I scroll. We all do. If you say you don’t, you’re a liar. I do it first thing in the morning. But I have a routine. I take the first five to ten minutes to scrolls my feed and my friends feed. Usually, I do this over coffee. It takes about that much time for me to realize that I’m a part of this world and not still dreaming.

Then over the rest of my coffee, and before I face the day, I start my real scrolling. I search hashtags, I devour the explore tab, I enlarge and examine. I search for inspiration, for coloring techniques, for posing tips. I look at hashtags that relate to portraiture, fashion, etc. Whatever I’m trying to hunt down or get ideas for. I save to collections, screen shot, and analyze.

Some say instagram killed photography, and I get it. That point of view has total validity and I understand the argument. But I love the endless supply of education and inspiration. Sure there are repeats and endless pictures of the same thing, but it’s still worth noting what grabbed people’s interest in the first place, or what has become common place and therefore must be rejected. As a learning tool and an inspiration tool it’s wonderful.

Just don’t let it affect your self worth – because that part of it is total shit. You’re awesome.

Dress – Spell Designs
Boots – thrifted from Gypsy Found Objects
Necklace – Vanessa Mooney