New place.. New chapter in our life!!

So.. this is it.. We are gonna sign a new lease on Tuesday. And it will be official, that we are really moving out from the Wake up house - our San Diego mindfulness intentional community.
It was fun while it lasted.
What is really funny and interesting, when we started the house 4 years ago, we lived on Wilson Av.
Guess what.. After living in Linda Vista for the past 3 years, we are moving to a place on Wilson Av.
I feel like this is an interesting beginning of a new chapter in our lives - as of making a full circle. Coming back to Wilson Av. again. Interesting...

Anyways. I'm really excited, that our little family will have a new place to start the new year of our baby. He will be one year in July. How fast time flies. He is incredible addition to our lives and I'm falling in love with this little being every day more and more..

This is the entrance to the flat and also a living room - very spacious.

I like, that the kitchen has window and it's bright.

After 3 years, we just put our trailer to a good use again.

We were getting some furniture today from Craigslist. It was fun to do it. Feels more real and that we are actually a good team, working on it together. Preparing for our actual move, so we have new bed, some dinning table and other things. Since we had many item shared in our community house.
I'm looking forward to pack our things, because we will finally get rid of stuff and get more organized. It always feels good, to have fresh new start.

I feel blessed!!

Guest at a wedding.. How am I learning to say NO!

Once in a blue moon it happens to me as well - to be a guest at a wedding and not working photographer.
Even though, I have to admit, it's been years and years, when I was working even at my siblings weddings, because I didn't know how to say no. Instead of enjoying the day and put the camera down, I was the official wedding photographer for 3 of my siblings wedding.

When my wonderful aunt-in-law Cynthia asked me, if I would be a photographer of her daughter's wedding in Richmond or would prefer to be a guest, I said very simple answer: I want to be a guest, because I'm done feeling that I'm missing out on the joy and fun at weddings of my family.
I want to enjoy myself and I know myself enough, that I know, once I'm working as a photographer at a wedding, I'm working. I can have fun and enjoy myself as well, but it is completely different.

Grandma - in pink - will celebrate her 100th birthday in January.. what a special moment..

My beautiful and sick baby Eli and his super caring cousin Charlie. Love them both.

Happy couple, happy family!! Richmond wedding.

I feel soooo happy, that I said no. I feel so grateful, that I'm learning to set my boundaries and tell people, what I actually want and need instead of saying YES, when I wanted to scream NO from the bottom of my lungs.
I feel so grateful, because my aunt Cynthia is so respectful and very wise lady and I appreciate her sensitivity and asking in such a way, that I knew, that I'm asked to be the photographer, because she truly values my work and style, but at the same time understands boundaries.

I had a lot of fun, I still took some pictures. My baby boy was sick (even though, he was still amazing and some people didn't even know, that he was sick - he is a wonderful happy and good being), so between jet lag, taking care of a sick baby, taking some pictures and talking to people and seeing my husband after 5long weeks, I still am grateful for the ability to enjoy present moment and have fun as a guest at a wedding.


So.. I guess, here is the morality of a story. Everyone has some budget for their wedding. But the truth is, that if you have a close friend or a family member, who is wedding photographer, unless you are desperate (because you cannot find anyone that you love their style and price as well), try to hire someone else instead. Trust me. Maybe your friend or family member doesn't know how to say NO yet, like I did many years ago. Because if I could go back in time and choose between being a photographer at my sister's and brother's weddings or being a guest, I would choose being a guest today. I didn't know any better, but I'm glad, that I'm still learning and improving my ability of self love, care and confidence.


Have a wonderful day and stay tuned to my other posts.


With love,


Bára


PS: I'm photographer though.. and I still couldn't help it and captured some pictures ;-)

West Coast family with the happy couple. I didn't take this picture obviously. The hired photographer did!!

3 locations tips for photoshoot in San Diego

Downtown San Diego, photo by Barbora H Photography

 Where to start? Well, you have to decide which beautiful location in this sunny city is going to act as the backdrop of your photography session!
Choosing your shoot location can be a tricky task. If you don’t have your favorite location, it's helpful to gain some insight from your chosen local photographer who knows a thing or two about great places to shoot in the area.
To help you out with some ideas, here are 3 locations, that might be just the right pick for you.

