Shutter Sisters

Daily Practice

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Today I was out at the lake with Ben. It was absolutely beautiful. The snow was so pretty….a perfect backdrop. I walked about snapping photos, soaking up the extra warm air. I paused for a few moments, took a deep breath and in that moment I felt a deep-down gratitude. Gratitude for an hour in my day, to just walk and think and BE. 

So good!

Ben and I walk each and every day…rain or shine, sleet or snow. We head out on the trail. It’s a must for both of us….like sleeping, eating, breathing…. We just gotta do it. It’s our daily practice, and I’m most grateful for it.

How ’bout you? What do you manage to do, everyday, no matter how crazy life gets? Please share with us today.

sisterhood and dreaming

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photo by our Target cheerleader and photographer, Chris Sneddon

 

i’ve been thinking a lot lately about dreams. In fact, my head has been spinning with them.

Camp SS, reignited my dreaminess….. I feel like my dreams have taken on a whole new life. And the best part …. I am no longer dreaming alone. What I discovered at camp is the power of sisterhood. I have never really experienced anything like it. Suddenly something I thought I didn’t need, has become something I can’t live without.

I witnessed Camp Sisterhood in so many ways….. 

  • I watched as Tracey, Jen and Myriam took the power of their sisterhood and made all kinds of magic. Honestly, you could feel their collective energy. It was beautiful.
  • I watched friendships form amongst strangers….big and awesome friendships…. It was beautiful.
  • I watched blood sisters share the Camp experience together and admittedly felt a little ache inside…. a little sister longing…. It was beautiful.
  • I listened to women share their deepest of deep feelings…. their fears and insecurities… they put them all out there. And as they shared, I felt the deepest connection with them. It was beautiful.
  • I discovered that sisterhood is powerful. That when women come together, HUGE things can happen. And my oh my, It was beautiful!

Even the littlest of things become important….in the ‘sisterhood’…..

I just have to share a camp side story….

I was so determined to get to Target while in the U.S. We do not have Target in Canada, and I really wanted to go. I mentioned it to Xanthe….and she was completely on board. (no Target’s in the UK, either) 
But there were a few obstacles in our way.

We didn’t have a car….and even if we did, there was no way I was driving. So we needed a car and a driver.

Camp was busy. There were really only tiny windows of time that all of us could make it work.
We had to time our trip, just right.

But, we were determined not to let these obstacles get in our way.

Chris was completely up for it….and willing to taxi us. Have I thanked you for that Chris? I couldn’t believe Chris was willing to take us to Target! She has one right across the street from her house. (seriously, so jealous of Chris. Can you imagine?). Paige had a car and she generously offered it to us. Thank you Paige.

Mission Target, became a bit of camp buzz. As I would move about camp, many lovelies would ask… ‘did you get to Target? Seriously, you don’t have a Target? You gotta get to Target!!’ 

We were on a mission…..

Day one went by, no Target, Day 2… no Target…. Then, oh my gosh…. two lovely sisters came to me….with a Target gift card, the afternoon of day 2. It was the sweetest thing. I just could not believe it. Thank you Jen and Brit. You two are both so darn lovely! Target, had to happen!! After all, I could not use my gift card at home. Right?!

And so, as the days progressed, the urgency to get to Target grew stronger, and, finally, a window for Target-time opened! Oh no… no car!! Paige’s car was out and about! What? Seriously…. NO!!? Enter…. beautiful Laura!! She’s like, ‘I can drive you to Target?’ I felt terrible, that this sweet woman would have to leave the wonderful ‘camp-bubble’ to drive us to Target. But, we had to get there!! And so….off we went! Laura as the driver, Chris as the navigator and photographer….Xanthe and I in the back, bursting to get there!!  

We laughed and skipped and oo’ed and awed…..Oh my gosh… watching Xanthe’s Target experience was so much fun! Chris followed along with her PEN, taking photos. Laura, gave us her best Target shopping advice. Xanthe bought the cutest ‘jumper‘…EVER…and tons of American candy to take home to her beautiful boys. I found several fabulous treasures, including a lovely sweater jumper. Thank you Jen and Brit.

It was a sisterhood moment, FOR SURE! The Target dream became a reality…a lovely camp memory. It all happened because of the sisterhood…cheering us on. I realize now, dreams, both big and small, are so much better when shared with sisters.

