As a creative, I find inspiration all around me. I love looking at and photographing subjects outside my normal genre to spark my creative juices.

Bonus, it’s also nice to spend some time with other like minded creatives and gab, gab, gab. Let’s face it! My saint of a husband does tire of hearing about my photography…lol!

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a shoot out at the picturesque Star Hill Ranch located in Austin, Texas.

Star Hill Ranch is the perfect backdrop reminiscent of the early 1900’s. Here you will find a row of quaint little buildings that have been relocated and carefully restored from around the state.

This was a Nursery Rhymed Theme styled by the creative geniuses of Chubby Cheek Photography and Sally Kate Photography.

The entire event was sponsored by the good folks at Color Inc. lab located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I spent the evening with 40 other photographers shooting, gabbing, snacking, and talking shop.

Shalonda Chaddock of Chubby Cheek Photography gave an inspiring talk about the photography industry and the ugly comparison monster that lurks within us.

If you have never met Shalonda, she is genuine to her very core.

Here we go on a little childhood adventure…

“Along came a spider and sat down beside her.”

This adorable little spider is Sally’s daughter. You can tell her mama photographs her a ton because she’s a natural in front of the camera!

“Twinkle twinkle little star” …

“Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water”…

To all my creative friends!

If you have never stepped outside your lane and done something different I can’t recommend it enough.

You just never know how something else can be translated into your own work.

I’m on a mission to always learn, grow, experiment, and evolve my work.

Amy Odom is a maternity, newborn, baby, and young family photographer located in the heart of Central Texas.