With a launch date set for the site for January it’s all systems go to make sure everything is ready. I’ve written a list and am checking it twice, (sorry, I couldn’t resist!), to make sure that all the easily overlooked yet important things are completed. I’ve just taken a break to write this article from using the site search where I’m making sure that all the related words I can think of for pictures are bringing up the right images and adding in to the admin side of any photos that might be missing keywords. I’m also having a think about which markets I wish to move into and making sure keywords for their language although not shown in the text visible to the customer are there for search engines to register.
The list of things is endless, mainly they are just things that need tweaking to help the site run efficiently and I’ll come back to cover them as I make the alterations. Although I’ve been organised enough to write down my tasks they are time consuming jobs so I’m only a little way through them.
One thing that has come to a head this week, though it’s been bugging me for a month or so now is an internal fight I’ve been having with myself over managing my time. I’ve wanted to get on with the site yet the weather has been calling me out to take photos and with brief seasons such as autumn and then the recent fall of snow which in this country is usually short lived it’s been a real dilemma. When I’ve gone out to take photos of such beautiful scenery I’ve come to the end of the shoot and felt a little guilty for not being at the computer and when I’ve spent time at the computer I’ve felt guilty for wasting the sunshine bouncing off of the golds and browns of the autumn leaves or of trees creating perfect reflections in the snow.
I’m a great believer in everything happens in its own time for a reason so the cold I have at the moment that has made me unwilling to venture out in below freezing temperatures to take the winter scenes has given me time to sit down and work at the website. And so I’m almost certain that when I’m better the winter scenes will be ten times more impressive than they are right now and I can go out and spend as much time as I wish as the site will be in tip top shape.
All joking aside, it does raise some questions about marrying the two sides of the work without feeling guilty as if I don’t have images then there are none to sell on the site. I know I’m not the type of person that can work until the wee small hours to catch up; long hours drain all my creativity away as I’m sure they do with us all. When its nature that we work with it’s not easy to have a hard and fast schedule of today I take photos and tomorrow I’ll upload them to the site, maybe two consecutive days we want to be out working in the field.
I’m realising it is good to find a way to look after both sides of business without feeling guilty and without further ado I’ve sat down and made a rough timetable of different tasks I’d like to get done in a day so if I don’t get them done because I am out taking photos or just having some time out I know where I’m up to when I get back and what needs doing. The process of writing a list I’ve found can be as therapeutic as actually completing the task on them.
So as Christmas fast approaches, a period I adore, I’m going to make time to go and visit some cities that are all beautifully decorated with lights and feel the hustle and bustle of people rushing around looking for presents, hear the Christmas songs playing on the streets and eat some delicious German sausages from the Christmas markets.
However you enjoy spending this time of year I hope you take the time to enjoy yourselves!
Notes
- Just writing a list of tasks that need to be completed can actually be therapeutic. When the mind is cluttered by the dread of what we need to get done it can seem worse than when we actually have an organised list in front of us where we can tick off jobs as we complete them.
- Juggling different roles can be tricky; yet take the time to remember what each one brings to your life and how worthwhile it is to do them happily free from guilt.
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Living in the beautiful rural county of Yorkshire it was perhaps natural for Ruth to have an affinity with the countryside and its wildlife. Creativity is Ruth’s driving force finding an outlet in television & radio she worked for many years as producer for BBC & ITV.
However a love of photography and for being surrounded by nature called her to go back to her photography training and bring pleasure and joy to people through her connection with our planet.
Staying in the moment when taking her images allows her to experience the natural magnificence unfolding before her eyes. It is this moment of mediation, of gratitude, that she evocatively conveys through her images.