 

Balboa Park 

Hands down, Balboa Park is the ideal photo shoot location for people, who are looking for a variety of shots without having to move around too much all over the city. You’ll find lush greenery spots, water, and some quaint little courtyards. It's definitely a favorite locale for photographers. As you can see some photographer with a group of people, a couple, wedding party or you'll see beautiful girl all dress up in her quinceañera fancy dress taking pictures there.
There are also a lot of shady spots which make it ideal for shooting during the middle of the day when the sun is bright (which can cause harsh shadows and squinting - if you don't have time later on).
What is definitely important to think about is, that if you'll come there on the weekends, it will be way more crowded than during the weekdays. If you are a shy person, you might wanna find some more private spot than a Balboa park.

 

Sunset Cliffs

Take your shoot oceanside and capture stunning sunsets that San Diego is known for. Sunset Cliffs’s  beautiful scenery and variety of different views can be just the right place for you, if you love the outdoors and a little bit more simple nature without buildings and another distractions, which makes Sunset Cliffs your go-to location.
If you'd like to combine it with some beach photos as well, you are able to drive just around the corner to the Ocean Beach Pier and you have the pier and beach together for your disposal. What a treat!!

Seaport Village

This location at Downtown of San Diego provides a ton of variety all within a close proximity. Within steps of the waterfront, you’ll find parks, a carousel, street performers and natural landscapes. Plus many other  San Diego landmarks are within walking distance, such as the harbor, nice park and beautiful view of the Downtown. I would suggest bringing along flip-flops, as there can be some walking involved to get to destinations within the area.

What is the reality of a mom/entrepreneur's life?

I really would love to write more often. I realized, that I really like to write, but as a photographer, I was always forcing myself to write some tips and tricks about photography.. and that's not so exciting for me.
I just love to keep journal about my life and simply write, what is happening...

So, here is a little bit of what is real and what's the reality of a mom of a 7months old baby boy and.... who is trying to juggle a business while being a mom..

If you are in the same boat, you know..

For those, who aren't, let me tell you.. It's fun, it's tiring, it's struggle, constant questioning of what am I doing, am I doing it right? What should I or shouldn't I do? What to do first? What is the priority now? What time of the date will my priority switch and change?

I would say.. it's almost constant struggle.. Or.. as you can say.. the struggle is real. When we have good nights - meaning.. baby wasn't crying in the night, so we just breastfed and went back to sleep, those are the good nights. Not so great nights are the nights, when he is making noises or is crying a bit.. which means, that it wakes me and my husband up and somehow, we have to go back to sleep. Luckily, most of the time it's easy and we can go back to sleep. Sometimes.. it happens, that I just wake up too much and can't go back to sleep. Which means.. that I'm lying on the bed, wide awake and can't go back to sleep. Once it was from 1.30am until 7am.. uff.. that was rough..
And we are one of the lucky parents, because our baby hasn't decided, that he wants to play at night.

My mom told me, early on (I'm one of 8 kids, so.. even though.. I had more resentments towards my mom than appreciation, since I became mom myself, the resentments are going away and I feel huge appreciation towards her.. and admiration really.. thinking.. how the hell did she do it.. anyways.. back to my point) if the baby wakes up at night, don't try to let him play, so he will get tired again. He has to learn, that at night it's time to sleep. Don't turn the light on, don't play. So.. I did.. and I was even telling him at some point - it's night, we are sleeping at night, so.. we are going to sleep.. He woke up like this several times at the beginning of our "learning journey together".. But I was determined and consistent.. and We have pretty good nights.. At the same time, all kids are different, right? So.. If I'll have another one, I might update what will I do.. haha.

The first 3 months were the hardest so far, I would say. Because it's a whole process of getting to know each other. I guess, that's another thing, that not so many parents will tell you or admit, unless you have your own kid.. You love the kid, because it's your baby, there is an instinct to protect the little one.. But.. as it is with any relationship, you have to get to know this little person first, to fall in love with them more and more. And that is my experience so far. I must say, I love him more and more..


On the other hand, when I'm refreshed, had a good sleep and everything is good, I have so much patience and I feel, that I can do anything.. On the other hand.. if I didn't have a good sleep, the level of my patience just dramatically decreases and even his noises that he makes, when he wants me to pick him up, or just showing some discomfort drive me crazy..

When to find time for myself and on top of that for my business? It's tough. I have a wonderful husband, who helps me with the baby a lot. But he has to go to work and so I'm left alone with the baby and he comes home around 5 or 6, I'm trying to make a dinner, clean up a little, he is playing with the little one.. He also has to do some school work (because of his job), pays the bills and another things.. Well.. let me tell you, it's not easy at all.
And we live in an intentional community, so my roommates can help out a little sometimes - even just by holding Eli, so I can eat, go to the bathroom or take a shower. It's still a struggle for me to ask for help.. I'm trying.. and I'm doing my best...

