Welcome to week thirty-five of my 366 Photography Challenge! As I inch closer to the finish line, this week's photos reflect both the beauty of nature and the unpredictable challenges that arise when balancing a busy life with creative pursuits. From technical issues to changing weather, each day brought something new to navigate. Yet, the joy of capturing these moments continues to fuel my passion for photography. Join me as I share the stories behind this week’s images, from self-portraits to serene sunsets.

Day 230: Self-Portrait

You know how sometimes we have those days when technology just refuses to cooperate, and it feels like nothing is working? Well, Day 230 was like that. The internet was a nightmare, my phone had terrible coverage, and my artificial lights wouldn’t communicate with my camera. So, I ended up using my constant wand light to take this image. It was a last resort, as I was incredibly busy and had to take the photo in the final hours of the day.

Day 231: My Favourite Tree at Sunset

For the last few weeks, I’ve been observing the subtle changes in the vegetation. Autumn is approaching with determination in the Highlands. Day 231 was very windy, and I found myself wrapped in three layers of clothing. This reminded me that there are around 18 weeks left until the end of my challenge. It might not seem that close to you, but my mind is already on Halloween and Christmas. Yes, I mentioned the C word in August! Sorry for that – “notsorry,” really.

Day 232: Still Life Portrait

I usually take my challenge photos later in the day since I spend my daytime hours working on my photography business. Day 232 was rainy, and I had no desire to step outside for a picture. I was also busy editing a headshot for a client and preparing for the start of the school term. Since I hadn’t set up my artificial lights yet, I used my wand light again to illuminate my still-life subject.

Day 233: Portrait of a Rose in My Photo Studio

This was a hectic day. School had just started, and the usual bus route was closed, so I drove my daughter to school in the city centre and picked her up at the end of the day. In between, I squeezed in a three-hour calisthenics workout with some extra weight, cooked dinner, and attended a video talk with my mentor on personal branding. After preparing my daughter’s lunchbox and dealing with laundry, I finally reconnected my artificial lights for the day’s photo. At first, they didn’t respond at all, but after resetting everything, the reconnection was easy.

Day 234: Westhill in Black and White

The sky was dramatically beautiful on Day 234, so I decided to capture the houses at the top of a hill in Westhill. However, I had to adjust the composition to avoid including houses at the bottom of the frame that were closer to me. As a result, I ended up taking more of the sky than I initially planned, but the overall composition still conveyed the dramatic atmosphere I was aiming for.

Day 235: My Confession and the Sunset

Saturday! I find it difficult to enjoy weekends like most people do. I love working and, admittedly, I’m a bit of a workaholic. Usually, I spend weekends working for my clients and a bit on my business. Although I had been editing photos all Saturday morning (breaking my own rule of focusing only on my business on weekends), I decided to take the afternoon off to go shopping with my daughter and relax at a café. This balance is why I can keep going with this challenge – I have the stamina to push through, thanks to moments like this.

Day 236: Rose Under Natural Light

It was raining heavily, so once again, I had to take a photo indoors. This time, I chose a different lighting approach for the rose I had cut from my garden. I used only the light from the window to create a softer, moodier feel for this gorgeous flower.

Week thirty-five has been a perfect example of the balance between work, life, and creativity. Each day presented its own unique set of challenges, but also moments of joy and reflection. Whether it was battling with technology, embracing the changing seasons, or simply finding a peaceful moment amidst the chaos, this week’s photos remind me why I started this challenge in the first place. Thank you for following along – I’m excited to see what the next week brings as we continue this journey together.

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Bye for now.