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Lana from Mz-Cellaneous writes about the three things that mean the most to her, life, laughter, and learning. Specifically noted for her photography blog skills, you’ll also find posts on cooking, scrapbooking, and home life!
You’ve been blogging since 2007…which is a lifetime in blogland. What advice can you offer bloggers just starting out today?
Decide not only what you want to talk about, and really stick to it. Also decide what you DON’T want to talk about and stick to that too. I try to remain positive as much as possible on my blog. I want it to be a happy place for people to visit so you won’t see me talk about financial issues if something in our lives comes up. You won’t see me say anything more about my husband than “he was grumpy” (which is true). If we have a fight (rare), I don’t vent online for a multitude of reasons, but first and foremost I know that people want to get away from their problems, they don’t need to hear about mine!
I would also suggest that if you love blogging and really have found your niche, you should pop for your own domain early. I’m in the process of moving my blog over now – and it’s much more difficult with 1200 posts than it is with say, 50.
What can readers expect to find when visiting your blog for the first time?
Well, the first thing you’ll notice is photography. That’s how Mz-Cellanous came about. Four years ago I challenged myself to start a photography business and Mz-Cellaneous was where I was going to promote that. Soon I realized I was talking more about my life and family than photography (I didn’t have many sessions at the beginning) so I split it off and Mz-Cellaneous became my personal site.
The next thing you’ll probably notice a lot of, is chickens. LOL! I have 19 chickens that make me laugh every single day. They are fun to photograph and I like to share my nearly useless knowledge of raising chickens.
I’m very much into home improvements. I’ve lived in a construction zone for 4 years now – all of my own making. I share with others how we’ve improved our home or how they can do a project themselves, including gardening – I have a decidedly brown thumb so anything that grows here is a “pound your chest” victory in my book. Speaking of projects, I sometimes scrapbook (ha) and I’m adding a new section to my site after the move: DIY, Trash to Treasure. It’s going to be fun!
Once in a while I pretend I can cook. I impress myself so much that I have to share recipes.
Oh, and I like to make people laugh so almost every post has a touch of humor. Most of it is self-deprecating because I’m an easy target.
You take some amazing photos, how did you get your start in photography?
I started when I was in high school back in nineteen-dickety-eight with a camera my boyfriend at the time bought me. It was a great gift – a film SLR. I used it for around 15 years! In 2008 I buckled down and got serious and in those three years I’ve learned so much. Most of it has been trial by fire… shhh.. no one has caught on yet.
In what way has blogging been a rewarding experience for you?
The funny thing is, in scrapbooking, I used to think that journaling was an afterthought to the point of being unnecessary. I worked on a post in my head for a year that stated that fact…. can you see the irony in this? What I figured out was (despite being wrong), that words are really important to remember. Sometimes I think about my great-great-grandkids doing geneology and finding old versions of my blog with all my photos. I think that people naturally want to leave a legacy, they want to be remembered, and this is my way of doing so. Even if I’m having a day where I don’t have a lot of traffic and I’m feeling a little rejected. I just write for my family that I don’t even know yet.
What has been most challenging for you when it comes to blogging?
Writers block. I find it hard sometimes to come up with something to say. Sometimes I’ll just go outside and start shooting photos of things around me and I’ll think of 2-3 topics to blog about. I also keep a little notebook at my desk, and when I think of a topic I’ll make notes for later. Some of those things never ever get blogged, but when I’m in a pinch it will remind me of some great ideas.
Other popular posts from Mz-Cellaneous:
Cease Fire Ranch: “I think I found the door to narnia.”
Delight in the simple things: “Life has been much more full, when I started noticing things after I came here, this little spot in the middle of nowhere.”
The night my brother stabbed me: Sibling rivalry at it’s finest.
