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creatively using
nature and travel
to help calm the mind
and bring inspiration back to you

 

the blog that will change your future:

“Stop being a starving artist

and start being successful”

 
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@_autumnjanelle_ on Instagram

Comfortably Suffocating. . . This is pretty dark, even for me, but it’s Halloween and creepy, messed up things are in full swing. Ha! So hey, why not, here we go. . . What inspired me to make this was a podcast from @awakenwithjp that I listened to where he discussed how not fully living the way you were meant to, not doing what truly speaks to you, but getting by with things that will do just fine, feels like you’re comfortably suffocating... and it just gave me such a strong visual that I can certainly relate to. . . I had gotten to the point in my life where I was happy yet overwhelmed, inspired but not truly connected with my passion, successful but on autopilot, motivated but not taking action, grateful but resentful. I had gotten so comfortable in life, and out of touch with the REAL me, living as I thought I should be, that I was slowly choking off the light and ability to live, create, work, interact with friends and family on a level I had truly dreamed of. . . And you don’t even realize the bag is over your head until it’s too late. . . I’m thankful I took some time out to first realize it, then work really really hard to change it. If I’m being honest- that first big breath of fresh air is scary, and you are tempted to just slowly creep back under the bag where things are comfortable and familiar. Things felt easy and right there. But you can’t. And they weren’t. And your brain will encourage and allow you to repetitively do things you wish you wouldn’t and shouldn’t, not because it’s healthier or will make you happier, but because it’s routine, and even bad routines bring a sense of false comfort and safety. . . So this is my depiction I suppose of what life can feel like when you give up on your dreams and get a little too comfortable. I sorta hope it scares you. Because giving up on your dreams IS scary to me. So please don’t. It’s never too late to start breathing again. . . . #suffocation #thisisnotatoy #darkart #advancedselfie
In my head I told myself I was going to create all kinds of dark, creepy, witchy, magical portraits this Halloween season. . . And I didn’t. . . Most of my energy has gone into prepping for the Dark Beauty Photography Workshop I’m hosting, so I hope to really unleash my creativity then in between teaching and enjoying watching everyone else create!! . . The only thing I can decide on that will make this better is if I just forget what season it is and create Art the way I want to all year long. So if things get creepy around Christmas, you’ve been warned. Haha! . . I’ve noticed- I spend a lot of time in my head. Dreaming, creating, planning, learning, envisioning. Do you guys do that too? . . I’ve found that it’s not HARD to get inspired or motivated. I’m inspired all the time. I get motivated to make stuff happen. But those are all just feelings. It’s HARD to take action. It’s like my head isn’t connecting with my body. But when it does... when I DO get out there and make stuff happen it feels so damn good!! LIVING what I dream about is an astounding feeling. Or should I just say living is astounding. . . So. Here’s to getting up, getting out, and doing. Actions over words. Dreams brought into fruition. Physically living. . . . #spooky #halloweenvibes #ghost
GIVEAWAY + Giving Back🖤📸(How to enter below⤵️) 1 spot for a young aspiring creative to the Dark Beauty Photography Workshop Oct 26 8am - 2pm in Port Huron. . . This giveaway is more than a free spot. It’s an opportunity for that young kid that feels compelled to create and explore different mediums to realize they CAN live a full, happy, successful, meaningful life as an artist. This is an experience for someone to pick up a camera and connect with it, feel the power it has to capture stories and create stories. This is to help support the career choice that is often overlooked and under valued that brings freedom, expression, and diversity to your adult life. This is your chance to support your local youth by simply believing in an alternative path. This is my chance to give back. . . 