Shutter Sisters

signs

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“Life is one big road with lost of signs.” – Bob Marley

Today’s one word prompt is sign. For fun I did a little experiment and went to my photo stream on Flickr and did a search for “sign”.  I was actually surprised by how many signs I have photographed through the last few years. Many of them really speak of where I live.  I might not have to give you an exact location at all, but  by looking at my photos I bet you could easily put a place to the signs.  I like that, how the signs around me speak of “home” and place.  My place in this big world. My signs mostly wooden & weathered by time and the sea. 

What “signs” do you see?

Share a sign with us all today.

Don’t forget our new one word hashtag #ssdecember. 

 

treasures

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“First I smell that smell and am overcome with a sensation of elation. Like a tight faucet turned open, everything floods from me. I scan the view, take a deep breath, and inevitably utter, “God, I love it here.” I stride quickly to where the sand is still wet from the previous tide and then, and then I am gone. There is no thinking, just being. I have no awareness of time or of myself. If I am searching for glass, it is rote, with no more or less consciousness than a jellyfish searching for sustenance. It is not mindlessness or oblivion, as I am wholly aware, but in a way that preempts any reality outside of the moment. There I am seaweed, I am water, I am stone, I am fish. I am a grain of sand, warm in the sun. I am reduced to nothing, but part of everything. I am home, I am free, I am one with the sea, I am the primordial me, and the glass is just my excuse to be there.”
― S. Fields

I collect (and photograph) many treasures. Living near the coast, most of my treasures are gifts of the sea.  Feathers, beach rocks shaped like hearts, a few sand dollars, tiny starfish, and of course sea glass.  Finding these tiny pieces of glass, smoothed by time and sands, feels like finding a bit of magic.   Each piece unique in its beauty. My family has a favorite little cove we go, we have coined this cove “sea glass beach” for the bounty of these particular treasures you can find there. We just plunk ourselves down in the rocky sand and sift handful after handful of stones to reveal these tiny pebbles of glass.  It is truly meditative. Even my little ones will sit and sift with me. We weave stories of mermaid’s tears, and lost pirate jewels. We stuff our pockets full, not feeling greedy at all since each time we go there is just more and more to find..  We bring them home, wash them and then place them in one of several glass mason jars strewn along our mantle and windowsills of our home.  Little glass gifts of the sea.  Thank you ocean.  

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Today’s one word prompt is “glass”, perhaps you have some tiny glass treasures like me, or maybe you will pour yourself a glass of something good today. Click and share your “glass” with us today.  Tag your images #shuttersisters.

bon appetit!

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1. November 13th, 2. 10-11-2010 Rincón / Corner, 3. Bench Monday 80: Baking Up a Storm, 4. Buttermilk cake, 5. 365/226.  Fresh., 6. 365:177

Today’s one word photo prompt is “kitchen”. Perfect word for this time of year. During the holidays the kitchen becomes the center of activity.  Cooking, gathering, celebrating, eating. Family recipes handed down and shared. Little ones with flour covered fingers waiting to lick the beaters clean. Warmth radiating from the oven. Laughter unfurling as many hands make light work of dirty dishes. The sound of glasses clinking as toasts are being made.  Mom’s apron.  Nana’s tattered index cards of handwritten recipes in that familiar tin box. Beauty in the prosaic.  The moments that bind us together as family and friends.

I myself will be spending many hours in my kitchen today prepping for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving meal. Recipes handed down from generation to generation, will now simmer on my stove top. Familiar smells of my childhood will permeate my kitchen as my little ones will watch me as I once watched my mom when I was their age.  Traditions, food, family, life, love.

Julia Child, one of the masters of the kitchen, may have put it best, “Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

Today lets combine our passion for photography and Julia’s passion for food and share an image of your kitchen here.

“BON APPETIT!”

(kitchen images above from the Shutter Sisters photo pool on Flickr. *don’t forget to tag your images #shuttersisters)

 

sweets

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1. 286/366 Dessert for supper, 2. sweet imperfections, 3. breakfast of champions, 4. Pie. #shuttersisters #pumpkin

Today we welcome in November with a brand new calendar of photo prompts. Our first prompt “sweet” which seems fitting since I am staring at one giant bowl of candy from last night’s treating Halloween extravaganza.  I now have more “sweets” than I know what to do with!  All part of the fun of the season. How about you? Are you still buzzing from last night’s sugar high?  🙂

November makes me think of other sweets too, like pie, apple, pecan and of course pumpkin. Then there is warm cider, hot cocoa & marshmallows, and chai.

Today share something sweet here with us and play along all month long. Don’t forget to tag your images #shuttersisters on IG and Flickr.

 

all in this together

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(The beauty of instant film on a sunny table at Oasis.)

