Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Monday 23 July 2018

My 10 year blogging anniversary

In July 2008 I made my first hesitant steps into blogging. This was partly as a way of promoting my photography and publicising articles I'd written as a freelance journalist, and partly in the hopes of being "discovered". I shudder a bit now as I look back over those first steps into blogging. I really had no idea what I was doing. 

I hope over the last 10 years my blogging has improved. I know it has changed over time, and now encompasses travel, mostly Western Australia travel, photography - travel, food, wildflowers, lifestyle, and a few "how toos", recipes and photography tips. 

In that first 6 months of blogging I only wrote 10 posts and in 2009 only 8 posts! I certainly wasn't going to be "discovered" at that rate. 

It has been interesting in writing this post to look over my past 10 years of blogging. 
So I thought I would share with you a brief summary of those 10 years. You can click on the links to go to individual posts, or just go to my Blog Archive in the side panel, or the Index in the top tabs if you are looking for a particular topic. 


2008 - 10 posts -
You can click on the link here to read my first post 19 July 2008: Walking the Bibbulmun Track  which was a short excerpt from an article I had written for Go Camping magazine published in the winter 2008 edition, about a short walk I did with 63 year old, "End to Ender" Bernard Glasson from Perth and my friend Trish Gibbs from Donnybrook.


2009 -  8 posts - 
My "marathon" eight posts still tended to promote my latest magazine articles, like this one in January 2009 - "African Experience Soft Option" - an excerpt from my article in Australian Vital magazine from May 2004 about our amazing stay in Jackalberry Lodge in the Thornybush Nature Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. Undoubtedly one of our best, if not the best, international trip we have ever done. 

Comments on my posts were thin in the ground, I certainly wasn't being "discovered".

I updated the pics on this article a few years later and even managed to receive a comment, (woo hoo! I got a comment!!), from my blogging friend Joe Castro at Lifestyle Fifty. Thanks Jo for your support in this blogging world over the years. It's a tough world out there in blogland, and we bloggers need to stick together.


2010 - and 12 posts. 
Looking back, my early posts were little more than a few words, accompanied by a few photos. They've changed a bit since then.

In May 2010 I started contributing to the linky party Mosaic Monday. Mary who was running the linky party back then was so encouraging about my photography and Mosaic Monday gave me the opportunity to link with other bloggers all over the world, make new connections and hopefully receive comments to my blog. I've been contributing ever since. Thank you so much Mary.

Here is that first post, not much of a post and I don't know where the Mosaic was. Just as well my blogging improved.  Dreaming of France - Little Red House Mosaic Monday


2011 - 70 posts!!! - it seems like I stepped up the pace.

2011 was the start of my early delvings into food photography when I started working a 4 day week and had a day to myself to indulge. Every Monday my husband would come home from work expecting to eat what I'd cooked for my latest food photography project. It was my passion back then, and I did lots of food photography. I thought food photography might become my career, but somewhere along the way it hasn't happened, although I have had a few food photo gigs.


2012 - 64 posts - you can click here to see my round up for 2012 
In 2012 I had my first outings with my camera in an underwater housing.
And an emotional time with the passing of my mother in July.


2013 - 49  posts - 
I think I realised that blogging once a week was as much as I could handle. 2013 was the year that I joined the Photography Group of Bunbury and a new journey through photography started. 

2013 also seemed to be a year of travel - in Western Australia along the remote Holland Track and then a 6 week trip through South Australia. We also took our family to Singapore.

Garden by the Bay, Singapore
I even managed a cover shot from the Holland Track on the Go Camping Australia magazine.  August-September 2013 edition.


2014 - 45  posts
2014 turned out a lot different to what we expected, as we watched my father and my husband's mother slowly fade away.  During 2014 I was doing a 365 challenge - one photo a day for 365 days - and I know I found a comforting focus and solace in my picture taking during the heart breaking family times during 2014.


In July we managed a road trip up to the Pilbara, where we met up with a couple from Busselton who are now close friends. And in October we took a trip to Penang, which had been booked earlier in the year, and now came at a perfect time as I mourned the passing of my father. 



In 2014 I opened my "business page" - Life Images by Jill - on Facebook. I've learnt over time that Facebook is necessary these days for businesses. If you are on Facebook I'd love you to hop over and "like" my page. Thanks! :)

I was also invited to join the team at Communal Global. A collection of women from all around the world who host a linky party "Wednesday Around the World". 


