Styling

I think that many of us consider ourselves to be photojournalists. We strive to capture moments as they happen, careful not to pose our subjects too much. I know that I tend to be drawn to a style that shows life in its natural state. But sometimes I think we need to give ourselves permission to do a little “styling”. I took the above shot on Thanksgiving Day, while on a hike along the river with my dad and husband. I found that big leaf on the beach and before I knew it, I was picking it up and heading for the shoreline. I gently laid it on top of the shallow water and snapped away as it started to sink. I love the end result and I’m glad I allowed myself to create a scene without any guilt.

Today's giveaway involves two lovely items. The first is a print of your choice from Paige's dad, Steve Geddes Artworks. She has written about his artwork on Shutter Sisters in the past. The second item is a set of 8 notecards designed by Paige using her own photographs. Click here to see what they look like. Just leave a comment here to be entered in our random drawing. One lucky winner will win both items!

Comments

[Heather]

Wonderful moment captured in the photograph!

[Toni]

The prints are lovely - I'd happily hang one in my home. The leaf photo is great, too. :)

[buttercupyaya]

What a wonderful photograph. Mad props for the styling of it all. :)
Dana

[Tricialynn]

I would love a lens baby. I am a lurker on the site but love shutter sisters.
what an awesome give away. thanks for having a giveaway. such inspiration from this site and all the links i've found through it.
it is definitely helping me and my photography skills.

thanks again.

[Kimberly]

The leaf photo is wonderful. I found your blog by "GOOGLING" this morning and I think I have been back here at least 5 times this early morning. A terrific find for me and great inspiration.

[Esperanza]

This leaf photograph is just stunning.

[JeanaMarie]

such beautiful clear lines in the leaf - it is so pretty. would love to win one of your dad's paintings - i remember the post about them, and thinking about how my own two lovlies inspire me and how special that Paige is still such an inspiration to her dad.

[Sue]

You always inspire.

[Vanessa]

i love this photo... and especially the sentiment behind the post :)

[Jennifer]

That photo is stunning. All the elements go together beautifully.

[Melanie]

Way cool photo. :)

[HSY]

I need to do a little more styling! Great photo!

[Jean M Fogle]

I am glad to hear someone else admit that they do a little syling along the way. Sometimes Mother Nature needs a little help , my styled photos are posted today!
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[Bunny]

A beautiful moment captured!

[jag]

So lovely - glad you followed your inspiration!
jag xox

[Karen]

Beautiful Photo, thanks for the inspiration. k

[Kath]

I am just now starting to feel like I can adjust the physical world to make a better photograph. I now move leaves out of the way of a perfect bunch of grapes or bend long grass out of the way. The twinge of guilt is a bit odd, isn't it? It is obviously another step in the journey, we've gone from snapping, to composing, to styling!

[krista]

good stuff!

[marcy]

This site continues to inspire me, beautiful photograph, what a great father daughter give-away,

[canadacole]

Beautiful leaf photo! I don't think there's anything wrong with a little styling now and then. It's worth it for beautiful shots like that!

Great giveaway today. Very individual.

[Diane S.]

I have to tell you I live North of Omaha, (small town 1 1/2 hours North) and I looked at one of the prints title that on his site, and it just drew me. Love his work.

[Robin]

gorgeous - glad you let yourself do this!

[Marcene]

Very fun pictures and art!

[Puna]

Beautiful shot...

[kayla]

love this picture! thanks for the giveaway!

[Jodyangel]

Nothing wrong with putting things where they'll photograph well! Pleaseee keep me in the running for todays prize =)
Here is something from my nativity scene. I put it in front of my kitchen christmas tree to catch bokeh.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3098553946/

[camerashymomma]

what a great photo! i love that this concept, of slight placement. it's your eye, that's what photography is. i recently saw a set on flickr, a woman photographer from the 1950's (her son uploads her bw's and she narrates the story) she had just talked about taking photographs in washington dc. a tree branch was in her frame of the capital so she broke it off and then handed it to her husband to hold it up, better framing the subject! i love that ingenuity. i think it's what gives photographers their eye. just a little tweak to the photojournalistic experience.

[Patricia Dolan]

Count me in for tthe note cards! I will share and send these notes to eight people who have contributed goodness in the lives of others as a source of thanks......

Trish

[claudia]

yeah, great shots don't always just "happen"

[Kris]

A beautiful photograph!
Creating a composition, especially a beautiful one, is something to feel guilty about.

[Charlane]

There is definitely an art to styling at times...that synergy between created beauty and found beauty. The unexpected yet, perfect composition. This is such an example of a bit of assistance that worked to achieve perfection.

[1momof5]

That leaf picture is beautiful! I see no problem with arranging nature or setting up shots. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

[Emily]

This is a beautiful shot! I agree, that letting yourself stage something is necessary and just another way of creating art with your camera. A good reminder!

[Melissa {Photomom}]

Love the cards and the leaf picture is beautiful. I agree sometimes it's fun to create a "scene".

[Melissa]

Beautiful photo! Leaves are one of my favorite things.

[Aundria B.]

Beautiful photo of the leaf... so rich with textures, colors & I find that my words are lacking to describe how much I truly enjoy it. Love the notecards & the paintings...so creative!

[Alissa]

The photo is gorgeous. Way to go you!

[spread your wings]

this is a beautiful photo

[stephanie]

nice. want!

[Sharon]

Thanks for the reminder - it is important sometimes!

[Sharon]

Love the leaf photo and the creative father daughter giveaway. Count me in for a chance to win, please!

[lora]

awsome photo. count me in again. This is so much fun! =)

[michelle]

stunning

[sarai]

beautiful photo!

[amber]

I'll be thinking of staging some shots today...I never really have before.

[Bonnie]

The leaf photo is just stunning!! Nature at its best - captured by you by beautifully!!!

[~Kristina]

just gorgeous!

[victoria winters]

Awesome mood you captured in that photo. Love it.

[Lila]

I love original art and would indeed give it a place of honor! Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!

[CrossRoads]

Nature is the source of all knowledge we know. Your photos are to tell many things both visual and sentimental. A single leaf may bring a chance to me, who knows as I believe in the natural bounty. Thanks for giving this chance to enter in.