Shutter Sisters

Life Source

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A group of iPhoneographers and I have been asked to participate in a iPhoneography exhibition to be hosted at Odapark in Venlo, Holland, March 4 through May 1. The theme of the show is centered around nature, which posed a bit of a challenge for me as a documentary photographer. While I’m thoroughly inspired by the intricate beauty, layers of complexity, and infinite alure of our natural environment, I am not as moved to recreate it with my camera unless there’s evidence of humanity present.

As I scanned through my iPhoneography archive seeking signs of nature, I was actually pleasantly surprised to discover a recurring point of focus and fascination with… water. What’s interesting is that I haven’t been shooting water specifically; I’ve been drawn to it more subconsciously. When you open yourself up to capture visuals that move you on a near daily basis, recurring visuals or themes will likely emerge as you look back through your image archive.

What elements of nature move you most?

unexpected inspiration

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Photo inspired by Sharon Montrose’s wonderful Tails series.

“How do you persuade an energetic infant monkey to pause long enough for a photograph? You don’t. “I put the camera in front of him, let him do whatever he wanted and tried to capture his natural charm.”

Sharon Montrose is one of my favorite photographers. And though I have no intention of becoming an animal photographer, the creativity, the sense of passion and playfulness that she brings to her work inspire me every day.

How about you? Is there a photographer whose style couldn’t be more different than yours or than what you aspire to and yet whose work inspires you? War photographers, humanitarian, documentary photographers, fashion photographers, food photographers, sport photographers?

Today share with us.

Baby Love

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Oh, how I love babies, I truly do. My boys have long been out of the baby stage and whenever I get a chance to photograph babies, I’m all over it.  From newborns to crawlers to toddlers, seriously, what’s not to love?!  So of course when I had the chance to photograph this sweet baby boy and his big sister, I wasn’t about to pass it up. 

Today, share with us your baby photos and let us all get our baby fix!

Quick Snaps

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Winter frost…  Oh my it’s pretty. The photo possiblities are endless.

The other day I took the puppy dogs to the lake. I also took my Nikon. I was very excited to capture the pretty frost. Unfortunately I left the battery at home on the charger. Ugh. Thankfully I had my Olympus Pen in the car and I was able to snap away during our walk.

I just love this shot of Ben. The focus isn’t great, his legs are cut off, but he looks so handsome with the frosty tress in the background. By the time the walk was over the frost had fallen. I’m so glad I had my Pen close by and I was able to capture it. How about you? Do you keep a small camera or maybe your camera phone close by to capture the beauty life offers up?

Share a quick snap with us today.

intimacy

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The thing I remember loving the most about my years as a portrait photographer was the ability to capture moments rarely noticed by anyone else. Moments of connection, family life, love, laughter. I made it my mission to seek out the nuances that often got overlooked; the things, that when distilled through my lens felt like magic.

Of all the wonderful things I’ve been privileged to witness, the ones I feel most honored to share have been the moments of intimacy. The pauses in between the expected shots. The quick glance, the exhale, the gentle touch, the subtle gesture, the contemplative expression, the comfort, the ease.

Perhaps this is why I like to get in close to my subjects. Getting in close means you have to deliberately choose only a few  details amongst the bigger picture that you want to frame in your shot.  It means you’re really looking, noticing, honoring that person, that moment, that intimate view into something or someone as if somehow been allowed in to be a part of something rare and wonderful.

Today, show us your version of getting up-close and personal with your subject, whatever or whoever it may be.

fulfilled

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“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” – Forest E. Witcraft

One goal of our new homeschooling adventure with our youngest son was to cultivate his love of science.  Allowing him to guide the curriculum is proving to be exciting.  While working on mathematics, spelling, reading, we are also exploring microbiology, chemistry, geography, photography, roman numerals, and Latin… all chosen by him.

The result is bigger smiles, a soaring self-esteem, and an unstoppable desire to learn.  Think about how happy, content and fulfilled you would be if you had been able to pursue passions meaningful to you.

What would you choose to learn?

me. you. us.

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“Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed.
I was here… I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad.
I had an idea and I had a good purpose,
and that is why I made works of art.”
– Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Why do we take the photos we take?
Do you have a story to share? 

i love to jump

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1. jump, it’s my birthday, 2. jump, 3. jump, 4. 193/365 – i just like to jump, 5. 132/365 – bench monday – autumn sunshine, 6. bluebells!

I love to jump and leap…

I’m often drawn to take a jump shot if the location excites me… it almost demands it.

Do you like jump? have you tried it? I know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re tempted, why not have a go?

Here’s how I do it – Place your camera, aligning the framing you want… fix your focus point… set to self-timer… move into position… and only jump when you see the countdown finishing, and just before the shutter releases, so you’re in the air. Sometimes magic happens and it works. Sometimes you have to try again. It comes with practice and it’s all about playing & having fun.

Do you have any jumps shots you’d like to share, we love to see them!

served

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Morning, noon, night, we are fortunate to have some kind of bounty on our tables. Whether it’s a home cooked meal, a late night snack or a glorious night out where the food is graciously prepared and served with a smile, there’s something about food that not only satisfies hunger (or thirst!) but also serves as instant subject matter for the next quick pic.

I have never before captured so many table shots as I do now that I have taken up mobile phone photography. It’s as if I just can’t help myself. And why should I? Creative bursts come in the most unlikely places…like at the dinner table.

Snap a shot from your table today. Show us what’s being served or what you’re serving up. Make our mouths water.

wonderland

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“This is what a Utah winter looks like,” she told me as she drove me from Salt Lake City up to Park City, Utah. I marveled from the passenger side as huge snowflakes poured out of the vast bucket sky.

Click, click, click.

Through the windshield I snapped image after image of the landscape that surrounded us. Amazed by what I saw. It had rained all day until all of the sudden, it turned to snow. And minutes later, a total transformation from all gray to winter white. I don’t recall ever seeing anything quite like it. We could have been on the moon for all I knew.

It was a long and harrowing drive for most of the people on the road that afternoon but not for her. And even if it was, she wouldn’t let on. Apologizing all over myself for the amount of time I was stealing from her day and for the traffic and for the weather, she urged, “This is the magic, Tracey. I wasn’t going to let you miss the magic.”

And I didn’t. Those 24 hours were filled with picturesque views, real winter weather, my camera, big boots, bright lights, warmth, inspiration, and friendship. In a word; magic.

Share with us today your wonderland. When you gaze outside your window, what magic awaits you? Let’s see the landscape that surrounds you today.