Bedhead Thoughts - Quarantine Day 7: But Why?!?! - Headshot Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

It may seem silly. Over the last week or two I’ve been posting self portraits of myself I took when I first get up in the morning. Why would I do this? It may seem silly, but there is a real and serious reasons why I am doing this type of headshot. However, its also meant to be fun!

So for many years, like many of you, I didn’t like having my photo taken. I had all the reasons. I was very uncomfortable being in front of the camera. Like many it was based on how I perceived my own image. If I’m being 100% honest it was because of my weight that I didn’t want to be in front of the camera. I actually took my first portrait of myself back in October. It took everything I had to step in front of the camera. I was very self-conscious. I must say today its a lot easier.

But why show yourself when you look your absolute worse first thing you may be asking. Its a mental exercise really. The more one does something, especially if its uncomfortable the easier it becomes. As a headshot photographer stepping in front of the camera is something I should be able to do effortlessly. The more confidence I build in things that make me uncomfortable the more assured I grow as a person. We all should push ourselves at least once a day to be at least a little uncomfortable.

Current Events…
- We are learning there have been an all time record in monthly gun sales in this country. Murders rates are at historic lows, and gun accidents are at historic lows. Two things we have learned, one police can’t protect you in all situations sometimes its worth it having a firearm. Secondly, will millions and millions additional guns on the streets doesn’t mean more murders.
- Politicians in Washington DC continue to pander as opposed to helping the problem.
- There is talk of lifting the quarantine soon.
- The Oklahoma bombing was 25 years ago this week.

Prayer request…
- Praying for my Grandfather who is lonely right now.
- Praying for our representatives in DC
- Praying for those working in grocery stores.
- Praying for those who are struggling with mental illness.

Bedhead Thoughts - Quarantine Day 6: I Think - Headshot Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

It’s not really day 6 but who is keeping track anymore? Does it matter? I contend it does. When we don’t hold ourselves to account and take on the mindset it doesn’t matter is when our systems and brains can sink in to the situation at hand. And fosters laziness, depression, and not an over all good since of worth. We can fight that by getting up everyday and do what we do. Or what we should at least be doing.

If anyone has a perfect jawbreaker brand I’m currently looking for one. Drop a comment below your favorite. Only criteria is it can fit in your mouth.

So here on the homestead doing some gardening…. trying too. Doing a lot of reading, and getting caught up on outstanding invoices and work. Got to talk to a few folks about future endeavors and the positive outlook is nice change of pace.

Going to be doing some videos over on my Youtube to look out for. Some of the videos will be prepardness based to be inline with current events, but there are also some photo based ones.
- Sony A7rII: Yes, in 2020
- F/4 and Be There My Lens Selection Process
- Every Day Carry (EDC) First Line and Second Line Systems
- Common Sense Preparedness At Home

Current Events…
- We are starting to see civil unrest across the country. We have seen protests in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. People are starting to stand for their Constitutional rights mostly surrounding the idea of peacefully assembly.
- Police wrote tickets to church goers in a Kentucky town for an Easter drive-in service in which no one rolled down their windows. Maintaining social distancing guidelines of the quarantine orders. The church is suing the city.
- Stock market has been mostly up.
- Interesting how discussions going on online about the authority of the current administration and the Constitution when the same people said the Constitutions was an outdated irrelevant document during the last administration. Did they have a change of heart, or do they use the document as a weapon to support the prevailing winds? Only time will tell.

Pray for…
- Pray for our light to shine
- Pray for the food supply chain issues
- Pray for our essential workers.
- Pray for positive mental mind set for all those struggling
- Pray for out local elected public servants to not fall for the greed for power that infests DC

Five Photos of my Quarantine - Lifestyle Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

Here are some images from my life in quarantine. All Images where created with an Sony A7RII and a 90mm f/2.8 Macro G Master lens.

Bedhead Thoughts - Quarantine Day 4: Mental Toughness - Food Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

Today or was it yesterday…. maybe the day before… I dunno! Ha! It was kinda a rough day. Its hard because each new day presents itself with new possibilities. What do you do with yourself when you can do anything you choose? That may seem like a dream come true, but is it?

I mean we are conditioned from the first day of school to get up, go to work, stand in a line, eat what you are fed, and repeat. We as a society have been trained to do this our entire life, but when you don’t have that anymore it can be troubling. I think that’s when the struggle begins. This is something I’ve learned from my own personal weight loss journey.

