7th Birthday Memories

7 years ago on May 14, it was Mother's Day. I was at UNC Hospitals after a week of trying to stop contractions. I was induced so that I could finally deliver my sweet angel. He was born at 1pm, just as the doctor predicted and did so 13 weeks premature. He was 2 lbs. 7 oz., although it felt like something was ripping me open. For almost 2 months, he remained in the hospital with no real issues. For the last 7 years, I've watched that little runt grow into an amazingly smart, witty, funny and technologically talented boy. He makes my world more challenging and rewarding all at the same time. 2 weeks ago as I watched him have a febrile seizure, the worst he'd ever had and first he'd had in 5 years. I was scared beyond measure, yet thankful that my baby came out of it ok. Today, I made sure to celebrate him as much as I could. Whatever we could do, we did it. From opening gifts before school, reading to his class, hanging out at Adventure Landing (we BOTH had a hole in one AND we tore the rode up on the track) and then mellowing out at a nice family birthday dinner. Today wasn't just a birthday, it was a blessing. A remembering of how blessed I am to have been given the gift of my 7 year old son. Damn, I'm a lucky mom! (Yes, I just started crying lol) Happy Birthday, son! I LOVE THAT BOY!!!!!!

the last brand: brand board

Not too long ago, I made a decision to stop taking on custom logo and brand design.  I'd been doing it for quite some time, but I really wasn't enjoying it and I wasn't focusing on my other love of photography anymore.  It was the best decision I could have made.  I'm no longer stressing about meeting deadlines, trying to read the minds of my clients (yes, even though people say they know what they want in design, they often don't) and I could get back to actually being creative because I was losing my creative steam.  I'm now finished with my branding clients and I have one last custom logo client to finish things up with.  Because I actually enjoy brand design, I'll still be doing it, but in a much different capacity moving forward.  More about that later, but I'm really excited about the direction it's going.  Below is the last custom brand board I'll ever do (I think lol).  It's for a photography company whose brand is all about elegance and love and features cool color tones.  I will be doing more mood boards here on the blog in the future, but for a different reason, so it's not the last board ever in life, just the custom one for a client.

you've been checked!

I'm a lot of things and blog reader is definitely on that list of things.  I love Erika Napoletano's blog something serious.  I love how real she gets and her no holds barred attitude.  And let's be real... I love that she can cuss like a sailor!  A woman after my own heart! lol  She has a special part of her blog called "Bitch Slapped" that I just chuckle at every time I see it come through my inbox. Yes, because she has the audacity to say bitch and because bitch slapping in the context of what she talks about is hilarious.  I wanted to do something similar.  Something where I just get honest with folk... even if that "folk" is me.  Introducing.... REALITY CHECK!  It's just as it sounds.  I'm going to give a reality check to you, me and even those you wish you could say it to.  As an fyi... I'll say "you've been checked" when referring to this as well.  Thanks Erika for the inspiration!

On our first installment of "Reality Check", I'm checking my damn self!  Yeah, again... lol  This past weekend, I hit rock bottom.  I overdid it and lost my voice.  I'm also walking around limping like I'm 92 instead of this fresh 35! (wink)  I sat in my frozen state of "what the HAYLE do I do" and fell asleep with good intentions of waking early to work.  It didn't happen.  So, I had to check myself.  I had to be honest with me and come to grips with the fact that I'm doing too damn much and nothing at the same damn time.  So, I promptly made the decision to get things off my plate that weren't either going to get done, wouldn't be beneficial to keep doing or would be serviced better at the hands of someone else.  After that, I promptly got in contact with 3 of my clients to stop work and refer them to other brand designers that I felt may fit their budget and would also be great to work with.

Then.... I took a deep breath.

I was scared to do it.  I'll admit it.  I was scared of letting my clients down.  I was scared of stopping something I had started.  But, if I'm real with myself, I've been doing that a lot over the last few months...scratch that... over the last year.  And I realize it's not because it's who I am.  It's because of who I'm trying to be.  Which is too damn much.  I'm trying to be fifty different things and appeal to eighty million people and it's just not working.  I feel stretched beyond capacity in my business.  Wanting to propel ahead and not doing so because I've been lost.  Well, I'm not lost anymore.  I know what I want to do.  I know how to do it.  It's just a matter of focus.  So, I had to check myself.

