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Lately: It snowed so I did a Patreon video on how I did this bokeh panorama photos and links on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47589476 I've been trying to draw in little bursts. Each of these took me 3 or 4 sessions when I used to sit down and draw for hours at a time: photos and links on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47589476 I've been doing a few more commissions than usual lately, too. photos and links on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47589476 Things I mentioned: Feed yourself the way you'd feed someone you love Headspace APPfor meditations BUT! I also recommend listening to a free meditation on mindful eating here - https://youtu.be/p0fiS_2Mzl0 Some additional self soothing information for stress and anxiety (it's a workbook sheet!) Things I’ve been loving: - Having a paper planner again - Sam and I have started to go get coffee almost every morning from a local coffee shop. I've seen 1 friend for 1 walk in a full year and zero family members so I appreciate getting some new people in my life, even if I'm just saying "hey! how are you?" and then waiting for a drink. Thank you, local baristas. - "The Great" and "What We Do in the Shadows" - both on Hulu! - Sam bought a hot tub. I did not think I would be a hot tub person. I guess I am! photos and links on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/47589476

Lately: I turned 35! I don't do "birthdays" so it was low-key as heck. I had angel food cake, tea, and pizza for dinner and it was good. Sam even got me a cute balloon and flowers!

Lately: I did that Shrinky Dink tutorial because I've been laying with UV resin so much. photos and links over on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45731030 I also spent the entire day sewing yesterday because I craft when I feel lost. This is my hand-sewn tea cozy and machine-sewn t shirt that's now a grocery bag! photos and links over on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45731030 I finished Christmas illustrations and immediately started with some cute/romantic Valentine's drawings: photos and links over on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45731030 Things I mentioned: How I pose family portraits photos and links over on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45731030 Everything I know about starting a family portrait business The reason we didn't do more during the pandemic? Our needs weren't being met! If you don't feel safe, you can't self actualize. So you're doing your best, bb

Lately: I made a buttload of tiny pumpkin pies so it has been Thanksgiving all month for me (those little squashy things are tiny homemade pumpkin pies) photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45029260 My 100 day illustration project ends on December 28th, which means I am still mostly drawing christmas stuff. Look at these ladies inspired by this cool 1960s photo I found on instagram: photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45029260 Things I mentioned: - “Stickler Syndrome” is the thing I have, in case you’re interested (it’s totally real haha) - The "Values" exercise I did! I found the list of values you can print out and sort into three columns, if you'd like to do it - https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.naswnc.org/resource/resmgr/continuing_education/2018_fall_conference_handouts/s8_-_values_worksheet.pdf Things I’ve been loving: photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/45029260 - Decaf coffee. I drink coffee almost every day now! But it's still decaf. And still 50% milk. - You DO NOT have to like meditation to enjoy the Sleepcasts on the "headspace" app. - This article made me re-think how much effort I put into keeping my sleep regular. - The ReMarkable2! Sam gave it to me for Christmas early and it’s my new journal tablet and sketch book and I love it. It's an e-ink writing tablet and it's really imperfect, which makes it really perfect for "play" sketching because it won't ever be a finished illustration. I love it.

YOU. GUYS. I made gift tags! (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/44087438) My 100 day project has quickly turned into Christmas-ing-myself-to-death, but I absolutely want to do at least two more designs of these. In the meantime, I decided to take my own "done is better than perfect" advice and just list it for sale already. (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/44087438) Do you remember the Patreon Lens story where I was setting up lights in my basement? It was for these product photos! I also made these aesthetic color palette planner sticker dots which... I'm a super nerd about. I love a good planner accessory. I also made gift wrap, which I'll be photographing later today but ohhh my goosshhhh I'm really enjoying making things in a big way. Things I mentioned: Pic-time.com (again!) I talked a lot about some things I listed on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/NessaKPhotos Things I’ve been loving: I've been eating a lot of Mochi lately. You buy it in hard little rectangles and it feels like a bar of soap, but you can fry, microwave, or boil it and add chocolate or beans or all sorts of other things. I almost always just eat it with seaweed and soy sauce! https://youtu.be/88l2SE_TASE I pre-ordered the ReMarkable earlier this year in a moment of weakness and I should have it by the end of the year. I'm only excited. (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/44087438) And I've been watching a lot of Furry Little Peach YouTube videos - https://youtu.be/MwD-j-C5--M - she's an illustrator with a cool Australian accent and all like all of those things, so yeah! I'm in. :)