With hurricane Sandy upon us here on the east coast,  Palm Springs suddenly seems so far away. I am sitting here in my 3rd story apartment typing quickly in hopes that our power stays on long enough for me to finish this post. I am even working a day in advance in case power goes out and we are without it it for who knows how long.  I filled the tub full of water in case we need it.  Lanterns and batteries at the ready. Trying to organize meals in my head, what we have, what we could cook on the grill if we do indeed lose power. Perspective switches rather quickly. Simple needs trump wants. My mind wanders to my family in Pennsylvania, my friends in New York and New Jersey, and of course my own little family here in Maine. The winds rattle our windows. Will the trees stay upright?  (please stay upright)  Just a few short days ago I was playing in the warm sun in California with many ladies from this very sisterhood who are now home with their families just as I am waiting this storm out. I look at this image and see the words captured on film. The same words that were written more than once at The Ace, “we are all in this together.”  How very true those words are, made even more fitting when mother nature has her way. 

Our lenses tend to focus on the beauty around us, but after a day and storm like this, many will focus theirs on the aftermath.  Documenting their way toward hope, healing and rebuilding.  Strangers will come together to help.  People will rally and beauty will prevail, even in the midst of darkness. I know this to be true, I lived it one fateful day March, 1993 in Florida when I woke to find a wall of water outside my front door. I am forever grateful for the unique perspective that day gifted me. So tonight, I send out wishes of hope for all in harms way.  Gratitude for those who will help those in need. For we really are one.

Share an image of hope with us here today.  Give in any way you can; donate blood, food, water, shelter, smile at a stranger, hug someone you love, and remember we ARE all in this together.

 

playful you

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“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”- Emerson

Today’s one word prompt is whimsy. Whimsy can be a tricky thing for us “adults”.  As children we were once endless fountains of play, pretend, imagination and fun.  We paid little to no attention to what we looked like,  or who was watching.  None of that mattered. All that mattered was the play.  As a mom I get to witness this wealth of carefree-ness each day in my children,  I spend hours photographing their play and joy.  Photographing myself in that same spirit of play was so much harder. What would I look like? (Why did i care?) Someone might see me! (maybe it would make them smile) So little by little I began to practice being more playful in front of my camera.  Capturing myself in moments of joy and whimsy through self portraiture.  Some days pulling in my little muses for a little photo fun. They are the masters of the silly faces!

When Meredith and I embarked on creating our first self portrait e-course,  we sat down and came up with a list of themes, one of them was “whimsy”.  Funny thing about that theme,  so many women balked at the idea of capturing their silly side,  that “whimsy”  was just not them…  but you know what?  Once they took a deep breath, and leaped into the fun, they wound up loving some of those images the most.  Seems all we all needed was a little nudge, permission to throw off the shackles of adulthood and just be silly. 

Today I challenge you to capture yourself in the joy. Blow bubbles. Hula hoop. Make funny faces. Put on a mask. Maybe a fuzzy mustache. How about a tutu. Photobomb a friend. Sticking out your tongue and crossing your eyes is encouraged here. Get silly with a friend or your family. Watch the laughter unfold. Share your images and thoughts with me here and don’t forget to tag your images, #shuttersisters.

Today get in touch with that little girl inside you.  She will thank you for it.

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Interested in digging a little deeper into self portraiture?  Meredith Winn and I are launching our brand new e-course this fall, NOW YOU : Digging Deeper.  Registration is open now.  Class begins soon.  Join us!

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Congratulations to Amy Gillard documentary moment winner of the book Lens on Life: Documenting Your World Through Photography by Stephanie Calabrese Roberts. Thanks for all of your submissions!

time traveling

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“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”

Today I decided to write my post and take a trip back in time. We carry our cameras with us almost everywhere, yes? Even if you are not intentionally shooting a 365 project, chances are you still pick up your camera or iphone almost daily.  Last night I decided to click through my library and see what my lens captured on this very day, September 5th, the past 3 years. Where would this little trip in time take me? What would my images make me feel? Would I even remember why I took the shots?  Most days I can’t remember what I ate 3 hours ago, but when I click on an image it takes me right there. Each click we are photographing a memory. 

Here is what I found.

September 5, 2011: a trip to the beach the day before 2nd grade. a fitting farewell to a beautiful summer.

September 5, 2010: a night at the playground.  these 2, they really love each other.

September 5, 2009: his chubby little hands drawing rainbows.

Today take a trip through time and archives and share a memory here today. What did your lens focus on last year at this time?  How about the year before that? Share your links in the comments.

Speaking of time, have you seen Photojojo’s Time Capsules? Twice a month they send you an email with photos you took one year ago from Flickr. SO FUN. And hey, they are FREE!

Join us and celebrate time, the past and the present. Don’t forget to tag all images with our new hashtag, #shuttersisters !

sky

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(the view from my living room window. 4 different nights.)

“The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.” Ralph Waldo Emerson


 It does not make a funny face, or run away and hide from you when you grab your camera.

It comes in many colors and textures.

It is ever changing, yet constant in your day.

It is universal.

It wants you to look up and notice.

So today, look up.

Share your sky.  Our sky.

