Summer is here and that means late nights, lazy mornings, tan lines and hours spent by the pool with my children.
Today I am sharing my favorite summer reads for vacation, the beach or poolside. As a creative who spends my days thinking about photographing families in a beautiful + authentic way, I want to make sure that I am giving 100% to my clients who trust me to capture their memoires. In order to do this and avoid burn out, I find it life giving to slow down, reflect and be fully present in my own life.
Take some time off and limit the distractions.
In the midst of the daily grind, our busy schedules, and maintaining an active on social media presence for my business, I find it really hard to be present in my own daily life. The struggle is real y’all! The constant lure of the latest text, Instagram post or new podcast keeps me reaching for my phone ALL THE TIME. This is why I am very mindful of taking a break from these constant distractions.
I am a firm believer of what you put in your mind affects your creative work and how you see the world.
I also question how all of these bit-sized bits of information keep me from going deeper and really becoming my best self. So, I am going deeper this summer. I’m limiting my online consumption and busyness and taking time to reconnect with myself. I would love to encourage you to do this with me. Let grab a book and let go of the constant distractions of being online.
Today I am sharing a few books that are on my summer reading list as well as a few of my favorite books that I would encourage you to read.
If you can’t find time to read, listen to an audiobook on Audible. They are amazing and have changed my life. When I am in the car, doing laundry or working out I can get lost in an audio book and the task at hand goes by so quickly.
At Home in the World – A beautiful memoire of a woman who travels the world with her family for a year. Tsh writes about the lessons they learned, the beautiful places they visited and how it impacted their children. As a life long lover of travel and a mom who wants to give my kids as many experiences as possible this is a home run! Be careful. You might find yourself booking your next vacation when you are finished.
Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around The Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist. This book is a collection of essays about family relationships, friendships, and the meals that bring us together. I l love her writing style and her perspective on life. She encourages me to give myself grace when needed and deeply love the life that you have been given. I have tried most of her recipes in the book and they are a hit with family and friends. I love this book so much that she inspired my 40th birthday dinner of a. closer group of friends around a simple table.
Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be. This book is hilarious and the best book that I have read recently. Rachel Holis is a well know blogger and online influencer. Each chapter of the book starts with a lie that she use to believe that left her feeling overwhelmed, unworthy, or ready to give up. She speaks with the insight and kindness of a BFF, helping all of us unpack our limiting mind-sets that destroy us and prevent us from living out our calling. This book is a must read.
I would love to know your favorite books for this summer so I can add to this list. Please leave some suggestions in the comments. I hope you have an amazing summer and get some much needed rest.
SENIOR | FAMILY | NEWBORN | SCHOOLS
Shelly Niehaus Photography is a Prosper, TX based senior and family photographer. I specialize in newborns, seniors, family, and school portrait photography in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I also offer adoption photography for local families through the Red Thread Organization and volunteer for The Gold Hope Project. For more information please contact me so we can start discussing your session.
