sister friends

 

I clearly remember seeing the announcement on Tracey's blog for the launch of a new site for women in all levels of photography.  Found hearts, love Thursdays, superhero challenges, all such positive vibes.  I was eager for its launch.  The images are creative and beautiful, the daily posts are informative and thought provoking, yet never did I imagine the personal impact this space would have on me.  The connections, the sisterhood has truly blown me away.

 

We all come here open and vulnerable in a way.  Posting photos, little windows into our lives, our loves, our art, our passions.  Erasing all distance and borders as if we were all gathered together sharing stories over coffee.  Here I have been blessed to meet a wonderful core of women which only grows each day.  Once strangers from all corners of the world, now friends, sister~friends.  Connections made with such ease, such familiarity as if our hearts said, "hey you, hi.  i know you.  i SEE you."   Daily we share the real, the magic, vast beauty, and family moments in this place.  The comments push me creatively, inspire me personally, warm my heart, and can make me laugh out loud.  My hope is that I give as much as I take from this gift.  I no longer click on my Shutter Sisters button for what I will see, but rather WHO I will see. 

 

The images I love.

The creativity I need.

The sisterhood I treasure.

 

So please share, tell us, what does the sisterhood mean to you?

 

Photo and words courtesy of today's Honorary Sister / Guest Blogger Kristin Zecchinelli -aka Maine Momma.

Comments

[dr lyn]

Beautifully worded, Kristin. And I agree. I come here for WHO I will see too. I love sharing and seeing and being inspired by the Sisters who share here. How lucky are we, in this vast Internet world to have found each other?

I know my photography has improved since spending a bit of time each day here -- I supposed that is to be expected. What I didn't expect was to learn so much about life and love and new ways of looking at the world as I have.

Some can be seen here: http://lynlepre.typepad.com

Thanks for yet another lovely post that sends me to bed smiling.

[camerashymomma]

beautiful! i saw that photo open up and the sunflare screamed your name. that's what i love, i love that i recognize photography by these women, these sisters. thank you for including me in with these wonders. what a great post today!

[Sarah - Ji]

Ah, Kristin, you took the words right out of my heart. I know that my photography has been pushed beyond the comfort zone because of the Sisterhood, and I've watched some of those in our community blossom before our very eyes as photographers, but more than that I've been touched by the camaraderie, generosity of spirit and capacity for good and for love and for hope that the sisters have shared with each other.

[Hay]

So sweet. Beautiful post K. I treasure the connections too. Thanks for being one of them for me!

[Chris]

Okay. I really love Shutter Sisters and need my daily fix. I'm a night owl so I'm up usually til about 2 a.m. Most posts to Shutter Sisters are posted late and I'm always waiting for them! I have come to love everything and everyone. I needed it, too. Thanks to all of you. Truly.

[Marcie]

It means community and support and aharing.Here's a little magic to add to the list:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=471

[Marcie]

It means community and support and aharing.Here's a little magic to add to the list:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=471

[maya]

Can a sister be a pet? Because this girl is always there for me:

http://flickr.com/photos/23558661@N03/2714697770/

[e.darcy]

sisterhood... I never had a sister, and so my friends must jump on board to all the love I would have given a sister.
The internet is a strange and beautiful place-where people who would have never met can connect and talk, share and learn... People with whom I'm not dropping the 'tap tappity tap' of the keyboard, and picking up a pen to send a delicious letter to.
These women, who I look up to on more levels than just their creativity-but more to their strong character of a woman... With them-I'm starting to feel more in my skin, more comfortable with my curves as I witness them hug theirs, as they take beautiful self portraits to show their flaws, as I read their words...
With some of my 'sisters', I feel as if we've been separated at birth..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2042212230/?reuploaded=1
A website, where sisters can come together and share a bit of their life, their soul, their passion... Has done more in other peoples lives than it ever knew it would...

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Sharing, encouraging, inspirirng.........this community is a great thing.

[Naomi]

This is a new bookmarked site for me, but I read through it all through the day, even after the post for the day has been added.

You all have something very special . ..your sisterhood. The glimpse I've gotten so far is amazing . . . looking forward to delving into the nooks and crannies soon . . . and maybe working up the nerve (sooner than later) to share some of what I see, with you.

[ELK]

beautiful ...surprising... creative... friendly...that's what sisters are.

[jfrancis]

Paper dolls
grow up
become
shutter sisters.

[Kacey]

Kristin wonderful photo and wonderful thoughts. I come here daily to get my fix of photography and read the comments. There are such great thoughts expressed here..in the posts, the comments, and the photography. Many women are picking up their cameras and pushing themselves with their photography. This is such a friendly, warm, great site to visit.

[Lan]

oh but this post made me teary eyed.

http://whatiseeclicks.blogspot.com/2008/07/sisterhoodofcousins.html

[Conchi]

Hi!!! A short time ago that I joined, but now I come every day, not only see but also to read things so beautiful that everyone expresses. Sometimes, I cry, others laugh, but always mades my heart beating.
And my camera does not click, yes HLT.
Kisses all from Spain

[lizziemarie]

I am so happy I found you! SS has given me inspiration and courage and opened my eyes to new ways of seeing the world and myself and my family. I will be forever grateful.xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

[carrie]

I love this site and all it stands for. I came over and was in awe of the wonderful photography here. Then I saw that readers could link their own work and with much trepidation, I posted my own. I don't yet own a fancy camera and feel somewhat inadequate around so many SLR users. But my point and shoot does well for what it is and I've had many gracious comments on my photos despite the fact that I'm nowhere near the same level as most of you guys.