Brainstorming Holiday Income Ideas for wedding photographers by Nessa Kessinger

Lately: I've been making a lot of seamless patterns: photos and links on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43263167 Eating good food: photos and links on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43263167 But honestly, mostly eating Magic Spoon cereal because I don't have any energy and cereal is my comfort food: photos and links on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43263167 Things I mentioned: photos and links on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43263167 The “Light Phone” - https://www.thelightphone.com Plus Minus Collective for outsourcing editing - http://plusminuscollective.com Things I’ve been loving: I just learned Frillback Pigeon are a real thing. They look like they have perms and they're amazing - https://twitter.com/Rabe9/status/1003934859792867328 This list of 30 books celebrating young Black joy - https://thebrownbookshelf.com/2020/08/31/30-books-for-young-readers-that-celebrate-black-joy/ photos and links on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43263167 I've decided I wanted to start a paper planner again for redundancy sake and I found one that's my perfect fit - https://www.etsy.com/listing/553275668/2021-planner-planner-2020-2021-kraft?ref=yr_purchases

Lately: links and photos available for $3 patrons - https://www.patreon.com/posts/41603128 I've been making stickers. links and photos available for $3 patrons - https://www.patreon.com/posts/41603128 I painted my wall with stencils. It was hard. Things I mentioned: “Atomic Habits” https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Focusmate.com (if I got enough people on board, I could make a special group where it’s all photographers working together!) Task Manager Patreon Post - “Behind the Scenes: Managing All of My Client Workflows (from booking to shooting to sales)” - https://www.patreon.com/posts/article-behind-36352849 Streaks App - https://streaksapp.com Things I’ve been loving: links and photos available for $3 patrons - https://www.patreon.com/posts/41603128 - I finally caved and bought Magic Spoon cereal from all the ads on the podcast What a Day and omg it's amazing. However, it's expensive, so I've been mixing it with some rando-organic cereal to make it last longer. 10/10, would recommend. - The sounds of people working in the office (with adjustable levels for things like the fax machine, coffee maker, and office dog. Awh). I love an app called Coffitivity (that mimics coffee shops!) and this is way more customizable so I love it a little bit more. :) - This article on 6 ways to tackle perfectionism! Basically, just get started. Don't over-plan. :)

Lately: (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) I made a very accurate theoretical paper doll set for wedding photographers. (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) Here are a few of the things I've made with my new "Cricut", which I am obsessed with and honestly had dreams about last night. Things I mentioned: “The Artist Way” - a book that keeps being recommended to me that I haven’t read, but this is why I do 3 written pages in the morning! “Atomic Habits” (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) “How I Pose Clients” Patreon post. (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) Focusmate.com Things I’ve been loving: - You will not be surprised that I loved this article on How to Do “Cottagecore” in Paris (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) - I'm also listening to a few podcasts and there's been an overlap of a few of them talking about how to do a successful 100 day project and I am very interested in starting this up. And nervous. And interested. - I'm also so in love with this glass home. (pictures and links available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40924607) - And... library movie rentals! Sam said he missed blockbuster and we found out our library is doing contact-less (they put your stuff in your trunk) pickup so we rented movies! We just need to pick up some Swedish fish on the way home today, make popcorn, and we are set.

