Lifestyle

So you’re here to learn about batch shooting. If you’ve been struggling to come up with content to post, don’t have enough hours in the day, or just simply lack motivation, batch shooting is something that can help! Here are my methods on how to batch shoot effectively to create content like a pro! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust. What is Batch Shooting? If you’re new to the whole blogging, influencing, content creation world, or even if you’ve been around for a little minute, I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “Batch Shooting” and if you haven’t let me put you up on game.To make things simple, batch shooting or to batch shoot is when you mass create content in a single day. This is done by taking photos, recording videos, or whatever your medium is and producing a lot of content in one sitting that can be used over a period of time. Check out my friends mini vlog on our most recent batch shoot! Why Should I Batch Shoot? Outside of blogging and influencing I work in higher education, I am a mother, I run the largest mom group in the DFW area, and I am in grad school. I simply do not have time in my day for blogging and influencing except for at night or early in the morning. So I have to be strategic in creating content. Batch shooting is the only way I can push out content as much as I do. You’re favorite bloggers, influencers, and content creators all batch shoot! Do you think we are sitting in our homes every day taking new picture? NO! We schedule days out of the month just for shooting just so we can get it all done and not have to worry about it later.So if you’re anything like me with a plate full of other things to do and looking for a new way to create content and take some stress off yourself, look no further. How to Batch Shoot Effectively to Create Content I’m sure you’re thinking, “taking weeks worth of content in one day, whew that must be a lot”. And to be honest, my first attempt at batch shooting was a DISASTER, but after many more long and disorganized attempts of batch shooting I finally got the hang of it. Batch  shooting is honestly super easy and something I enjoy doing. It just takes some planning, organization, and a friend or tripod!So here are my 5 ways on how to batch shoot effectively to create content! 1. Plan out your content How will you know what you need to shoot if you don’t know what your content is? If you have sponsored projects coming up, or if you plan on posting about an upcoming holiday, now is the time to start looking up inspiration on how you want to shoot that content. Also, think of your niche to help you come up content ideas. For me personally I venture in fashion, motherhood, and well lifestyle haha. So I try to take basic, non themed photos so I can use them for just about anything.  2. Set a date & time Pick a date or two out of the month that you can dedicate solely to batch shooting. If you’re going to have a photographer, friend, or partner shoot your content, talk with them on what day and times work best and make arrangements.For me personally, I batch shoot with my friend who is also a blogger/influencer in the same niche as me. This works best for us because our content is similar and we work together to get the best content. I also batch shoot with a photographer, but only when my budget allows it. I batch shoot on Sundays early in the morning. My friend and I chose Sundays because weekends are usually best for us since we work and we can always have our husband, boyfriend, or family member watch our little ones. We also like shooting in the morning because less people are out and about, which means less people ruining our shots. Plus, the lighting is better in the morning versus mid day when the sun is right above you. Talk about horrible shadows.  3. Pick a location LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!Location is everything when batch shooting. Try to pick a location that has a ton of different areas that you could shoot at that are also walkable. When we pick a location, we look for areas that have cute murals, nice solid backgrounds from buildings, and even cute shops and restaurants. This way we can get a variety of shots all from one central location. Try and think of fun little areas around your city where you can go and batch shoot, maybe downtown, an arts district, or an outdoor shopping mall. You can also batch shoot in your home, my boyfriend is the king of shooting my content at home. From your living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, front yard, and backyard. You have endless options if you aren’t able to leave home. Make sure to set up each area so that its perfect for when its time to shoot! 