This week, I am working on an assignment that is a study in photography, and the elements and perspectives therein. I am thoroughly enjoying this assignment. It is having me take a more technical look, shall we say, of photos from my travels and my life, which requires me to look at them in a completely different way than I have before. And I like it.

What I have been learning this week are the technical pieces of viewing a photo…not taking one, mind you, that’s an entirely different exercise. And it makes sense that you would want to learn how to technically view a photo before learning to take the perfect photo. What makes a photo beautiful? What makes it so you can’t take your eyes off of it? My lesson teaches that the perfect photo captures unity and harmony, wherein each element of proportion, scale, pattern, unity, focal point, movement, and value are perfectly represented. After this lesson, I know that must be true. But I also know that a photo needs life. It needs a subject, it needs to evoke emotion, and it needs to stir something within you. While being technically correct, of course.

What does this have to do with me? As I see it, the same principles apply in my design work. I need to take a blank space and apply the technical principles to create balance and harmony. But I can’t get so caught up in technical details that I forget the human element. How do you use the space? How does it feel? Does it feel like home? If I can unite all of these elements within your habitat, then I’ve done my job well.

And so it begins. My journey into the career I should have started years ago. Design, decor, outdoor living, staging….all of my creative passion settles into each of these areas. I love texture, color, style, space, and everything in between. As I start to make my way, feet first, into my new career, I am excited to share the designs, ideas and creative notions that catch my eye. But, let me start by telling you how I got here.

I say I’m a creature of habit, well, because I’d had a good thing going for a long time. I’d spent most of my professional career as a Recruiter. And I was good at it. I had a wonderful boss, and each and every time my life changed…moving, marriage, baby….my boss was able to help me mold my career to fits those changing needs. And my life moved happily along. Though I was good at what I did, and had passion for it…..in the back of my mind, I always knew that Interior Design and Decor was something I had to do….some day, some day, was what I always said.

But, change is hard and scary. And if you have a good thing going, why rock the boat? What necessitates change if your needs are being met? Why walk away from something you are good at, and a place where you are well received and well liked….to take a chance?

Luckily, my boss sold the company, and the answer was clear. Change was being forced on me. So, why not bend the change to suit my passion? The Time Is Now.

And so here I sit. My Interior Design Certification underway, website created, business launching. The creature of habit in me thinks….oh wow…so much change…so little time! The rest of me is beyond excited. To finally immerse myself in my passion. To share that passion with others. To start a business on my terms. To do it my way. Habit be darned. Change is good. Change is the spice of life.