A Blend Of Your Own
Autumn has a natural way of slowing down our daily rhythm. Cool, foggy mornings tempt us to stay a little longer in our cozy bed before heading out the door. I rise very early at 5 a.m., and now I find myself wanting to stay just one more minute before getting up and doing my daily rituals and taking Winslow for a walk. It’s still dark, the birds aren’t even awake yet, and it’s quiet except for the rustling in the bushes from this one very friendly deer. Tea is one of those daily rituals; I drink several cups a day. I find it calming and reminds me to relax in the present moment. As much as I drink it, I never actually thought of making my own blend as easy as it is. Tisanes or herbal teas have been a comfort lately. Maybe it’s the stack of new books on my nightstand to read or my internal seasonal clock; this weekend, I made my own with chamomile, mint, dried roses, and dried lemon peel. I didn’t really fuss over the exact quantities. Still, I followed a basic formula of a base or signature note (chamomille), a second supporting flavor (mint), and then some accents and top notes (dried roses and lemon peel.) I think it would be delicious either way you mix it, but I wanted something soothing before bedtime with my new books, of course! Whatever combinations you choose, mix them all together into a bowl with a spoon and then store them in a sealed container. The tea will keep for a year. However, if you use any fresh ingredients such as lemon peel or ginger, ensure they are completely dry, or else you risk molding the whole batch over time! I put the peels on a piece of parchment paper and set them in the oven at 200 degrees F for 30 minutes or so.
Sipping my steaming cup sparked a thought about our unique blend. Everyone has their own unique blend of what makes them them. Sure, we are similar in ways, but no one has the exact same life experiences, likes, interests, styles, or beliefs as any other human being. Isn’t that wild to think that? And from a creative standpoint, each one of us is our unique blend, a concoction of what makes us who we are. We all have our signature. We all have our signature aesthetic if we take a moment to see it and let it steep, cool, and finally it will be ready to share.
The beauty of what makes you you is what ultimately will set you apart in an authentic way without trying to manipulate algorithms or follow the crowd. In fact, if everyone is brewing (metaphorically speaking) the same old blend of stacks of brownies on a table, we will get sick of it after a while, and we can’t tell the difference between that cup and the next. What makes your blend so unique? I inherently believe visual storytelling begins with an awareness of oneself first. What do you like? What little things make your work feel and look like you? What are your signatures? Make up your own blend. For example, I know I love antique old things. Natural light is my medium. I love gardening and things that have a rustic charm. I love homesteading. I love rich greens and creamy whites. I love the seasons. I love the simple joys of life: tea, flowers, and nature. I love animals. I love being outside with my thoughts. I love running and the ocean. I can go on and on. But all of these elements become a part of my work in the most subtle ways. Maybe it’s hinted at here, maybe it’s represented through styling, or maybe it’s in the way I compose an image. A little of this, a little of that…
What is your unique blend as a photographer? What is your signature? I can surely attest that you are not an uninspired stack of brownies on a marble slab with a white background. Yawn. That isn’t interesting or compelling. It’s the humanness that makes our work stand out. How we see the world and how we view our subject from our unique vantage point. Our own blend of creative magic. Once we voice our own story, creating from a place of alignment becomes so natural. We can dip into our inspiration and find ways to tell whatever story we compose for a brand or a product. The little hints of life in food and lifestyle imagery make them so compelling. There is thought behind it, from your blend with your signature on it.
If you’d like further support on crafting your signature, we can delve deeper together through my 1-hour clarity call to fine-tune your aesthetic.
So here’s to your cup on this autumnal equinox (one day late on my part!)!
Alanna
