Dreams Laid to Rest: A COVID Update

It’s been too long!

First off, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed photography. I’ve missed writing. Most of all, I’m missing what used to be before the “new normal” life begun. I’m sure wherever you are and whatever difficulties have come your way in 2020, you’re feeling a little pang in your heart for the way things used to be before COVID. Me too friend, me too.

I’ve struggled in this season. I’ve struggled to know what my place is, what I “should” be doing or what I could be doing. It’s a huge expanse in front of me, as long as I stay hidden behind these walls. I had stopped writing as much in the spring, because between editing and some family projects, something had to go to the wayside. Hence, an easy transition to redoing my website once we were locked down in quarantine. Since then, it’s been hard to know what to do. I feel like most days, I’ve floundered at best. I’ve sat paralyzed with the question of bringing my website back online and the lingering question of “what then?”.

See, I was so excited to fully jump in to this new photography venture and had so many dreams for 2020 that have been laid to rest. Now, it’s August. I can count the number of times I’ve left my home using my fingers and my toes. Trying new recipes and binge watching new-to-me shows are monotonous activities. My phone calls to my mom along with my weekly Thursday and Friday Facetime chats with friends are keeping me sane.

There’s one problem though. Those dreams. They’re still there. They’re antsy, restless, and want to play.

What’s going on with Ashley Karlen Photography right now?

We’re on hiatus indefinitely. Everything about that sentence makes me so incredibly sad. I wrote this on social media back in April, and I hate the fact that it still rings true in August 2020:

“All photography sessions are postponed until further notice when it's safe for us to all be about freely living our lives again. Until that fateful day comes, I am offering gift cards for use on future sessions. I appreciate all of the support and love y'all way more than I can ever express. Stay safe, friends!”.

I know there are a LOT of feelings about COVID and life right now. Please understand that I am immunocompromised and am having to make some really tough decisions to keep myself safe in this season. One of the tough decisions I’ve had to make is to not do photography sessions right now. I know other photographers are out and about, and I wish with all my might that I could be too. Oh, do I wish I could be! I’ll let y’all know when I’m able to explore the world in person with you again and partner with you to document your life. Until that day comes, I want to thank you for your understanding and patience as we all continue to wade through the pandemic and all that it has brought to us this year.

Okay…. So what are you doing?

Can I be honest here? I don’t really know. It’s a really hard season and year to truly “know” or even feel like one has answers. Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time reworking my website, but it’s up and running again. I’ll start writing blogs again, which I’m super excited about as I’ve truly missed pouring my heart out in writing. I created a Fall Reading List that I’ll be sharing soon on the blog as I read my way through the end of this year. I’ve been looking at rhythms around our house and trying to create an intentional way of running our home that works for us. I’ll spend the fall creating a Home Binder with these routines that will easily lend itself to our home running smoother. Here’s hoping!

Cheers to Fall 2020, may you be kinder to us than spring and summer have been!