Coconut Ice Cream with Fresh Berries
It's time for me to confess something (hehe...it sounds silly and dramatic to type that). One of my really big lifetime goals is to become truly comfortable and skilled with photography and styling—heck, while I'm dreaming...I would even love to be able to make a living off of it one day. I don't know why it feels uncomfortable to admit this dream of mine out loud (maybe it's fear of being laughed at or knowing that once it's out there I will actually have to take accountability for making it a reality), but there it is. Do you too have dreams that you hold in silence for fear of what others might think or what the outcome might be? I personally want to challenge myself from this point forward to step outside of my comfort zone and just be freely me, to go for it...dream big. I would love some company if you'd like to join me! What dreams do you have today that are just bursting to come out? I really believe that we can achieve great things when we have the courage to allow hope for our future to outweigh doubt and fear. Don't you!
So all that brings us to these photos. Since I know that this little fledgling dream of mine will involve a lot of practice I've been jumping at any opportunity I can get to do just that. So with a pint of Snoqualmie Coconut Ice Cream (this was my first time trying this brand) and a couple containers of fresh berries staring out at me from my fridge the other day, a photo/styling challenge was born.
So how did it taste? Well, to be honest I found the coconut ice cream to be a tad on the heavy side for my liking, but the berries really balanced it out and took it to a level of awesome that was delicious to indulge in once all the photos had been snapped (even though it was more of a soup than anything else by the time I was done). The Snoqualmie Ice Cream company apparently makes a whole bunch of amazing-sounding flavors though (French Lavender and Cascade Mountain Blackberry are just a couple—yum), so if my local Whole Foods starts carrying them I'll definitely be up for another try.
And finally, I just want to let you all know how much your words of encouragement and kindness have meant to me over the years as I've nervously shared little bits and pieces of myself with you all. I know that without each one of you, my life would look so very different (and not it a good way). Thank you for being here and for all the ways you brighten my day. xo Ez
All photos: Ez Pudewa (me) | Prop credits: Stoneware Egg Tray - Anthropologie | Orleans Flatware Set - Kikkerland (not currently available)
47 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in About Me / My Shops, Food / Recipes, Photography / Styling Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Thursday, June 9, 2011 
Reader Comments (47)
Oh, Ez... you're so silly.
Want to know something? When I first came across your blog (years ago), I thought you were a professional photographer. I was always impressed with the styling of props or focus on flowers when outside with your daughter. You have a real gift, and I think your dream can AND WILL become a reality.
Go for it! I think your photography is already amazing.
I'm a novice for sure, but I'd love to become a good photographer. I recently purchased a DSLR, but don't know the ins or outs yet.
How do you get your pictures so full of light and airy and soft looking? They're perfect!
Good luck!
woaaaaaaah! it looks refreshing!! <3
Love your honesty. Turning a dream into a series of concrete smaller goals is necessary for achievement, and you're well on your way!
I dream of articles in regional publications, a successful blog, and editing contracts with local businesses. I too am hesitant to share my goals. So many people have freelance writing dreams, and as a result I'm afraid my dreams sound trite and unrealistic.
I recently did a post and used your color story from your 2/3/11 post (which came to me via Pinterest). And here are those colors again! So lovely.
Your styling of shots is great - I'm hungry now and want some berries.
And don't be shy about your dream. State it boldly to the world and follow through!
ditto Mrs. Foot! You know I've always been a fan of your skillz :)
xo
That looks beyond delicious, I want some!
Happy day, friend!
i love love love your photos! all of them! your food ones are especially delicious looking and i find myself always wanting to eat whatever you photographed! your work is excellent!
well i'm no expert but i personally think you did a fabulous job here! go for it. (and i hear ya on the sometimes it's hard to admit things out loud, because then it makes it more "real.")
there's nothing more refreshing than ice cream or frozen yogurt w/ fresh berries! There's a local frozen yogurt place that I go to here in Nashville and I noticed that over winter I'd get more chocolatey flavors w/ oreos or something on top and now during summer I'm getting more fruity flavors or even just plain with fresh fruit and nuts on top! so delicious!!
if anyone can make it professionally in styling, it's definitely you. you've got skills so i hope you continue pushing and go for it!
I LOVE your photos and styling. That's a dream of mine too!
Thanks for sharing. I have a similar goal of making my love for styling a full time job. If there's a will, there's a way. Keep going, you'd doing awesome!
xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com
I think your photos are fantastic and you have inspired me A LOT- I just bought a camera yesterday! WOOT.
