Shutter Sisters

The Shutter Sisters Six Featuring Jasmine Star

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We are giddy to have wedding photographer extraordinaire Jasmine Star kick off a brand new feature here! We’re calling it The Shutter Sisters Six and—as the title suggests—we are asking some wildly successful professional photographers Six questions we’re dying to know. Actually there are Eight questions but participants only have to pick their favorite Six to answer.

 

Without further adieu, we offer you Jasmine’s insights into what makes her click!

 

What’s the story behind this photo?

 

The bride and groom were walking in Downtown and seemingly out of no where their bridal party appeared across the street. A cacophony of hoots and hollers traveled our way, and this was Blake and Brittany’s reaction to the love and support they received on their wedding day! I love moments like this!

 

What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film?

 

Yes! And this spark comes in the form of two words: David Jay. As I planned my wedding, I knew I wanted fabulous wedding photos, but I just couldn’t find the right photographer for my personality and style. Then I found David’s site…and my life changed. Seriously. I feel in love with photos on a whole new level and when he agreed to be my wedding photographer, I did a happy jig in the streets. And, trust me…my happy jig is quite a sight to see!


What’s your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy?

 

My philosophy is to Have Fun and Be Fabulous! This pertains to both my personal and business life, and I truly believe my clients have embraced it wholeheartedly. I mean, who DOESN’T want to have fun and be fabulous?! 😉


Where do you look for inspiration?

 

The sky. The ocean. W and Vogue Magazine. Renaissance art. The elderly couple walking in the park. The sun. Blender Magazine. Architecture. The fabric store. Window displays. An art gallery. Light.

 

Inspiration is everywhere and I believe it’s my job to create a quilt of what I see, I touch, and I feel for which to drape my clients. A patchwork, if you will, of my mind’s eye to document their love for eternity.


What aspect of your photography are you constantly working on, trying to improve?

 

One of the defining aspects of my business early on was my ability to put a person at ease in front of my camera. I now realize it’s a true gift and skill I’m constantly trying to hone. I love for my subjects to appear in their natural form and I’m always working on extracting the soul of the person in front of my lens.

Are there women out there that you consider your shutter sisters? Who, and why?

 

I have to admit I have an unhealthy obsession with Amy Wenzel. She’s become more than an industry peer; she’s become a true friend. We met in the craziness of Blogland, and have since become two girls who just kinda get each other. Amy is quirky, random, funny, idiosyncratic, and absolutely passionate about her art. Which makes her just as cool as neon velcro in my book!

 

You can enjoy the photography of Jasmine Star via her stunning website and on her blog. Be sure to check out the workshops she offers too! Awesome!

 

Birds of a Feather

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I believe we are all born with wings. But it seems as we grow up, we forget how to use them. And so we tuck them away, often to nearly invisible as we navigate the day to day from the earth, our feet leading us step by step along our path. But, there comes a time in our life, when we heed the whispers of our souls, follow our hearts desires, live our lives guided by our passion, our creativity, our courage when we feel our wings begin to unfurl, no longer able to remain hidden, denied.

We look around and begin to notice we are not alone. There are others among us whose feathers are revealing themselves as well. We can’t help but recognize one another. Ah ha, my sister. I see you. And then without effort, almost unknowingly, not unlike an instinct, we flock together. We feel it in our bones; the unspoken security and safety in numbers.

 

Our wings become visible, useful, necessary as we need more than our legs to carry us. Our wings enable us to reach the highest highs of our potential, to glide on the wind that has been given to us, to come in and land steady and sure on our two feet, touching down on the earth, keeping us grounded. But only as long as we need it and then, it’s back up again in effortless soaring. Together we fly up and down, in and out, weaving our beauty through the sky in an intricate quilt of love. Of goodness. Of sisterhood.

 

 Share your thoughts on soaring. When all things are possible, what do you see? Have you captured images from your bird’s eye view?

 

 The amazing Kelly Rae Roberts has offered a copy of her latest book of pure inspiration Taking Flight as our giveaway today. Leave your comment her to be included.

 

 Congrats to Shalet of Peculiar Momma. She is the winner of lovely Friends association bracelet.

Another round of winners

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(Drumroll please) 

 

 Kal Barteski’s Love Life Book goes to Karyn

 JodyAngel won the Chookooloonks 8X10 print.

