It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s that time when the weather get’s a bit crisper, the ground a little icier, and the clothes a little warmer. It’s that time of year when you put on your comfiest shoes and immerse yourself into the madness that is Christmas shopping. It’s an exciting season, but what I love most about it is the activity that comes after the hustle of gift buying. It’s christmas gift wrapping.

I’m a bit obsessed with it. I think it’s my all-time favourite activity during this time of the year. If you’re a creative person like myself, you get a thrill of excitement when you wrap up a gift. It’s the best time to try something different – maybe use twine and foliage instead of a bow; or chalkboard paper instead of wrapping paper. Whatever it is that you choose to do, it’s a great opportunity to try something different. And besides – who doesn’t love a good DIY!

Just like Julie Andrews, brown paper packages tied up with string is definitely one of my favourite things. It’s a pretty simple way to wrap a gift. It’s easy and it looks pretty too! This year, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favourite ways to use kraft paper when wrapping gifts. I hope that this will inspire you in case you’ve run out of wrapping ideas, or if you want to try something different!

Go ahead and have a look, and be sure to tell me which idea you like or if you have any yourself!

Some of the supplies used: brown kraft paper, letter stamps, twine, burlap, and foliage. 

Hello! 

I’ve always been a creative person. Being in the photography business, it’s basically implied that I love to create. I’ve always been the type of person to find inspiration from the world around me. I’m always looking at different ideas to incorporate into my style of photography as well as into my every day life.

Where do I find my inspirations?

This question was asked recently. It took me a while to really think of an answer for it. I’ve always loved to create and do things that forced me into it – but I wasn’t sure what exactly inspired me. 

To answer that question simply – I find inspiration everywhere!

Whenever I find myself preparing for an upcoming shoot, I turn to the internet. I think that the biggest place for inspiration is by looking at other creative people.

Over the past few years, I’ve become a Pinterest junkie. If you look at my account, I have over two thousand pins and over twenty boards. I’m sure if there was a Pinterest Anonymous, I’d be the first person to sign up! Whenever I’m about to go to a shoot (may it be a wedding, or a portrait session), I like to check out my previously pinned boards. I have a few boards online of different photographs other photographers have taken to pull inspiration from. Usually, if I’m stumped for a pose, I like to revert back to ones that I’ve pinned and base my photograph off of those poses. Many times, clients have sent me their own Pinterest boards to look at hoping that I can incorporate it into their shoots. I don’t mind that at all! When it comes down to it, I want whatever I’ve taken to be something that a client loves.

Tumblr has also become a recent source of creative inspirations for myself. I can scroll for hours on end looking at the different photographs people have blogged. I’m constantly trying to change and better my style of editing. One thing that I’ve found with the editing of many of the photos on Tumblr, is that they have a bit of an edge to them, or they are super clean. Crisp whites and higher exposers. I love that! I think that’s why I’m so addicted to Tumblr! It’s one of my top places for finding inspiration as well.

Other than that, I think life is a major source of inspiration. Walking down the street, you are constantly coming into contact with a variety of different types of people. Each person has their own type of style, thoughts and views on the world around them. Not only are people a great way to find inspiration, but I also find it in the city I live in. Vancouver is easily one of the most creative places that I’ve come into contact with. Everyone seems to be creating something. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about this place. It’s surrounded by artists. As well, the place as whole is a living masterpiece. From the greens of the trees, to the blues in the ocean, there’s always something that can spur the creativity.

I think that it’s important to be constantly finding inspiration. There are days where I find myself losing my creativity, which can be super discouraging when your careers are creativity based. If you find yourself unable to create, my best advice is to take a step back and regroup. Sometimes when we go, go and go, we tend to get too lost into what we’re doing, that we forget where we’re going in the first place. In those moments, I think that’s when we need to take a step back and breathe. Take a step outside and soak up what’s around you.. hop on a plane and go to a different country… strike up a conversation with the person beside you on the bus… open up your favourite book and read a chapter… go online and look at different blogs or your favourite artists… whatever it is that you find inspiration, do it! Never be discouraged. I think it’s so easy to get down on yourself when you get into a creative slump. I know that I do! You start to question your work and if this is what you want to do with your life. Creativity shouldn’t be forced. It should be something that you love! If you find yourself getting stressed out over a portrait session, or an upcoming wedding session, take a moment and regroup.

At the end of the day, whatever you create will be beautiful… long as you have faith in yourself to do it!

Links: pinterest – hildebrahh
tumblr: jennhildebrand
instagram: jenn.hildebrand