- Finding Your Friends on Instagram - May 3, 2022
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- 11 Recipes For National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day - Feb 24, 2022
- Our Favorite Things – 2021 Edition (Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaways!) - Nov 15, 2021
- Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Sep 2, 2021
- Essential Camera Gear For Beginning Photographers - Aug 31, 2021
- Low Light Photography Tips for the Holidays - Nov 11, 2020
- DIY 30-Minute Thanksgiving Tree - Nov 8, 2020
- The Spanish Princess Part 2 Is Coming - Oct 8, 2020
- Fabric Pumpkins – DIY in 15 Minutes - Sep 9, 2020
- Jack-O-Lantern Marshmallow Pops - Sep 7, 2020
- DIY Mini Herb Garden - Aug 30, 2020
- Step by Step Plan to Drive Traffic to A New Blog - Aug 30, 2020
- Six Tips to Reduce Stress In Your Life - Aug 30, 2020
- How To Take A Food Photo From Good To Great - Aug 30, 2020
I love your pictures Lana! The B & W of the couple just “nuzzling” each other is so precious…a private moment perfectly shot. I’m a shutterbug as well…it is my biggest passion. I am just not myself if I haven’t been able to shoot in a while. A day = a while for me lol… Children are a WONDERFUL excuse to whip out the camera. Keep up the beautiful work! I am obsessed with “everyday Joe/Jo” photography so now you have a new blaker (blog stalker). Congrats on your SITS day too….lol…almost forgot that part. DUH! =)
Your photos are beautiful! Can’t wait to get some photo tips on your blog!
Cheers,
Kristina
I love to look at other people’s creative photography! Heading over to check out the site more now.
these photos are incredible, it really it a gift to have an eye to capture things like that in such a special way
I like that idea of deciding what you *don’t* want to blog about.
Always excited and happy to meet another photography blogger!
Beautiful pics! I am so jealous of photography bloggers. Wish I had an eye and patience for it, but I just don’t. I’m okay with that. I have found a few to follow though as photography is not the only thing you write about…thank you!
What a beautiful blog! I love happy little blogs like this one.
Loved socks, hidden letters, loneliness… So very sweet. Thanks for sharing your blog with the world.
Blogging since 2007 is quite an accomplishment. I really appreciate your tips. Thank you & congrats on your SITS day!
Congrats on your SITS day! Even if I am late, lol!
Is that bride naked?! Risk-ay! Love the footsie pic! Classic country boy:)
Beautiful Pictures!
Love the name you chose when you split your blog off! Speaking of off, that’s where I’m headed…off to go check out your blog! :>
awesome cleverly witful! can’t wait to check out the chick’ns ๐
Awesome! great things to think about coming from a blogging Vet. I love her pics and the post from today and the one about the mailbox. Great I have now added this blog to my favorites for my Niche.
Loved her fireworks photos! Like I told her, they’re much better than the ones I almost didn’t catch on my phone. Turns out – cell phones, not good for taking pics of fireworks.
I absolutely love your blog!
beautiful photography! look forward to seeing more of it!
Looking forward to checking out all the photos!!
Happy SITS day! Can’t wait to see some amazing pics!
Loved getting to know you and visiting your blog. Great photos!
Wow! What an amazing shot of that bride!
Love that she enjoys photographing her chickens!
Your photos are gorgeous! Andplusalso, I love chickens. ๐
What a talented photographer!
We are talking Chick Flicks at my place. Watching any?
On my way to check it out!
My chickens make me laugh too! Great blog!
Looks like a great read. And who could pass up chickens!? ๐
Great photos! Congrats on your feature ๐
I love the pictures! especially the bride!
cant wait to see more!
That picture of the bride is awesome! I have always wanted to be a great photographer, but I have slacked a bit. Your stuff is inspiring!
I love that in blogging we can “meet” people who are so much like us and yet so different, too. We learn and grow that way. I am way, way into photography and scrapbooking (and used to have chickens, hehe). Can’t wait to meet this lady and her blog. Thanks for bringing us together.
Photo blog!!! Yay!!! I wish I could take pictures like she does. On my way to check her out!
I really enjoy a blog full of fun interesting pics. It inspires me to get my camera out and start taking pictures.
Photo Envy – that’s what blogs like that fill me with! Just got moved in, found my spices and my computer! Life is calming down!
I’m going to learn so much from her.
great 4th of july pics! cute blog!
These pictures are a great teaser! About to go check it out…
I love the photography! I really the chickens! I share your passion for photography! Happy SITS DAY!
You take amazing photographs! Oh, & I love the chickens ๐ I hear ya when you talk about writer’s block, I struggle with it sometimes as well. I think your blog design is gorgeous!
I love the chickens!
Beautiful photos!
and I am back from my blogging vacation.
♥ theMRS.
I hate writers block! It’s just as bad as bloggy burn out.
Nice photos, Lana. I love that you have a ton of chickens and enjoy photographing them!
Lovely photos! The lens on my camera is broken so all my photos come out blurry!
photography blogs are the best! love them. Thanks for sharing. ๐
I need so much help with my photography… I’m in love with your photo style!
I love photography blogs!