 The winner of the Lensbaby is Lu of Art Slam

 Jeana Marie won the painting by Steve Geddes and the notecards by Paige Balcer

 The sneaky Spy Lens from Photo Jojo goes to Jag

 The winner of the HP Compact Printer is Claudia

 Aimee / Greeblemonkey’s cool calendar goes to Vanessa

 and Jen gets the print from Traci of Bliss

 

Hooray for all of you!!

creature comforts

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Through the years I have collected things here and there that make me feel happy inside. Little gifts from Mother Nature, significant bangles, handmade treasures and other various objects of affection surround me in my day to day life and serve as little reminders. My Superhero beads remind me of my power. My ‘relax’ candle gently beckons me to be still and breathe. My heart collection reminds me of how much love I have in my life. I could go on and on.

 Some of these items have been gifts given to me by exceptional people in my life, some are found objects while others are special purchases I have made for myself with because, darn it, I am worth it. There is something really exhilarating about buying something for yourself. Something that isn’t practical, or really needed. Something that makes you happy just because.

 

A few years ago I discovered Amy Ruppel. I don’t remember how I found her but ever since I stumbled upon her online home, I have had a love-affair with her artwork. It began by buying myself one of her delightful bird paintings –I picked one out for myself on an online sale she hosted. And then I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift from a dear friend. Then came a third (I had to get one for my 40th birthday). And just recently I treated myself to a pair of her newest, smallest offerings. That brings my total to 5 Amy Birds (the term of endearment my kids and I have given them).

 

I cherish my collection in a way that is indescribable. Each sweet bird sings to me of simple pleasures and joy reminding me that I deserve a little extra sometimes. Embracing that truth has been not only empowering but comforting as well. My birds share songs with me about the beauty in my life; about being grateful and content, about being curious and courageous and about remembering to fly.

 

Do you surround yourself with the magic reminders that make your heart sing? We’d love to hear about them.

 

 

We are fortunate enough to have Amy Ruppel giving away one of her lovely little works of art today in keeping with A Giveaway a Day here at Shutter Sisters. Thank you so much Amy! Just leave a comment here and you’ll be included in the random drawing. Good luck!

 

Congrats to the winner of yesterday’s Flash Bulb necklace giveaway Lilia (aka Pumpkinoodle) at Babymoon Photography who commented “Oh, dreamy hooray!”. Well said. 

One Sweet Shot – November 2008

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REFLECT

It’s not everyday that you discover mystery and magic held in a cup of something warm and wonderful. And in is the time of year when weather often keeps us close to home mysterious images like this fill us with comfort while piquing our curiosity and sense of adventure. So much wonder, so much to discover as we watch, wait, dream.

 

Such is the trail of the other lovely images captured by Jeanne Boyle—strewn about fallen leaves of color and texture. Reminding us that happiness and contentedness can be found right here, where we’ve landed.

 

Grab a cup of warmth and get cozy as you click around all the sweet shots this morning.

 

Pumpkinoodle is honoring this one from InkyBlack

 

Busymomma66 is honoring this shot from artful life

 

Rachel Parton is honoring this shot by Julie Alvarez

 

Whirlwind is honoring this shot from Ittybits & Pieces

 

Jeanne Boyle is honoring this shot by Andrea (scout)

 

Nicky Thomas is honoring this shot from myrtlemount and this one from Just Make It

 

Camerashymomma is honoring this shot from Something Cheeky

 

Debbie Schinker is honoring a shot she discovered over at DPS. This shot was taken by Jessie Coffee, an 8th grade photography student in Arkansas

 

Kimberly Kwan is honoring this shot from kisforkelly and this one by sheenalu

 

Just Make It is honoring this shot from Meshl

 

Thanks again for playing along this month. It’s always a pleasure to share such stellar images.

 

Be sure to leave a comment here today for a chance to win your own copy of America at Home with your very own custom cover. It’s the second post of our Sundays at Home series for November. And congratulations to the winner of last weeks copy Spread Your Wings.

 

Friday’s Feature -A Kirtsy Call (photo contest)

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I’ll bet some of you are surprised that we didn’t feature a Halloween photo today, aren’t you? Never fear, we got the obligatory pumpkin photo out of the way a while ago not to mention this spooky and oh-so-adorable shot at The Daily Click today. Over here, we’ve got a treat of a different kind.

In the name of sisterly love and community, we are partnering with the fantabulous ladies behind the phenomenal social media platform Kirtsy for a photo contest! It’s going to be way better than Halloween candy (except for maybe Reese’s). It’s a Kirtsy Call, if you will. And we will.

