Jamie Love Photography

Here's your reminder to take up S P A C E Research shows that how you take up space physically can also determine your felt sense of confidence in real life. Yep, "power posing" is a real thing y'all ... Social psychologist Amy Cuddy popularized the term in a viral 2012 Ted Talk. Her research, suggests that simply the way we choose to stand can make us feel more powerful. How we feel determines how we think. How we think determines how we act. How we act determines how we are received. How we are received affects our success. Taking up space begins with believing that your voice is valid, inherently worthy and deserves to be heard. And of course this is a process requires self work and takes time. You can start today by standing in front of the mirror, and playing with your posture. Notice how you feel when you stand a little taller and let your shoulders relax. Feel the difference there? Good! Now do your best to maintain it throughout your day and watch your reality shift right before your eyes. You are worthy, you are amazing, and the world needs your voice. Here's @justjaquez taking up space in the frame showing us how it's done.

There's an interesting thing that happens when one starts a new business. They'll go and look to see what other people in their area of expertise are doing. Part of that of course is based in competitor market research, which makes sense when you're just starting out. You like to get a feel of what it's like to be the consumer in your area. The flip side of this is when people check out other business sites in order to inspire themselves for what they'll create for their ow...n site instead of doing the inner work of deciding what they'll put into their own site themselves. This is no bueno folks... and here's why... You're outer work starts with your inner work! Copying or "being inspired by" the copy/vibe on someone else's website is not only illegal (ahem plagiarism is a thing) But it's also to simply put it... not YOUR VIBE!... It's someone else's. This creates not only a lack of integrity which then energetically becomes the framework of your business moving forward, but it also creates a lack of alignment with yourself. Your own unique flair is why people hire YOU instead of someone else. So essentially when you let other people's vibes influence and inspire yours, you're not only robbing yourself of doing the inner work of figuring out who you actually are and what unique flair you bring to the world, you're also robbing others of knowing that as well. The world has enough of thems already. It's looking for a YOU.

"Rise goddess rise and meet this day, child of the earth and stars. The heartbeat of the universe is within you. So breathe, breathe and let the winds of your spirit guide. Relieve your shoulders of the burdens, for you were meant to fly." ... Here's to the new moon in Aries vibes. It occurred to me recently that a large part of my photography work involves capturing the essence of real life earthly plane goddesses who are here to share their magic with the world. I let that blessing soak into my skin for a while.... and I fondly remembered this moment. When you photograph a goddess everything around you becomes alive with light. The wind begins to talk to you, the Sun and you become best friends, and in this particular moment the grass whispered.... "Come join me the view is amazing from down here!" The results are gorgeous of course, but I gotta tell you, there's quite a lot of magic that happens behind the lens, in these moments I'm capturing and I'm hoping to share more of that with you all in the coming months.

Your business is an extension of you. It is also its own entity with a personality, and values. It sends off a distinctive vibe that sets you apart from others who are doing the same exact thing. The question is.... What is it your vibe saying? If you weren't in the room and someone was to discuss how they experience your business what exactly would they say about it? ... Knowing your vibe is what personal branding is all about! Ask yourself this, which five words best describe your brand? Now, ask someone else who you've worked with to do the same....have them name three words that describe your brand. Are those words the same? Similar? Different? World's apart? Get curious, ask around and then let me know in the comments what you came up with. Does your branding intention match what people are actually experiencing of you?

There's a saying that I love that goes like this.... "If you've been assigned a mountain, it's so you can show others how to move it!" When we begin to fully understand that our purpose in life is to live a life of purpose, all of the mountains we've been given ultimately become our opportunities. With that sentiment in my heart, I wanted to send a shout out to my client @lorrainefaehndrich... I'm super inspired by the mission driven, and incredibly important work she does to assist and uplift women on their journey with pelvic pain. She is an infinite wellspring of wisdom and such a bright light in this world. To all of you other mountain movers out there turning your obstacles into opportunities, I you, and honor you.

Sending you all out well wishes for a happy holiday. You got this.

Are you still looking for an exceptional gift for someone special this year? Here's your reminder that Jamie Love Photography offers gift vouchers for a variety of portrait session types in a variety of increments. Vouchers can be used for headshots, senior portraits, a full on personal branding portrait session for a small business owner, or product photography services. *There are many small business owners looking move their services online this year that could use your support!* Please reach out for details or to purchase! *Please note, I no longer offer family portrait services*

Sending out so much love to my Hair and Makeup artist Jessie! Jessie works with all of my high school senior portrait clients. She recently opened her own salon, Luna Love Holistic Hair Studio in Dewitt Mall, Ithaca. If you're looking for more than just a haircut, but a transformational holistic hair experience, I HIGHLY recommend her services! Go check out her FB page and send her some love.

Waking up to messages like this fuels my soul. I'm so grateful to each and every one of you who has trusted me to bring your visions to life this year!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The folks at Healthy Food for All are doing incredible work to help our local community address food scarcity during the pandemic. The stories I've had the privilege of filming and photographs I've been able to capture are ones that need to be shared. Please give a listen to Ms. Singtrece whose vocal talent is featured in this video and consider a donation to help support families in Tompkins County. http://www.healthyfoodforall.org/donate/