Finding my 'style' -- how to find your style or brand?

One of the things that I think is most important when you have your own business, especially one that is artistic, is defining your style or brand and carrying that through all of the work you do.  Its one of my biggest struggles as an artist.  
What is my style?  If I had to define it in one word, I think it would be 'eclectic.'  Never have I liked just one style, I am ever changing and love a variety of things.  Always looking for something new and different; a new place to hike, a new piece to create, a new way to edit my photos.  But how does this ever-changing style develop into a brand?  
I don't know -- I wish I did, which is why I am writing this post.  

Beauty in Nature and Animals

I have always been inspired by the beauty in nature.  Mountain landscapes, scenic lakes and rivers, wild animals, and the changes the seasons brings each with it's own beauty make me want to snap endless photos. 
This page offers a collection of my favorite photos.  

Monthly Milestone Photos

A few months ago I found this idea from a blogger on pinterest; take a good photo of your child and add all of their monthly milestones to it!  I loved the idea, mostly because it's easy and fun to make.  I found the idea when Magnolia was 4 months old, and created a photo for each month, even though it was hard to find photos that offered space to type.  For her 6 month birthday I did a photo shoot (basically dressed her in something cute and took a bunch of photos), chose one that I liked that offered space to type, and then waited until the end of the month to fill it in.  Magnolia will be turning 7 months old on the 5th (where did the time go?) and I'll do another photo shoot for her pretty soon.  I hope to create a frame for all of the photos, maybe for a year, or maybe longer; we'll see...

Art Expression in Photography

It has been 8 months since I quit my full time job, and 2 months since I haven't had contract work and I am solely relying on income from my business to support our lifestyle.  Not having any other job has really made me focus on running a business solely and it has really shown me my major fault.  Time Management.  I have a hard time balancing sewing, crocheting, custom orders, orders for my site, computer time to add items to etsy, website, artfire, and promote, as well as daily duties regarding the house, cleaning, cooking, etc.   And last week, I realized that I *have* to set time aside each week for a solo hike and photography session.  It's one thing that I love to do by myself and with the dogs, it brings me peace and meditation.  Below are a few of my photos from the last 2 weeks.  They are available for sale in my etsy shop here.

Left:  Solo tree on the cliff, reminds me of myself a solo hiker on a trail :)

Right:  Belle politely waiting for me at the top of the stairs at our neighborhood park

Cactus and burning bush, well, that's what it looks like to me anyway.  Colorado is famous for it's earthy subdued tones, so to see a red tree or bush is exciting!



Art expression in photography

It has been 8 months since I quit my full time job, and 2 months since I haven't had contract work and I am solely relying on income from my business to support our lifestyle.  Not having any other job has really made me focus on running a business solely and it has really shown me my major fault.  Time Management.  I have a hard time balancing sewing, crocheting, custom orders, orders for my site, computer time to add items to etsy, website, artfire, and promote, as well as daily duties regarding the house, cleaning, cooking, etc.   And last week, I realized that I *have* to set time aside each week for a solo hike and photography session.  It's one thing that I love to do by myself and with the dogs, it brings me peace and meditation.  Below are a few of my photos from the last 2 weeks.  They are available for sale in my etsy shop here. 

Left:  Solo tree on the cliff, reminds me of myself a solo hiker on a trail :)

Right:  Belle politely waiting for me at the top of the stairs at our neighborhood park

Cactus and burning bush, well, that's what it looks like to me anyway.  Colorado is famous for it's earthy subdued tones, so to see a red tree or bush is exciting!