OK- My dream is to have my own line of textiles that I design and sell with my handmade goods in my store front/ studio and I have really cute clothes to wear everyday to my shop. I would also like at least two employees.
How bout that huh?
Dream on sister!
These photos are absolutely gorgeous - I wouldn't be suprised to see them in a magazine or book. You shouldn't definitely take a swing at it, if you don't you will only have regret. I have so many dreams that it is impossible to list them all. Most importantly I would love to figure out a way to fix the planet, likely in a creative way.
Oops. I meant you should take a swing at it.
Ez... !
Seriously, you think you are not already a great photographer and stylist... !? Your photos are always beautiful, well proportioned and condsiered and with great lighting! I've been following you blog for a couple of years now and I can tell you that you have a definite style that is so synonymos with you and Creature Comforts. I know one of your images as soon as I see it as I am sure everone else here does too... ! Maybe you feel you lack some technical skill, but lady you have definitely got what you need to do what you want to do! Keep doing what you are doing and chasing those opportunities when they come along... Which I am sure will be plentiful now that you have put your dream out there... :)
Emma, x
Ezzzz...you are UBER talented @ so many things (including photography and styling)...your blog is one of the blogs that has inspired me to create my own, and whenever I have questions or feel like I don't know where to go next I always come here first (your tips on better blogging have been tremendously helpful)...and there is a quote I must share with you because it ultimately pushed me to just take the blogging plunge I had previously been furiously overthinking (almost to the point of extinction) "To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong." ~Joseph Chilton Pearce...This really hit home with me when I just kept asking myself..."What is stopping me from pursuing my creative dreams?" The answer was FEAR! Well, my friend...we must kick that shiznat!!! :) (I blogged about it here http://wonderwren.blogspot.com/2011/05/beginning.html)
@Katie (Mrs. Foot) you are so incredibly sweet. Thank you!
@Logan - Thanks! I'm still really working on my white balance, so I appreciate your kind words. At the moment I shoot only with natural light and then am post-processing with Photoshop when need be. All of these shots were lightened a tad in PS unfortunately. Have fun with your new camera!
@Kristina - Awesome goals! You will totally make it happen. I know you will! Thank you for sharing them with me.
@Anne - Oh I'd love to see that post. Sounds lovely! Thank you for your encouragement!
@Marichelle - Thanks Biz. ;-)
@Christina (Down and Out Chic) - Thank you so much for the vote of confidence. It means a lot to me!
@Lesley - Hooray for sharing your goal! Your photos/styling are lovely (your food posts are drool-inducing)! And are you located in Tulsa too? I noticed the photo of your little one in the I Heart Tulsa onesie and it made me wonder.
@Ambyr - Here's to you and your awesome goal! You can totally do it! P.S. I loooove the Memorial Day look you posted. Perfect!
@Anna Joyce - How awesome! Your goals sound fantastic and I have no doubt that you can achieve them. Look how amazing your current line already is! And have fun with you new camera!
@Michelle - Thank you for sharing a couple of your goals with us today. I love your dream of helping our world, and to live creatively is a passion of mine too. Here's to you attaining all your goals (those listed and more).
@Emma Lamb - Oh wow! That really means so much to me. I think it's hardest to see your own work/goals as much of anything (something I'm always struggling to overcome), so your kind encouragement really moves me. Thank you!
Thank you ALL for your lovely comments of encouragement and support! You all mean the world to me. xo Ez
I think your dream is a fantastic one, and I would add that you are well on your way. I love your pics! Go for it!!!
i've been coming to your website for a while now and i've been sharing it with my friends as well. i just wanted to say that your dream is a wonder one and i think you do beautiful photos. my dream is to have my own small bakery one day....i hope one day i can reach my dream too. thank you for sharing, it helps me to know that i'm not the only one that carries a big dream.
I love hearing your dreams-and look at what amazing pictures you have! I would say you are well on your way to becoming a professional photographer!
Your photos are just lovely! And the Snoqualmie caramel gingersnap gelato is the favorite in our house. :)
We share the same dream:) Your photos are so gorgeous & professional looking, I bet there are already people out there who'd hire you in a heartbeat if they knew you were available!
I live about ten minutes away from Snoqualmie Ice Cream and I love going there. At their little cafe they have even more delicious flavors, including ice creams made with alcohol.
Another great thing about them is that their building is self-sustaining. :) If you're ever in Seattle, I suggest you drive out to our little burbs to give Snoqualmie a visit. :D