Tuesday, July 21, 2009

{ Bearing My Soul }

Ahhhh. . . .where to start.

If I am to be honest, I have been dreading this post for a long time now. I have, more than once, come thisclose to canning everything; the name and mostly the notion that I may actually have a gift that is to be put to a higher use. The Bible tells me in John 10:10 that "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy" and then "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full". See, I have this little dream and to write this for all to see is terrifying for me.
I want to do photography.
There, I said it....but here's the thing. Over the past week or so that I have been mulling around the idea of becoming a little more "official" with a name and a new blog that "thief" has been working overtime on my mind; stealing my confidence, killing my motivation and destroying that small voice inside that's trying to tell me I can do this. I've been relentlessly comparing myself and convincing myself that my camera isn't fancy enough and a free blog is a sad excuse for a website, my editing program isn't high-tech, my laptop is old and that no one in their right mind would actually pay me to be responsible for their special memories. Then I am reminded of this parable in the New Testament about three servants whose master left town and entrusted them each with differing amounts of money. Two of the servants put their money to work and by the time the master returned they had both had made back double what they had been given. The master was so pleased with these two servants and said to them "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master's happiness!". However, the third servant got scared and was worried about failing the master so he buried his money in the ground and only gave back what he was given. The master called him "wicked and lazy" and took his money away and gave it to one of the other servants. I am that servant....feeling undeserving of the gift I've been given, having no confidence in my ability to do something with it and unwilling to recognize that I could do something with it. I'm running scared of failure, of letting myself, my would-be-clients, and mostly God, down. I'm constantly going flipping through my pictures trying to convince myself that I'm even moderately good at taking pictures. I know there are a few professional photographers that read my blog and fear I'm giving myself too much credit and that they will all be snickering as they read this because I have no training or schooling.
I have been desperately seeking God in prayer for his guidance and completely releasing this whole thing to Him knowing full well that this will fail if Christ isn't the center.
All that being said, I've been keeping it underwraps that I am shooting my first wedding on Saturday followed by a baby shower on Sunday and mom and baby session sometime in the next few weeks. I couldn't be more scared but I know that these opportunities are God opening doors and providing for our family.
So......getting to the real reason for this post! I've come up with a name and have started designing a new blog (to be revealed later) but what I need you for is to help me with a logo. I managed to narrow it down to six fonts that I like and I want YOU to vote and help me pick one. I may do another voting post once a font is chosen to get your thoughts on another simple design idea but we'll see.
I get an average of 50 hits a day on this blog and never more than 10 comments on a post so I am calling on the other 40......if you've never left a comment, make this the one time that you do! Be anonymous if you'd like but please take the time and give me your opinion....just scroll to the bottom of this post and leave me comment telling me the number that corresponds to your favourite font.....
#1 - Candlemas
#2 - Cantabile
#3 - Daresiel
#4 - Euphorigenic #5 - Menrath Antiqua
#6 - A Yummy Apology

Now, you may be wondering what the word "nohea" means and what language it is. Once I get a font nailed down, I can finish putting together the new blog and I will go in to detail about that in my first post.

Here's thanking you all in advance for voting.....and also for listening to my heart. I am scared but my God is bigger than that and didn't create me with a spirit of fear and I know that through Him, and Him alone, all things are possible.

Happy Tuesday!

31 comments:

Nadine said...

Good for you, Christy! I admire your courage and will be praying for you.

My vote is #1 and #5. #5 being my favorite.

Looking forward to seeing your new website. Don't let the enemy steal your joy or put fear or doubt in your mind. Follow your heart and stand firm on knowing that you are doing what you love!!

Meg Baxter said...

My choices in order of preference are:

#5
#6
#3

I think these will stand the test of time the strongest. I especially like #5 because it's the most inconspicuous. Here's the link to a photographer who incorporates her logo so craftily into her work. Maybe it will provide some inspiration! http://blog.amberhughes.ca/category/engagement/

By the way - good for you. What have you got to lose! Go for it. If we lived closer together, I'd definitely have you do some newborn shots for us.