4. Plan your outfits You have your date set and the location, so now you need to plan those outfits! Since I batch shoot twice a month I opt for 3-4 outfits each time I batch shoot. However, I also bring items like blazers, cardigans, and jackets to accessories like hats, purses, and sunglasses. This way I can maximize each outfit into multiple outfits. That way if I take one picture in a specific outfit with my hat and blazer, I can take another picture in same outfit without the hat and blazer, and maybe throw on a different jacket and some sunglasses and it’s a whole new look! 5. Take a ton of pictures I hope this goes without saying but take a ton of pictures! Don’t just take one good picture in that outfit or with that background. Take a ton! I say that because you want to have a lot of options when you go back home and edit those photos. I don’t know how many times I thought the picture was good from looking at the tiny display on my camera and then when it came down to looking at it on my computer it was horrible. Luckily I had 10 more frames of the exact same shot that looked better. There are times where after I batch shoot I come home with upwards of 500 photos taken and I only come out with 10 good ones that I’ll even post. Imagine if I only took one or two pictures of each outfit or location. I would have nothing. Also, taking mass amounts of photos allows you to have options so you can use later. I know you see your favorite influencer post a photo and then two weeks later or maybe around the same time next year they post something that looks pretty similar. Well that’s all from batch shooting! And if your caption is relatable, it doesn’t matter how many times you repost the same outfit or shot location! ...but wait there’s more! Now the 5 tips I gave about how to batch shoot are great when planning your shoot, but what about when the time actually comes. Here are some things you might want to invest in or think about bringing when batch shooting! 1. Portable dressing room This right here is a game changer! If you plan on doing outfit changes you need this! Avoid changing in your car, or finding a business and using their dirty restrooms and get yourself a portable dressing room that you can pop up and change anywhere!  2. Clothes organizer These are a must!! Now most people who batch shoot take luggage or duffle bags to keep their clothes and accessories in but every time I did that my clothes ended up all over the place and all over my car. Having these organizers allow me to pack and separate my clothes by outfit. This is probably my most favorite item to have because I also use it when traveling! 3. Blotting tissue Blotting tissues saves lives! I know there are a ton of brands that sell blotting tissues and powder, but this is honestly the best one around. Shooting content is hard work and you will work up a sweat and get a little oily. Instead of dabbing on more powder or slapping on more makeup (ew). Just grab a pack of these. Super inexpensive and work super well! 4. Toiletry bag Just as I mentioned before, batch shooting is a lot of work. I always keep a little toiletry bag in my car just in case I need something like contact solution, tissues, or hand sanitizer. Throw some extra deodorant and some wipes in there too so you can freshen up between outfit changes. 5. More props Accessories are always a fun prop, but take it up a notch and bring some extra things to  shoot content with based on the location you’re shooting at! This could be your laptop and bringing it to a coffee shop to get some cute content or maybe some fresh cut flowers to pose with outside. Props are always a fun way to add something different to your shots, and give you something else to talk about. Props are also a good way to help you when you have no idea how to pose or what to do with your hands when they’re empty.  Remember, batch shooting makes things easier, but there is always a learning curve anytime you try something new. It took me a of couple times to get the hang of it, but now it’s something I love doing and can do it with ease.  I hope this helps you in your content creation. Let me know below if you already batch shoot or if you’re planning on giving it a try! With Love, Julianna

Weight loss can be a struggle. Adding a quarantine to the mix and being stuck in our homes for months certainly doesn’t help either. However, I managed to lose 20+ lbs during it and here is how. My Struggle With Weight If you’re anything like me, weight has always been something I struggled with. I was always on the chubby side as a kid and through my teenage years. Even though I was in sports regularly and my mom cooked pretty healthy meals, I guess you can say it was just in my genes.It wasn’t until college after breaking up with a toxic and absuive boyfriend (another story for another time) where I started to get control of my life and my weight. This was around 2014 and I was a whopping 175. I know to some this might not seem like a lot but for someone that is 5’2 is was too much. Within 6 months I got to my goal weight of 130 and was able to maintain that weight for almost three years.Then I met Josh and 9 months later I got pregnant. A combination of that “relationship weight” and having a baby really put a toll on my body. I never hated my body, I am proud of what it has accomplished and gone through. However, the extra weight really affected my way of life and confidence. Once Jordy started walking I realized I couldn’t keep up anymore and I was getting winded within 5 minutes of playtime. This was not okay. So around May of 2019 I started on my new weight loss journey. I think I lost maybe 10lbs, I honestly don’t even recall my starting weight, but the weight loss was short lived. It lasted maybe two months and I put it all back on and then some. After that I kinda gave up. Fast forward to March of 2020, we were hit with COVID-19 and placed under quarantine. I don’t know if something just finally clicked, or if I felt the need to come out of quarantine