Lately: (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40352834) Did you journal in these in elementary school? We never used them for proper homework, so this iPad case cover takes me back in a big way. :) (this is from SlickWraps -- I'm still on the fence if I should recommend them or not. They took a month to ship my order and it only went out after I filed a dispute on PayPal because they never responded to my emails. But the quality is nice? I'm torn!) (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40352834) Adobe Fresco (the to Adobe competitor to Proreate has been updated in a big way. This image was almost completely finished in Fresco). Usually, I can it for sketching only before going into Photoshop. I love that my iPad is becoming a fully functional machine! Things I mentioned: How to compose better photos (my composition 101 video) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33896737 Maslow's hierarchy of needs: (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40352834) Source: https://donsnotes.com/mental/hierarchy-of-needs.html Things I’ve been loving: - A Korean show on Netflix called "It's Okay to Not Be Okay." I just started it, but I'm already obsessed. It's basically about a sociopathic goth woman who writes children's books and a guy who works at a psychiatric hospital. Recipe for love? This demented mind says "yes." (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/40352834) - I had some of these cute little slide viewers made for Sam for his birthday. I think I only ever had one -- a slide of me at Sea World as a little kid, but they still brought back so many memories because I loved looking at that photo when I was little. (side-note, these guys had AMAZING customer service!) - Ginger sparkling water. I'm honestly a sucker for the cola flavored La Croix (I'm convinced it tastes like diet coke without the sweetener bitter aftertaste. Don't @ me). - Brene Brown's podcast. Did you know she has a podcast? Sam and I both listened to her two part episode on apologizing and it's kind of really lifechanging.

This post is possible because of my lovely Patrons!

This podcast was brought to you by my lovely Patrons! https://www.patreon.com/nessak/ Lately: I went to the drive in to see ET and it was glorious. I’ve been cooking loads. And actually, I haven’t taken too many photos because I’ve been sharing clips in weekly vlog format here: My last weird weekly vlog - https://youtu.be/kjou7KXPUX8 Things I mentioned: Focusmate.com My personal post from Paris - http://www.nessakphotography.com/paris-vacation-trip-photos-what-to-see/ The “multiple image swipey” thing I didn’t describe well! https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-o8KggI9k/ “Uncomfortable Conversations on Inequality in the Wedding Industry” Uncomfortable Conversations on Inequality in the Wedding Industry (Part 1) - YouTube People Are Not Props // How to Avoid Tokenism in Your Portfolio — Catalyst Wedding Co. Things I’ve been loving: • This compilation of a mom packing cute Bento Box lunches for her kids - https://youtu.be/Iv54BB4R7PY • Hamilton. It’s on Disney. You know it, I know it, and it’s v good. • This sweet tweet from a teacher sharing pictures from children who created their own representations of the Eiffel Tower on oversized paper - https://twitter.com/mrs_darl/status/1280564427478249473

THIS ONE WAS SO HARD TO DO! I'm talking about how I feel bad because I'm causing friction being one of the only vendors that can't do all days next year (because so many other vendors are able to just hire on more staff to take on more weddings and I'm just one person) and how hard those conversations have been with clients wanting to post-pone to Saturdays next year instead of Fridays or Sundays. I hope you can't relate. But also hoping you can because it feels so weird and isolating. Lately: I cut 4 inches off my hair and made the perfect soft boiled egg photos available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37276551 I organized all of the tools in the house and continued to drink daily tea during my work times. photos available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37276551 I've been abusing the "portrait mode" on my camera with my "mall chicken" recipe food photos and my beautiful cat, Pickles photos available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37276551 I did my first curb-side pick-up food because I couldn't stay away from The Charmery AND it's finally been nice enough for me to work in my shed! photos available here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37276551 Things I mentioned: Daily check list (downloadable, printable!)- https://www.patreon.com/posts/33033702 My public YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/losergoescrazy Stop motion video for David Ramirez - https://youtu.be/bg3YF2b1Cxw This video is 11 years old! Dang. Things I’ve been loving (links available at https://www.patreon.com/posts/37276551) - I recently listened to a class on illustrating "props" that said if you need to draw a chair, don't just draw a chair. Draw the chair you need to see in that space. Draw the plate you'd love to see your character showing up at the store and buying. And guys and when I saw this store, I just wanted to draw everything.

