stu ponders the future

So next Monday I turn the ripe old age of 30. I guess 30 isn’t old but it certainly feels old. It must be something about birthdays ending in a zero but I almost feel prompted by it to look back and reflect on my life and where I am and where I want to be.

If you’d asked a much younger Disco~Stu where I expected to be at age 30 the answer probably wouldn’t match my present situation. Not that this means I have regrets (life is certainly too precious for wasting time on those) but I think when I make plans for my future years I need to be more realistic and put some time and planning in place to make them happen rather than just bumble along and leave things to chance. Wanting to be a jet fighter pilot when I was younger was always going to be a stretch as an unfit asthmatic who has a dislike for figures of authority, uniforms and a slight tendency to feel sick at extreme altitudes. Realistic goals are what it’s all about. (more…)

(clicky click to enlarge)

This week I got out with Darren and shot the final shot of my series relating to sleep apnoea. You’ll recall if you’ve been following the posts that I originally planned and sketched 4 shots. You’ll also remember back a few posts when I said we’d been moved on from shooting the second location….well that’s why this shot doesn’t match any of the sketches. (more…)

Well as it’s been quiet on the project front this week I’ve invested some time in making some of my other photography available to buy in various formats. I’ve decided to make some of my landscape, nature and abstract photography available through redbubble.com. They offer prints, laminated prints, greeting cards, canvas and framed prints in various sizes. Prices are reasonable for what is a quality print product and an original piece of art. The prices also include a small percentage which goes to me (the struggling artist) to help me cover costs and invest in new equipment.

So don’t delay go and take a look and invest in a gorgeous piece of art for your office wall. If you’ve seen work of mine before which is not currently available from me on redbubble then drop me a line with details and we can sort something out! I’ve posted a few of my favourite shots that are available below but there are lots more so clicky the linky below.

Stuart Mackenzie on RedBubble.com

The last few days I’ve been in a bit of a Funk. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for those around me. I hate being a moaner even if life is throwing me curve balls that mean my gripes are perfectly justified. Work life is far from perfect at the moment and Creatively although I feel like I’m doing good work it’s frustrating me that I don’t have the time to make more out of the opportunities that come my way. The whole Sleep Apnoea thing is far from under control (although a great subject for photos) and the lack of sleep and energy impacts all of the above.

Tonight I spent some time listening to music and trying to find my motivation again. Luckily I didn’t have to look far. It sounds pretty damn cheesy but I am a lucky man and sometimes all the other stuff gets in the way of seeing that clearly. Sure life has never been and is unlikely to be a smooth road but I am blessed in so many ways.

Tonight I looked through lots and lots of photos of Robyn from when she was just born to present day. It’s reminded me why I do what I do and why the battles are worth fighting. I’ve put together this small video so that next time I need a motivation injection I have it to hand. It’s already got me firing on more cylinders. The video may come across as overly sentimental but I just thought it was worth sharing what keeps me motivated (in this case my gorgeous wife and daughter and being able to provide for them both) and also ask you some questions; What’s your motivation in life? What helps you get through the day? What makes you want to Create?

It’s also made it clear that I need to invent a time machine and go back seven years to get better baby photos of Robyn. This really highlights how far both my camera gear and my photographic talents have advanced!

Well Monday is my day to look after our daughter Robyn through the Summer Holidays. Today we were hoping to take some pictures outside because Robyn likes to pretend and practice to be a model and I obviously like any excuse to take pictures. Sadly the weather has been a  bit grey so we set up inside. We decided to build a set with a splash of colur and threw down some coloured card backgrounds I had in a random pattern. I then set up one flash and umbrella and we started having some fun! Robyn (who was mostly in charge) organised various costume changes whilst I got the camera ready!! I’ve put some highlights below.

If you want me to shoot your child (with a camera of course) then please just head to the contact form and get in touch. I’m happy to shoot whatever you wish from formal portraits to more fun and relaxed shots like these above and my rates and very reasonable.

I think these shots also highlight what great effects you can achieve in a small space, literally this whole setup was shot in a space less than 1 metre square (although it does help if your model is pint sized )