📸WHO is this for: I am giving away 1 spot to a high school student that has shown interest in the arts as a career choice and wants to come explore what that looks and feels like. To see if this would be a good fit- info for this event can be found in the link in my bio. . . 🖤HOW TO ENTER:📸 1- Follow @_autumnjanelle_ bc “artists supporting artists” starts here. 2- Like this image. 3- Nominate yourself (if you are in high school) or someone you know by tagging them. 4- You must leave a comment as to why this workshop would be beneficial to you / them. (Please note if you can not attend if tagged by someone else.) . . To help spread the word to anyone interested you would be so sweet to share this post in your stories and with your friends! . . A winner will be announced Friday Oct 11. . . Please note the winner will need transportation as we will be moving to different locations. If the parent or guardian driving would like to also attend spots can be purchased via link in bio. . . Any camera, even a phone, will work for this workshop. Earlier this year I attended an inspiring workshop held by @brookeshaden where I captured (and edited) this image with my iPhone bc the 85 lens I brought on my Nikon was too tight. Art is in the way you see the world- not in your gear (although helpful tools.) . . #photographyworkshop #promotingpassion2019 #darkbeauty #whimsical #giveaway
She cooks hot meals barefoot in the kitchen. She always sings, but they never listen. She folds satin bedsheets fresh out of the dryer. She tells them the bedroom is for dreaming and they call her a liar. . . She left one day with her shoes empty by the door. They said, “That’s fine. You’re not going anywhere anymore.” . . She ran barefoot down the road, gravel pushing into her soles. She appeared to float, or so the Ravens told. She sweat as if tears were dripping from her skin. She spoke as sweet as an apple crafted for sin: . . I watch you all tempt me with your unfulfilled happiness. But there’s one thing you always miss: . . I’m a wild moon child. I’m as free as a bird. I’m one with the Earth. I’m not singing to be heard. . . I dream when awake. I run to feel alive. I fly with the Ravens. I realize we aren’t just born to die. . . She watched the sunset, barefoot and tired. Another long day where they would tell her- you’re fired. Another long day where she would reply- I never said I was for hire. . . . #poetsofinstagram #poetry #advancedselfie #rebelbrainiacs
Ahhhhhhh. I’m still on a mini high after my LIVE I just did with you guys launching my Dark Beauty Workshop!!! If you missed it it will be up in my stories for the next 24 hours!! . . Seriously. I could talk about expressive art, being vulnerable, telling stories, and creating images that matter alllllllll day. What I want more than anything is everyone to experience that and experiment with it, as a photographer, as an artist, as a person. . . Spots are now open and you can snag 1 of 10 by clicking the link in my bio. A few are already gone (thanks to those who already bought a spot- you make me so happy and I can’t wait to hang out!) and if you want more info on the day (Sat Oct 26 8-2) that’s there too. . . So grab your phone, Polaroids, DSLR, a friend, and come create weird, beautiful, meaningful portraits with us! Do it to add to your professional portfolio. Do it to see if Photography might be your calling. Do it as a Halloween treat (should we all dress up, maybe? Ok!) . . If you have annnnnnyyyy questions reach out to me here or thru my site and we’ll chat!! . . Love Always, Autumn . . . #photographyworkshop #darkbeautymag #callingallcreators
“And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and Autumn was awakened.” - Raquel Franco . . It’s officially “my season” today! Happy Autumn Equinox🍁 / Mabon🌽 lovers!! This time of year is truly when I feel most myself. Combat boots are in style. Everyone is decorating with witchy things I embrace every day. All the good movies are being watched. The world feels on fire. And I belong. . . Can you relate? 🍂Or is this just a bunch of Hocus Pocus?🤷🏼‍♀️🔮 . . Last year when I named my blog “Where It’s Always Autumn” it was for two reasons. 1- I desperately needed a space for myself where I could always be me. 2- Many of us love Autumn because…. why? The Pumpkin Spice Lattes? The colors? The cider mills? Or is there just a feeling in the air? However it happens I wanted to create a space, even if just online, where we could live in those cozy, freeing, creative vibes all year long. . . In the next few months I hope to revisit my blog, add some new things, and get a few of my thoughts written out. Until then let’s keep those vibes going by connecting on here! I’ve met so many amazing new people this year that I would no doubt call my friends- and we’ve never even met! We can stay in touch thru my monthly 🌿💨Elemental 🔥🌊Letters too. You can sign up via the link in my bio. This months is gonna be a good one! Music recommendations, Halloween / Samhain activities, Moon cycles! . . . . #traversecitymichigan #abandonedplaces #autumn #autumnequinox