better than I came in it, but I got my shit together. This was the same feeling I got back in 2014 when I lost a lot of weight.I started out weighing 188lbs in March. I was unhappy, I had super low confidence, and I wanted better for myself. Today, I weigh 165lbs and have lost 23lbs and went from a size 14/12 to a size 10! I feel stronger, happier, and a lot more confident and this is only the beginning. I know many of you are wanting to know how I did it and could go without the story, but I felt it was important to know where I came from and how I got to where I am today. So without keeping y’all waiting any longer. Here is how I lost 20+ pounds during quarantine and how I’m continuing to lose weight! How I Lost 20+lbs During Quarantine I just want to note that I am not a medical professional. These are things that I did that worked for me, however they may not work for you.  1. Low carb/ No added sugar For me carbs are my guilty pleasure. I love them in all forms. I cut out all processed carbs like breads, pasta, beans, and potatoes. I also cut out added sugars. We as humans consume a ridiculous amount of sugar and carbs daily. Way more than what we need. Just look at a nutritional label or that Starbucks drink you have every day. Natural sugars are okay, like those those that are found naturally in fruits and such, however I also cut out sugar alternatives like honey and agave. I used stevia and monkfruit sweetener when I needed to sweeten my coffee. But I primarily didn’t consume much sugar or processed carbs. 2. Eat whole foods This ties into #1, but I rarely ate processed foods. I primarily ate just meats, vegetables, and fruits. This can be easily done by shopping the perimeter of the store and staying out of the aisles where the processed foods are. *Note: having a toddler does make that difficult. I did still buy Jordy her snacks like goldfish and fig newtons, however it did take me a lot of willpower not to consume them.  3. Drink WATER I know you hear this everywhere, but it makes the biggest difference. I try to drink at least 4 bottles of water a day. I could tell the difference in days where I didn’t drink any water versus when I did. Not only did it help me stay full during the day, but it hydrated my skin and aided in digestion!*Pro Tip: get a reusable cup that has a straw. Something about drinking your water through a straw makes you consume more. Also stay away from those big jugs like hydroflasks, and clear cups. Having large quantities of water and being able to see how much water you need to consume, makes it harder for you to consume it. Stick to a 22 fl oz reusable cup with a lid and straw! 4. Intermittent fasting Intermittent fasting for those who have never heard of it is when you fast for a period of time and you only eat during a small window during the day. I currently fast from 8pm at night to 12-1pm in the afternoon. This means I skip out on eating breakfast and my first meal is lunch. I then have a snack between lunch and dinner, making dinner my last meal. There are different way to do intermittent fasting, however the 16-8 method is what works for me. 5. Exercise 30 min a day 4-6 days a week This was probably the easiest out of all the things I did. I work out 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes. My workouts usually consist of 30-45 minutes HIIT workouts and strength training and then I leave one day for yoga and then one day to rest. However, there are days when I don’t feel like working out. So on those days I go for a walk with Jordy around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes. Moving your body is important. So even if its just a quick 30 minute walk, move your body! 6. Fasted cardio This ties in #4 and #5. I do most if not all of my workouts during my fasting period. I workout everyday around 11am before my fast is over and I can eat lunch around 12-1pm. There is research on doing workouts during a fasted state claiming more weight loss. This is due to the fact there is no food in your system so your body has to burn fat for fuel during the workout. I am not sure how much of it is true, but it is something that I have been doing. I prefer to workout in the late morning/early afternoon because I have more energy, however when I have to go back to the office my workouts will be in the morning, yet still during my fasted state.  7. Burn more than you consume Regardless of whatever diet you want to follow, you wont see much progress if you aren’t burning more than you consume. This is standard science, you have to burn more calories than you consume. Whether it be on a daily basis or a weekly one. The best way to do that is through tracking what you’re eating and burning. I can honestly say that when I wasn’t tracking my food, I really thought I wasn’t consuming as much as I was, even though I was eating healthy. Too much of a good thing can still be bad. I love the lifesum app, it is visually appealing to me and is user friendly. I use it to track all of my meals and water intake. I also use an Apple Watch to monitor to my fitness and the data automatically uploads to the lifesum app to show me what I’ve burned. There are tons of apps out there, definitely check a couple out to see what works best for you! 8. Get enough sleep Every time I would see sleep on a list for weight loss tips I would roll my eyes, but getting enough sleep is so important. Outside of the health benefits for getting your necessary recommend hours of rest, it has a huge affect on your mental state the next day. When I don’t get enough sleep I am more likely to eat bad and not workout. I am usually in an irritated mood and I don’t get anything accomplished that day. So sleep is a very important part in helping you stay on track! 