Shutter Sisters

Mornings and Magic

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It’s been less than a month and already my attempt at the 365 Days project is changing the way I do things; the way I look at life. As I mentioned before, clicking a few photos each and every morning has helped a great deal. Thank you for the tip Stephanie. The strategy is to get the pictures on the camera before the day escapes me and I have to resort to taking photos of me brushing my teeth before bed or some such less-than-ideal scenario. It has been helpful in that way for sure, but what I am finding is that there’s more to it than that.

Working photography into the start of my day has been totally enjoyable. Just when I thought that my camera couldn’t be any more integrated into my daily life, shooting first thing in the morning has taken it to a whole new level. It felt a little contrived at first. But, after a few weeks I can say that it’s becoming a seamless part of the routine; a daily practice if you will. It feels great to do it. And of all things, it feels important. I am likening the exercise of capturing my ‘morning shots’ to what Julia Cameron calls the ‘morning pages’ in her book The Artist’s Way. Maybe there is more to it than just shooting for the project and getting it out of the way. What if looking at things through our lens at the start of the day clears out the cobwebs of our creative psyche and elevates us to a more enlightened state without us even realizing it? Could it be that simple? I don’t know for sure but I never underestimate the power of photography.

Share with us your favorite morning shots. Have you discovered any magic in the early hours?

Happy Birthday to Us

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I can clearly recall the day when I began musing about this idea of an online destination for women photographers. The image in my head was kind of fuzzy and out of focus, but the more I set my sights on making my vision a reality, the clearer the picture became. I asked a few lovely ladies to join me and the rest is history. Little did I know that what I was imagining would become this.

 

Shutter Sisters has become exactly the place I had dreamed it would be—an open door, a beautiful view, a good friend, an easy chair, a cozy blanket, a breath of fresh air, a soothing cup of inspiration.

 

Today as I reflect on how far we’ve come since our official launch 1 year ago today I am bursting with pride. I am humbled. I am so very grateful.

 

I encourage you to poke around the archives…discover some of the posts you may have missed or rediscover any one of our past favorites. We’ve got a year’s worth now! Dig in! It might not be quite as sweet as birthday cake but it’s the next best thing.

 

And what’s a birthday without presents? Yep! We think a giveaway is the perfect way to commemorate Shutter Sister’s one year bloggy birthday. HP has graciously offered yet another fabu printer to help us celebrate! The Wireless HP Photosmart C7280. Thanks HP! They also extended a friends and family rebate offer for all of us here. And you can use the $25 rebate with other sale offers which can only up your savings. Happy Birthday!

 

Thank you everyone for being so supportive and active here at Shutter Sisters. We’ve got so many wonderful things to look forward to in this next year and are happy you’re coming along with us. We can only imagine what’s going to happen between now and our next birthday. We’re giddy just thinking about it.

 

Since you are ALL partially responsible for this grand celebration of photo love and sisterhood, you are cordially invited to join in the festivities…just comment on this post with a birthday wish (and a photo if you’ve got one) for us and you will be entered into the random drawing to win the HP Printer.

 

You have until Saturday 1/24 at the stoke of midnight to post your comment to be in the drawing.

Emerge

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Since the turn of the New Year, I have been itching to mix things up. From moving furniture, to taking on new creative projects, to hair cuts, I’ve got some kind of something going on. I think I’m just looking for some kind of change.

 

Is it just that time of year? The political changes? Some planetary alignment (or misalignment)? Or is it just me?

 

Is it just me?

 

Does anyone else feel some deep soul stirring that’s got you longing for reinvention? Is anyone else craving the cracking open of growth, transformation and possibility of revealing something bright, shiny and new?

 

If we are all in this one together, I would like to know. Put my mind as ease and tell me that you know what I mean. That you have been here before or that you are here with me right now. Does it feel like there is something within you that is begging to come to the surface—something that can no longer be denied? I am holding onto this believe that if we’re willing, something beyond our wildest dreams might emerge. Can you feel it too?

the right words

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I’ve never really been good at finding the right words when they matter most. I stumble and stammer and sometimes even say nothing at all for fear of saying the wrong thing.