I really appreciate that.

[Ashley]

i love being able to share one of my biggest passions with such talented group of women. it is truly an honor to be apart of this community and i am forever grateful to Tracey and all the sisters (especially Kate, as she is the reason I heard about it in the first place!) for giving us this space.

[Traci]

i'm new to the sisterhood but have been touched by the connections made here and the daily inspiration :)

http://flickr.com/photos/tracimeyer/2716332947/

[Andie]

Beautiful words and photograph Kristin. You truly are the Shutter Sisters Sunshine!
a.

[Lawyer Mama]

Beautiful post and it's so true. I can't wait to get here every day.

I don't have any real life sisters, so sisterhood to me is something we choose. It's those friends who are always there to share the highs and lows, the fights, the births, the depression, the *life* we all lived day by day. Some of them I only know online, but we talk every day.
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2694030195/in/set-72157606306368761/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2694840922/in/set-72157606306368761/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2698509371/in/set-72157606306368761/

[megan]

what a lovely post. i too, love checking in with the shutter sisters every morning. the images and words are always inspiring -- thanks to all who participate here!

[Kathleen]

Eagerly, I click each morning, seeking the inspiration I will surely receive each day. Beautiful, heart-felt words, breathtaking images, it all gives me a sense of community and of a safe place to risk and grow in my own photography. I am so thankful!

[Kath]

Sisterhood is yesterday and today on our blog. A blog kept by Margie and Kath, my sister and I. Her heart was getting fixed by a surgeon this morning and now my heart can stop aching for her knowing that now she might be able to heal.
http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/

Kath

[vivienne]

i so feel the sisterhood here. its such a safe place for us to learn together!

our fellow sister boho denise's post today articulates what sisterhood is sooo well.

http://www.bohemiangirldesigns.blogspot.com

[gonzomama]

I am fairly new to this site too, but have found the need to visit everyday. I love the support and encouragement along with the inspiration given here.
I've been inspired to look at things differently and in more unconventional ways. Not just photography but life also. I don't come just for the pictures but also the stories they tell and the things we can learn from those stories.

I love the sharing of little bits of peoples lives and that I'm not alone in capturing and appreciating the 'little' moments. I love seeing everyone's unique style and seeing people being stretched beyond their comfort zone. It's a great community and one I am glad to becoming a part of.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2615226297

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

The supportive environment here has encouraged me to post my images, to try new things. I am fairly new to this community as well but it is my daily touchstone with an art community. Today's post was lovely--expressing what I feel about the experience of participating here. Thank you.

[daisy]

Since I found this community a month ago, I've been hooked. It feels personal and close, with a shared passion for the visual. Love it, love it, love it.

Inspires me to challenge myself. To grow.

Recently I've been stuck in an 'object' phase. Yesterday I took inspiration from a recent Shutter Sister's post to step outside of your comfort zone and ventured out to do some vistas.

http://www.sharrock.net/2008/07/arbutus-trees-and-free-stuff.html

[Bet]

I found Shutter Sisters when I found Squarespace. Though I'm working through a tough schedule at the moment I do hope to share and participate more but I read each post and each post. Every post has inspired me, uplifted me or just made me smile and that's what keeps me coming back. Over the past two years I've been part of quite a few online photography sites/groups yet none has been so rewarding as this one. Others encounter egos, greed and catty attitudes but not here... not in this haven of creativity and nurturing.

Thank you Shutter Sisters for sharing your photos, your insight, your knowledge, your wisdom, your humor and most of all...
your heart.

[kristin]

thank you all for sharing today. i knew i was not alone in feeling this way. yay for us all! cheers, kristin

[Rachel Parton]

Sisterhood is loving, sharing, whispering secrets, arguing vehemently, little smiles, giggles, & watching them grow up 400 miles away.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25753692@N06/2717968210/

[tangobaby]

This is one of my sweetheart sisters, who let me photograph her in one of her happiest times recently:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2602694635/in/set-72157605924413683/

[shelli]

This site means so much to me. I love to look at all the wonderful images of these sisters. They inspire me so much. In fact, it's this site that helped renew my love of photography. Thank you.

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to share or look, but I look forward to when things settle back down and I can get into my daily routine....Shutter Sisters is usually part of my morning ritual. First, I write. Then I check the Shutter Sisters blog.

[tracey]

what else to say but my heart is bursting with love and appreciation for all of you. and from how proud i am of this sisterhood that grows stronger here everyday. there is nothing finer.

[Wanda]

In honor of sisters, check out this:

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2008/06/dont-make-me-call-my-sister.html

and this

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2008/06/dont-make-me-call-my-sister-part-deux.html

[Tracy (SurprisePally)]

Oh wow, I haven't checked the Shutter Sisters blog in a few days and what fun to see a post by one of my fave sisters! So well said.

I am amazed by the daily inspiration I receive from this wonderful group of photographers. It keeps me striving to try new things and to just keep shooting. Kudos to all who share their work here on the blog and/or the Flickr group! And thank you, Kristin, and all who leave such encouraging comments. Each one is like a little gift.

[Lu]

kindred spirits found...that is what it means to me.

[Khali]

Spread the Word, Thanks!!!

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[Jennifer]

I am completely inspired by all of your words, wisdom and photos. This Sisterhood has inspired me to grow as a person and in my skills and pushes me to try new things! Thank you all who comes and gathers here for the inspiration, I am thrilled to be a sister!