Blogging in Second Life has become an industry of sorts. Second Life bloggers may not be influencers as that term is often used in real life – one using their fame to influence others to purchase particular products. Nevertheless, some enjoy notoriety given their artistic efforts and there can be no debate that bloggers in Second Life do act in concert with creators to showcase the latest and newest products.
What makes the blogging culture unique in SL is that bloggers are artists. Brands don’t rely upon celebrities to strategically place a product and leave the viewer to wonder whether the celebrity even uses the product. In Second Life, we know bloggers are expressing their artistic side through the creation of their images and that creative process is the goal. Creator’s benefit.
One such talented blogger is Mirunsas Resident, or Miru Moody, as she is known in-world. When one of her works recently earned her the Love to Decorate Pic of the Month, I wanted to sit down with her and learn more about her blogging journey.
Miru has been blogging since 2019 but originally started in fashion. Her ultimate passion was to blog in the home & garden arena though, so she made a decision to move into home and garden as soon as possible. From a review of her Flickr photo stream, it is clear she made the right choice.
So, why home and garden?
“I’ve always loved interior design. And I’m an SL hoarder so I have to have all the pretty things that make a home. Oh and gardening in SL is fun, no sweating or sneezing, just enjoying the greenery!”
Miru has an identifiable style and I talked with her about whether she employed reoccurring themes. Miru offered, “my main style is rustic and vintage. Anything old, worn out or broken appeals to me. I see the beauty in stories and memories these items hold.”
This was evident as we talked about some of her favorite works and what inspired them. Miru talks about her art in a way that makes it tangible – in sharing memories she thinks of or even the smell of the season conveyed.
One such example is the gorgeous photo, “Harvest”.
“Autumn is such a pretty season. I was thinking of those olden days when men were working on the fields all day and the womenfolk would prepare the festive meal to celebrate the finishing of the harvest. I feel I can smell the late summer turning to autumn in this picture.”
Next, is ‘Station Nowhere.”
I asked why this one appealed to her.
“I just love how this worked out. Can an old water pump station look beautiful? I think this one does. If I would see this on my walk peeking out in the middle of the trees I would totally sneak in closer.”
“Date at Midnight”
“It’s not easy to create a dark pic where the items need to be visible. And so many small items with details non the less. This was one of those pics where I had to balance with editing how I wanted it to look vs. the items needed to be clear.
But this is so spot on my style and how my vanity table would look like – and I was listening on repeat Type O Negative – Black No.1”
Finding Balance
I asked Miru how she balances creating something with an aesthetic she is seeking with ensuring the products she blog would be recognizable to someone seeing the production world under different lighting, etc.
“I do edit my pictures. I don’t photoshop my pictures e.g. I don’t add anything to the picture but I do enhance colors, light, use filters etc. My goal was to create as realistic pictures as possible and SL pics looked pretty faded. Also Second Life takes a lot on your computer, and when I started I wasn’t able to use the highest graphics.”
When blogging you have to keep in mind that you are promoting the items and brands so they have to be recognizable. But I think the best pictures are made when you create an atmosphere and a story around it – cause isn’t that what we are after for our homes?”
If you visit her Flickr, you will see that Miru is fairly active, but like most creators or bloggers has dealt with burnout or loss of interest that can have the tendency to creep in from time to time.
“Last year I took a break from active blogging and I really questioned if I want to continue or not. Maybe I was a bit burned out with everything going on in the world.. But I realized that immersing myself in the creative little spaces and all the beautiful creations helps to pull my focus from rl worries.”
And, thus, she has kept on.
“Creating pictures is an creative outlet for me,” Miru shared. However, she likes the structure that goes along with blogging to keep her productive. “Blogging gives ideas and deadlines so it helps with what to focus on next.”
When asked what have been the biggest changes in blogging since she began approximately four years ago she identified Flickr.
“I think the biggest changes have been Flickr setting strict policies forcing us to the Pro accounts – and due to that many talented bloggers have quit,” Miru offered. Given recent discourse on social media, Miru is not alone on her expressing frustration with Flickr.
How would Miru suggest someone start blogging if interested?
Miru shared, “when I started I didn’t know the mere basics of photographing in SL! So I would recommend to find info on settings and such, there’s also courses and groups to help you getting started.
In the beginning I did a picture a day – Repetition is the key when learning something new. My advice would be to photograph what interests you, may it be sims, people, animals, homes or fashion, there’s beauty in everything.”
What is next for Miru
“I want to always learn something new. I have few ideas, either I’ll start to blog places to visit, blog more houses and builds (my landscaping skills need some work!), or I could start an SL foodie blog of some sort, since I love food!
There are still few brands and events that are on my wish list I’d love to work with – they’re all invite only so here’s hoping my work will catch their eye one day!”
Maybe those events and creators will come calling! We certainly wish Miru the best in the future and invite you to explore and enjoy more of her work by following the links provided.