Hi, It's Me Again.

Hi, It's Me Again...Tamieka Smith

Hi, it's me again.  Our families life today looks totally different from what it looked like back on January 1, 2020. Like most these last few weeks and months have been tough.  It's been one of the most trying and toughest year I've ever experienced; the year started with the death of Kobe Bryant, the quarantine (COVID), the death of George Floyd, and so on. With so much free time on my hand and the inability to photograph families and business portraits for entrepreneurs, I have used this time to do some self reflection, spend time with family, try new food recipes, and build new relationships. 

Tamieka Smith

Cooking/Baking

For those who didn't know, I went to culinary school.  So this time has given me flexibility and freedom to cook and bake things I have never done or things I haven't done in a while.  I've made pizza dough for homemade pizza to baking brownies, and even making chicken fried steak for the first time.  I was even able to find a pick your own farm in the Los Angeles area.  Which I'm looking forward to going back to visit. 

I invite you to try out my quick Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. Would you like my homemade biscuit recipe?  Check it out here.

Spending Time with Family

I'm spending more time with my family than I ever thought I would have...Moms I need a break. During this time, I've discovered the 7-Eleven app. They give a free drink for the first seven days you have the app. If you don't have a 7-Eleven near by, check out my families recipe for Limeade.  We've also used this time to take family walks around the neighborhood.

Location Searching

I have also used this time to search for different locations for family portrait sessions.  The last few locations I've discovered have been near the beach in the South Bay. These two different locations are amazing and I'm looking forward to photographing families at either of these two locations.

Build New Relationships

Are you Zoomed out?  For a while, I was! It seem like I was using Zoom for everything all day long. Now I'm using it to connect with other business owners and creatives during this time.  I've even heard about families using Zoom to stay connected. How are you staying connected and building relationships during this time?

Self Reflection

Wow! What a time we're living in!  This time frame will be one of those periods that will be a highlight in my grandchildren's history books.  I'm actually using this time to write down my thoughts and emotions from the day.  A book that has been helpful is the Gratefulness Book from Be Martin Wellness. Each day I can leave the burdens of the day behind and think about what I'm grateful for and put positive energy into those things.

Conclusion

While 2020 has been a year for the record books, I'm continuing to use this time to be beneficial for my family as well as my family photography business. So whether I'm using my time to connect with my family or other business owners, this time has been beneficial for me and my business.  I hope this time doesn't become overwhelming, but if you're looking for someone to connect with, don't hesitate to reach out to me.