I went hiking this morning with my love, as we do many times a week, and I wanted to shoot my image for today on that hike. I decided not to film anything so that I could have more time appreciating my morning and less time worrying about if each video is in focus. So, I created a speed edit video for today instead of an “atmospheric” video, but I deem that A-okay. This project isn’t supposed to be any one particular thing, and part of why I wanted to do it is to be okay with going with the flow.

Plus, today is Muse Day!

If you don’t know about Muse Day, it is something we made up in my house in which every Wednesday we focus solely on taking in inspiration for upcoming projects we have. Which means I am meant to finish The Hobbit and study more of “The Story Grid”, which has turned me into a storytelling education addict. But less about that…

…And more about the image. My usual 4:30am rolled around and I happily sauntered out of bed. I packed up the car and off we went to our favorite trail to enjoy a mountain hike. We gathered sticks along the way and I got set up for my self-portrait, even wearing my dress backwards like a skirt with my pants and hiking boots still on underneath (those are the best kinds of dresses, eh?). For some reason, no matter how often I shoot early in the morning, I never anticipate the sun. She came creeping up in a matter of minutes, so I shot in a hurry and tried my best to get the branches photographed before the light completely covered them.

I keep having one intent for these images and something sneaks its way in and turns my ideas sour. I don’t rightly mind, though, since I am open to new directions this month. I was going to create a more monotoned image, but the colors were calling to me so loudly and I kept them (though tweaked them to my liking). I’m really enjoying listening closely to my craft and letting it speak instead of always stifling it into submission.

Now, I’m off to second breakfast with my Hobbitses.

P.S. Anyone else notice that double-jointed elbow? Yeesh.