New Year - New Things!

What year is it again?

2022?! Going on year 2 of the pandemic and I still cannot wrap my head around how much time has passed! Seriously - it feels as though time has flown but also as if life has frozen still. A lot of things have happened in my life since the pandemic (it's crazy how we now use this as a casual way to measure time). I moved cities (twice), changed jobs (twice), started a new relationship, got a puppy, traveled out of the country AND dissolved and revived my photography business! Pics below for fun :)

A fresh start for me

As I mentioned, I have moved cities and changed jobs twice just since the start of the pandemic! I originally had moved back to my hometown of New Bern, NC but it was very short lived. I relocated to Raleigh, NC last April to live with my boyfriend and I have finally found a city that is a good fit for me! I am commuting almost 1.5 hours to and from work (I am currently a full time Spanish instructor at UNC - Greensboro) but I do not find it unbearable. I also teach classes as an adjunct for UNC - Wilmington and tutor on the side for Durham Tech Community College. To say I am busy is an understatement!

However, the new year for me means refocusing and finding balance between my jobs, workout routine, family and friends, me time, and my business! While I do not have a new years resolution (I never stick to them when I do), I look forward to becoming the best version of myself this year.

A fresh start for my business

I have had a love for photography since I first picked up a camera. I remember my first camera was a lime green digital FujiFilm (oh how the times have changed). I officially started my business in February of 2019 (pre-pandemic, am I right?). Once I graduated from graduate school in December 2019 and got a full-time job, I found it difficult to juggle work and my side hustle of photography. Then, COVID. In 2020 I basically completely stopped my photography business. I found myself itching for photoshoots and the creative urge I often get. A year passes and we enter 2021. I still am not practicing much photography at the beginning of the year due to moving, job changes, and the lingering pandemic. However, I still felt that urge! Three quarters into 2021 I knew I missed photography so much that I had to pick it back up. Things were getting better with the pandemic and it was time to put my energy back into something that I love to do. I bought a new camera (way overdue) and ventured back out! Now, ending 2021, I am hoping to focus more attention on my business and continue doing what I love to do most :)

So what's new?

You may be asking - what's new with Autumn River Media? Well... a lot!