I'm stripping down.  Down to the barest of everything.  Although I've designed quite a few blogs, I've never designed something for myself that I've fallen in love with.  So, I'm going to have a bare bones blog.  Something that isn't all pretty and pleasing and creative, but simple.  And that's who I am.  I'm simple!  And I'm going to embrace that damnit! lol  I'm sure down the road, I'll pop up with something else with my indecisive ass, but... for now.... I need to garnish a brand that is me.  And I'm simple.  So everything I do and what you see should be the same way.  So, in the coming weeks, you'll see the more simple side of me.  I'm not going to add a new website (I will have a portfolio behance account you can peruse), but this will be my blogsite.  Why?  Because I'm keeping it SIMPLE!  This may be unorthodox to have all my ventures represented in one blogsite, but who cares?  I've never been quite the follower (even when I've tried to be... just doesn't work unless it's a dynamic leader that I'm following).  

My photography, film and design work will live here through this blog.  As I decide to add on (and I will knowing me), it will live here as well.  I'm not going to do a production company or studios or anything like that to make more sense of who I am and what I do.  I'm just going to be my simple ass self and rock everything I do moving forward.  

Now, for you.... 

If you've found yourself making shit harder than it has to be.  STOP IT DAMNIT!  I mean WHY?  Why are you doing it?  What brings you to the point to get all complicated and force what's not natural?  Is it because you see others who are (what seems to be) successful doing it and you think you should, too?  Is it what's the "norm" in your industry, so you're going to do the same?  Is it because in your own personal life, crap is more complicated than it needs to be and you probably should go see someone about that?  No, I'm serious.  If you need help...GET IT!  Whatever it is that's stopping you from moving forward.... STOP IT!  CHECK YO-SELF BOO! Others may smile and say you're great, when inside you know you're as phony as a $3 bill. Get back to who you are and why you're doing what you're doing.  If you don't check yourself, chances are, you don't have many around you who will.  And if they do, you'll probably get too stirred up in your feelings to hear and receive it.  So do your family, friends and loved ones a favor and do it yourself.  Hell, if you need help, I'll check yo ass!  And I actually can.... I have a psychology/counseling degree and background.  All this in my own head stuff makes more sense now, huh? lol

Hat's off to Tuesday and getting checked.  Now, take heed and do what you have to to make it count.  Bare balls and all..... 

YOU'VE. BEEN. CHECKED.

xoxo,

Sabrena

what happened?

You ever get that push to get things done?  To get on your grind?  To make shit happen?  This summer that was 100000% me!  Why?  Because I had no job and no source of income, HOWEVER, I DID have a child to take care of.  I couldn't ask for money.  I couldn't borrow it.  So, I got my ass on the grind and made shit happen.  In the last few weeks, that has flown straight out the window.

In the last few weeks, I've gone back to working a 9-5 in a classroom of 3-5 year olds, I've started school to be more marketable in the event I need to stay in a 9-5 for a while and I've taken on an extra-curricular activity to stay active/relieve stress.  The result.... I stopped making shit happen.  I got lazy.  I got complacent.

I got back to that place that made me complacent in a dead end job.  I got back to that place that had me taking on more than I should.  I got back to that busy place that I've learned growing up, as the way I should be.  And because of it, lots of things I love have suffered.

My blog, my business, my craft.... ALL....suffered!  I let a steady paycheck and complacency do that to me.  I stopped being on my hustle and grind.  I let all the distractions get in my way.  I stopped focusing on what matters to me for the long term.  Hell, I'm even writing this blog post late and still have homework to do.

Usually when I get overwhelmed and complacent at the same time, I just freeze.  I stop doing the things I've committed myself to do.  I'm not unlike most people when it comes to that.  It's just not who I am to the core.  It's not me to leave things undone.  To leave things half ass.  It's just not me.  But it's who I've allowed myself to become.

I'm going to stop making excuses.  I mean, let's be real.  It's all just an excuse when shit isn't getting done.  It's time to put my big girl panties on and GRIND!  Part of being an entrepreneur is doing just that. GRIND! GRIND! GRIND!  I just have to stay focused and keep what's important in the forefront.

