It's been almost five years since I began blogging here at The Bubble Joy. Not long ago, I paid for a one-hour consultation with Abby Glassenberg, a blogger, podcaster, and small-business consultant. Abby advised a number of things, including that I spend a little of my shop earnings on updating the look of The Bubble Joy: new template, new color scheme, a new logo and profile pic. 

And then photographer Carla Coulson, whose blog I've followed since seeing these photos, informed her readers that she had a day open in June for a photo shoot in Paris. Her date coincided with my trip and voilá! We spent the most exciting and enjoyable morning together last month.

Click here to see the results. I've never been more delighted. Carla loves movement and natural light. Paris is her studio and we had a total blast wandering the streets looking for good light, a cool doorway, an interesting scene. Carla has a grittier, grainier approach to portraiture, which suits my style. You all know how I love chipped china and imperfect antiques.  

Carla and her assistant Loc quickly figured out the secret to making me smile. Just mention Gary. "Gary's in the house... Where's Gary... Get your Gary on... Show Gary the love... ." Millions of iterations of what they called 'Garyisms'.  

I recommend following Carla on Instagram. And subscribing to her blog. She shares many photography tips and inspiring stories about the life of a creative. Especially fascinating is the story of her snap decision to become a professional photographer. It puts me in mind of these words from poet Mary Oliver: 

"The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time." 

I must say thank you to my pal Ellen who helped me with clothing for this shoot. If you are in Milwaukee, go see her at Faye's. She's a genius. 

And thank you Carla and Loc for an unforgettable experience.