Today, I am so grateful to sit here…. now part of a sisterhood… a part of something, I had no idea I was missing.
Here’s to shared dreams and sisterhood.

This sisterhood thing is all so new to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you experienced the sisterhood? Are you longing for it? Have you been part of a sisterhood moment, that has left you wanting more or maybe completely changed? Share with us today.

 

 It’s Friday!!! Hello Canvas is thrilled to celebrate our sisterhood by giving away another free canvas via thier facebook page! Go upload a sisterly photo for your chance to win!

a RadLab Tutorial

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mouse over to see the before

Have you heard the fabulous RadLab news? 
It’s now FREE to try for 30 days! You can download it from Totally Rad, HERE. 

RadLab is an amazing interface that works within photoshop or photoshop elements. It is compatible with Elements 8 and up or Photshop CS 3 and up.
Once you download and install RadLab, it will be ready and waiting for you within your photoshop program.
RadLab has the coolest effects, called stylets. There are 78 to choose from. Each stylet comes with it’s own editing options. You can also stack the stylets to create unique recipes.  

At camp I offered a RadLab class. Today, I thought I’d share the info with those who were not able to be there. Many of the lovely Camp SS girl’s have downloaded the trial and they are loving it.

I decided to Rad-Labify my prairie barn photo for this tutorial. This is my world, right now….a little sad and dreary, don’t you think? It’s a far cry from the beaches of California! But, it’s home. 

Watch as RadLab brings this old prairie barn back to life.

Have you had a chance to play with RadLab yet? Do you have a favorite stylet or perhaps your very own custom recipe?

Haven’t tried it yet? Whatchya think? Click HERE for more RadLab info?

 

Hiding Behind The Lens

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I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say I’m much more comfortable behind the lens, than in front.

To be perfectly honest, I do not like having my picture taken. It makes me very uneasy. 

Over the past few months I’ve been getting a little braver, slowly finding some comfort in front of the camera. I have a long way to go, but I am working on it. 

How do you feel standing in front of the lens? Like it, love it, loathe it? Do tell! Please share your thoughts and images with us today.

autumn lovin’

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There is just so much to love about autumn; the vibrant colors, fallen leaves, crisp air, yummy warm drinks, and bountiful harvest blessings. 

But I think my favorite thing of all is pulling out the warm sweaters, blue jeans, wooly socks…. and yes my Uggs.

This image tells the story of a typical autumn day in my life; both the beginning and the end. I walk into the studio, Ben right along side me. He heads to his cozy sheepskin bed and I slip into my wooly Uggs. And our day begins. At the end of the day, off come the Uggs and there they sit, ready and waiting for tomorrow.

Today, share a little something you just love about autumn? Maybe it’s your Uggs too, or a favorite sweater, perhaps a cup of tea,  the harvest, warm colors, pumpkins, quiet time on a cool afternoon, sunflowers, fallen acorns. Please share your autumn lovin’ with us today.

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And remember that with your comment comes the chance to win a very special September gift; a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Paper Coterie in honor of the Everyday Storytellers and our One Word Project this month; story.

beginnings

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I recently did an interview with a lovely blogger. She asked me how my photography/texture loving journey began. 

This tree is where it all began for me! Up until I clicked it’s pic, my creative medium was painting alone.

But one day, after a very difficult time in our lives, my camera called to me. I picked it up and headed off to the trail. I took many photos that day. But it was the image of this beautiful tree that changed my life!!

It was one of the first images I shared on flickr! And it was featured as a daily click here on Shutter Sisters!! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I discovered the comments under my photo. Goosebumps, I tell ya… goosebumps!

Photographing our beautiful trail tree, and adding texture for the very first time, was a life changing experience. It was also my new beginning.

I think we all have a story. Perhaps we don’t even remember. But, today, I encourage you to dig a little deeper, and  share with us your ‘camera-clicking’ beginning. 

We are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day’s random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots.

RadLab by Totally Rad – True Awesomeness

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mouse over to see the before ‘RadLabified’ and Texturized image

Today, I’m super pumped to share a little video review of Totally Rad’s new Photoshop plug-in, Rad Lab! If you’ve used their actions or presets, you already know that Totally Rad is amazing! But, Rad Lab is BEYOND amazing. 

