WRITER, BLOGGER + FULL TIME CAREER WOMAN ROLLED INTO ONE | WASHINGTON DC

If I had to paint a lifestyle portrait of Tayla, poised and savvy and oh, sassy are just a few of words that will splash onto my canvas.  

I had this emerging blogger, writer and full-time career woman at the end of my lens on a recent Saturday afternoon walking around the nation's capital talking about goals and aspirations. One thing became apparent, Tayla is full of bright ideas and is not afraid to pursue them. Take for example, her soon to be launched blog. Her laser focused goal is to support, encourage and empower women to live virtuously in all areas of life. Her target audience? Women.  Of all ages and from all walks of life. There will be something for every woman whether single or married. Professionally, she aspires to be a published author and academic professor.

Here are a few of the images that developed.

She loves food – who doesn’t? We ended up discovering new eateries in the iconic Union Station after our photo shoot where she introduced me to one of her many favs in the city Shake Shack. Who knew there was such a great hidden gem in Union Station. I tend to just walk through or head straight to one of my tried and true restaurants. Lesson learned! Take time to look around or hang out with a local. And then there's her love for crafts, makeup, and shopping but above all, she values family.

A Michigan native, Tayla is an alumnae of Trinity Washington University. She plans to attend seminary in 2017 to obtain a Master’s of Divinity.

Social Media and Sanity Saving Apps For A Small Business

This week I continue with sharing three more go to tools and gadgets on my solopreneur adventure and achieving the work-life balance. The three tools are grouped into two categories - social media management and all round ‘sanity saving’ must have gadget.

1. Writing and publishing a blog has so many moving parts it is easy to want to throw in the towel but it doesn’t have to be. Preparing the images used in each blog post for social media used to send me back into Photoshop until Amy and Jordan Ramos did a review on Blog Stomp and I was hooked. As the app touts, “Blog like a boss, then relax – you’ve earned it.” Seriously, their website says so but of all the bells and whistles of this app, the following three features are my go to: a. Automatic image sizing, multiple layout with preview option before you ‘Stomp It!’. Be forewarned, the preview option can become your new friend. b. Writing my blog and having direct access to just the perfect image that is correctly sized for all hand held devices; all within the same app is an awesome timesaver. c. Add categories, alt or title tags for SEO (yes, there’s that too) and you’re ready to either publish directly or upload as draft to Word Press to add your finishing touches.
2. Next is Hootsuite. Finding just the right time to post on Instagram and connecting with your ideal audience in a sea of visually stimulating images reminds me of mastering the art of tightrope walking. Enter Hootsuite! The social network management platform that performs wonders for my business. My two go to features are: a. Ability to manage my 3 social platforms – Facebook, Instagram and Google+ b. IT analyzes my audience interaction and recommends just the right time to post. When its time, Hootsuite sends a notification to my smartphone, follow about 3 or so prompts and it's done. As in posted. Online! That alone is worth the admission for me.
3. Ever needed to save the day? Or your sanity and you’re stuck in a major metropolis traffic? Oh, like let’s say Maryland/DC/VA i495 beltway or Houston, TX loop? I have just the remedy. Waze App! This magic GPS uses the power of social media to “outsmart traffic” and I can vouch for their claim to fame. Here are the three of the features I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE the most: a. You can customize your preference and it remembers your favorite way home, or out. b. It alerts you on upcoming gridlock and automatically reroute based on that info. c. It very nicely informs you when one of the ‘state finest’ is up ahead, hidden or visible.

Wave outsmarts traffic so well I once considered making a donation just for saving my sanity after a particularly difficult rainy 45-minute-ride-turned-to-90-minutes on I495 beltway only to find Waze has been purchased by Google at which point I promptly put my card away, nah, Google doesn’t need my 2 cents but the app IS. THAT. GOOD!

As you already know, there are more apps out there that does similar or better than these three, they are simply the ones that I rely on for my business. Next week, I will share the three go to apps for my images. Full disclaimer, I use the free version of most applications and only subscribe until I absolutely have to.

I hope you find these apps useful. If you do please consider sharing it with your friends.