9. Don’t focus on the scale Listen y’all, the scale isn’t the only way to measure how far you’ve come. I know this post is how I lost 20+ lbs, but I’ve lost way more than just pounds. I’ve lost inches, I have more stamina, I’ve gained more confidence, all these things the scale could never show me.I only look at the scale maybe every two weeks. The best way to see physical progress in my opinion is through pictures. Every Monday in the morning when I wake up I take a picture. That is where I found happiness in my progress when the scale wouldn’t move.  Also, be kind to yourself. Our body is constantly changing so don’t beat yourself when the scale goes up a little or you look a little bloated in one picture. Just keep going, because I promise you the before and after results will blow you away! 10. Don’t let one slip up ruin everything This is a major key right here! We are all prone to bad days, mess ups, and cheating on our healthy lifestyle habits. For me personally I was one to dwell on it and allow it to ruin all my progress. You know what I’m talking about…You eat some french fries and instead of just moving on you feel bad about it and spiral out of control and eat bad for the rest of the day and then the rest of the week, and then all your progress is lost. DONT DO THAT!I never feel bad about straying off course or eating something I shouldn’t have or missing a workout. If I want French fries I will eat some damn French fries lol, but I wont let that ruin my entire day. I know my next meal will be something more aligned with my new eating habits. If  i miss a workout, I will make sure to do better the next day. Give yourself some grace. Don’t let it ruin all your progress. Just hop back on track for the next meal or the next day! I hope this helps someone during their journey. Just know you are not alone. If you have any questions on anything I did or want some guidance feel free to drop a comment, send me an email, or DM me on Instagram! 

Learn about how quarantine can affect you and your children and some tips to overcome it, as well as how to adjust back to “normal living” post quarantine from a mental healthcare professional.                  As we all know, COVID-19 is having numerous effects around the world. From people losing their jobs to business shutting down and closing their doors to thousands of people losing their lives. It’s what we see and hear all over the news and on social media. One thing I haven’t seen being talked about is how being in quarantine and social distancing ourselves can affect our mental health and even our children’s. So I took it upon myself to reach out to a professional to ask some important questions on how we can look for signs of mental health decline and tips to cope with being in quarantine as well as how to adjust to life post-quarantine. Check out the interview below with Chelseyah Bolden, M.S., LPC-Intern (under the clinical supervision fo Corrina Herrera, LPC-S) and her opinion on how being in quarantine can affect our mental health and ways to cope! Interview with Chelseyah Bolden, M.S., LPC-Intern Under the Clinical Supervision of Corrina Herrera, LPC-S J: Hi Chelseyah, Thank you so much for doing this interview with me. Could you please tell us about yourself? C:Hi Julianna! Well, my name is Chelseyah and I’m a native Houstonian. I am twenty-six years old. I am an auntie, sister, best friend, partner, I identify with the LBGTQIA+ community, advocator, and therapist. I decided to get my master’s in clinical mental health counseling and a license as an LPC-Intern because I was more interested in directly interacting with people and helping them process their emotions and experiences. Before COVID-19 my hobbies included going out to brunch, hanging out with my friends, yoga classes, and writing for myself. Now that we’re in COVID-19 I’m finding that my coping skills are now my “hobbies.” J: Could you please clarify for me and anyone reading what is mental health & wellness? C:Well, to keep it simple I will separate the two terms. Mental health typically refers to your wellbeing and is measured by your ability to adapt and cope with stressors, traumatic events, or mental    health diagnoses such as Depression, Anxiety (or the bigger known diagnoses like Bipolar Disorder or schizophrenia). When we think of mental health we want to aspire to maintain a baseline, a state of not being too up (excited/agitated) or too down(unresponsive/depressed).Mental wellness, however, reaches a broader audience. This can include people who may be neurodivergent, have a physical or genetic difference that can impact a person’s cognition. To be direct, I’m saying this includes people with physical and mental disabilities or trauma. People who have a disability are often forgotten or overlooked when we talk about mental health and frankly, that is not fair. I think the term mental wellness is important because it does not forget people who may need more support.J: So how can being in isolation