Right now, my baby is asleep, so I'm able to write this blog post. Because.. magically.. he is ok, when I'm in room with him. I can do anything from cleaning, folding laundry, cooking etc., but not doing anything on my computer..
As soon as I sit down to do something on my computer, he is immediate trying to get my attention.. Why oh why...

Well, this is it for today, because he is waking up. I will write more hopefully every week.

Stay tuned. Have fun and enjoy your day!

Barbora

How I stay motivated when I work from home?

Hello beautiful people out there!

You know it too if you work from home. How to find a motivation to even do something, when all you want to do is to stay in bed with a book and hot tea or coffee or just wedge out and watch some movie.

Here are my 3 tips to motivate yourself to work:

Tip #1
Dress up and do your make up. If you don't wear a make up, just wash your face and dress up in some nice comfortable, yet very nice clothes. When you'll dress up, you will trick your mind into thinking, that you are going somewhere. Which means, that you will feel more ready and anticipated. It will be much easier to do something when you have actual clothes on instead of PJ.

Tip #2
Write down your semi schedule for a week and what would you like to accomplish every single day. Even if it's one thing that you'll accomplish, you will feel wonderful at the end of the day, when you check out the one task you finished. (True story.. as a stay at home mom and entrepreneur, sometimes I'm happy, if I can finish all the laundry, make myself and my hubby food for a day and take care of my baby...).

Tip #3
Keep yourself accountable by asking 2 to 4 people, who know you, or you want to get to know (another entrepreneurs probably will be the best) to check in with each other every week or two and set some goals - task, that you want to accomplish. It will make a great difference, when you are having that day, when you feel like you don't wanna do anything. Text one of this person and let them know you are struggling to work that day. I'm sure, they will boost up your confidence and motivation with some nice encouraging words.

I hope those little tips will help you.

Have a wonderful day!

For more tips, please check this post from Time Doctor at https://biz30.timedoctor.com/how-to-stay-motivated-when-youre-working-remotely/

New mom, how to be more efficient!

I became a new mom 6 months ago. It's a turbulence of new experience after new experience. Who became mother knows that..
And I would like to share something important with you prego moms and those who just had their babies... Something, that I've learned along the way.
I've learned, that I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to do it all by myself. It's very humbling experience. To be able to ask for help. To be able to open up and be vulnerable.

Believe me, when I tell you, that I'm one of those people, that never want to ask for help, because I want to keep an image about being strong and invincible. I guess, even in my own head. Isn't that a little crazy? I know it, yet.. it's not that easy to change it.

So.. again and again.. Especially nowdays.. It's important to learn, how to ask for help and not feel guilty about it. It's normal and natural to have help. Only this society isn't it allowing so much..

Ask for help! Ask for help! Ask for help! :-)

Have a beautiful day and stay tuned for more posts!

Warmly,

Barbora

Mia, Grace and Nayan's photoshoot

I've met this sweet couple at a birthing class. We became friends and because we live very close by, Grace with Mia started to go for walks with me and Eli quite regurarly. It's always fun to hang out with them. What a blessing to have found such a wonderful friends, who's daughter is only week older than our baby.
They are going through the same learning  curves at the similar time as us, which is refreshing to be able to talk about it.
When they decided, that it will be good time for the pictures of their little family, I was sooo excited. It's great to work with nice people. And to work with friends is a blessing.
When we were creating the photographs together, I asked them few questions, to get to know them better and have a deeper understanding of what it meas for them to have Mia in their lives now.

Grace told me, that she feels complete - like herself, since she became mom to Mia. She feels much stronger and that she can manage more and be more efficient. (They had been blessed with wonderful midwives and another support during their very long labor at home).

Mia is very sweet, lovable and kind. She also knows how to get her voice to be heard, when she needs something or wants something.
Nayen feel very complete and he values his time more - knows better now, whats important to him - to spend quality time with Grace and Mia.

Since they are renting the place, where Mia was born, the pictures are even more meaningful to be captured at their home now, so Mia can see later on, what the place looked like. What a treasure.
And that's one of the reason, why I love to capture pictures. It captures history.

Hope you had a great time reading the little story of this beautiful family and stay tuned for another blog post.

Have a lovely day!

Barbora