My future is clear and it's bright.  It's just time to get off my lazy ass and ....

MAKE SHIT HAPPEN!

xoxo,
Sabrena

SN:  I was too lazy to promote the contest, so there was no winner (yeah, didn't even announce that on time either.)  Ok- time to stop beating myself up and just get back up on my feet and get it right!  Thank God for second chances!!!

ratchet love

Honestly, this video is ratchet as HAYLE, but I'm so in love with it!  I laughed the entire time! LOL  If you're easily offended.... DO NOT WATCH!  You've been fairly warned.......

inspired: music

I'm SOOOO in love with this song right now. It takes me to a calm evening with the wind whispering across my skin.  It makes me want to love. It gives me a sense of peace. JUST SO DAMN YUMMY!  Let it inspire ya!

x

xoxo,
Sabrena

growth

I haven't blogged in probably a week.  My intention is to keep this blog up to date and as a record of my growth as an artist, mom, woman.  It's to serve as a chronicle of sorts to showcase my talents and even be a fuel for new business.  I intended to do very specific blog posts MWF each week.  Let's be real.... that shit ain't happening!  I mean really! lol

So, I'm going to be authentic and stick with ONE thing I'm really trying to accomplish with this blog.  GROWTH.  Will that growth come in the form of posts on MWF or a schedule of very specific blog posts?  Maybe.  Will it document my growth as a photographer and designer.  I surely hope so.  Will it showcase my growth as a woman and mother?  That I'm certain of.

In being real and authentic, there will be times I just get delayed.  For instance, this last week, I started design school, flag football practice, my full-time job as a teacher transitioning in a new class and getting things together for my son as he starts school next week.  That's not to add on to the design work I already have in the pipeline for clients AND working on things for my shop.

I know this is a bit, but it's real.  It's authentic as HAYLE!  It's me.  Can't get more simple than that.

That piece up there above, is a growth of sorts.  My two design classes are going great.  They're introductory for me, although I already do design, however it's pushing me to design outside of my norm.  Thinking outside of the box.  Designing more creatively.  I'm loving it!

So, here's to growth!  *yes, raise your damn glass*  ;-)  May she forever be present for us all to have that #kickass life we all deserve!!!!

xoxo,
Sabrena

changes

I'm doing some housekeeping around here and there's more to come.  Be patient, por favor.  Ya girl is tightening shit up! ;-)

7 creative ways to display your pictures

1. DIY wall hanging: This creative wall hanging is something you can do at home with picture wire, matting, hooks and of course, your pictures.  It's also a great way to hang your kid's art!  (via Remove and Replace)

2. Magnetic Rope:  This is a really cool and inexpensive way to show off your pictures of several different sizes all at once.  Your pictures won't even be ruined!  Photojojo was really creative on this one!  This could also serve as a great DIY background for a photo booth.

3. Family Tree:  Are you someone who loves to have pictures of your family everywhere?  This is a creative way to display the family.  A cute hand drawn tree with pictures of the family in similar frames, keeps the look cohesive.  (original source unknown)

4. Instagram phone case:  I am in LOVE with Instagram.  So much so that I'll be doing an IG tutorial here on the blog.  This is a SWEET way to display and keep your fav IG pics with you and definitely shows your creativity.  Even sweeter... the creators of this, Casetagram, also have an app so that you can design on the go! As a designer who loves anything design, this is HELLA GREAT! I'm downloading this baby right now! (photo courtesy of Dutchess Roz)

5. I don't know what the hayle this is, but it's so damn creative, that I had to share it!  (via Front & Main on their feature of blogger Dabito of OldBrandNew)

6. Letter perfect wall art:  As a mom, photographer, designer and teacher.... I LOVE THIS!  What a creative way to show off your little one and help them learn the first letter of their name! (via Mom Click)

7.  Picture frame clipboard:  This one is simple, easy and has multiple uses!  Take one (or more) clipboards and simply clip your picture to it.  How easy is that?  No fuss, no mess and can be so creatively organized.  Want to spruce it up?  Paint them all a nice white to give more of a mat feel. (via Crap I've Made)

love your life: the purpose

When I decided to close my portrait business and NOT launch a new start up I'd been working on, those who had been along for the ride were confused.  I was too... at first.  It wasn't a decision that was made lightly to close a business I had been building for 2 years and another I'd been spending 6 months on to launch, but never would.  For some reason, I just wanted to focus on being free.  So, I figured, I'd free...lance! ha!  Then I felt like I should just focus on blogging and let things grow from there.  Well, I'm still in that space, but now I know why.  

