onward and upwards.

I'm already embarrassed that it's taken me this long to blog about Thanksgiving. But I figured it was better now than later because a week from today it will already be Christmas, and then I would really look silly. Boy how time flies.  

I got a call in late October from my big sister inviting me to come spend Thanksgiving with her and her husband. They had just moved to NYC only a couple short months before. It was my first time there, and I have to say the trip was magical. But, more on that later. Here are a few images from our cozy little holiday together in their small Brooklyn apartment. It was a perfect day.  I had (and have) a lot to be thankful for.

I loved the view in front of Chelsey and Jeff's apartment. There's an amazing cemetery to the left and to the right, lady liberty.

 

super(me).

This is my sister. Isn't she cute?

Lately, I've been more stressed and overloaded than I've ever felt in my life. I've been like this for months now, but it's finally beginning to wear on me. Through the entire month of November I remember often thinking, "Wow, I feel like Superwoman." And as more work and more difficult situations arose I simply said, "BRING IT ON!" I don't know who I was talking to, but I do recall saying this aloud, and saying it with complete confidence that I could take it, whatever "it" was. I thrived off of the challenge. I felt strong. Then, a couple weeks ago I seemed to have misplaced my Superwoman cape as everything around me came to a screeching halt. My dog needed surgery, I was trying to plan a 2000 mile road trip, pack my life into a car, live out of a suitcase, find a place to live, find a job, complete photo shoots, fill client orders, and answer tons of emails. I had an art show that emotionally drained me and didn't make a penny, I was trying to make Christmas plans with my crazy family, and deal with heartache on several levels, among many other things. It was at this time that I text my sister late one night, crying. 

She said, "You don't have to be Superwoman to live your life. You can just be you."

So I just wanted to say a public thank you to my sister and to all of the people in my life lately that have had the right things to say at the right times. The people who have opened their doors to me, helped me solve problems, listened to me, ate cupcakes in the car before dinner with me, helped me hang an entire art show, fed me, hugged me, and let me be me. Not Superwoman, but me.

You know who you are. And I love you all.

2012 calendar.

I'm excited to announce that I have 2012 fine art calendars for sale just in time for the new year! I love the idea of a gift that last from January to December. I also love a good stocking stuffer, especially one that's handmade and supports (your favorite) artists. *wink wink*

The details:

12 loose calendar pages

size:  8.25" tall x 5.5" wide

heavy 110 cardstock

These calendars are designed with freedom and creativity in mind. Have fun with choosing your own way to display them in your home or office:  

• String with wire and clothespins in an empty, over-sized frame. 
• Frame one a month in a smaller frame on your desk. 
• Hang a blank clipboard on your wall with a nail and then clip the current month to the board. 
• Put a nail or tack in the wall with a bulldog clip on it. Clip the calendar to it.
• Pin to your bulletin board or fridge. 
• Use artist tacky to display on your wall or mirror.
• I loved THIS display that can be purchased from Ikea here. 
• Pick up THIS cute and inexpensive display.
• Or, purchase an easel or picture stand (as shown below) from your local art supply store or in the frame/home decor isle at Target, Michaels, etc. 

AND when the month is over, cut the bottom off and you're left with a mini art print.

PURCHASE ONLINE HERE.

*OR, purchase from me personally and save yourself the shipping/handling fee. If you are in Oklahoma (OKC/Norman) or Colorado (Durango) I will be available before Christmas for purchasing. Email me and we'll get together:  haileykingphotography@gmail.com

Only a limited number available :)

Happy Holidays!

Hi. I'm Hailey. I'm a photographer. I know we've met, but it's been so embarrassingly long since I've said anything that I thought you might need the reminder. The last few weeks/month has been a whirlwind to say the least. I can't even begin to describe it to you, and I don't have the energy to honestly try. Let's just say that I couldn't help but laugh to myself a few days ago as I read over my massive, ever-growing to-do list. Mixed in with things like "email Meredith" and "frame art for show" I had listed the following two items:

find house.

find job.

I joked with a friend about it later that night. It hilariously describes the craziness that is my life lately. And even though I have to truthfully admit, the near future is a little daunting and scary for me, I look at what I've accomplished in just the last four weeks and I know that at this rate, I can damn near do almost anything. So bare with me again in the next few weeks as the posting thins out again and I become quiet. It just means I'm still on a roller coaster, hanging on to enjoy the ride.

We'll catch up soon I promise! Happy Sunday :)

Confession:  I let myself get way, way too distracted this weekend by the sunshine and outdoors. My to-do list is daunting, much of it involving hours in front of the computer. But it's hard when the weather is so yummy. Yes, I said yummy. That's how a local recently described winter in Florida to me. And she couldn't be more right. The tourists have thinned out, the local produce is thriving, the nights are cool, and the days are perfect. Apparently, I am house sitting at the wrong time of year. Just as I am preparing to leave for a wintery wonderland, the seasonal Floridians are getting back in town, hanging up their coat and slathering on their sunscreen. Winter is going to kick me in the ass. But, since we're on the topic of confessions, I have to admit I'm kind of looking forward to it. I have been craving the sound of crunchy snow under my feet, hot chocolate, snow angels, and mittens. This trip was shocking to my system, but in the end it was good for me. So I think the cold will do the same. It will be refreshing. So here's to the end of one yummy winter, and the beginning of another!

magic.

A friend informed me recently, in the most loving way, that I was a little uptight about my photography. (And she was right.) That a good picture isn't always about sharpness or perfect timing. It's about play and imperfection too. And then tonight, I told someone else to get out of their head and just be. To quit thinking and just shoot. I said, "That's when the magic happens." And as it rolled off my tongue I felt the cheesiness of my words. But, in the same breath I knew I was right.

I'll never forget the night this image was created - or the days that lead up to it in preparation. Hours were spent at thrift stores trying on dresses. I picked up carboard boxes from the grocery store to cut out countless stars. Blue craft paints and glitter were purchased. String and clothes pins were hunted down. And Chad, my partner in crime, was there for it all, even adding the last of the glitter to my stars. We had been at class all day and had class the next morning too. But that didn't keep us from being out until 2AM creating and having fun. I never did get the perfect image I wanted, but what I did get was nothing short of magical. The process was magical too. I guess that's what happens when you just let go.

the day I turned twenty-five.

I was a little bit lazy this week with my camera. Okay, I was really lazy. I haven't hardly touched it for two weeks. I used it so much towards the end of October that I needed a break. Instead, I've been on the computer a lot, working on images, and also on my iphone taking instagrams. If you like Everyday Sunday and have an iphone, you should join me over on instagram. I go by haileylyn.