I vowed to myself when I decided to start blogging that I would do so authentically and genuinely. The word “authentic” gets thrown around a lot, and it can mean something completely different from one person to the next. With the pressure of having to have a perfectly curated feed, Instagram has morphed from the once messy less-than-perfect place to share your day-to-day life with others into a pressure to post a beautifully polished collection of images.
I’m going to level with you though, being authentic on social media, to me, means being true to myself creatively. And while I do consciously think of how my feed will be viewed and the photos that I take (I am a Virgo after all, so “perfection” is something that is ingrained in me), I’m a firm believer in capturing the messy real life moments, but I have a deep desire to do so in a pretty way.
And while transparency is on the forefront of my mind when posting to Instagram, I just can’t shake the surge of happiness that comes when taking photos in a creative way. Sure, I could be a snap a pic and post it kind of gal, but I’m not. Learning how to document life in a beautiful way inspires and fulfills me. I enjoy taking classes and reading tips & tricks to take capture “the one” photo that helps me preserve a moment in time.
So how do I balance that act of being honest and transparent while continuing to post prettyish photos? I take it day by day. There are days I’m full of inspiration and all about posting. Other days I’m not. So when I see a beautiful moment, I try to capture it the best I can. I’m allowing myself to let go of the pressure of having to photograph a particular way or only allow myself to post images that are “on brand”. I’m choosing to be down to earth and embrace this messy, some times less-than-perfect life.
Want to join me? Friend me on Instagram @EightPepperberries, I’d love to see what wonderful things you’ve been up to lately. And in case you missed some of these moments when I posted them, here’s some snapshots of daily life lately on Instagram.
Like this one:
A month or so ago I came home to find these two playing basketball in my in-laws new driveway. It was so sweet to see father and son spending some time together – I watched them quietly for a few minutes and sneakily snapped some pics.
And then, I got in on the action myself grabbing the basketball to take a shot and…missed =)
We recently traveled to South Africa for a wedding and I remember this day so perfectly. It had rained all day, but we decided to go to The Cape of Good Hope anyways. Good thing we did, on the way there the rain stopped and the sun came back out giving us one of the most breath-taking sunsets I’ve ever seen.
And sometimes you have to just go for it and get creative when taking photos – I took this one from inside our car by pressing my phone right up to the windshield.
Sometimes when you’re out and about something beautiful catches your eye. That most definitely happened with these succulents:
My mom came in town for the weekend and we went on a search for air plants, but when I saw these I was like give me all the succulents, ha!
And I had a similar feeling when my friend gave me some fresh eggs from her chickens recently:
The blues, the greens, the browns and creamy colors of the eggs. They were almost too pretty to eat, but I did and man were they delicious. There truly is something to be said about fresh eggs. I’m trying to convince Eric that we need a chicken when we move in to our new house.
Eric and I have been in Vero for 3 years now. He grew up here, but it’s all been new territory for me. Joining the Junior League has been literally life changing. I’ve met these two lovely ladies through the league and have so much fun modeling for Seahorse Lane Boutique with them.
Staying healthy and active has been a goal of mine these past few months. Practicing yoga or taking walks on the beach are just what this lady needs at the moment.
The sun on your face, the wind on your skin, the sand between your toes – a morning on the beach listening to the sound of waves crashing fuels your soul.
Tea is back on my radar big time again. One tradition my family has for Christmas is each picking one person and making them a gift handmade with love. The tea I made for my grandma last Christmas was too good not to share.
It’s the perfect blend to relax and unwind with at night. Or you can make some as a gift, there are cute tea tags for you to enjoy.
A few months ago I ventured to St. Augustine to walk the runway for my sister, A Little Black Closet. While there I tagged along (like little sisters do) to my sisters hair appointment. The salon had such a fun corner of comfy chairs and records. And while a few people looked at me questioningly while taking this photo, I couldn’t let the prettiness pass me by without capturing it.
And there you have it folks, some glimpses into real life presented by pretty-ish photos.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you present “real life” on social media – or just what you’ve been doing lately. Pop in to the comments below or send me a message: kaitlin@eightpepperberries.com.
And just in case no one has told you lately – you are awesome my friend!
xo,
kaitlin
p.s. you can find me on Instagram @EightPepperberries.
Hi Kaitlin: From reading what you wrote, to me, you are a young woman with a beautiful life, a life that has many joyous moments in it as you daily live the day given you. I would not fret over the pictures that you post, I trust that you would not put obscene photos. Photos are pieces of art that are different to each person looking at them. I have gone to an art gallery and a painting that is being raved over has no appeal to me, but I find another, less applauded and it speaks to me.
Your picture of the young men having some one on one. It made me think of a past time when we had neighbourhood block parties, and I knew everyone on my street because in the evening we would wander up and down and if someone was sitting on their stoop would talk,. The one of the eggs was my favorite. I grew up on a grain farm and we had chickens for eggs and food. That was my chore, to collect the eggs, daily, feed and water even on the coldest days of winter. I would start out with a steaming pail of water but by the time I got through the snow to the chicken coop the water would be just warm but the chickens delighted in it. See how your photos can trigger memories for others that you don’t even know!
Pictures don’t have to be “picture perfect”, mess can be its own beauty. Look about you how God has strewn stones, lonely tree outcropping from a mountain face, peppbles, the Fall leaves that come down where ever they may, to be thrown about by the wind, yet I see beauty. I had a friend once that the very first time she met the man, who would eventually be her husband, was on her hands and knees in the flower bed weeding, dirt streaked across her face, hair a mess, mud on her clothes. He still saw something beautiful and inviting about her.
I look forward to reading your blog. I am shly attempting one myself, not quite sure what I should write for others to see.
You have a marvelous day.
Faye
Oh Faye, thank you so much for your kind words! Art truly is seen differently from one person to the next. What wonderful childhood memories! I love animals and have always wanted a farm, but I don’t know the first thing about taking caring of them. But I’m thinking a couple chickens might be something I can handle! I can not thank you enough for taking the time to write me such encouraging words. There are days when the beauty of life shines brightly, but there are also days that you have to search for it, but I am always looking, “The earth ahs music for those who listen” – William Shakespeare.
And we all have a unique voice for the world, know that I’m in your corner rooting for you! Best of luck with your blog, I’d love to stop by and check it out! Have you started it yet?
Have a beautiful day! xo, Kaitlin