Mint & Gold Styled Photo Session | Houston, TX

 

Ronnie: I’m visiting Houston & would really love to meet anyone that’s available for coffee, wine, a meal or just hang out. Kelsey: I'm always game to grab coffee or wine. If you wanted to pull together a quick shoot somewhere let me know.

Those two Facebook messages began a flurry of instant messages (IM) that culminated in a mini styled Mint & Gold shoot collaboration by a handful of spectacular Houston, TX wedding industry creatives from the local group of Rising Tide Society, the Houston Tuesday Together.

Kelsey Vawter, a Hair and Makeup Artist extraordinaire earned that title because this collaboration would have been impossible without her. She reached out to other creatives and our team began to form. She had a real-life power couple to model, we tossed some venues and timeline around settled on 10:30 am to give everyone a chance to get on with their valentine’s day plan.

I had a minor problem on my part though.

My original outbound Southwest Air flight conflicted with the timeline ; it was scheduled to arrive much later in the day. What’s a girl to do? Change flights of course, except it’s 2 days before departure. Enter American Airlines who happens to have an early morning but connecting flight that would get me into Houston IAD, not Hobby by 9:30 am. No time for deliberation, change flight plan already and pray there is no delay. Flight changed! Oh, remember to cancel outbound Southwest into Hobby. Canceled! And then there was the matter of the rental car, change pick up location to George Bush Airport, drop off at Hobby. Done!!.  I arrived at BWI so early that I was in line even before TSA opened. #firsttimeever.  Mercifully, AA arrived on time, I grabbed the rental car and thanks to the power of Waze (GPS) I made it to the venue, in time to receive the next IM: we’re inside.

Showtime!

When I first saw our real-life power couple Meaghan, an MD/Ph.D. student and Chris, an aerospace engineer, their chemistry was so strong I forgot my typical getting-to-know-you mental script. Meaghan looked so stunning in the exquisite gown provided by Christine of Private Label Wedding Dresses. Chris looked something straight out of the pages of GQ. The only question I could come up with was are you guys a real couple?. I don’t remember their response but their faces and body language said it all.

Oh, Chris, Chris, Chris

A quick touch up just to make sure her girl shines! Christine!!

Not a strand of hair out of place.  Hair and Makup by Kelsey  @styledbykelseyv

When you're in a sweet shop, there's only one thing to do. Did you notice the mint straws?  Elizabeth!

I cannot wait to work with again with one of the best Houston’s wedding planners, Elizabeth Abshire of EA Events & Design. She was so on point with planning the day that she even picked up a new set of mint chairs to match. Just in case! Calligraphy by Lilly and Rose Studio

This creamy goodness, to borrow from Fat Cat Creamery was by Natalie at Jade Magnolia Sweets.

What happens when several passionate creatives put their mind to a common goal? Made possible through the collaboration of these passionate wedding industry creatives:

Hair + Makeup: Kelsey Vawter - http://www.styledbykelseyv.com - @styledbykelseyv

Photography: Ronnie Bliss Photography -  http://ronniebliss.com - @ronnieblissphotography

Planning: EA Events & Design - http://www.eadesignevents.com @eadesignevents

Wedding dress: Private Label Wedding Dresses - http://www.privatelabelweddingdresses.com

Calligraphy: lilyandrosestudio https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilyandRoseStudio @lilyandrosestudio

Wedding Cake: Jade Magnolia - @jade.magnolia

Models: Meaghan - @m_roars GQ model Chris -  @cvdubs11

Venue: Fat Cat Creamery - @fatcatcreamery

I love to travel, see new places, meet new people.  My last trip to Houston, TX  did not disappoint. I met not just new people, but new friends, new places. I drove and drove some more, and had the lucky grace to meet spectacular wedding industry creatives. My adventure was so awesome, the next one is already in the works. Are you in Houston or surrounding areas mid-March? Would you like to grab a cup of coffee, wine, lunch or even dinner? I'd love to meet you. Better yet, do you have an idea we can collaborate on? Send me an email lovestories@ronniebliss.com

Three Financial Apps For A Small Business

 

Balancing the demands of a small business and full-time career is a full-time job by itself. I love my photography passion and can’t wait to shout it from the rooftop, and I equally love the excitement of my career as well, not to mention the lifelong friendships that I have formed with several coworkers. But with twenty-four hours in a day, last time I checked it was, it seems I always have a ball or two or even more in the air at any one time. Over the years, I have gathered some tools to help make the balancing act less daunting. I consider them my back office elves. Meet three of my favorite money-related apps.