When was the last time you took time away to do something for yourself for no reason, no reward, with no guilt? . . Over the past year I’ve tried to rewire my brain. I’ve tried to believe that it’s ok to not always have an end game, a bigger goal, a reward, a reason. I’ve been trying REALLY hard to embrace taking action around doing things for no other reason than they make me happy. . . Ironically enough- this whole series (more images to come!) was shot on the grounds of an old insane asylum in Traverse City. (You can site see along with me thru Traverse City by watching the behind the scenes of this shoot I just shared on my IGTV!) . . These portraits have no purpose. So why do them? Over the past year learning this new behavior has left me, literally, feeling insane. . . I had NO clue how to just live. Business overtook who I was. I was convinced I had no time, bc secretly I found no point, in just doing things for myself that “got me nowhere.” . . Have you ever had your soul sucked out, slowly? Have you ever questioned if you had a mental disorder? Have you fought really fucking hard to deny yourself what you truly wanted bc changing was too difficult? Well I have. I tried writing a blog about my past year and it just didn’t come out right. I guess now isn’t the time to share that story. But I hope to later. . . Anyways. This day I drove around, hiked, took photos, and just allowed myself to live, by myself, for well over 3 hours. I’m so shocked and proud of myself. . . And now I sit here knowing these portraits have a damn good purpose. They make me happy. I was happy this day. I’m still happy for this time. #imhappy and I don’t need anything more than that, or to prove anything to anyone else. And that, above all, is freedom. . . . #traversecity #insaneasylum #abandonedplaces #advancedselfie #selfportrait #photographer
Release. 🦅🦇🖤 For the first time ever I sat down and deeply thought about why and how I use Self Portraiture to connect with myself and my emotions. How I find myself and cope through these shoots and images. Then I wrote it out in a blog!🖋 . . To read about my why, how I see myself, vanity, ego, dark art, and more click the link in my bio and go to “featured blog.”📲 . . I hope you can connect with it and maybe even connect with me better now when I post some of the things that I do. Heck. Maybe it will even get you thinking about picking up a camera in order to express yourself.📸 . . Nerdy Photo Info: . . Swipe to see the before: I had to photograph each limb separately bc 1- I’m not this flexible and 2- the beans were a lot taller than I anticipated!!💪🏼🦵🏼 First 4 are straight out of camera. The last that I used for my base image has Lightroom tweaks. The rest was all done in Photoshop. The birds are from a stock photo site. . . . . #fineart #fineartphotography #advancedselfie @advanced.selfie #rebelbrainiacs #photoshop
Felt cute. Might delete later. . . Was undecided on a caption. Would love to hear your suggestions in the comments. . . Some of my other caption considerations: . . “Life’s been pretty uncomfortable lately.“ “Workin on the glutes. This work out routine is in the link in my bio.” “That moment when you finally pull your head out of your ass.” “When everyone asks me this year at my 15 year class reunion what I’ve been up to...” . . In all reality I just wanted to get outside and create some weird art today. The human body is so interesting. So strong. Yet so fragile. So us. Yet. Not really. It’s truly just a vessel. That’s what I was really moved by. But I couldn’t take myself serious enough to open up with those feelings. Haha. . . @cvatik images have really been inspiring me lately, as have @brookeshaden words. So. This is what happened. And finally, for the first time in I don’t know how long I’m not scared if people just won’t get this. I know they won’t. Fuck. I barely do. But I did it. And I like it. . . #sorrynotsorry #letsgetweird #ithinkitookittoofarthistime