2015 - 49 posts
Early in 2015 I was offered redundancy at my place of employment, and I was happy to accept, and helped along by a small inheritance from my father, I retired from paid employment. This allowed me time and space to explore other things I had been wanting to do - mainly in photography and arts. Some of these art explorations were through the Stirling Street Arts Centre, and the free workshops run at our local library. This has been the best part of my retirement, exploring arts, which had been somewhat put on hold during my working and child rearing years. 

I always remember that my Mother had done beautiful art work and sang and played the banjo when she was younger. Unfortunately she seemed to have given these up after marrying my Dad. I don't want to be like that.

I know my Dad would have been pleased that I had retired. 


 There was more travel around Western Australia, and I was also excited to be involved in a local book project - Ferguson Valley Plated - launched in October 2015, through a collaboration with Kim Wesley from Peppermint Lane Lodge. What an inspiring dynamite Kim is, the way she had that book organised and published in under 6 months was truly amazing.

I was also involved in the 25th Anniversary show with my Spanish Flamenco group - Sol y Sombra. What a huge night it was and first time I had ever been on stage like this.
2016 - 46 posts
Reading my last post for 2016 it seems like I was reflecting on the sorrows people in my life were going through, and all that I had to be grateful for - good health, family, friends, groups that I am involved with, and the travel which we are able to enjoy. 

In January I was introduced by Jane Flower from Folios and Fibre into the wonderful world of Eco-dyeing with leaves through a workshop I did with Jane at the Stirling Street Arts Centre summer school.   A couple of years on this art has become an absorbing passion.



And in March I started up my page at Red Bubble, promoting my photography through the range of products that Red Bubble sells. You can even buy leggings!



My husband retired from teaching in the first part of 2016 after 40 years in the profession.  After the last 6 months pleasing myself with what I did with my day, was there room in my days for him? But his retirement has given us the opportunity to reconnect.  

And there was time for reflection: Ease your stress by following your passion in life

It was also a year for travel. We took a return trip to Coral Bay in May and then along the Gibb River Road in our remote Kimberley region of Western Australia in July/August, and in November my husband and I went to Rottnest Island - just off the coast from Fremantle, and for me my first visit to this historical holiday island. 



  In August my writer's group launched their first anthology - The Runaway Quill.

Encouraged by various friends, I took my first steps into Instagram  in December 2016. I post irregularly and I'm still not sure what it is all about and what all those followers really mean. Do you do Instagram? What's your experience of it? 


2017 - 42 posts
2017 started with my being grateful for life in the retirement fast-lane. This post certainly resonated with many in a similar age-bracket.  

And a trip to Sydney, Australia.


And I found inspiration at the Tree Street Art Safari, the International Women's Day talks, the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail, and TedX Bunbury.



And more opportunities for travel, camping, exploring and taking photos through our amazing state of Western Australia. Hunting for wild orchids


I was also one of the contributing photographers to a new book put together by my friend - another inspiring dynamite - Catherine Curnow - who donated the proceeds of the book to a local family whose daughter suffered a life changing injury.  The Photo Book of Bunbury -  Loving Where We Live - Glimpses of Bunbury through the eyes of the locals.

And to top the year off - in November 2017 I was awarded the Colour Image of the Year Award at the Photography Group of Bunbury, with this image I took when walking along our local estuary, which was entered in the April topic "Breaking the Rules". I was also runner-up in the Photographer of the Year on accumulated points from the monthly club exhibition nights. 


And so to 2018 - so far 29 posts
As each new year dawns, I wonder what the year will bring. So 2018 began with a question - What will your inspiration be in 2018?



Life continues to be inspiring. I attended the International Womens Day event entitled "Identity and Transition", and hosted by the South West Women's Health and Information Centre. What a wonderful and inspiring group of women speakers and attendees came together that day.



I had a very successful day exhibiting at the Tree Street Art Safari in March, and was surprised, thrilled and overwhelmed to win the "Emerging Artist Award" at the Dardanup Art Spectacular in May, with this leaf print on paper.
 I've had some work this year relieving in our local primary school library which I've very much enjoyed, and my husband has had some teaching work. It is great travel spending money. During the month of May we enjoyed a trip to Spain, Malta and Italy. You can see various posts about our travel on my blog.  I'm still working through sorting the thousands of photos.

 I wonder what the rest of the year will bring. Be sure I will blog about it here as my blog is in many ways a journal of my life, travel and photography. 