 As dear family friend is experiencing the sorrow of loss I’ve wracked my brain, what to say? What can possibly be said to ease her burden? Someone commented, it isn’t time for words now. It is time to just let it be. I know that she’s right and that there are those instances in our lives when words can fail us. It is important for me to let her experience it for what it is. The only thing I can do is to be there for her; the unspoken support of a true friend. I know my words would only fall short.

 As I was walking out the door, tissue box in hand my daughter gently put this note in my hand. Please give this to her.

 Leave it to the purest, truest kindness and love of a child to find precisely the right words.

 It’s Love Thursday at Chookooloonks today. Share the love

Camera Girl

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The big 365 project reveal yesterday surprised and delighted me—how many people have or are currently participating in a project that will challenge and push them creatively for an entire year. And, by the way, I had no idea that for one Stephanie was sharing that post and two, that so many of you (of us) are willing to make such a commitment. Such a pleasant synchronicity.

 

So, it must be universal; the feeling that we need to keep ourselves accountable to hold own feet to the fire so that we do something inspiring and meaningful. Something for ourselves.

 

And I am well aware that there are many of you who have chosen to do this kind of project with a friend. A shutter sister. It makes sense. Why do it alone? The sisterhood is what helps us grow and thrive and not only keeps us accountable, but keeps us inspired. It’s brilliant.

 

Recently I discovered Amy and Madeline’s project at When You Give a Girl a Camera and I love it. Who wasn’t smitten by this beautiful series of Amy’s daughter Mad and her vintage camera when it hit out Flickr pool? It resonated with me. The banner photo for this very blog is my own daughter gently cradling the same camera.

 

I have been an advocate for giving a girl a camera ever since I had my first daughter. She’s been shooting pictures since she was 18 months old. And now, she’s 11. And quite the little shutter sister. And she shoots now, because she loves it. It’s one of her passions and it’s thrilling for me.

 

The idea of working together on a project, shooting side by side, bringing two unique images from two different perspectives to create something meaningful between my daughter and myself makes my heart sing. We will be participating in When You Give a Girl a Camera every chance we get. I am excited to have another mother/daughter duet to encourage us to click.

 

I hope to see you over there too sometimes. I can’t think of a better way to spend time with someone I love.

one sweet shot – january 2009

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I’m not the only one who is captivated by this shot from Trisha G. It hit explore at Flickr and the rest is history.

 

Trisha’s self portraits range from enchanting to haunting to playful but always inviting. I admire her for her willingness to run the gamut with her images leading us tenderly from one mood to the next. The variety and creativity of her collection reminds me that I am not alone on this rollercoaster ride of self-discovery.

 

And while we’re on the subject of discovery, today is the day we’re honoring the months Sweet Shots! My pick is the one featured today by Trisha G. The rest are as follows:

 

Puna is honoring this shot from marcie scudder

 

Jen Lemen is honoring is this shot from mainemomma

 

Lucrecer is honoring this shot at Dolce Pics

 

Dawn is honoring this shot by Sandra

 

Mainemomma is honoring this shot by Mrs. French and this one from colorfreephotography

 

Korcepaul is honoring this from by from Sew Fab Martha

 

Camerashymomma is honoring this shot from mainemomma

 

Sheri is honoring this shot from fine little day

 

Mazhawes is honoring this shot by raehein

 

Springtree Road is honoring this shot by Robin-bird

 

And Dr Lyn is honoring this shot from mainemomma

 

Enjoy the inspiration. Thanks for playing along and Happy Sunday.

a softer side

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Way back when, in the days of shooting film, getting prints back from the lab was always a little like Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to tear into each bag and sift through the stack of photographs. Its one of the many parts of the process of film (pun intended) that I really miss. Inadvertently, from every roll, there were at least a few shots that were totally out of focus. Working with children can do that to even the keenest of auto focus capabilities. And add to the equation low light which in turn can make for a slower shutter speed and you’ve got the set up for some blurry shots. But, it’s not the blur from motion of which I speak, I’m talking about just plain old out of focusness. The semi-technical term for something that isn’t quite sharp enough is soft. And when a shot is supposed to be in sharp focus (like maybe a traditional headshot for instance) and its soft, it’s usually edited out, which I can understand.