Nat said...

I'm excited for you Christy!!
My vote goes for #1 and #2 although I think #2 is my fav. :o)

Laura said...

I like #1, then #5 the best! go for it Christy and use that talent God has blessed you with. I look forward to the reveal of the new blog.

Ashley Kitchen said...

Hey Christy!

I'm excited that you are going to GO FOR IT! It is just one of those businesses where you will ALWAYS be second guessing yourself, but God will indeed bless you if you seek for knowledge and trust in him. You have an eye for it, and you will only get better as time goes by!

It is hard to pick my favorite, but I think that I like 5 as well? You can always change it up after you have figured out exactly what kind of feel/style you want for yourself! That's what we had to do :) (and continue doing!)

I love my free blogger blog that I use for the business, and I think that it flows nicely into the website! I was able to customize almost everything with the template I used and we have been meaning forever to host it with http://www.snapblog.ca! That is the nice things with blogger- it can be hosted by your own site! (we are using ehosting.ca and pay $20/year for our domain. Totally worth it.)

I have a gazillion tips for you so just let me know what you need help with and I would love to help you!

Love!

Ash

Kim Lavender-Kitchen said...

I like #1...so pretty!

Laura said...

Congrats Christy! Such an exciting time as you step out in the gift and passion God has given you :)

As for the font... it depends on what you're using it for. When photographers put their logo on every picture, I like it when it's inconspicuous so it doesn't take away from the photo itself. So if it's for that... I'd go with #5! I also like #4.

I have a pretty good idea what Nohea means... Jessi's daughter, Halle, her middle name is Nohealani! But I won't give it away until you reveal it yourself!
I think it's a very fitting name for your company :)

All the best to you this weekend! We look forward to seeing your fabulous shots!

susan said...

1 & 5 - but 5 is my fav.

Thank you for trusting us & being vulnerable - it can be hard to share your dreams.

You are far from being the "wicked & lazy" servant in the parable but I understand your point. God has given you this desire - He knows your heart and will not let you down - nor will you let Him down.

Are there course you can take to give you more confidience & learn a few tricks of the trade?? That might be something to look into & I think just doing it...practicing (you've got a beautiful little model!!) & looking at every photo as a learning experience & not a failure because some are likely not going to be as perfect as you'd like them to be.

Have faith Christy...I believe you can do this!!! :-)

Shawna said...

What a stinkin' fabulous post! Christy you should be so proud of yourself! Really, you have done good in His eyes!

Now on to voting, I like #1 the best then #5 --- I too love love love the name, it suits you to a tee!

xo * S

Joanne said...

You have talent by the buckets full!....and with God nothing is impossible. I have been mulling over a quote I heard...I think it applies. "There is no clarity without commitment"...you commit to it and God will provide the clarity.

I am SO excited for you! Love you!!

Oh, and I like #2, but #5 is good too if that is the consensus.

Kim Strong said...

Christy,
I like #5 the best!
#6 and #4 are nice too.
I'm so excited for you, I think that you're fabulous and so is your photography!
Kim

Kim Strong said...

Christy,
I like 5 and 6. Go for it girl! I'm so excited for you. I think that you're fabulous and so is your photography.Good luck!
Kim

Nat said...

Well I had a second look and now I think number 1 is my favorite!

The Samy's said...

Praise God Christy! I am so honored and blessed that you have shared this with us. May you follow His voice in all that you do.
Psalm 20:4 May He grant you the desires of your heart and make ALL of your plans succeed.
Run with it, and don't let anything hold you back. My prayers are with you and this "new" chapter in your life.
As for the font, My number one is 5 and then 1.
Can't wait for your next post girl.

Nicola Armstrong (Demchuk) said...