The other day I found a quote in Kate Morton's book, The Lake House, that resonated with me.  "Life was like that, doors of possibility constantly opening and closing as one blindly made one's way through."  Through my own life, I know this to be true. I've certainly never felt like I've had any particular plan.  As John Lennon said "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans".


Along my blogging journey I have met many wonderful bloggers, women mostly, from all over the world, and my readership and comments have increased.  But I wonder sometimes what is it all about - this writing, reading, commenting - it can be stressful at times and sometimes I feel that all this social media is taking me away from the creative side of me that is trying to find time between it all to do other things.  But I know these connections are important to me too. But I guess in all things we need balance, and try not to let blogging and social media take over our lives. There are other things that should be placed in higher importance like family and being true to ourselves.

What strikes me the most is despite our cultural backgrounds, and no matter where we live, women are going through similar issues.
Making contacts through blogging creates a little “community” which we might never have had. I have discovered that the posts that create the most interest and feedback are when I talk about real life issues and circumstances.
Being truthful really connects with women, who then are willing to share back to you what they have gone through. Perhaps being slightly “anonymous” helps us be more open.

I am certainly grateful for the host of inspiring women that have come into my life over the last few years. And to all those people who have encouraged me and visit me at my blog and social media pages. Thank you for helping me feel that I am contributing something "relevant".

I hope you have enjoyed reminiscing with me over the past 10 years, and that you will stop by again and meet me on the porch.


 Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you to you the reader, my contacts, my little community, who make this blogging life mean something. 
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
Life in Reflection

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

If you are a blogger you can link to Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global right here! 




36 comments:

  1. What a wonderful collection of memories, posts, trips, events and images by Jill, I loved watching how your blog has blossomed since it's earliest beginnings. I too used to join Mary @ the little red house for Mosaic Monday but I'm not sure that our paths crossed until I became host 2 years ago next month.
    I so enjoy the little blogging community that is MM and visiting my "friends" around the globe, long may it last.

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    1. I was so happy when it continued after Mary handed it over. hanks Maggie for the little community you have continued.

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  2. Oh, I'm so happy to have followed you for a lot of these years. It's a wonderful way to share photos of your part of the world...and one many of us will never see. I love the quotes you've shared and the 'being balanced' comment. It's not easy but I think blogging is such fun and I'm very glad to visit you every week! Happy blogging!

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  3. Congratulations on the anniversary! I enjoy following your blog and seeing your photos of your corner of the world along with your travels. Happy continued blogging!

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  4. Congratulations! Blogging is fun, isn't it? Greetings from Poland.

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  5. What a lovely summary of your 10 years in the blogging world. Many of us took tentative steps into it around the same time. It's a medium that changes with us as we go through life. I hope you keep on blogging.

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    1. Thank you for your support over the years Lorrie. Happy blogging to you too.

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  6. I so enjoyed this wrap up of your last 10 years and Congratulations on your 10th BlogAvversary! Wow! I'm one year behind you with ZigaZag - has it really been so long? What a fabulous 10 years you've had, and yes it is SO worth it. The online community we belong to the outlet to display creativity, a way to help others with our words and thoughts. Don't stop! I feel quite small with my achievements over the last 10 years, and admire your continuous contribution to the local community, and your photographic talent especially. Was my first comment really only "Woo Hoo?" Perhaps in those days I just didn't know how to reply to blog posts!!

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    1. goodness me Jo! You have done and achieved so much more than me in blogland over the last 10 years! You are the blogger supreme for us over 50s on this side of the country! And no, your comments wasn't "woo hoo" - what I meant to say was "woo hoo, I got a comment!". Happy blogging Jo and thanks so much for your support over the years.

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  7. Well congratulations on a milestone of blogging. In scrolling through this I was amazed at how many I remember which means we've been friends for sometime now. I also find myself questioning the 'why do I do this' of blogging sometimes but I guess it keeps me thinking and hopefully seeing the world just a bit more in depth so that I can try and share it with others. As Lorrie said above, I hope you continue! xxx Jackie

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    1. And your blogging is a great way to actually get you started on your book Jackie! I count you as one of the great friends I've made through blogging even though we have never met. Happy blogging and thanks for your support over the years Jackie.

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  8. I enjoyed reading about your last 10 years. It sure does go by quickly...whether we are having fun or not. I like seeing your travel photos.

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  9. Great memories - so treasured! Here's wishing you many more years of blogging.