 

But, what about those images that don’t have to be (or even aren’t suppose to be) in sharp focus to translate as successful? Before even giving it a chance, I think many people might blurt out, ‘out of focus’ as they toss the photo aside. Maybe it’s because sometimes these are captured on accident. Maybe it’s because soft isn’t suppose to be good, at least in some circles.

 

When the delicate perfection of a soft image speaks to me (for reasons that aren’t always easy to explain or even justify to non-believers) I covet them. Yes, and show them to my clients and even boast of their beauty—beckoning them to believe—to see and appreciate the mystery and magic that these kinds of images hold.

 

I subscribe to the belief that a good shot is a good shot, now matter who captures it. I have said it a million times over. I also believe that a good shot is a good shot, even if it is out of focus. Not every soft photo works, but when it does, there’s nothing like it. Just gaze on the beauty that these images by aspence61 and Kate C. celebrate. It’s undeniable.

 

Are you a believer? Do you celebrate your own images even if they might not follow the rules? Have you secretly coveted a shot of all-over out of focusness? Do you even dare to do it on purpose? Share a thought or image with us won’t you, and tell us how you see it?

winners, as promised

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And the winners from the last days of A Giveaway a Day at Shutter Sisters are…

 

Kayla won the subscription to JPG Mag

kosenrufu mama won Irene’s book and print

Cupcake won a signed copy of Uncrushed by Dana Parish

Secret Agent Mama won a copy of Don’t Write: a Reluctant Journal by Jen Lee

and Heather won the HP All-in-One printer.

 

Congratulations and Happy New Year everyone!

show me yours

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 photoclutch from Urban Outfitters

 My daughter got a princess photo album for Christmas (among a million other things, one of which was her own camera –surprise surprise). She picked up the empty album this evening and sighed, I don’t have any pictures of me and my friends to put in my album.

Ouch. Those words get a photographer right where it hurts. She’s right. Well, sort of. It’s not that there are no pictures of she and her friends; on the contrary; I have taken more photos of her and her friends than should be legal. But as far as real, tangible photographic prints, there are none. So, for a five-year-old, it feels like there are no pictures. What a strange irony considering I document every day of our lives with my camera and yet…no pictures.

When I shot film I used to get prints made of every roll. We all did. And even when I got a digital slr, I still vowed to treat each full memory card as film and get prints made. That plan lasted for a year and then card after card turned into disc after disc and the images on my computer has grown to an ungodly amount and just like that, prints are now few and far between. I will defend myself and saw that I have bookshelves of photo albums from years past. It’s just since the digital stuff that I have gone astray.

But, alas, it’s a new year! Time to turn over a new leaf. So, I ask, how do you do it? Do you enlarge your favorite photos and display them proudly on your walls? Do you create calendars or keepsakes? Do you scrapbook? Do you print your favorites and get them into photo albums?

And what about the photo albums you do have? Where do you get them? Do you carry a little brag book (I love the one shown above)? Do you print up books from Shutterfly or iphoto?

How do you keep yourself accountable in getting those luscious images you capture printed? We’d love to hear your ideas, get links to your printing resources, or hear your best kept album secrets. Spill the beans; show us what you’ve got.

getting grounded

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In my 41 years I have sometimes questioned when it’s best to stay grounded and when it’s best to soar. Seeing the efficiency of both I wonder which is the best way to travel my path? I’m not sure there is really one right way to do it. I have been told however if you don’t find the strength and stability in your roots, the flying isn’t nearly as effective (or liberating). I think there’s something to that.

 

With most things, I’m pretty sure there’s a balance to be found. A place where being grounded and taking flight compliment one another; where our strength, beauty, courage and passions come together and equally thrive.

 

I finally saw the movie Wall-E last night. I loved everything about it. And like many great movies, the song that played when the credits rolled cracked the code for me.

 

…We’re coming down to the ground
There’s no better place to go
We’ve got snow up on the mountains
We’ve got rivers down below

We’re coming down to the ground
We hear the birds sing in the trees
And the land will be looked after
We send the seeds out in the breeze…

 

I bid you best wishes today, the first day of 2009. A new beginning. Here’s to digging deep, finding our roots and sending our seeds out in the breeze.

 

Have you found a mantra (photographically or otherwise) to share with us on this bright new day?

 

The remaining giveaway winners will be listed in tomorrow’s post.