Lately: Sam and I have been going for walks around our neighborhood without our phones, but one day, we brought the Leica. (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369) I've been doing a bit of illustration and making daily tea and treats for myself: (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369) I've been spending time working on my shed: (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369) Legit feeling like a dang carpenter: (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369) Things I mentioned: FOCUSMATE.com 7 Slow-Season Tasks Wedding Photographers Should All Be Doing! - https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-slow-season-be-33337461 Self Compassion is better than self esteem with Kristin Neff - https://youtu.be/MEyJ_H1U5SQ?t=13 Brene Brown podcast on over/under-functioning - https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-anxiety-calm-over-under-functioning/ Things I’ve been loving: - SKILLSHARE CLASSES! I've been being super frugal and trying to only spend money on things that are experiential (like I re-upped my subscription to Skillshare (if you want two free months, you can sign up here! https://skl.sh/2SHUbJR) - My new teapot (another experiential purchase. And it was only $12!) (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369) - This comic that I truly wish I knew the source of: (links and photos available at on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/36892369)

Grant for entrepreneurs of color, women, and veteran owned businesses - https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/small-business-relief-grants/ Grants for photographers impacted by COVID-19 - https://www.format.com/photographer-fund (photos and clickable links over at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18-10-minute-how-36320749) **Lately:** Here’s my shed. (photos and clickable links over at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18-10-minute-how-36320749) **Things I mentioned:** Vanilla Chai Tea: https://www.target.com/p/bigelow-vanilla-chai-black-tea-20ct/-/A-13278029 Staying in with Emily & Kumail podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/staying-in-with-emily-kumail/id1503412182 “The Big Sick” - streaming on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Big-Sick-Kumail-Nanjiani/dp/B07193L7RD Focusmate for all your accountabilibuddies needs - http://focusmate.com (photos and clickable links over at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18-10-minute-how-36320749) **Things I’ve been loving:** Holy crap, these Bahn Mi sandwiches - https://www.blueapron.com/recipes/chrissy-teigen-s-pork-banh-mi-with-quick-pickles-roasted-broccoli-3 These amazing ice cream sculptures are so pleasant to look at - https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2020/04/22/olivia-bonilla/ This freaking video of this 6 year old girl playing guitar and singing “I wish you love” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CDT0cwGKxY (photos and clickable links over at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18-10-minute-how-36320749)

March -> April. image and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/17-10-minute-on-35793191 Links that might help you: Go through the process to “cancel” your Adobe subscriptions and get a discount - https://fstoppers.com/apps/want-save-money-your-adobe-subscription-try-simple-trick-439951 Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund - https://onestop.md.gov/forms/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-grant-fund-5e7a6d8db5d67700fe1e6050 These links are to the government SBA loans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options These are the two most popular links that I have heard of so far: The Economic Disaster Relief Loan (this loan may or may not be forgiven) https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ Paycheck Protection Program, this one is forgiven as long as you retain your employees, but self employed and independent contractors can also apply for this one, which has to be done through a bank related to SBA, so you may want to check with your particular bank. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp Lately: I've been trying to make the perfect gluten free bread while also not following instructions. Here's my attempt at a baguette: image and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/17-10-minute-on-35793191 I also tried to do stuff with polymer clay: image and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/17-10-minute-on-35793191 And I've been drawing a lot! image and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/17-10-minute-on-35793191 Things I’ve been loving: SO MUCH cinnamon Iced tea: https://www.harney.com/products/hot-cinnamon-spice-tea?variant=16152853086279 - honestly, the “hot cinnamon spice,” “decaf hot cinnamon” and “herbal hot cinnamon spice” all taste literally exactly the same, so if you can’t do caffeine, you have options! I'm kind of really addicted to watching speed drawing (time lapse drawings) and Karoline is my new favorite Patreon illustrator to back - https://www.patreon.com/karolinepietrowski/ I also love late night talk show hosts doing their shows from their living room. It's so weirdly nice. John Oliver has been in a studio situation and it's also really weird to not hear the audience laugh at his jokes, but that's been my favorite video-news source lately - https://www.youtube.com/user/LastWeekTonight And my favorite non-overwhelming news source (because you cannot escape the news) is absolutely the "What A Day" podcast! https://crooked.com/podcast-series/what-a-day/

