View from the Navy Pier in Chicago at BlogHer 2007

As I tie up loose ends and back my bags for the weekend’s festivities I am giddy. More than anything BlogHer has become a block of time to be in the true physical presence of some of my favorite women that for the most part, I only get to spend time with virtually. It’s something I look forward to all year.

This year feels extra special though.

At last year’s BlogHer I was talking up this great idea I had of a unique collaborative photo blog for women that I had planned to launch called Shutter Sisters. People would ask for details and I remember saying, I’m not exactly sure what’s it’s going to be. I just know it’s going to be amazing. And it is truly amazing. I had an idea of what I hoped it would be but little did I know the caliber of community that has come to surround and support the blog would surpass my wildest dreams. You all have helped make Shutter Sisters what it is today. And it just keeps getting better. Thank you all so very much.

This year BlogHer for me will be an even richer celebration of sisterhood and some of the contributing sisters and many of our community will be gathering, walking the streets of San Francisco, clickin’ around town together. It feels almost surreal and I eagerly look forward to Saturday’s PhotoWalk. What’s more is that, thanks to Blurb, we will be kicking off the Shutter Sisters Collaborative Book Collection! You asked for it. You got it. The book will be called ShutterWalk and it will be full of some highlights from the PhotoWalk images captured. All participants have to do is upload their PhotoWalk Photos into the ShutterWalk Flickr Group, tag them with ssphotowalk08 and our favorites will be chosen for our book.

Since there are so many of you that aren’t able to join us this weekend, we are also going to begin the process of choosing the images for our second book. Yep. That’s two. We’re pretty ambitious, aren’t we? This is so that everyone can get into the spirit of starting our library of books. It will be called The Daily Click (crowd goes wild). The photos that will be chosen for the book from our Daily Click stream will be up to you!

Between now and August 1^st it is your job to be book curator. All you have to do is click through all The Daily Clicks and comment on the ones you hope to see in our book. The photos with the most comments will be featured in our First Annual Daily Click Collection. We can’t wait to see which photos you choose!

Once the books are done, they will be available at the Blurb Bookstore. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the best cause we could think of, Jen and Odette’s Girl Power Afrcia fund.

Thank you again to all of you for being involved here and so wonderfully supportive. It means to the world to us. Especially to me. Sniff sniff.

The big winner of the MamaFocus Photo Contest (a la our collaboration with Mamazine)  is this wonderful shot by Iyoyome. YAY!

There were so many stellar submissions, I urge you to take a peek at the pool and see for yourself. Good stuff.

Speaking of stellar submissions, check out  the rest of the winners of the contest-

I wish i had more arms...or wings... by kimthemidwife - first runner up

After the Migraine by Camera Shy Momma -second runner up 

Sun Spinning by SouleMama- third runner up

Such great images ladies! Congratulations to you talented Shutter Mamas! It's always nice to win fabu prizes for your efforts, don'tcha think?

And since we're on the topic of mamas (albeit totally off the subject of photography), today the brilliant Brene Brown of Ordinary Courage begins an unprecidented series for parents based on her life's work, "The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting-raising our children with courage, compassion and connection." I had the pleasure of listening to the just released CD of the same name and I will tell you IT IS REMARKABLE! A must have for any parent--any person for that matter! Seriously. It's life-changing stuff but it's delivered in the most approachable, hopeful way. Don't just take my word for it...check out Brene's blog today as she begins her series. And get the CD.

Go. Now. Read. Be enlightened.

Picture this: a group of fabulous women walking the streets of a sterling city, sharing, laughing and basking in the glow of their sisterhood. No, I’m not talking about a scene from Sex and the City (although I have already seen it and LOVED every minute of it)-I am talking about Clicks in the City, and you’re invited to play a staring role. Heels optional. Cameras a must.

A few of us Sisters are going to be attending the ever-popular BlogHer Conference this summer where we will be hosting the first ever BlogHer PhotoWalk. It's all very exciting. Personally, I’m giddy with the idea of getting outside, taking in a little of Union Square through my lens and clickin’ with a group of women passionate about photography (meaning all of you).

So, who’s in? You heading to San Francisco with us? Share your thoughts in the comments and if you are considering joining us please pop over to get the details at the PhotoWalk post at BlogHer and let the ladies of BlogHer know you're coming. And there’s a button to grab while you’re there to help us spread the good Sister word. Let’s show the world what a photo force we are, shall we?

Look out San Francisco. Here we come.

Kate and I are all geared to share with all of you on the big radio show tonight via Blog Talk Radio. We’ve selected a few questions from the list that we will be answering but we also want to encourage you to call in to ask anything else that’s on your mind. Or just to say Hi. We’d really like that. Don’t forget-the women who posed the questions we ask on the air will be getting $50 at Snapfish. Yay.

So, here’s your official invitation:

What? Tracey and Kate talk photography and Shutter Sisters on Bog Talk Radio with Kristen Chase of Motherhood Uncensored.

When? Tonight, Wednesday from 6-6:30pm PST (that’s 9-9:30pm EST.)

How? Tune in and listen. Or, to be a part of the program you can call in or use the handy chat feature online.

Why? Why not? It’s not everyday you actually get to hear the voices of your internet friends. Am I right?

And since sharing is the theme of the day, I want to send out a big thank you to Jill of Blue Poppy Jewelry for allowing me to share the above photo. I had the pleasure of shooting for BP and I just love this shot of my sister friends. And these rings pictured (which will be available on the site in Early May) as well as her others. Beauty.

And if you are so inspired, feel free to share a link to any photo you’d like today here in the comments. We’ll just call it a free for all day of sharing! Sound good?

We ask a lot of questions around here at Shutter Sisters. What inspires you? Are you up for a challenge? What images would you like to share with us?

I think it’s high time we give you a chance to ask us a question or two.

On April 16^th at 6pm PST, Sister Kate (it makes me giggle when I get to call her that) and yours truly have been invited to join the lovely and very clever Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored on her Blog Talk Radio podcast where we will answer your questions live on the air. Crowd goes wild.

Here’s what we’re proposing—you offer up your questions here in the comments and we will pick a few that we’ll address on the show. If we choose to use your question on the air, we’ll be sure to extend a little token of gratitude (gifts TBA) if that’s any incentive. *

So ladies, fire away. What is it that you want to ask us? We’re all ears.

* edited to announce that our little token is a BIG gift card to Snapfish. We've got 3 - $50 cards for the lucky winners! YAY!