraid to dream, to telling people that their dreams are too big for them, and to tone it down.  Is it because so many dreams my be unattainable?  Is it because others feel that since they have not accomplished their own dreams, they should knock down others? Who knows?  All I know is that I have a dream list a mile long, and I will slowly but surely cross them off.  Some may seem random, some may seem like they are never going to happen, and some are so big that they terrify me and even I think they are crazy.

But, if I don't dream big, what am I even doing here?  So here is a list of some of my dreams & goals, in no particular order:

• Become an actress (basically act in a show and be a member of SAG)
• Be interviewed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
• Photograph celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Steve Buscemi, Tom Hiddlestone, David Tennant and More
• Have a thriving and successful photography career and studio based out of NYC
• Meet Lupita Nyong'o and possibly become best friends
• Have an amazing re-do of my wedding
• Win a major photography competition
• Win the powerball
• Walk the red carpet and attend an award show
• Start a non-profit that creates and gives out packages to homeless people that contain Gore weather gear, packaging that converts to a tent, and money/food
• Start an animal sanctuary
• Be financially stable
• Vacation in Disney World at least once a year
• Meet, photograph and be photographed by Sue Bryce
• Have the wedding of my dreams, well now it would be a vow renewal
• Travel the world for photography
• Be interviewed on a photography blog
• Have my work featured on photography blogs
• Have my work in a magazine
• Attend WPPI

And that is just some of my dreams, just some. I'll be glad to come to this post and cross things off!

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My bucket list {Delaware Lifestyle Portrait & Fashion Photographer}

So as a photographer I have goals, and they are big. I work extremely hard to keep my business running, and even on days I feel like giving up, I have faith that these goals will come true.  For me, success is talent, drive, and opportunity. I am always working on talent and drive, I just need the opportunity.

I have quite a long list of goals of celebrities and famous people that I would LOVE to photograph. Just a simple, straight to the point portrait sessions. No frills, just them.  And then of course, if I had the opportunity to go all out with sets and props,  I would.  Here are just a couple of celebrities in no particular order that I would love to photograph, in my little home studio or their homes. I want to make tea, sit and talk with them, do portraits of them all glammed up, and then portraits of what makes them the most comfortable. They can bring their kids and family, we can go out and I can document the things they love to do. This is my dream. One day, not too far off in the future, I hope I can come back and cross these names off one by one.  I will make this happen

So here is my list of people I would love to photograph for various reasons. It has nothing to do with being star struck. It has everything to do with being genuinely interested in the lives of people, what they think about, what they do, and more.  Even if I was a celebrity photographer, I would never forget where I started, and that is with friends and family and clients in my local area, that I have to thank for getting me to where I am today. Even if I was a celebrity photography (which we all joke about), I would still be doing family and baby sessions in my home studio, and sometimes weddings.

Here is the list in no particular order:

• Idris Elba
• Queen Latifah
• Ellen Degeneres
• Oprah Winfrey
• Beyonce and Jay-Z (and baby Blue)
• Tom Hiddlesotn
• Zachary Quinto
• Rihanna
• David Tennant
• Matt Smith
• Patrick Stewart
• Johnny Depp
• Scarlett Johnansen
• Zoeey Dechanel
• Amber Riley
• Laverne Cox
• Michelle Obama
• Kerry Washington
• Melissa McCarthy
• Mila Kunis
• Lady Gaga
• Zoe Saldana
• Lucy Lui
• Gina Torres
• Drew Barrymore
• Pink
• Emma Watson
• Will Ferrell
• Jimmy Fallon
• Lupita Nyong'o

Again, this list is no particular order, and it's not the complete list. I add people and new pages all the time. Right now the pages sit folded in a blue jar on my fire place.  It's basically my wish jar.  I believe if I put out my intent on paper and give it to the universe and make it known, it will happen.  And one day, ONE DAY, I will be able to come back and cross these names off. I will make it happen. How? I don't know. But that's part of dreaming right? Have a goal, and do whatever it takes to get to it.   