See, Kirtsy has a book coming out with BrightSkyPress and they’ve asked us, to ask you what you think a Kirtsy might look like and then capture it in a photo. Nothing like an awesome theme photo challenge to get us Shutter Sisters clickin’! We knew you’d be all over this one.

So, what’s in it for you? Well, above and beyond the creative satisfaction of visually interpreting a theme of a “fantastically made up word” nothing much…only a chance to BE PUBLISHED! Hello! The top 5 winning images will be featured in the soon-coming book, due out in Spring 09. Oh, don’t worry winners, you’ll get a free copy of the book too so you can capitalize on those bragging rights.

To enter the contest you must first capture a photo (each participant may submit up to 3 images) that best depicts the word or idea or vibe of the word Kirtsy. No rules ladies, the interpretation is up to you. Second, you must add the image(s) to either your blog or your Flickr stream and third you need to comment on this here post with the link to where your photographic Kirtsy masterpieces are found so that we may, you know, find them. Three simple steps. That’s all there is to it.

The contest starts today and ends in one week. In other words you must leave your comment here with the link to your photo(s) sometime between now and midnight PST on Friday, November 7th.

And since it’s Friday and we’ve promised to feature valuable resources on Fridays, we hope you take some time getting to know the Kirtsy community and all the amazing content that is featured over there. If you’d like to join in the fun (you know you do) you can send any article/blog post you think is worth sharing to Kirtsy for all to enjoy. For example, you’ll notice at the bottom of every Shutter Sister post there is an option to share article. When you click it gives you a list of places where you can share the post. Kirtsy is one of those places. Of course, we would be honored if you ever wanted to share our posts with the masses so by all means, click away. We’re just sayin’.

OK, Happy Halloween already! Have fun!

Friday’s Featured Resource – Ali Edwards

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Ali Edwards, Oregon Coast, Summer 2008

 

I don’t scrapbook. I tried it once many years ago and failed miserably. Don’t get me wrong, my pages looked pretty good but I only got 4 done. The End. But when I see the volumes of cool and imaginative scrapbooks created by the incredibly talented Ali Edwards, I swoon. Suddenly I become a scrapbook junkie. Course, I haven’t attempted it again since my first 4 pages but still, I like to look and admire what Ali has done.

When I visit Ali’s blog, I know I want to make something amazing with my photos but then I get overly-inspired and decide I’ll leave it for another day. But then today is gone. Sigh. So, when I read the invitation to join Ali in a simple project to record a week in the life of my life, my family, using my photos, featuring what I see as important today, I will admit, I got a burst of inspired energy and determination. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I’ll start today.

Why this project? Why now? I guess it’s just the thrill of having this moment in time distilled into something tangible. Something I can hold in my hands as a reminder of this priceless and fleeting moment of my life. I take photo and after photo and am usually content with that being the end result. But the idea of using photos as a springboard sparks my interest. It’s as if the photo is just part of the process. It’s a whole new perspective. And it’s as simple as a focusing in on just one week of my life. I think it sounds wonderful and I plan on taking Ali up on her invitation by following along with her on her blog to see what I can come up with. Why not?

Ali is a one woman resource and offers so much via her blog, her books, her columns, etc etc). I encourage you to click around and discover the magic that is Ali Edwards. She’s one heck of a creative gal who likes to share and sharing is good.

Speaking of sharing, Ali has offered to give away 4 books (1 copy of each title ) to lucky readers her at Shutter Sisters today. Be sure to leave a comment today to get into the running…prepare to be inspired. You have until midnight on Saturday to be included in the drawing.

Round and Round

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Flash Bulb Necklace by CameraShyMomma / Bowl of Buttons by Tracey in the Blurb office, San Francisco

Things are happening behind the scenes here at Shutter Sisters and we’re taking today to fill you in.

The Daily Click Book is starting to take shape and it’s going to be awesome! With over 75 images from this very community, how could it not be? We’re still not sure of the exact date of publication but we’ll let you know as soon as we do.

The next book on the list will be Shutter Walk. If you’ve submitted images into the Photo Walk Flickr pool you will be contacted soon after The Daily Click book gets wrapped up.

And we just got word that the second run of Flash Bulb necklaces are in! We are working our way through the list that’s been left at our original post so if you’ve left a comment reserving your necklace and you haven’t heard from us yet, you soon will- so keep your eyes open for our email. And if you haven’t, pop over and get on this list.

There’s lots more where that came from but we’re waiting to share all the exciting details of what’s to come for another week or so. Stay tuned and keep clickin’!