‘RadLab is a revolutionary new way to style your photos.  Unlike using Photoshop actions, RadLab allows you to get instant previews of how your image will change.  You can layer together effects, called Stylets, in infinite ways, and customize your Recipes with simple, intuitive sliders.  RadLab comes with 78 Stylets for you to use, and operates as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.’

It’s seriously sock-dropping stuff, my friends!

Please take a moment to check out my little vid… then run on over to Totally Rad and check it out!!

I processed today’s image in RadLab and then added a little texture to seal the deal.
I just can’t help myself! I’m a texture addict!

How ’bout your? Have you been doing any creative processing lately? Maybe you’ve tried something new, or just changed things up a little. Share with us today!  We’d love to see.

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p.s. Don’t forget that we are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Is that not awesome? Share a comment each day before midnight EST for a chance to win that day’s random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots!!
Soooo exciting!!
 

Words & Image…. Image & Words

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Often I read a beautiful quote, and imagine an image in my mind.

Other times I see an image and then go looking for words to accompany it. 

I hung these lovely little sweetheart roses in the back of the closet several months ago. I had totally forgotten them. I went looking for something today, and there they were, waiting patiently. 

The timing was perfect. I had just read this beautiful quote…..

“Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again.”

The words spoke to me, taking me back to a time of deep sadness and broken hearts. These words allowed me to pause, and give thanks that we made it through. We survived!

The subject and words came together in perfect harmony. As if they both found me!

Don’t you love when that happens?

Today, what words have moved you to take a photo, or what photo has moved you to find just the right words? Or perhaps, like me, they found you! Please share with us today.

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p.s. Today’s image was processed using Totally Rad’s new plugin, RadLab! I can’t even begin to explain how incredible it is!! It’s beyond anything I could have imagined! I will be back soon to share a review of it’s AWESOMENESS. But in the meantime, run, don’t walk, over to the Totally Rad site and check it out!

A Touch of Drama

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mouse over to see the original image.

There’s a beautiful field of black-eyed susans on the trail, Ben and I walk each day. They are such a happy flower…one of my favs, for sure.

I took my camera out the other day, so I could capture the gorgeous yellow before it fades away. The summer, as always, is flying by so quickly. 

After I snapped a ton of yellow field photos, I thought I’d focus in on just one. I got down on the ground and shot from below. I love the dramatic feel of the capture. The sweet susie seems to appear strong and stately.

I decided to add some texture, just to give it a little more drama.

What can I say? I can’t help myself! ‘smile’….

Here’s my photoshop recipe.

  • Ran the MCP Action, called charming, from The Fusion Collection. I love what it did to the sky.
  • Added a layer of Light Paper 4 texture (part of The Ultimate Texture Bundle) at soft light 100% opacity.
  • Added a layer of Waterstained Framed at soft light 100% opacity. (the latest Texture Lovin’ List freebie)
  • Created a new blank layer. I set the layer blend mode to soft light and with a black soft round brush at 50% opacity I painted over the petals and leaves, and a little around the edges of the photo. (a simple and fab non-destructive ‘burn’ technique.)

There’s all kinds of tricks for creating drama. You can add a little something extra in your post-processing, or shoot from below, or maybe from above, maybe with a wide angle or perhaps up-close. 

Share a little something dramatic with us today.

escape

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Do you ever wanna escape? run and hide? disappear?  Even for just a bit?

Some days, life can be a little much! I catch myself moving too fast, doing too much at once…. and I know it’s time to slow down and breathe. Even if it’s just for a few minutes. 

Recently we painted our guest room in shades of white. Everything including the bedding, the curtains and the furniture is white. It’s fabulous. And because it’s our guest room, it stays fresh and clean… orderly…. and so peaceful.

Often, just a peek inside can fill me with calm. And, my oh my, if I step in, lie down on the big fluffy (always made) bed, everything seems to stop! Ahh…. I can b r e a t h e, again. 

Where do you go to escape, be and breathe? Maybe it’s your bedroom, a tiny corner of your home, a park bench, maybe it’s an open field, under a tree, a window seat, the beach… Share your ‘space’ with us today.