Bespoke Photography | Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography

Being Inbetween

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:18:45 +0000

Being Inbetween

There is something so so special about being in-between.
Being between ten and twelve,
The ages where you are neither small child nor even young adult.

I love this age
though I remember some painful things about it too.
Like the time at aged twelve on a balmy summers day, I spent the most part of the morning in my room plucking up the courage to go downstairs in a pair of shorts! I was only a small thing at that time, but incredibly self-conscious. Though I do remember those lime green shorts weren’t exactly subtle.

I remember walking slowly down the stairs to be met by a laughing parental comment
“Oh my goodness! Your legs look so chubby”
I ran upstairs mortified; feeling exposed, and I didn’t show my legs for years,
until a friend commented on her confusion about my attitude to my “chunky legs”. All those years covering up my stick legs thinking they were non-stick legs. Ridiculous and a little sad, it got me thinking about the being Inbetween age where one is so vulnerable.

It is a fascinating and interesting time. Whist you are being shaped in your soon be adult form, your opinions and believes, hopes and fears are emerging. There is a beauty to this age, one that is sometimes concealed in attitude, embarrassment and self-consciousness. But there is magic there too; that which comes with transformation and change, with learning and growth. Good and bad it is all contained within this age.
This age is the focus of my next photographic art work. An exhibition of portraits and accompanying sound installation entitled Being Inbetween.

If you know of a girl aged between ten and twelve who might be interested or would make a great subject, please do leave me a message.

If you can remember what it was like yourself please do leave a comment.

And whilst we berate our pre teens let us remember that within our adult selves, the small person we once were is still very much there and needs celebrating.

Carolyn x

This post is part of our blog circle, please click on the button and go to the next blog…

The post Being Inbetween first appeared on Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography.

Sisterhood Stories. The Art of Paying it forward

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:39:33 +0000

In the business world as it is today we are used to wheeling and dealing, turning and spurning. Everything has a monetary value; time is important as is making sure you are being valued! Not too cheap not too expensive; always trying to target the right markets, market to the right clients.

In the world as it is today people are unused to unsolicited and unconditional acts of generosity and kindness. When these are unearthed the individual is showered with praise. The response is often one of surprise and the individual (if they are discovered) are universally acclaimed and given temporary ‘living angel’ status, which they often feel reluctant about. For example recently we had Katie Cutler who set up a funding appeal for pensioner Alan Barnes, who had been attached outside his house, and was too scared to return.

The fund went viral and raised over £300, 000 enough to ensure that Alan now can afford a new flat to live in. Kate set it up because she felt moved to try to do something to help a stranger whose story touched her heart.

Recently I suggested to a forum of likeminded creatives about the idea of finding a mentor. I meant an established business person, working in a compatible industry who I could look up to and who would offer mentoring on an adhoc basis. I wasn’t looking for a business arrangement rather a pay it forward arrangement. I would love a mentor. A real mentor in the traditional sense of the word. In the early days of my career in drama and the arts, I had a few mentors whom I could call up to ask for advice or run ideas past them, or perform a new audition piece to them.

Recently I took part in a project set up by the fabulous Oh Comely Magazine. The idea was to connect to perfect strangers together, who would create a parcel for their allocated person and send it to them.

I was partnered with the amazing Sanna Dyker, a young talented illustrator from Kerrie Muir. She wrote a statement about herself and I put together a parcel for her. So much joyfulness in this activity, and I didn’t mind if I didn’t receive anything in return. I so wanted to do something unconditional for her, my perfect stanger. This is her post about it
on her beautiful blog.
She sent me the most beautiful parcel full of magical, handmade and hand drawn by Sanna herself. I cried when I opened it. It truly was the best thing ever.

In the arts world informal mentoring take place all the time. That is my experience. You help people who are less experienced than you are. So I decided that rather than ask for a mentor (though if you are out there I would love to hear from you) I would mentor a photographer informally
and for free, whom I felt needed or could really benefit from the input, on an as needed basis. This photographer was momentarily speechless and surprised that I would do something like this for no personal/monetary gain. In truth if I could live my life by giving and not expecting anything in return, as long as I didn’t starve, and I could take care of my family, I would be entirely happy.
My instinct told me that if I pay forward, he in turn would pay it forward in a different way. We chatted and he shared with me the things he already does for ‘voluntarily. These acts are amazing and heart warming. I didn’t know about them before I approached him, and I was so delighted to hear about them. He already pays forward in abundance.

My dream would be if we could all pay it forward when we can, unconditionally and without expecting anything back. It might not earn you money, but the act of giving is so life enhancing and not only will it help another person, it will make you feel great and it will help make the world a better place to live in.

So if any of you reading this are interested in doing something similar and working with me on a pay if forward initiative please do leave me a message.

and if there is anyone out there who would like to be my mentor – do get in touch.

Lots of love
Carolyn x

This post is part of our blog circle, please click on the button and go to the next blog…

The post Sisterhood Stories. The Art of Paying it forward first appeared on Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography.

Are you stuck? Uninspired? Time to Play

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:02:55 +0000

It is good to experiment,

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AND DO WHEN YOU FEEL IN A CREATIVE RUT

Sometimes it is fun to play;
To experiment,
To test,
To dream and to make impossible ideas become reality.

It is good to play,
It is good to experiment,
To risk failure,
To try out new things.

Without play I couldn’t survive.
Without creative thought
I would dry up like a desert and the inspiration,
the water and food for my soul,
Would leave me
Empty and depressed.

Don’t worry about
Who sees it.
Sometimes
Just do it for yourself.

Always keep learning!
Always keep growing!
Always be open to making mistakes.

Maybe practice makes perfect,
But mistakes
Create something far more interesting.

The post Are you stuck? Uninspired? Time to Play first appeared on Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography.