Shutter Sisters

order

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It happens every year at this time; the overwhelming feeling that the chaos of summer “fun” has gone on long enough. I’m not one to wish away my life, but in this case, I am really really ready to get a little order back in my life. 

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning but what about fall?

I get the same sense of urgency this time of year to get things sorted out and straightened up. To get back into the swing of a set schedule. To sweep out the sand, put away the sunscreen and rediscover my sanity through some well-needed structure.

Are you feeling it? Are you looking for a little order in your life? Show us how you get your ducks, er apples in a row this time of year.

when no comment is needed

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A few years back I shared an Ode to Wondertime magazine. I know it’s been out of publication for years now but I still remember fondly the very last page where they featured a photo under the title no comment. That was it. Because, there was nothing that needed to be said. The photo alone spoke volumes.

Many of you participate in what they call Wordless Wednesdays already at 5 Minutes for Mom so you know how it goes. No words. No comment. Just a photo…THAT photo that needs nothing else. It can be classic, poignant, whimsical, quirky; it makes no difference. You just know it when you see it.

Today, share your no comment photos with us. Add them to our Flickr pool and be sure to tag them “no comment”. Who knows, you might just find your picture that says a thousand words featured right here.

camera love

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Diana. Brownie. Hawk-Eye. Rebel. Regardless their names, our cameras are trusted companions—microscopes, flashlights, paint brushes, pens, instruments, magic wands. They become extensions of who we are not only as photographers but as people. We look through the lens and see the world as only we can see it. Our view finders frame the art of our daily lives and those around us. Now more than ever, photography has become just another part of our human experience, so it would figure that the cameras themselves are as enchantingly eclectic as the artists that use them or the art they collaborate in creating. I find myself drawn to the way we use our beloved cameras; how we hold and carry them, sling them over our shoulder or wield them like conductor’s sticks. There’s a kind of intrigue there. And why not? The art is as much about the process itself as the end result after all.

This post was originally published in the first issue of LP Creative Humans Magazine, on sale now.

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For more on camera love, visit today’s post over at The Creative Photographers Series at The Creative Mama. They happened to be giving away an Epiphanie Bag over there today too…for the love of gear!

Have you taken a photo of your sweet gear? Share your camera love today! We’re compiling a list of pet names for your camera. If you got one, share that too.

impossible color

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Although I do love a burst of vibrant color when the moment presents itself, processing on the side of impossible color isn’t usually my first inclination. But seeing that lately I’ve been encouraged to believe in the impossible, I find that reality-altering color-bending can be all part of the fun.

The expression from my daughter in this shot alone nearly stops my mama-heart but when something even beyond me takes a hold of my lens and freezes a moment it time as magic as this one, bold strokes from a playful and whole-hearted pallet are futile to resist.

Have you happened upon a shot like this in your collection? Something that calls for a treatment way above and beyond the ordinary? Share something processed off the charts today just for fun!

endings

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We have started summer off with a splash around here, that’s for sure! With all of the hellos you know there was bound to eventually be a good-bye. Sniff sniff. But never fear, we have one last random giveaway from our gracious sponsor Hello Canvas today. Leave a comment here and if you’d like to share with us a shot of “the flip side” we’d love to see it!

And there’s still today to order your own canvas at 40% off! Keep in mind as well that our 25% discount will be extended all the way through July! Hello!

But now we really must say good-bye. Just remember that with one ending comes another beginning…

Wheeeeee!

a cup of something wonderful

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Drinking tea is part of the everyday British way of life, as soon as you’ve finished saying “hello” to visitor, you offer them a cup of tea. It’s daily activity taken alone or in company. For some, it makes their morning and for many, the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

I hear, a cup of Jo, is the only way to start your day in the U.S, some proclaim they can’t function till they have fulfilled this tradition. Do you make the regular pilgrimage to your favourite cafe for some coffee love? I know others spend time in java solitude or bond together at the end of the night.

Children seem to be fascinated with this adult indulgence. My boys love the froth off the top of a cappuccino, and I’m always so delighted to see little girls still love to play tea parties, just as I did. In fact, a hot cup of something can be the perfect tonic, soothing the soul with its warmth and delightful, kind messages.

We’d love you to say “Hello” and share your favourite cup of something with us today, and we can all enjoy each others company, round this fabulous virtual kitchen table we have created.

Cheers!

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Hello Giveaway! It’s random giveaway time again from our friends at Hello Canvas. YAY!

Leave a comment here between now and Thursday at midnight and you could win a 20X24 canvas of your photo of choice from Hello Canvas. Cheers is right!

 

Hello Daddy!

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 My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me. ~Jim Valvano

It’s time to give the father in your life a gift to remember this Father’s Day. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, it’s the perfect start. There’s still time to order a canvas of your favorite fatherhood photograph from Hello Canvas! You’ve got until June 14th to order to get your canvas delivered in time for Father’s Day.

In celebration of all the dads in our lives, we’re hosting another mini photo contest. You guessed it; Hello Daddy. Show us your best Daddy shots for a chance to win. You’ve got between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course! Come on, tug on our heart strings, it’s almost Father’s Day afterall. 

Shooting from the Heart: Expressive Photography

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We are bursting at the seams to share with you the arrival of our new book Expressive Photography –A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting from the Heart!

Insert flattering cat calls and cab whistles from supportive sisters everywhere.

Working on a project like this has been a passionate, intense, even arduous labor of love from inception to writing, gathering, shooting, editing and writing some more. Any author will attest that the process of writing a book is indeed a creative gestation; a growing and birthing of a baby with body, mind and soul power fueling it. Behind Expressive Photography, there are 10 proud mamas who worked at it; nurturing, feeding, coddling, cajoling and loving it like only true mamas can. Between myself, Andrea Scher, Kate Inglis, Sarah-Ji, Maile Wilson, Irene Nam, Stephanie C. Roberts, Karen Walrond, Paige Balcer and Jen Lemen, we’ve birthed a pretty darn adorable baby, don’t you think?

Of course, every mother thinks her baby is the cutest baby on the block, and we’re no exception. She is a beauty, both inside and out. And she’s all gussied up and ready for her debut in her red sparkly shoes even (with the help of Sarah-Ji). So, without any further delay, we present the bright and shiny new book we have lovingly named Expressive Photography –A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting from the Heart. 

The best part? You will soon be able to take her home with you! Expressive Photography will be officially available online and on the shelves of your local bookstore in October 2010 through our publisher Focal Press. But because we couldn’t be more thrilled to be sharing her with all of you first, we’re giddy that you can pre-order the book now, so you get your copy hot off the presses! Expressive Photography has a home on Amazon just waiting for you to come by for a visit. All you have to do is click. Cooing encouraged.

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Congratulations to the winners of the Hello Gorgeous contest:

The Grand Hello goes to Jade Sheldon of her self portrait. Stunning!

And the 2 runners up are:

Darrah Parker for her shot Reflection

& Puna Miller/Life Signatures for her shot Hello Gorgeous

Thanks everyone for playing along. We loved all of your images! The next mini-contest will be on Friday.

hello

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Hello! And welcome to June! It’s that time again when we welcome a brand new word for our monthly One Word Project. This month’s word is being graciously sponsored by Hello Canvas so what better word than Hello?

Quite honestly, just the word alone makes us happy so we can only imagine how delightful this month’s images are going to be. As always, we encourage all of you to join us over in our OWP Flickr pool where you can submit your visual interpretation of the word Hello. For more details visit our OWP about page.

And if all this isn’t enough to make you smile, we are giddy to share that Hello Canvas is offering us 25% off of all of our orders for the entire month of June! Is it just us or is a photo canvas a perfect gift for Father’s Day? If you’re in the US you can order directly from their US headquarters and if you’re in Europe, you can use their European site to order. And beyond that, they’re going to give away canvases all month long right here! We’ll be hosting a number of random drawings and we’ll be holding FOUR themed mini-contests this month too. Hello! We told you this was going to be good!

Be sure to visit us every day this month (and on Fridays for our mini-contests) so you don’t miss a single chance to win.

Before we begin, how about showing some sisterly love and appreciation to Hello Canvas by visiting their Facebook page and their twitter too. Be sure to tell them we sent you! They’re quite lovely people over there, we can attest.

OK then, without further delay let’s kick off June with a big sisterly Hello and share the shots that have Hello written all over them (literally or figuratively).

everyday memories

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It’s the everyday moments that strike a chord with me and that why I’ve loved this month’s One Word Project.

I’ve been observing…..

Waiting, swimming, laughter, watching, television.

The toys, realities, and supermarket trips.

Your bed, your sink, hanging out, the kisses, hugs, and more hugs.

Your sofa, the sharing, being with friends, painting, and drawing.

I love capturing everyday memories also. Recently, I started a series of family portraits with our two boys, just us doing the everyday things, like going to the supermarket, the library, wheels, hanging in the park.  They are our real life, our everyday and something I will treasure and look back on in the future.

Why don’t you try this today, put down your camera where ever you are, doing whatever, with whoever. Using your timer or remote, capture “your everyday”….. a moment in your day and create a memory. We’d love to see it as we send off the month of everyday and welcome a brand new word tomorrow.

Image and words courtesy of our brand new regular contributor here at Shutter Sisters the lovely and talented Xanthe Berkeley. We are so happy to have her here regularly now! YAY!