I want to help people love their life! Why?  Because for such a long time, I haven't.  I've been miserable, unhappy, unmotivated, blah blah blah.  And yes, I was actually feeling those blahs.  I just didn't love the life I was living.  And it was all my fault.  So, I decided to change it.  And you'll see that change through this blog and my exploration of finding a life I love (more) and enjoying my simplified self.  

In the midst of it all, I was getting inbox messages on facebook, emails and even texts from people I rarely interact with, telling me how much I was motivating them to pursue their passion and dreams.  They were giving me praise for the work I was doing and how hard I was hustl'n.  Yeah, I'm now embracing the fact that I'm a "hustla".  *cue the music*   *shrugs*  

DING!  Light bulb moment!  I'm not doing this just for myself, I'm doing it for you....and you... and you....  This energy was put inside of me to help other people love their lives as well!  

HAVE MERCYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!  We've hit a home run ladies and gents!  Up to bat....  This new KICK ASS life we're all going to start living.  (For those who are already living that life, hats off to ya!  Hit me up so I can showcase you to the peeps out there!)

So, this blog is going to be everything it needs to be to help all of us (yes, I'm talking to myself, too) live a life we ABSO-SMURF-LY LOOOOOOOOOOVE!  The time is here.  The time is now.  We ARE going to do this!  We are going to live a more balanced life.  We are going to live a more creative life. We ARE going to live a KICK ASS LIFE!  That's my purpose.  That is it.  Plain and simply.  To live a beautiful, wonderful, amazing existence and I will...and SO WILL YOU!

 [side bar: Future blog posts will be about creative people and things I find.  Posts about things you can diy to make life a bit more efficient and budget friendly for you.  Posts about tech stuff that will help your business be more balanced and kick ass, which will ultimately do the same for you! Tutorials, motivation, etc etc etc etc.  REMEMBER: Whatever it takes to aid in this quest of a life we're going to love!]

NOW... follow my directions:

1. Stand up.

2. Get your diaphram (I think I spelled that wrong) ready.

3. SCREAM FROM YOUR GUT......

I HAVE A KICK ASS LIFE AND I WILL LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, now sit down and stop acting cray cray! ;-)

xoxo,

Sabrena

one kick ass announcement

You ever had that moment in your life when you KNEW that you had to make a CHANGE? *I really want to break out into MJ's "Man In the Mirror" right about now*

Last week I came to a beautiful, wonderful, amazingly simple decision.  I decided to make a major change in the way I do business and the way I live life.  For years, I've been working on being an entrepreneur and doing things my way.  I've gone from being a mom, to a photographer, to now a designer and blogger (well, I've been blogging for years but never found my stride with it).  So many things have been in transition for me, with simplicity being at the root of it all.

For a few months, I've been following several blogs rather passively.  Blogs on design and lifestyle photography.  Picking up inspiration and learning what I could use in my work and ways to hone in on my craft.  In my pursuit of knowledge, I came across Lara Casey.  Lara resides up the street (not literally but close enough) from me and does amazing work with her brand on all things southern.  The one thing that caught my eye the most though, were her goal sheets.  I'd had mine for a while and decided to start working more in-depth with them last week.  I had been so passive....

That's until I came across two exercises in particular that broke me down and woke me up to some truths about myself and what I've known but not accepted for quite a while.  The things I've gone through in life, the steps I've taken as a business owner, the blogs I've read over and the journey as a creative have brought me to this moment in time.  This moment of simplicity.

When I named this blog Simply Sabrena, I did so because it was kind of catchy.  I didn't realize it would be so foretelling of who and what I truly am and how I want to live my life.  So, I've made some major decisions.  Some of which you won't know for some time, but I hope you'll stick around to find out about over the next year.  My first major decision and HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT (cue the drums) I've been talking about over the last week over on facebook, is......

