We are nearing the four month mark since we left England and are settling in quite nicely to life on the West Coast. I have taken to San Diego like a fish to water; there are a lot of reasons for this, not the least of which is the glorious weather (it's no exaggeration how magnificent it is), but it's a bit more complicated than just the increase in vitamin D. Without getting into too much detail (we'll save that for my therapist), let's just say it's the change I needed.
That's not to say that I didn't love England (I did!) or that I don't miss it (I do - just not the rain!), but the lifestyle my family lives means that we are always ready for a new adventure every two or three years. And living in a city in an area of America that I have never lived before is proving to be a wonderful adventure. I've fallen for Southern California.
It should come as no surprise that a move from rural England to urban California means that the types of things I see on a regular basis are very, very different. Gone are the country lanes and thatched roof cottages. Gone are the quaint village scenes and the dramatic, bucolic vistas. They have been replaced by the Spanish architecture and gardens of Balboa Park; the hip coffee shop, restaurant, and boutique scene; the majestic views of the Pacific Ocean; the eclectic architecture of SoCal.
When it comes to photography, and particularly Instagram, my content has always been centered around what I see on a daily basis - whether it was while walking around the villages of Hampshire or while traveling through Europe with my family. The images I share are typically place-oriented, no matter where that place is, and my style is (hopefully) conveyed through how a photo is framed, lit, and edited.
Leaving England, I was aware that there would be a noticeable shift in my Instagram posts. They would still be place-based, but that place would likely be more urban than rural, and the posts would feature more interior images, a skill that I have been wanting to hone and improve upon. Despite this content shift, my goal has always been to maintain my style - my photographic signature - and to maintain a focus on what I'm truly passionate about, namely design and architecture.
And there is the tie, the commonality that I hope bridges the thatched cottage to the mid-century modern house. As a lover of design, I appreciate both of these styles, recognizing the value that each brought to the built environment and landscape of the eras in which they were developed. And while my personal style may prefer one over the other, my goal is to convey a universal appreciation for each.
Now not everyone has that same appreciation, and that's okay. Lovers of the English countryside may not dig the California vibe. I get that. So I'm riding the evolution of my Instagram following - both the highs and lows - with a bit of ease. I'm hoping those that stick around do so because through the shift in content, they can see that my style remains the same. That's not to say I won't be experimenting with and refining that style, but I have no plans to veer too far off course. So thanks to those who are riding that evolution with me, and hello to the newcomers - I hope you continue to stick around.
Summer in the exquisite Balboa Park.