1. Need to keep track of your mileage for tax purposes? And separate personal trips from business?. Chances are you own a smartphone, right? Good! Assign that mundane but penny wise task to an app called Mile IQ. Mile IQ  runs in the background of your smartphone while it keeps track of your driving as you start and stop. It “automatically logs your drives and calculate their value” straight from the horse’s mouth, not me. All you need to do is categorize your trips into personal (slide to the left) or business (slide to the right). Mile IQ is available from the App Store or Google Play.  You can get more details from here. Cost: 59.99 annual, $5.99 monthly or Free for 40 drives per month.
2. Then there’s the thing called bookkeeping. It’is supposed to be simple right? Money in is credit and money out is debit. Whatever is left, if any, is yours to keep. Well… yes and no. I learned there is this thing called chart of accounts that categorizes the dollars and cents for proper accounting and better reporting. Enter Waveapps the free, online, no frills, accounting and invoicing app with no accounting background required. Did I say Free? And it’s available online so there’s one more function for that smartphone of yours? What’s not to love. It comes complete with a tidy dashboard that provides an at a glance view of the health of your business. It even hooks up to most bank accounts to download transactions saving you from having to enter the transactions twice. You do have to categorize your transactions though. What’s more, it emails a weekly status. You can process credit card immediately without having to setup your very own gateway. Find out more here. Cost: Free
3. And there are those tasks I term ‘ankle biters’ that plague every small business owner. They are those necessary part of running a business. In most small businesses an 'ankle biter' looks something like this: inquiry to quotes, negotiations, emails to calendar management, reminders to collaboration, invoice to payment, contact lists to to-do lists. And on and on it goes. Well, there’s an app for that! It’s called 17hats. Consider it a super sized Waveapps and that's what I currently use it. It does an excellent job of placing everything into a tidy box. From inquiry to paid! Well, almost everything! It does not yet serve my coffee. And from this horses’ mouth “We created 17hats specifically for “businesses of one” with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.” You can find out more here: Cost:  Approximately $13 per month

Why do I use (2) of these? Simple, it's accessible from my smartphone. I have since switched from Waveapps to 17hats. While I missed the 'free', my workflow has grown from basic invoicing and bookkeeping, hence it lacks all the features 17hats offered. Waveapps is still a great tool for someone just starting out or with a simpler workflow.

What financial app do you use? It'll be great if you could share what works for you and why.  Next week, I’ll share 3 of my productivity-related tools.

Next week, I’ll share 3 of my productivity-related tools.

ELEVEN RANDOM FACTS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Today is an easy read I promise. It’s random facts about my life, so grab a cup of your favorite drink, snuggle up while I put a smile on your face.

1. “Failure to reduce speed in adverse weather conditions” – the EXACT WORDING of the very first moving violation I received over 20 years ago. I still remember it because getting the ticket did not dampen my high spirit for finishing the last statistics exam for life! Moreover, I was too gullible to challenge the ticket considering I was only going 5 miles over the speed limit and just happen to pass PG County ‘finest’ when other drivers had slowed down.

2. 11 – my SHOE SIZE if I can ever find one. I tend to purchase 2 pairs when I get lucky, in different colors of course. And don’t say check Nordstrom’s, they may have it but not always in my style. What girl doesn’t have her own style?

3. Royal blue, purple and brown – my FAVORITE COLORS. Don’t ask me to pick one. It will be a long process.

4. Hot coffee – my favorite SLEEPING DRUG of choice. Add fluffy socks, pillow, and comforter and I’m down for the count.

5. One of seven siblings, one of six girls and 2ND IN LINE OUT OF 25 and counting children/grandchildren/cousins/nephew/nieces just from my mom’s tree alone. My mom believes she’s the female Abraham.