Lately: - Can I admit that all I’ve done lately is have a cold? It wouldn't be a full lie. I do think the cold may have eaten some of my brain (or that I'm just not recovered yet) because I'm still feeling a little fuzzy. - I have been recording my feelings as rocks for art therapy. It's the best way I could think to express my feelings in drawing form because you don't have to use references to feel like a rock looks good. (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34709591) Things I mentioned: Kanopy.com - a great way to stream free movies if you have a library card (which is also free!) The Power of Habit - book Triggers - book (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34709591) Things I’ve been loving: Rewatching “Pushing Daisies” and making some fan art because why not? (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34709591) Watching my first EVER Mr. Hulot. I have two illustrated books based on him, but I had no idea I’d love these French films so much. Number 1, they’re actually funny, and number 2, they’re beautiful. Definitely worth a watch if you decide to get Kanopy!

Lately: OK! Here it is. My vision board: -- links and photos available immediately for Patreon and are viewable here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34106657 -- Things I mentioned: - my love for kombucha continues - organized religion (or meditation) may not be for me - how i think my vision board is effecting me - how the effects of last year's depression are still effecting me and my business Things I’ve been loving: - listening to Ted Talks Daily (though not every day.) I'm really happy there are a few more 10 minute podcasts out there and the Ted Talks are getting REALLY good lately. Like talking about why gender marketing is bad for business, why it's important to confront myths about black history, and how grief effects us long term. -- links and photos available immediately for Patreon and are viewable here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34106657 -- - turmeric lattes (i bought a pre-made, concentrate to mix with milk because I am not a from-scratch kind of person). -- links and photos available immediately for Patreon and are viewable here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/34106657 -- - and these upside down landscapes that were created for United Airlines, funnily enough.

a podcast for wedding photographers. Lately: Brought in the new year so I had to eat a donut (a ring shaped food) symbolizes “coming full circle” (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33013316) It snowed. I have proof. (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33013316) I did a little illustration: (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33013316) Things I mentioned: Why I do anonymous client feedback forms every year (and what my clients have said about me over time - https://www.patreon.com/posts/28353623 A list of every question I ask on my client feedback form - https://www.patreon.com/posts/32567587 The “What A Day” news podcast (the only news podcast I listen to!) - https://crooked.com/podcast-series/what-a-day/ Things I’ve been loving: - While I am NOT loving the wildfires happening in Australia at all, I want to be a loving person so I donated money directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service in Australia. All these donations kept popping up and I wanted to make sure my money was being used as efficiently as possible, so I'm thankful we can donate right to them directly! (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33013316) - Having an exercise bike that I can prop my laptop up on (I was wondering why my legs were hurting today until I realized I edited a session on it yesterday). - These absolutely beautiful "state lunatic asylum" book drawings found in a dumpster: (photos and links available on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/33013316)

The audio is a little rough here! I had this theory that if I walked around with the mic, my mind would work better (since this was recorded at 9 p.m.) hey! I was wrong! haha Lately: I've been wrapping up editing, but getting a lot of holiday commissions done! Here's a reference photo, sketch, and finished drawing from one of them (where they sent another photo of their baby a bit older so we aged him up!): Photos available here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32753975 Things I mentioned: The video I mentioned on SAD/depression/anxiety - https://www.patreon.com/posts/23815889 Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart’s scientific version of “the secret” - https://overcast.fm/+FF_lSFs1Q Coming up next week on Patreon: the daily to-do list I’ve been using! Download available for all Patrons on the $10 tier! Things I’ve been loving: (links available on https://www.patreon.com/posts/32753975) - These perfectly symmetrical photos are so satisfying - So many videos of Claire Saffitz in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen making things like gourmet Krispy Kreme donuts. - This video that is very important of a very important thing happening. - This song from the Up soundtrack.