Not everyday is going to be amazing and your going to do great, and its going to look like life on Instagram. Some days there is going to be a battle, and that battle will be in yourself. My struggle is I’m always in a hurry. I forget to enjoy the little things a lot. I have a friend, Rick, who always enjoys the little things. No matter what is going on he finds that little something that makes him laugh. I really admire that about him.

Yesterday, I struggled with everything I still what to get done verses all things I would like to be doing in addition to the chores around the house. Needless to say I lost the battle, and at the end of the day I didn’t do a whole lot.

So what can we be doing to keep our spirits up. Turn off the news, and social media is a good start. Assign yourself a personal project. In my case having fun shooting portraits with my ridiculous hair. Move… exercise always makes me feel better. The tougher the activity usually the better you feel. At least it does for me. Finally take some time to invest in yourself. Learn something new, read a book, or spend sometime with your family.

Current events…
- Politicians again doing what they do best. Adding their pet projects to their stimulus bill. Latest one is gun control with the bill. Good grief. What a waste of time.
- The stimulas money is suppose to hit our accounts this week.
- Stock market is on the climb.

Bedhead Thoughts - Quarantine Day 3 - Advertising Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

How is one suppose to get through quarantine without gummy bears!? What is this world coming too? People are worried about no toilet paper… but when the gummy bear supply goes dry we are in real trouble.

So I made my last grocery run for the month. Just trying to do my part not to catch this or spread it. I made it to the store, and its so out of this world., Its like walking onto a movie set. People have to go through a shoot, and lines are marked every six feet or so. Then you get in the store that has been optimized for showing the widest variety of product in the most efficient and pleasant way, there is little rook to keep your six feet distance. People are wearing masks. The mood is very serious.

Current events…
- The government revises the estimated numbers of deaths down again. Good news. People doing their part is helping.
- Only four more people have contracted the virus in 24 hours in Greene County here.
- Stock market is up again.
- The national politicians are talking about another stimulus plan.
- Sanders dropped out of the presidential campaign.

Prayer List…
- Wisdom for our leaders
- I have a friend going through a divorce.
- Pray for more good news on the virus front.
- More Work

Bedhead Thoughts - Quarantine Day 2 - Product Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

The last few days have been running together and I have done a horrible job keeping a routine and schedule. Its unlike me to sleep in… to 7:00am. I’ve been staying up too late, and the quarantine gummy bears are out of control. I may need an intervention on those things.

It may seem silly but I have found the key to positive productivity is pants. No really hear me out. I found on the days I get up and do my thing in my PJ’s I get a lot less done than the mornings I get up and get dressed. I think that simple act sets up the rest of the day for productivity.

Over the next week I will focus on the following…

• Creating a To Do List the day before.

• Create a schdule for the day.

• Get to bed at a decent time.

• Act with purpose.

• Drink plenty of water.

Current Events…
- I don’t know I haven’t really looked.
- Turns out the state of New York bought a bunch of ventilators to prepare for a pandemic actually auctioned them off. The governor yelling and screaming at the federal government for help, but turns out sold off its own means to do its job for its people. Classic.
- Senator Rand Paul, who is a docotor, has gotten over COVID-19, and is now volunteering his time at a local hopital.
- Americans are jumping in helping everywhere. I saw story of a man with a plane delivering supplies to small communities.
- California will now arrest people for not wearing masks, but its been cutting people out of prisons early. How are people suppose to get masks when they all went to medical personal?

Prayer list…
- For us for the work
- Praying for the staff at Parkcrest Baptist Church
- Doctor and Nurses
- The Gloden’s: Brother is in ICU with the virus
- Our leaders to find unity and a path forward

Happy Birthday - Corona Virus - Advertising Photographer - Hampton Roads, VA

Happy birthday! What a struggle and a blessing it has been. I’m sad that my two older daughters and their husbands couldn’t be here today. But I had my favorite tacos!!! I’m so blessed.

When this all started a few weeks ago. Photoshoots started getting postponed, cancelled, and moved. Then there was a run on the grocery stores. Panic set in and people started cleaning the shelves of toilet paper. Some laughed, but I saw fear. That fear started people panic buying food in the stores. Now millions of people have been laid off, and we are being told the people out of work rival that of the great depression. At the same time there are a lot of great companies hiring! It’s amazing to see American ingenuity at work.

Here is what I know Americans are wonderful, and generous. When we are backed into the a corner is precisely we are our strongest. Its our faith for the one true God and savior Jesus Christ. When we know he is in control, and he is in control, something amazing will come from all this. Its my prayer its a renewal of the American people’s faith. Through the love demonstrated to us on the cross we can poor that same love onto those around us, and we will be stronger than ever. America will once again be the light of the world.

That’s my birthday wish.