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Don’t forget to add your images here and in our OWP pool on Flickr. Or play along in our Instagram feed, hashtag #sselevate. Happy shooting!

choice!

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“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways. ”  -Oscar Wilde

Here we are, the very last day of color month here at Shutter Sisters. What a celebration it has been. Have you enjoyed this month of color? I sure have! I loved how the OWP pool filled up each day. Something so beautiful about seeing the images all the same color together like that. Like a beautiful tapestry.Thank you for filling all the days of June with such beauty!

All month long we have been dictating the colors each day,  today is YOUR turn.  You choose.  What is your favorite color to shoot? Are you drawn to the rowdy reds or the cool blues?  Do you like the shiny silver or a soft lavender? Perhaps a sunny yellow or juicy orange speaks to you.  Today you get to show off the color of your choice. Or go wild with more wonderful rainbows if you like. Today there are no rules, just colorful fun.

Color makes such a statement in photography and can drive us to take shots just for the color alone.  Like my little i-pod shot above.  I was at Walmart, shopping for paint, I knew it was color month and what better rainbow then the paint selection chips right there?!?  i am SURE anyone walking by thought I had lost my marbles.  That is not the first, and certainly not the last, time I have gotten a weird glance for taking a shot. (you too huh?  :))  All that color drove me to take out my little camera and shoot. 

What color are you???

Share it with us today. This gives you one last day to play along and enter for your chance to win a beautiful new bag from Epiphanie!  (talk about delicious colors. have you seen the new spring line?  YUM!) Don’t forget the tag, #sscolormonth.  On Monday we will be back to announce the winner.  Could be YOU! 

proof

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Every once in awhile we are gifted one of those moments, those moments when something so obvious finally clicks in our head.  “LIGHT BULB!” (said in my best Gru voice) This past weekend, while cleaning out my basement, I realized that I had box, upon box, upon box of family photos.  Albums stuffed full of family portraits and snapshots.  Not posed photos, just shots of regular ordinary days and moments. Maybe a bigger life event thrown in here or there, like a birthday or a new baby, but mostly just life. Funny thing about all those shots, no one edited them or photoshopped them, or deleted them before they had a chance to be seen.  Photo upon photo of me as a child, my mom at the age I am now, all of my family members sitting there in those boxes looking back at me from the beauty of film. They are not hiding from the camera, or stretching out their neck to avoid the sagging neck skin, no, just smiles and real expressions.  Then I started to think about the shots of me the past 5 years.  There aren’t many. Why? Mostly because I am the one holding the camera.  I am in control of not only what gets shot, but what remains and what is uploaded. Even if there is a shot taken of me, I have the option to hit that ever tempting delete button at all times.  Herein may lie the true gift of film,  there was no delete button! No one was turning their camera around and previewing their images then choosing what was kept and what was not. Now hear me out, I love digital, I love playing with my images, composing shots, clicking away to my heart’s content.  I would not trade that, but what if the control that provides me ultimately keeps me from having images of myself?  What will my kids have when they are my age I am now?  They will have bazillion photos of themselves, yes definitely taking care of that, but what will they have of me, and us together, if I continue to delete them? I have all the excuses, “I look fat (I have been overweight most of my adult life so obviously I am not changing that overnight). This shot shows my double chin. Ugh look at those crows feet! My skin is showing its age and years of sun worshipping. The greys are taking over my scalp.” blah. blah. blah. BORING. Do my kids care about all those excuses?  Do they look at me with the same critical eye I am obviously applying to myself?  Of course not. Aren’t I teaching them that beauty comes in all shapes sizes colors and ages, yet somehow not applying those lessons to images of my own self?  Guilty as charged. 

SO what do I do about it?  I need to change, and I have been on this path searching for the beauty of me. Not about the pretty, all about the proof. The proof of my life.  The ME in our moments. I want my children to look back and have proof of this me now, and the me tomorrow, and the me 5 years from now.

Yesterday we went to the beach.  I had my camera along, clicking away at my kids.  They were flying kites, running in the sand, feeding the seagulls and I was watching them and documenting it all. I wanted proof that I was there too so I shot my feet in the sand next to my youngest’s feet.  Later that afternoon as I was watching them run, I turned the camera around and clicked the image above. Just me, off center, slightly out of frame, soaking in the sun, crows feet and grey hairs representing. Content, present, alive, me, now.  Not for pretty, just for proof.

Does this speak to you?  Do you feel like you too hide or delete too much of YOU from your images? Fellow shutter sister Meredith Winn and I are launching our very first 6 week e-course in self portraiture next Monday April 23rd. Click on over to NOW YOU to read more about our upcoming class. Perhaps this is a journey you are ready to leap into too. 

Today I challenge you, I want to see your proof.  I do not want you to stress over editing or composing. I just want you to hold your camera in your hands, turn it around and focus on the beauty of you. Click!  Don’t delete it. Upload and share your image with me please.  You are worthy.  You are here.  You deserve to be seen just as you are right now in this moment.

xo.