Covid Projects at NMP | Rochester, MN Portrait Photographer
I know lots of photographer are back to work, but I'm not...well, until later this week anyway.. These are crazy times and one day I'm feeling good, and positive that our world isn't coming to an end, and then the next, I see some articles or news reports and I'm back to thinking the sky is falling. I've been on anxiety medicine for about 5 years, and let me tell you...I'm so thankful for that little pill I take daily. I can't even imagine how I'd be handling all this without it.
After the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my anxiety (which I know I've always struggled with a little) in regards to my daughter's safety went through the roof! I couldn't take her anywhere without scoping out quick exits, and being on high alert for "suspicious" looking people. When she entered pre-school, I found a small in-home Montessori preschool and felt it was safer than a larger school, but still bawled when I dropped her off and couldn't think straight until I picked her up everyday. I finally realized I needed help or I'd be home schooling her and she'd never get to see the light of day, so I went to my doc and she put me on the anxiety med. It helped...a lot. I still worry, but the thoughts come and go, rather than swirling around in my brain for hours on end. My emotions are leveled off, and I don't ruminate on things I can't control. Well...for not as long, anyway. :)
Until the past month, I've been a pretty good social distancer, during this crazy time called Covid. But, then it was my little's 10th birthday...and then my mom visited and we had a family gathering for her 75th birthday. I was around quite a few people...more than I have since early March. So, I've been trying to lay low for the past few weeks to make sure I, or anyone around me, haven't gotten sick, and so far so good. I know there are many that believe all this Covid "nonsense" is media hype and political (I'm still not fully understanding how a pandemic can be turned into a political debate, but whatever...believe what you want to believe), but I believe in Science and I'm in the camp that we could be facing something similar to the Spanish Flu, and that scares the crap out of me. So, I wear my mask while in public, and I'm OK with that. Yikes...I realize this post has taken a turn from what I originally intended, and truly don't want to question others emotions, beliefs, and political affiliations. I’m just trying to do what I feel is right, as I’ve no doubt others around me are trying to do also. Well, except for the stupid kids down in Florida (and wherever) that are intentionally trying to expose themselves to Covid…yes, I’m judging those immature little shits that have little regard for those around them that may be in harm’s way because of their naive belief they’ll live forever. Yep…they’re on my radar as being dumb…seriously dumb and disrespectful. Anyway…
So, while the world keeps spinning and Covid chaos ensues, I’ve just been over here on my little slice of land, trying to keep sane and hopeful the world will return to some kind of “normal” in the future. While I spent most of March and April doing puzzles, catching up on my Netflix subscription, watching the kid do distance learning (thankfully, she’s smart as a whip, and didn’t need much help) and trying to wrap my head around the idea of a pandemic being a reality, in the past few months, I’ve tried to get back at “it.” What’s “it,” you ask? Good question! For me, it’s trying to keep two businesses going, while not being very business minded. If I could spend all day, everyday, being creative…gluing stuff to other stuff, editing photos, rehabbing a house, working in my garden and raising chickens, watching “how-to” videos, reading and such, I would! I could keep myself busy for sure! I don’t need a 9-5 to fill up the hours. Nope. But, sadly…the bank account insists I put my responsibility cap on and do my part to bring income into our household. So, for at least a few hours a day, I’ve been sitting in front of my computer, doing the un-fun stuff that goes along with being a business owner. I spent time learning a bit more about the accounting software I use, and got caught up on entering receipts and such. Then I moved on to SEO for my photography website. First, I attempted to learn more about SEO (search engine optimization, for those of you NOT having to deal with a website), and then attempted to apply what I’d learned. I quickly realized…nope, this is a snooze fest for me, and I found myself having to read everything 12 times before remotely understanding what I was reading. So, next I spent a little time researching companies that could help me with this. I found one and spent a little of that unemployment money I’ve been collecting to have some SEO work done on my website….hopefully, it will help!
