Muse Worthy

The weekend in Chicago was full of fabulous photo ops. From touching base with old friends, to meeting new ones, from sessions to parties to walk-abouts there were plenty of things to photograph. And what did I turn my lens toward over the weekend? Not much of what one might expect. Instead I found a muse that seemed to hold the attention of my lens almost every time I picked up my camera.

I recently fulfilled my summer dream to go to the Pageant of the Masters at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. Wow. It was better than I had even hoped. The theme was Muse which not only captivated me but had me reflecting for days on the subject. As the narrator said when speaking of the Muses—the nine daughters of Zeus—they were the guiding spirits of creativity.

I felt exactly the same way about the lovely and captivating Jen Lee. I know Jen well enough to know she’s magic through and through. There was just something about her that drew me in and inspired me all weekend.

There was so much documentation that I could have focused on. Instead, sometihng else fueled me.  I felt compelled more by a desire to create art and try to capture something magical than to shoot an event.

That’s the funny thing about Muses. You never know when they might come to visit.

Have you ever experienced inspiration like this? Almost involuntary and seemingly out of the blue? Do tell us your muse-worthy tale.

Thank you Jen for being there, helping me, supporting me and bringing your good fortune.

Comments

[Marcie]

Lately - somewhat surprisingly and unexpectedly - I've found my muse to be in my sweet pup. SHe's the Austrailian Shepherd - the one on the right of this image:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=853

[Puna]

It looks like such a fun time. Thanks for sharing!

[MariaV]

Lovely. This photo is inspiring me to pull out my Diana.

[margie]

sometimes it is the difference that is important. not the similarities. how common ground can exist in spite of the different spaces. i feel that way about my friend.

http://www.soeursdujour.com

[Lu]

I feel the same way about soul sister jen lee. it was a wonderful time meeting so many of you and bonding over a similar love of capture and documenting.

[beth]

I think maybe my post from yesterday falls into what you're looking for......


http://moredoors.blogspot.com/2009/07/not-what-we-had-planned-but-better.html

[kristin]

what a magical time you all shared. love the shots. girl power for sure!

[Sarah - Ji]

This made my morning, to have this photo of Jen and her Diana greet me on Shutter Sisters. I was drawn to her all weekend, and she is still so very present in my heart. Thank you for posting this!

[Jen Lee]

Oh I felt like the lucky one to be with you, in that lovely haven you made for us. I am still floating from the friendship and fun...

(and who couldn't love friends who make her look so good!)

[debi]

Oh lordy. I have been so uninspired lately, full of no words. But this past weekend my muse flew in (she is a bird - lol) & whispered in my ear that I needed a place other than my main blog to just post inspirations, photos I have no real stories for, mistakes, out of focus but loved images, other folks who inspire me, quotes. I found a template, downloaded it, then discovered I couldn't change the color on it. Orange. And I am not an orange girl. But my muse said never mind, go with it, it will be fine, and I have to tell you, it feels like freedom. Will I let go of my original blog? No - I just posted there yesterday. But I needed something to start feeling enthused again. So I am using the camera on my phone a lot, snapping everywhere and beginning to loosen up. This whole new blog is the result. It's here: http://emmatreejournal.blogspot.com/

[Kacey]

This past weekend we were in Denver for a wedding. I find the mountains just rejuvenate this midwestern girl. My husband and I had a mountain sunset photo competition. Fun.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2009/07/27/rocky-mountain-sunset/

We also snuck up to Estes Park for a quick day trip. Nothing like a day in the mountains to help me find my muse.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2009/07/28/road-trip-estes-park-version/

[Elizabeth]

I recently had the pleasure of shooting some of the "characters" of Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. "Sweet Melissa" captured my attention and I just couldn't stop photographing her.

[Elizabeth]

Helps if I include the link...

skymeadow.blogspot.com

[Leslie]

I love my muse, he is the greatest...the one person I never tire of photographing.

http://leslieandrews.net/blog/

[Catherine Hall]

There are so many people who have inspired me over the years, but I think the most surprising one has been the young woman at Starbuck's who always gets my order just right. People with warm hearts like her make excellent muses!

Lately I've been blogging about all the different places I find inspiration. :) www.catherinehall.net/blog.

[singapore event photography services]

love it too....keep it up