37

Typical first words inbound.

I haven’t updated this in a while.

I had a birthday in between this and my last post, and I haven’t even recently had a birthday, so clearly that means I’m terrible at updating this regularly.

Life has been moving in some positive ways. I’ve actually found value in a daily workout routine for the first time in my life and I’ve been staying consistent with getting an hour in every morning. Waking up at 5:45a to create the time for it was an odd transition because it now means that I’m typically falling asleep on the couch by 10p. I’m recognizing that I’m at that place in my life where I have accepted that the years of being a night owl with enough energy to go to the bars every week are long behind me. I now prioritize the prevention of predispositions found on my 23 & Me health reports.

In a positive change of pace, Hailie and I went on a real life vacation. Our lives never seem to allow us to take a significant amount of time away from home as often as we would like, so we worked a lot more diligently at the beginning of the year to make sure we could go up to Washington for the Renaissance Fair with our friends. This would be my second time going to the Washington Fair, but Hailie’s first renaissance fair in general. My experience last year was those who dressed up would have more fun, so in April I hired a local lady to make an outfit for my trip this year. I may have gone overboard, but I don’t care, I love it.

We spent five days around Carnation, and on the drive home we decided to take a more scenic route and find our way to Leavenworth. If you have never heard of it, Leavenworth is a small town nestled in the middle of the Washington mountains. It felt like a drive through a J.R.R. Tolkien world on the winding road that constantly found a river or train on either side of us. Arriving in town, your eyes immediately gravitate towards the architecture. Leavenworth, Washington is a town that is modeled after Bavaria. There are beer gardens, wurst houses, a nutcracker museum, a Cheesemonger, and even a year round Christmas store. They are largely known for their winter Christmas lights display, but they also have a Mayfaire celebration in May.

Once we got back from Washington, I worked a weekend at the Boise Tattoo Convention. Originally, I was working at a registration booth, but I spent the rest of the three days taking pictures. Tattoo conventions are always fun, I’ve gotten tattooed at a handful of them and it’s always a great memory with good people. I even got tattooed on Sunday, the last day of the convention.

Thinking back to being 37, my 30’s have largely been a reinvention of my life trajectory. I was going one way, and I decided to take it another direction. I now am empowered to be more of the most authentic version of myself throughout my life. When I was leaving my last career and trying to decide on a new path, one of the things that I always said that I wanted to do was either, “cutting hair or taking pictures.” I ultimately decided on cutting hair because I knew that I could simultaneously use that time to hone my photography skills. I built a photo studio in the back of the shop, I’ve invested in professional photography equipment, and I trust my eye and knowledge. So with that, I am finally going to provide a good solution to my dilemma.

Why not both?

I’m opening up my books for photography sessions and will be offering event photogaphy, family portraits, high school graduation, engagement, pets, boudoir/dudeoir, cosplay. I’m here to capture the moments you want saved. Pricing is available upon request.

I hope you all had a great summer. I’m looking forward to the fall and sweater weather. Until next time.

Be well.
-Chris