6. 216,000 plus – TOTAL MILES on my old Toyota Highlander. I drove every inch of those miles chauffeuring kids/carpool/football/wrestling/softball/ice hockey athletes/Robotics meetings/college move in and out, and everything in between. From Bowie to Ocean City, MD to Virginia Beach, VA. Bethesda to Severn, MD, Providence, RI to Morgantown, West Virginia, to Burlington, NC. Phew!

7. 8 – the NUMBER OF READING GLASSES in various shapes and colors that I own. Some gizmo declared me far sighted so I’m saddled with those things perched on my nose only for reading of course. Problem is I always lose them. The solution to saving my sanity from the constant searching is to leave a pair in each room, bathroom and kitchen included. I even have an extra pair in the car. My grandma used to say if it doesn't have a voice, it's not smarter than you! Problem solved!

8. Brad Thor, David Baldacci, Preston & Child – my grip-you-from-the-start, blood-pumping-heart-racing, hard-to-put-down, drive-around-the-neighborhood-a-little-longer, stay-up-if-you-must FAVORITE FICTIONAL, MYSTERY & SUSPENSE, and THRILLER AUTHORS. I love the local library CD collection. Yes, it must be CDs, not downloads. There's something magical about changing those CDs and the return trip to the library. It makes me feel like a kid with a library card. My tax dollars at work!

9. ALL GIRLS SCHOOL – my early formative years in the Anglican school system. Both elementary and secondary school. Clothes at least 2 inches below the knee, hair all natural and cut short, no longer than an inch. Not a smidgen of nail polish, not even the clear one. And you have to sit properly, after all, ladies do not cross their legs. Those rules stick with you forever.

10. DO I GET A REFUND FOR THE DAY? – the question I ask my kids when they claim to be sick and can’t go to school. Funny how they managed to live through the school day and come home all healthy. I bet they’ll use the same parent knows best trick on their kids someday, or maybe not. My job is done.

11. Mamma Mia – my favorite musical of all times. Watched it at least 5 times at the movie theater and over 20 times on DVD until the boys declared they'd had enough of Merryl Streep and hid or broke it, can’t find it since. SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS holds a special place in my heart.

There you have it, another glimpse into my life. Care to share one or two of your random fact?

WRITE THE VISION MAKE IT PLAIN

 

Write the vision, make it plain ...(Hab. 2:2). So, I wrote my vision for 2016, on this hi-tech tablet.

A #bosslady once told me to write my big hairy AUDACIOUS goals, naturally some are lofty goals, some requires nothing but discipline while others will challenge me. In the process of writing, I managed to work some personal goal into the vision. Here's to 2016.

Business goals:

• Introduce Vibrant Journal, a weekly journal to bring you along on my journey, share relevant  and even entertaining vibrant life, love and living.
• Expand Ronnie Bliss Photography. More to come on this topic in future posts.
• Enhance the Ronnie Bliss Wedding Experience. My ultimate goal is to pull off an annual weekend getaway with my brides. Lofty for now but I'll get there.
• Continue to improve my craft by getting out of my comfort zone. Never stop learning.
• Surround me with people that are smarter, wiser and all round interested in my success. Business coach, mentors and cheerleaders.
• Improve blogging to at least 2 times a week. Consistently. This blogging thing is HARD work!
• Read at least 1 business book per month. January read - Jab, jab, jab, RIGHT HOOK by Gary Vaynerchuk.
• Hire an intern or part-time assistant. I can't do it alone.

A great segway into my personal goals:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep. Every day sleep. Any small business owner will understand this one.
• Travel, travel, travel. Did I say travel? I promise to bring you along through my images. Or better yet, pack a bag, let's go!
• Read 2 books per month for pleasure. My daughter does not agree that audiobooks are same as 'reading', so I will 'listen' to at least 2 books. 
• Complete a 52-week photo challenge just for pleasure. This is a CHALLENGE I'm willing to try. I already missed week 1, but I'm not deterred, be patient with me. Clickin Moms is my source of inspiration, in case you wish to tag along. 

