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.