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  10. Jill, that was a great view of your blog. Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary! Life has a lot of variety for you. Thanks for sharing and have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  11. Great photos and blogging memories you share. Look likes lots of great work put into it. :)

    Peabea from Peabea Scribbles

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  12. Congratulations Jill, on your 10 year anniversary. You are an innovator - I'm sure I had never heard of blogging in 2008! There is little doubt that social media can be a trap and can de-rail us from creative pursuits. However for those seeking to earn from blogging exposure on social media is vital. So there is a tension there. Personally I'm not aiming to earn through my blog and so I do no social media associated with my blog at all, nor do I do instagram or twitter in my personal life. I once heard a comment 'create more than you consume', and this stuck with me. I prefer to be doing things myself rather than spending hours every day reading about what others are doing, and having good intentions but not following through! It has been so interesting to get to know you through this 10-year retrospective post. Wishing you continued success and many doors of possibility to open.

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    1. Thank you Jo for this lovely reply. I really like your quote - "create more than you consume'. I think I should stick it on my computer!

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  13. Cheers, Jill, to 10 years of wonderfulness. I believe there is wonder to be found in sadness, too. While reading your journey, I'm thinking that maybe I will take that cardmaking class coming up.

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    1. I think we can take something from everything that happens to us. I hope you do take that cardmaking class Su-sieee.

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  14. I agree with you that blogging is fun... and also being somehow part of a community is a good feeling.
    All the best for your next ten years!

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  15. Hey Jill ��
    "I love this look back through blogging time!
    And getting a synopsis of what has been going on in your life over the last 10 years ��
    You have certainly got a lot of travelling in - and I love the explorations you have made into your creative side - I adore your 'Leaf Fall' - simply gorgeous ❤
    I get a bit caught up with where to focus my energy - but you've re-inspired me to incorporate some precious time into letting more creative exploits out into the universe!!! "
    Linda ��

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    1. It is easy to be pulled every which way. But much more rewarding to spend time focusing one one thing, especially the creative.

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  16. Fabulous trip down memory lane. I've just found and followed you on instagram. My fave of all of these fabulous images on this post? The one taken at the estuary. Fabulous light. #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Thank you for visiting Jo and for following me on Instagram. I enjoyed meeting you today over on your blog. Happy travels.

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  17. Jill - congratulations on your 10-year blogging anniversary! Although I have only been part of the blogging community for a little over a year, I truly enjoyed your retrospective and I resonate with many of your experiences. I also struggle at times with balancing blogging and other activities, but the 'community' we share on line is as valuable to me as the physical relationships I have with my neighbors down the street - both bring me different things. So, thank you for your contribution to my life, and I am so pleased for you that blogging has delivered for you, especially the accolades in various areas. Here's to the next 10!

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    1. Thanks so much Angie. I am so happy to hear you are enjoying my blog. Happy blogging to you too.

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  18. Wow, 10 years! I love all your WA posts.

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  19. Jeannette, All Seasons27 July 2018 at 07:56

    hello Jill, Happy Blog AnniVersary, Jill! great to see your photographic style develop during these years and sharing them with All Seasons - the most distinctive for me are the flamenco dancing and the food blogging. Loved to have personally been a part of your history as well! great to know you and your blog!
    sorry this comes late, as I am editing/ writing these two weeks. Jesh

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  20. What a wonderful journey. Congrats on 10 years of marrying your gift of writing with your wonderful photography. Your work is a gift.

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    1. thanks so much Linda for your continued support over the years from when we first came over from the photography blog.

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  21. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging Jill. That is a great achievement. I'm only halfway there. I feel as though I've been following you forever, and I'm so glad I've got to know you "online" through the blogging world. Keep up the fantastic work! #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Thanks Kathy. I am surprised to hear you have only blogged for 5 years. Your posts are always so professional and informative. Thank you so much for your support and friendship in blogland. Happy blogging.

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  22. How wonderful to be able to look back over your last 10years and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It'll be my 10th next January and I think about how many iterations my blog (s) has / have been through in that time. #teamlovinlife

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  23. Congratulations on your 10th blogging anniversary. I enjoyed your blogging journey. I ventured into instagram in March of last year and I am enjoying that experience a lot.
    visiting via the LovinLife linkup.

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  24. Happy 10 years! Great achievement. My first blog started in 2007, but my current blog turns 10 next year (on my 50th birthday).

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