Phew! There I wrote it. If you have read this far, thank you for spending part of your day with me. If there's a topic you would love to read, please let me know. Don't forget to subscribe and share my posts with friends. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

 Ronnie

 

LANDMARK EVENT CENTER |LEKKI LAGOS NIGERIA | BOLU + TOSIN

I almost missed it.

Bolu and Tosin's wedding that is.

Thanks in part to those nice uniformed guys, you know, the ones that pull your car over on the side of the road checking random car documents. I wonder if they can spot a fake from the real thing, but I digress. There I was dressed and raring to go but I couldn't. My ride simply didn't show. Why? my ride had been pulled over by those 'state finest' asking for that lone random document that just wasn't there. Two hours later, lots of phone calls back and forth, mercy prevailed. And so began the race, from Sagamu, Ogun State to Lagos Island. Did I mention the ever present traffic jam? Yap! It was present, but we were not deterred. From one hotel to another, changed to look wedding ready and it was show time.  Words are simply not enough to describe the magic of the day. Of the love between these two. Their embrace, the intimacy of their dance, and part three of their wedding, when all the friends took to the runway.

Words are simply not enough to describe the magic of the day. Of the vibrant love between these two. Their embrace, the intimacy of their dance, the looks they exchanged spoke volumes.

And then there was part three to this dream wedding when all the friends took to the runway. Yes! the stage was really a runway!

So very grateful to be part of Bolu and Tosin's very special day.

Ronnie 

He's been waiting to say it, practiced it really, those two simple words that carry more weight than gold. 'I do'

Words are not necessary

Sealed with a kiss

Oh, his serenade

So many dignitaries, I almost froze first time I saw them

Yap! we did it

Your parents embrace

The pillars

Daddy's embrace

Oh, the venue, the decor, the ambiance, I can go on and on and on

Daddy's entrance, you should have seen the supporting cast

and of course, mommy's grand entrance, now their supporting cast was so long I gave up capturing them

Just look at us.

Yap! I married her

Words of wisdom

And more wisdom

Off to cut the cake... wait till you see it

Prayer, and this one was just to cut the cake

And she's been practicing for this dance

Looking at your newly minted husband ... and your newly minted mom dance

Mom's still got it!

Anticipating the dance with daddy

Where did my little girl go? She's now a woman

Could I have this dance? For the rest of our lives ...

Private moment ... in a fish bowl

Sweet nothings

Oh that reception suit ... made just for her body

it's a wrap!

A GIFT | RONNIE BLISS PHOTOGRAPHY | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAHER

Do something Good for someone this Monday.

First, an apology for missing a few series. I was on travel and should have prepared well in advance, but I was so giddy about the travel, visiting my 'motherland' after well over a decade. But now I'm back. Home sweet home!. On to today's series.

How was your Christmas? Was Santa good to you? Or were you the Santa? Did you make all your deliveries in time? Although Christmas is over, the spirit of giving lives on and that is our focus this week. We focus our attention on doing something good great for someone else.

Todays’ task? A gift. Just because.

Take a good look around. I bet you received more than one gift. And if by chance you only received one gift, take a look around the house, I know you're blessed with more than a single gift. Sometimes it just takes a different perspective, so today, take that different perspective as you look around the house. Is there a gift you can give someone else?

This Monday's Do Good For Someone Else task is not about re-gifting, although it's not a bad idea especially if you are not going to use that gift. Nor is it about gifting someone that has less than you because there simply is no way to determine what each one of us values and, therefore, hold close to our hearts. I am talking about gifting a friend, just because. Not for Christmas, not for New Year but just because you thought of that person, and you took the time to select just the right gift, wrap it up and deliver it. That's where the magic is.

For those who are at a loss for a gift idea, how about a gift of your time? Coffee, a meal, a movie together? Take turns reading a book, or a walk down memory lane. The idea is to make a difference today. Deliver a gift. Just because.

Do Something Good. Happy Monday!

Love the idea? Share the post. Have an idea? Let's hear it. Until next Monday…. Do something Good for someone.