Speaking of unemployment. For the first time in my life, I’m on unemployment. At first, I didn’t think I’d apply, partially because I wasn’t sure I’d qualify (I have a unique situation, owning two businesses..one considered essential, and one not), AND I felt kind of guilty about applying for it. I was still able to sell real estate, and thankfully I’ve had a few house sales, so that helped immensely. My photography business, though. was shut down. Technically, I could have paid my photography expenses from our savings and real estate money…for a while, anyway. Not knowing how long this would last, I thought maybe I’d just “hang in there” and after a few months, all would be back to normal and I’d only be a few months behind in photography income. Well, to be honest, after seeing how things went down hill so fast, AND seeing many big “small” businesses going after “free” money with what seemed like a bit of over-exuberance, I decided because I’ve been working since I turned 15, it was OK if I had the benefit and temporary financial help that is unemployment. So, once unemployment was offered to the self-employed, I logged on and applied. My little photography business didn’t qualify for much, but with the extra $600 per week that’s being offered temporarily, my monthly business expenses are being covered, and I’ve been able to save a little, which for a small business, is AMAZING. Since I’ve opened my photography business, I’ve been pouring most of my time and energy in to it, so my real estate business has lagged behind. But, thankfully, as the housing market is very strong, it’s been a blessing to still have my real estate license! Ok…enough about that. If you’re a fellow business owner, I’m sure you have your own story about how Covid has affected your business.
Once I got all that “business stuff” done (Ha..that’s a joke, as it’s NEVER done), I decided it was time to focus on the creative side of my biz again! With my recently acquired love of Pinterest, I got inspired to create another DIY gown for the studio. Hey…if you’re on Pinterest too, please follow me!
If you know me, you know I’ve been collecting stuff for gowns for over three years now, ever since I designed my first DIY gown. I’ve got loads of old bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns, and even some wedding dressings in my collection. And books…oh, have I been collecting books! I’ve got several sets of encyclopedia, Little Golden Books, Disney books, art books…any book I think would make cool “material” for one of my gowns, was added to my cart at Goodwill, or the many estate and garage sales I’ve been to over the past few years! And flowers…I’ve got flowers! A few years ago, a real estate client of mine, for whatever reason, had bins and bins of flowers to get rid of, and thankfully, I was a the recipient of many of them. Add to that the many flowers I’ve purchased elsewhere over the years, and I have quite the collection. So for this gown…I knew I wanted to break out the flowers! I went to my studio and decided on a Vera Wang White wedding gown that I got on FB marketplace. It’s beautiful all on its own, but I wanted to transform it in to a beautiful floral ball gown…with hopes that one of my high school senior gals might want to wear it during her session. We shall see!
Here are some in-progress photos of the design. I don’t often start with much of a plan, I’m afraid. I usually know what materials I want to use, but I don’t normally know how I want to put them all together. I sit in front of the gown and wait for divine inspiration. :) I may start gluing a few things here and there, and if things are going well, I get in the groove and my “masterpiece” evolves without too much mental effort on my part. Sometimes, I let the dress I’m using inspire me, and this gown was an inspiration for sure. I love the lines of the bodice and I knew I wanted to keep them. At first, I wasn’t planning on adding the sheet music, but decided if I folded them, I could replicate the folds on the bodice. I love this sheet music and have used it on a music gown I did a few years ago…but thankfully, I have about a dozen books of it so I can use the sheet music again and again. It’s “aged” really nicely and crumples well so it’s nice and soft when working with it. So, I covered the entire bodice and I’m very happy with it.
I then decided to add some sheet music below the different layers of tulle, and of course, had to add more flowers. I’m not quite done with it…I need to finish the back, but haven’t quite decided how I want to do that. I did partially bustle the train, and then added more of a bustle looks by building up the back with sheet music and flowers.
Now, I just have the train to finish and I’m kind of stuck. Again…waiting on that divine inspiration! We’ll see how it turns out…I’m excited to see. In the meantime, here’s where it’s at now….I hope you like it. Please leave a comment below if you have any ideas for the train! Please excuse my messy dining room…it’s become my work room. :)
Nicole Mills Photography specializes in photographing girls and women of all ages. If you live in SE Minnesota and are looking for a photographer that is dedicated to her craft and will provide you the most amazing portraits you've ever seen of yourself, then please get in touch with Nicole Mills Photography to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Located in downtown Pine Island, the Nicole Mills Photography studio offers everything you need to make your portrait experience one to remember forever. You'll find a full studio wardrobe to choose from, including beautiful gowns, casual separates, and even unique, custom designs created by Nicole for a one-of-a-kind portrait you and your family will treasure forever.
Nicole Mills Photography offers fully stylized sessions both in her Pine Island studio and outdoors in Rochester, MN and surrounding areas. Whether you're looking for senior photographs, maternity, business head shots, or simply some beautiful images of you and/or your family, Nicole Mills Photography provides unparalleled service, quality of work, and unique artwork you'll want to hand down for generations to come.
Now serving: Rochester, Pine Island, Byron, Kasson, Mantorville, Oronoco, Stewartville, Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Eyota, St. Charles, Elgin, Plainview, and more.