I am officially CLOSING Sabrena Robinson Portraits and I will NOT be launching The SR Collective.  Go ahead, GASP! CRY! SHOUT OUT IN PAIN!  lol

I decided to be true to myself and my life I'm geared towards living.... one of simplicity.  Because this blog has been at the heart of a lot of plans I've been having, I decided to make this my home for photography, design, branding, teaching and life.  It's basically.... Simply Sabrena.  :)

What does this change mean?  Will I still be doing photography? How about design?  I know..... SOOO many questions are running through your mind! (insert sarcasm lol)

It simply means that I'll no longer have a formal business in the way it was.  I'll now take on projects and freelance work.  I'll still be taking on photography sessions and branding work, it just will be as a freelance creative.  Does that mean things won't be professional?  Quite the opposite!  It means I can FOCUS on ONE direction in my brand and how I work.  I won't feel or be so all over the place.  I will simply be me!  I'll do things that feel organic to who I am.  I'll be able to work more freely than by some standard I've set up in my psyche about what having a "business" means.

What this also means, is I'll get to start working on something I've been digging deep to do for some time.  Designing stuff for kick ass gals!  Right now, my etsy shop focuses a lot on business types of things, but it too, will change.  If you're kick ass female, you'll love what's coming!

Why this direction outside of freelance work?  Quite frankly because I want to create things I love and that are very much who I am.  I'm lucky to get that with my photography and branding clients because I like to tailor things to them specifically.  I want to have something I can look at and laugh about, give a high five to and say HOT DAMN when it's all over and not worry how "professional" it comes off.

So welcome to my new home on the internet highway.  My all-in-one stop for those things I love and love to do.  My passion will reside here and it will be very clear who and what I am.  It feels so damn good even writing this!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far and for those who will come along for the ride.  I don't make promises, however, I will say.... You won't be sorry you did!

Welcome friends.....

xoxo,

Sabrena

simple. carefree. you.

I've been itching to blog for weeks now as I'm making changes from several blogs into what my ultimate vision is.  And although I have no idea where this post will go, I can't stand not blogging one more day.

I've been working on getting my ish together.  In business, life, as a mom.... just overall.  I've definitely made some headway as a mom.  Over the last couple of weeks since I've stopped teaching and my son's latest seizure bout, I've grown oh so close with him.  It's like I've finally been able to enjoy my wonderful son instead of having "worried mom" hat on all the time.  He's so damn funny, witty and charming.  A perfect little mix of me and his father.

Now my light switch has been turned up where it comes to business.  I love so many things about photography.  I love so many styles of photography but what I've enjoyed most is pure and simple lifestyle photography.  It makes sense because it's how I got started in photography in the first place.  I was simply taking pictures of my newborn son and never quit.  It's time to get back to that.  That simplicity of capturing real life.  As it happens.  Enjoying every ounce of it.  I'm about to make some changes that make sense... FINALLY!  I'm about to do photography my way.  Simple. Carefree. You. Yep, through all pieces of my marketing, my site, my IG, social media.... all just emotive, simple, carefree photography.

I'm finally feeling a freedom I've never felt before and I know my road ahead isn't going to be absolutely easy, however, I'll be damned if I'm going to let this beautiful and amazing spirit go that I'm being blessed with.


Here we go..... LIFESTYLE:           

SIMPLE.CAREFREE.YOU.


xoxo,
sabrena

let's get this party started!

I'm so freak'n excited to get this blog up and running!  I still have some coding and design work to do to keep it pretty simple and me.  Until then, enjoy this rainy day.  I'll holllllllla!

Update: HA!

I've been so busy designing, I'm forgetting the importance of my content.  Like, what this blog is all about....

It's about freedom. It's about creativity.  It's about simplicity.  It's about things I love.  It's about... (yes, that's a real dot dot dot moment).  I strive to bring you into my world where I find things I love and want to share.  Things I create and photograph and design.  My little family and our world here in the south.  I want this blog to be a place of enjoyment for me and hopefully you.  WELCOME!  I'm SIMPLY SABRENA! (yes, the corny moment)

you can find me on bloglovin' at: <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11469333/?claim=4frdt53k98f">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>