Behind the Blog: Aimee Marie

Image by Jeffrey Simms Photography

Remember those interviews I posted about ages ago? Well I have finally sorted out which questions I’m going to use for which posts, and the interviews themselves are going in my posting schedule! If you like what you read and think that you too, may like to be interviewed, then let me know! I’ll be devising a totally new questionnaire for any new interviewees, so there’s some variety!

First up is the fabulous photographer and journalist Aimee Marie whose pink-themed blog is full of her beautiful photographs and a great source of creativity and inspiration!

What led you to start your blog?

I’ve had a blog in one form or another for nearly 10 years now! Originally it was a kind of personal diary of events, but as I’ve grown & my interests have changed, my blog has developed too.

How did you choose your topic?

My blog at aimeemarie.com [now http://aimeeaimeeaimee.wordpress.com] runs alongside my photography portfolio, so it houses a lot of visual inspiration & updates from me on current projects, but I also love journalism too (& wanted to be a writer before I fell in love with photography!), so I make regular lifestyle posts with beauty & career advice, & positive life-loving lists– I suppose I don’t really have one niche topic as there’s so much I want to write about & share!

What do you love most about blogging?

Definitely meeting new people, from all over the world with different views on life & ways of living. There are a lot of things that I’ve learnt about through other peoples posts.  I also love getting instant feedback about the things I’ve written or created in some way, from ordinary readers– no potential employers or editors to say, “No!”– I can write what I like, when I like. I love being my own boss!

What makes you happy?

So much! Blogging, photography, being with my boyfriend (aww), baking, being organised, glitters & sequins, cosmetics, shopping & receiving parcels, among lots of things.

What do you do to make yourself happy?

I like to start my days off relatively early, with a big list of things to do & I get a little more pleasure every time I manage to tick one thing off! I love having some sense of achievement. Even on my days off (I cherish them!) I like to be doing things, even if they’re minor tasks like baking a cake! As much as I love having a lay in, I prefer to get up at about 9am & start the day, or else I feel I’m missing out!

What one thing, above all else, makes you glad to be you?

My creativity I think. I love waking up with ideas buzzing around my head & planning them out in my Moleskine, so I can write about them or photograph them at a later date. I can’t comprehend a life without constantly wanting to create something new– a 9-5 office job just wouldn’t satisfy my needs!

Tell me about a valuable lesson you’ve learned in your life.

Grades are not everything, particularly in the creative world. Unfortunately, they sometimes help potential employers pick one candidate over another, but I wholeheartedly believe that you don’t need a piece of paper to prove yourself.

What led you to make this discovery and how did it make you feel?

It’s something I’ve always believed, but there are plenty of people around me who have proved it, for example there are loads of bloggers out there who have made their riches from nothing but their views on life & sharing them with the world, & it’s now their primary form of income. I think that’s really powerful & something a lot of people can aspire to & use as inspiration in whatever career path they choose to follow.

What’s important to you?

Love & happiness, with a sprinkling of success.

What do you want your impact on the world to be?

I’m not after world domination or to be internationally recognised. I’d just like my creative work to be a success in some way.

How are you going to achieve this?

I work, work and work at the things that I love & hopefully it’ll pay off.

If you could give Sparkle and Glitter readers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Do whatever it is you love, even if you’re stuck in a mundane job that you hate, that you can’t afford to give up yet. Keep working at your passion, even if you think that it’s something you can’t make a career out of– one day, you could become that lifestyle coach, wedding photographer, dance teacher, aerobics leader, film reviewer or weather person! And even if you don’t make it, it’s really important to keep yourself happy & motivated. Don’t focus on the negative 9-5 & use your spare time wisely, to keep you happy.

Visit Aimee Marie’s blog!