or in quarantine negatively impact someone?C: I can’t speak for everyone, but I’ll speak on what I’ve observed in my clients and myself. Isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, sadness, or depressed mood (if sadness is longer than a 2-week period), paranoia and can even impact self-esteem. Human beings are meant to be social, so having to conduct life without being social can feel like it’s going against nature.J: What are the warning signs someone should look out for if they feel like their mental health or their child’s mental health is declining?C: This is a little difficult for me to give a general answer since, here comes a cliché, everyone is different. The common warning signs I think people can notice are: deviating from your routine, loss of motivation, loss of ability to concentrate, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, intense emotions, and withdrawing from others.In children, however, signs of mental health concerns look SOO DIFFERENT. In children, I’m referring to the little ones, this can look like an increase in tantrums (frustration, anger outbursts or defiant behavior in older children), clinginess, scared/mistrust of others, a decrease in talking, regression in milestones(i.e. potty training abilities), and being scared or tired of being outside (10 minutes in going “mommy can we go back inside”). We have to remember that children have their own mental health and they are currently figuring out themselves as they grow and observe us. Just because they don’t have the words to express themselves doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings.J: What are some ways people and cope with being in quarantine and how can they help their children cope?C: I’ll start with the kids first or else I’ll forget my train of thought. Regularly check in with them and reassure them that they are safe and loved.Maintaining a routine provides consistency and allows for the child to have an idea of what to expect next. Taking time to play, just play, with your children can be helpful.For everyone, identifying the emotion your feeling and giving yourself space to feel that feeling helps it pass along. This is called being mindful. Quarantine is an uncomfortable situation and you have every right to feel sad, trapped, scared, or frustrated. This is a BIG change and it takes time to adjust to change, especially when it’s uncertain how long this change will be. Just like kids, adults need routines too. Trying your best to develop and stick to a routine can help you with scheduling your time and even motivation to an extent. Being aware that life will still move forward even though times are hard right now is also a mindfulness tip.I feel like I’m rambling so to prevent that here’s a list of some coping tools. Be mindful of your emotions and current situationDisconnect or limit your news and social media intakeExercise. It releases serotonin and endorphins (your brain likes these; they make the brain happy). Start small if you’re like me and out of shape. It’s okay to go outside and get fresh air and be in the sun, but PLEASE do so with the proper precautions.Try something that is a process. Processes can be rhythmic and allow your mind to clear while you focus on the task. A process can be something like coloring, drawing, painting, Lego building, sewing, sudoku, or cooking.Maintain a routineCheck-in with your partner, family members, roommates, or whomever you are quarantined with if you are quarantined with someone.Reach out to your friends, family, and support system over the phone or video call.Treat yourself, responsibly.Finally, give yourself some grace or slack. You are doing the best you can. J: Lastly, with Texas opening back up and many other states following suit, how can people safely adjust to post-quarantine/normal life?C: The weird thing about this question is, we don’t know yet if we can “return” to normal or if we will have a new normal. With that being said, it’s really important to give yourself a grace period to ease into either route. Expecting things to switch overnight can be overwhelming. I’m going to do the list thing so I don’t ramble again.Brainstorm what you would like for the future to look like.Develop a plan, with that grace period I was telling you about, so you have an idea of what you’ll need.If you’re given advanced notice, start practicing waking up early to accommodate for your commute that you used to have.Ask for, and utilize help from othersJ: Chelseyah, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day and answering my questions. I really wanted to get this information out there for whoever needs it and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! C: Julianna, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to ask me these questions! I wanted to help the community on a broader scale and wasn’t really sure how to do so until you reached out. Interviews and discussions like this give me a break from my job and give me a chance to educate others. I hope this helps.  Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Mental health is such an important topic that I feel isn’t talked about enough. So this is one small attempt to get the information out there to those who made need it. If you or anyone you know is in need of help, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone or a professional.