Vesper and Franki in Bellingham
Hello dear readers,
It is nearly Spring and I can feel it in the air here in Seattle. Yes, it is dumping rain as I write this, but when I go outside I can smell blooming flowers in the air and hear birds chattering away even in the midst of all the dampness.
I feel very ready to emerge from my winter cocoon. During this season I have gone through a process of reckoning that I finally am getting some perspective on and feel ready to share about here. I haven’t written as much about my internal process in the last few newsletters, so I am glad to feel inspired to bring that into this space again. If you’re someone who enjoys that, read on—otherwise you can scroll down to get to the photos, which will always be the main course of my newsletters. :)
In late 2025, I went through some major life changes that led to a deep desire to obtain financial security and stability from my business. As a result, I started focusing less on staying values-aligned and more on how I could generate more income. None of this resulted in a very noticeable external change, but it was a philosophical difference that guided me as I made a few major decisions—such as getting back on Instagram and seeking business advice from a plethora of internet sources. This included several folks whose work I respect but who don’t share my emphasis on centering anti-capitalist and socially-minded values.
Not surprisingly, chasing other peoples’ ideas for business success did not actually lead to any increase of prosperity for my own business. Instead, I am emerging from the other side feeling a little silly. Why did I stray from my commitment to run my business with my values at the absolute front and center? What exactly did I think returning to social media was going to gain me if it never actually worked well for my business in the first place? In facing these questions honestly, it feels like I am coming home to myself again. Instead of asking, “how can I get more bookings?” I have started asking, “what can I do to be further aligned with my values of inclusivity, anti-perfectionism, and generosity?” It has not been an easy journey, but I am finally starting to feel like I am on the right path again.
I am sharing this not to criticize anything that anyone else is doing; only you know what is in alignment with your own values and what feels right in your own body. For me, my nervous system has been seriously dysregulated during this period of using Instagram again and obsessing about my business metrics. This season has been a slow one, which is pretty normal for Northern-based photographers in the winter, but it has still caused me to feel very precarious. However, I’ve realized something—many people are feeling precarious for many reasons right now. The world is an uncertain place, and it’s very telling that I thought I could work hard enough not to feel the effects of that. I didn’t even realize that was the premise I was operating out of until now.
Long story short: I am breaking up with Instagram again, and more importantly, re-centering my values in my business strategy. And for full transparency—not a single client found me through IG during these last four months of using it again. So I am not even really sacrificing anything, which is kind of the wildest part. The universe has made it easy for me to divest from this particular harmful corporation.
So what’s next? I continue to send out this newsletter, put up flyers in my city, and get involved in my local queer business association. I am devouring Cody Cook-Parrot’s new book The Practice of Attention which illustrates beautifully the creative potential that comes with focusing your energy only on what feeds you. I am so excited for the Spring photoshoots I have on the books, and although I definitely have room for more, I am practicing feeling grateful and at peace with where I am at right at this moment.
As some of you already know, I absolutely love doing trades, and at the end of 2025 I did a very special exchange: photographing the amazing Vesper in exchange for a tattoo. I captured Vesper with their equally talented partner Franki in the woods outside Bellingham, and we had a grand ol’ time together.
I say it every time—I love photographing queer love. I so enjoyed spending time with these two and seeing a new part of Bellingham. Sometime in the future I’ll share a photo of the tattoo that I got in return. ;)
As always, thank you for being here. If you get value from my work, I’d love for you to share it with a friend.
I’ll talk to you again in a couple weeks.
Until next time,
Holly
