Blogger Interview # 17: Robin Epstein

1)Can you tell us a little about yourself and your blog?

I'm an American-born mom of two living in Central Israel. I blog at Around the Island and have an online etsy shop - Around the Island Photography. Both my blog and my etsy shop specialize in fine art and nature photography from around Israel and around the world. I've also developed a new fine art photography concept - custom Photoverse prints - where the customer combines my image with the verse of their choice. My blog is primarily a photoblog but I also include snippets and tidbits from my life here in Israel and my travels abroad.

2)Are you a full time blogger? How did you get into blogging and why?

I'm not a full-time blogger, though I'd love to be one if I could do so. For now, I keep my blog ad-free, except for promoting my own online shop and that of other independent artists.

3)If someone was interested in blogging, what would be a few things you would suggest?

Just do it. Blogging is incredibly fulfilling and can create a really strong sense of community. My blog friends are no less "real" to me than the friends who live around the corner.

4)How do you build a community around a blog and social media?

Comment, comment and then comment again. Be a part of the dialogue, and the community will build itself.

5)What are your three favorite blogs to read? What makes those blogs special?

Wow, this is a tough question, I read so many wonderful blogs. For awesome photography tips and free Photoshop actions I love The CoffeeShop Blog, for inspiration from an insanely talented group of women I love Female Photographers of Etsy (FPOE, I'm proud to be one of the members of this outstanding etsy team) and for comic relief I have to admit that I'm completely addicted to FAILBlog.

6)Which one plugin would you suggest all bloggers to have?

Start with a statcounter so you can see who's out there reading and how they got there.