So here's hoping!

And continuing with my randomness, here is a self portrait of myself that I am EXTREMELY proud of. I don't think you understand, photographing myself is a task upon itself.  I know how to photograph other people, especially women.I know what light looks good, what clothing looks good on them, how to dress them up, how to pose them, etc.  So this image, I am extremely proud of. Since I love color and black and white, you get to see both!

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New Year brings New Things! {Delaware Lifestyle & Fashion Photographer}

Happy New Year!!!

I hope you all had an amazing time during your New Years Eve celebrations. Whether it was spent at home low key, or getting all glammed up and going to a party.  My husband and I went to friends party, and I must say we looked quite spiffy. I am sad to say though, that I did not get any images of us at all!  I am so bummed. We barely dress up, so that night was truly a once a year event.

Ok, so moving on! Happy New Year to all of you. New businesses, new clients, new ventures, just so much newness.  This is the time when so many people put so much positive energy out into the world in hopes for a rebirth, it's hard not to jump on the bandwagon.  So let's start with a couple of my personal and professional new years resolutions.

1. Stop comparing myself to other photographers.  There is nothing wrong with viewing others work, making friends, and being inspired. But when I compare myself, I immediately put down all of the hard work, sweat, and tears that I have put into this business.  2014 will be a year to focus on my business even more so in that past, and that leads to...
2. Pour more of myself into my business. Give my clients an experience that goes above and beyond.  Start our connection at the beginning, and keep building on top of that.  Marisa Taylor Photography is much more than just taking your photos and getting them to you, I want you to have an experience with me. From initial contact to when you have your images in your hand, I want to be there through every journey.  And that involves more time spent styling your session wardrobe, picking the perfect location, props if needed, and an amazing Viewing & Ordering session in which you will see your images for the first time.
3. Believe I am as amazing as my husband believes I am.  He is my number one supporter. My backbone. The reason why I have not quit when the only thing I wanted to do was sell off all of my gear and props and crawl into a hole.  If he has heart and soul invested into my business as much as I do, then I owe it to him to continue to grow and learn as an artist and put out amazing work.
4. Blog. Blog a lot! Blog like a crazy person.  I am constantly in awe when I see blogs that have daily entries. Even if it's something like a simple joke or story, taking the time to blog each day is a commitment, and it is one I want to make.  I want to turn my blog into a resource that my clients can come to for things like home life, cooking, crafting, and fun activities.  You let me into your lives with my camera, I feel like I should let you into my life.  So my goal for the month of January is to blog every single day.  I am already 4 days behind, so that means 4 blogs to catch up on, but I will do it!

So thank you for sticking with me through 2013 and making it amazing.  I am definitely looking forward to what 2014 has in store.  I am eager to step outside of my comfort zone, try new things, meet new people, and continuously grow and learn as a photographer and business women.  I want to be in tune with what potential clients want, and tune what I put out to attract people.

As far as stepping outside of the box, here has been some of my latest work!

I have been doing a lot more fashion/editorial type work as of late, and have been loving it. It gives me a chance to step outside the box of what I typically new, and stretch some new creative muscles.  Using backdrops, styling the wardrobe and sessions, using different sources of lighting, and new editing skills, it has been amazing.  And all of this can translate back into my baby & family photography.

I would love to do more stylized baby and family sessions.  Picking out the location, hair and make up for the adults and glamming up the kids, and having an amazing editorial style session. Of course lifestyle photography is still my love, and I want more of that too!  More gorgeous homes, fluffy bed spreads, kids jumping and hiding underneath the blankets, the whole family together in the livin g room.

My purpose has been, and will always be to tell stories by capturing love and the growing family.  I hope you allow me to do that.

www.MarisaTaylorPhotography.com | www.Facebook.com/MarisaTaylorPhotography

And my new fashion page! www.MarisaSeasan.com | www.Facebook.com/MarisaSeasan

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