reflection – Tourmaline .

2017 has almost come to an end. One of the quickest years of my life, but then I say that every year…

I published a blog about the History of Toy Photography, which I later republished on Toy Photographers.
I attended my 5th Jacksonville Train Show. I’ve been going every year since my professor told me about it senior year of college.

Year 2 of Color your World wrapped with a total of 112 participants and numerous creative entries. Make sure to sign up for year 3!
I was featured on PopShop Live.
I created a facebook group for toy photographers in Florida & the East Coast. This is something I need to focus on building further in 2018.
Instagram had an ominous shadow ban, that has again cropped up since. But it seems like we all made it through just fine.
I concluded my ‘Why Miniatures?‘ blog series.
Numi Organic Tea graciously sent me lots of tea to make photos with.
I delved into Lego photography with the Booster Bricks box (shared with me by an internet friend).

My work was published in HCE’s Toys & Games issue.
I published a blog on creating special effects in miniature photos.
I recreated my first ever toy photos.
I began posting my blog challenges all together on Sundays, to clear up clutter and refocus my thoughts & blog. This led to decreased blog traffic, but a less stressed self. And I’m thankful for those of you who have bared with me through the process.
I created a continuation to my Headlights series.

I created my series Kenopsia.
My parents and I prepared my grandparents house to be put on the market. Along the way I photographed some odds and ends.
I published a blog on working miniature tools – a topic that had been seeing some Facebook popularity at the time.
I ended my 2 year run of my collaborative arts zine.
I began selling photographic prints through InstaProofs.

I left my Office Manager position to become the Lead Studio Photographer at a tech start up. I can now say I am a full-time professional photographer. And subsequently went to Chicago (for training) for the first time.
I created a series using only dollar store supplies.
My work was shown in a group toy photo show in Lyon, France.

I was commissioned to create English & Swahili versions of a book cover – more on that later.
I was AntoNova Galleries’ first ever featured artist and was later in their Grand Opening, Black & White and Geometric group shows.

I began going by the name of ‘Tourmaline .‘ and the handle @tourmalinenow.
I started the photographic series ‘Reflections of Self‘ and ‘Electric Sun‘ – surrealistic takes on miniature diorama photography. I still have much more to explore here.
I was interviewed by Om Artist.
My photo was featured in the Photo Assignments 12 video.

November

The One Word Photo Challenge hit it’s 200th weekly theme.
I began posting weekly to YouTube – my main social media endeavor at the current moment.
My image was chosen as the cover for Issue 13 of Elsewhere magazine.
I stopped writing for Toy Photographers and broke off from most social media to further focus on my creative process. There should be an ebb and flow of this, with me returning to all of the above at some point in the future.
I tried out Instagram promotions first hand.

December is 2/3 of the way over and I have little to put here as of now. I’ve filmed parts of 4 or 5 more videos for youtube, and I’m waiting on bits and pieces to finish those. I have numerous photos I intend to create and little energy to do it all, so I’m taking it slow, one step at a time. Family is coming in for Christmas, a lot of cleaning and gift wrapping to do before then. Overall, it’s been a good year. A year of transition, and one where you’ve seen significantly less and less of me, but I’m still here working away.

How was your year and what are your holiday plans?

‘Til next time,

–Tourmaline .