I like #1 cause it's elegant, #2 cause it sticks out the most (I teach esl, 'easy to read' is always good^^) and #6 cause it's pretty. I also like #5 in itself, but it is a bit harder to see...so it depends what you are looking for. I'm sorry I couldn't pick just one! If it was me, hmm, I think I'd go for #2 (or maybe #1 in bold?). Good luck! You're going to make a great photographer; be excited! ^^

Jason and Kristin said...

Hey Christy!
Good for you - GO for it! You will be awesome at it. And keep reminding yourself that you have God who is bigger than that thief and you can do it through Him!
I like #2 and #6 but I think 6 is my favourite!

Brianna Place said...

I am so excited for you Christy! I love #1 and #5. Blessings to you in your new adventure!

Maryann said...

I'm going with #1 .... but that was a hard choice.
Good for you for coming to this decision; it's so right for you.
I am really really excited to see you at it this weekend!

Michelle Dunn said...

Proud of you Christy! I read something once and believe it to be true. If you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life! Good for you for following your dreams. My vote is #3
Michelle

Jessi said...

I love #1...and Nohea...great name...did you know that's part of Halle's middle name. I'm Hawaiian and all of my siblings and nieces and nephews have Hawaiian middle names. Halle's name is actually Nohealani...meaning Beautiful Heaven...but we just call her Nohea for short!
From what I've seen of your work, you have an incredible talent-God given talent that is. I look forward to seeing more!

Devon said...

Christy, I've been following your blog for a couple weeks now after you posted something about it on facebook, but I've gotta tell you that besides just what you write, the things that I've always loved MOST about your blog are all the pictures you put up! I don't know a lot about photography, but I love what I've seen you post! I think you'll do great with it!

That being said, my favorites were #2 and #5 for sure. :)

Crystal said...

ok, I like them all... I am no help!hehe

Joanne said...

hmmm. question. will you be doing many photos with industrial sized props??! LOL

Anita Grace said...

Hey Christy,

I read your post earlier today but wanted to wait till I had a moment to write a decent comment if ya know what I mean!

First off, #5 is my favourite, although you could make it slightly bigger... but I like it the way it is. Simple & elegant.

As for photography goes, you totally have a gift! What I'm learning is that the more I use my camera, the better I'm becoming... so with you putting yourself in places that you are very intentionally going to use the gift that God's given you, then that will excellerate how quickly you become more of a camera expert too.

I pray that the Lord would continue to open doors for you as you embark on this and that through the learning process you'd feel His grace over you! Congrats!

Anita Grace said...

One more thing!

I read someone else's comment about hosting, and we use hostgator.com and I think it's 10$ a year for unlimited domain names... check it out!

Also, I was looking through that recent wedding you posted & you took some stunning photos! I too have a love for photography and it can be hard sometimes to not just be critical of yourself, but seriously, you're really good!!

E. said...

Christy, I know you will do such wonderful work! You're a natural talent!

My vote is for #1.. I actually like the font better in #5, but I think it is too small.

Lots of love and blessings from Harrison and me.

Nancy said...

Well probably about time I left my comment. My darling Christy you have such a God fearing heart, and I know that he would bless you in whatever endeavour you choose to explore. You have a wonderful eye for detail, your pictures speak louder than any words I could say. You go for it girl..... my vote for logo would be number 1 and 5...with probably 5 being my favorite....love you MOM

Lisa B. said...

I vote for #1 or #6 - hope that helps!

Looking forward to seeing the fruits of your new adventure - I'm sure they will be marvelous!

Stephenie (Chester) Karsten said...

I vote for #4 and #5. and I happen to know a designer (ME) who would be willing to help you design an logo free of charge as my little gift to send my support to you for following God's desires for your life!

jamiedelaine said...

Christy, I am super excited for you. My mom told me to check out this post. I can't wait to see your growth in the coming months. :) :)

cathy said...

I wish you all of the best! Very exciting indeed!