
A piece of advice I’ve heard given to many aspiring writers is to “write what you know.” I’m not a writer, so I can’t comment on the wisdom of such counsel. As a photographer, however, I HAVE found it helpful to photograph what I know or–to be more precise–WHERE I know the best. For me, that would be my family at home.
You would think that taking photos at home would be boring and devoid of creativity. I actually find that I challenge myself to discover new ways of taking photos, whether it’s a creative angle or playing with lighting or just waiting for the right moment. Also, because this is the environment that my family is most comfortable in, I can take the most candid, natural photos of them because they don’t have their guard up. Besides, I really don’t aim for every single photo I take to be an earthshattering piece of fine art. In fact, it’s the spur-of-the-moment snapped shots of the everyday mundane that I often treasure the most.

And now, I’m thrilled to announce that Shutter Sisters are designating Sundays for the month of June as “Sundays At Home” for our June Giveaways. We’ve teamed up with the folks behind the book America At Home to give away FIVE of these amazing books WITH custom covers, one on each Sunday this month! This book contains exquisite images of “the distinctive rituals, intimate moments, and all the ways in which we work, play, learn, and interact with friends and family members (and pets!) at home.” You can view sample pages here. And because a custom cover is included in the giveaway, this extraordinary book will be made even more special with YOUR photo on the cover.
To be included in the random drawing, just leave a comment below with a link to your own At Home photo between now and Monday at midnight EST. And if you don’t win this week, you’ll have four more chances each Sunday this month! If you need some inspiration, make sure you check out these photos by beebee mod, Lawyer Mama [Steph], mainemomma2007 and spencercasa.
Ooooh, lovely idea! Pretty much all of my photos are at home. Here’s one that comes to mind!
http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/not-so-perfect/
The best part about home photos is the fact that we can capture our daily lives "as-is", which happens to be the parts of life I want to remember the most.
Love this type of photo! Here is one of mine that has always made me all warm ‘n fuzzy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/771184599
I love this photo of my youngest son sleeping soundly in the recliner.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/intensity_too/52800648/in/set-72157604859010023/
I’m in a Sunday mood just looking at those photos. If it stops raining, we usually get out in the garden on Sundays. Here’s my daughter showing her pumpkin around his new home:
http://appletree.typepad.com/fourrooms/2008/05/a-girl-and-her.html
he really wanted to go outside. don’t you love the mohawk?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21338573@N07/2519377523/in/set-72157604968771450?edited=1
Oh boy! All my photos are at home!
Okay, now everyone can see what a mess my kitchen cabinets are in. I never say that I’m a good housekeeper. Ha.
http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#40
This is such a cool book! Here is Andrew checking out how far his ball flew… http://www.flickr.com/photos/divrchk/2407735496/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissaspics/2510314414/
He wasn’t sleepy…just going to watch tv for awhile. Sleeping children afford LOTS of photo opportunities ๐
Love this idea. here is one of our cat claiming the bed ๐
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raggafran/2540897935/
Your post inspired me to photograph my household this morning. I captured my children engaged in crafting, their favorite indoor at-home activity. I love this shot especially of my 7 year son, who is all-boy, arranging his newly crafted mini wooden ballerina dolls.
http://fimby.tougas.net/Sunday_morning_craft
What a lovely give away! My kids love hanging out in the backyard digging for creatures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsliedtke/2505733778/in/pool-343665@N23?edited=1
What happens in MY home…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellaminnowpeas/202485029/
I live far from any of my brothers or parents. So I am always taking pictures of the everyday stuff at our house to share with them. Those pictures always end up being my favorite.
Fun idea for Sundays!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2541810534/
My daughter got new reading glasses last month. This is her first bit of homework she tried upon getting home…and she declared: is my handwriting better already? And yes, it was!
http://flickr.com/photos/7652520@N05/2541090727/
Here are my girls having a quiet moment in the backyard…of course it was provoked by Mom (otherwise it wouldn’t have happened!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23724564@N02/2442063824/
Go, Daddy, Go!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21993040@N08/2511698604/
Elena likes to help me with yard work on Sundays.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyanearden/2541317057/
We just moved into a new house a few weeks ago and are still unpacking and experiencing the newness of everything.
http://camerashy.cemestos.com/wheres-waldo/
My son loves to help me bake, I am sure it is for the reward afterwards…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sassyanna/2388424260/
Since it seems like I am always following the pup around with a camera, I thought this one was rather appropriate:
http://retinalperspectives.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/a-new-perspective/
Yeah, I’m stalkerazzi at home as well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23829646@N02/2417946302/
Wish every morning were like this…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/2542406804/
He fell asleep like this waiting for me to tuck him in…
http://flickr.com/photos/lisaboo/469396168/in/set-72157600340793665/
We like taking walks on Sunday afternoons…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21008348@N03/2437937380/
Thanks for the link! Although you linked the picture I probably would have linked here! LOL!
Here’s mine:
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2521473166/
first off, thank you SO much sarah-ji! i am honored to be mentioned in a post. this is a first for me and i am so excited i feel like i was picked for prom. (giddy!!!)
love this contest! this entire post is so fitting for my family. we had one of the very best Sundays here today. my boys made apple pie and it was a sunny lazy day, perfect.
here is a pic from our day…..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2541596893/in/photostream/
Backyards are the best spots!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2542488243/
Hello Shutter Sisters
Here are a couple of my favourite at home pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2287688311/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2298375097/
enjoy and have a nice day
nicky x
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2498961725/in/set-72157604817366138/
I just love your blog. My favorite "at home" picture this weekend.
http://wendesu.typepad.com/square_one/2008/06/sundays-at-home.html
Most of our pictures are at home-my boys are comfortable here, and silly, and sweet. Great idea!
http://flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/2542990585/
This is a lovely idea! If you knew my daughter you would understand why this photo says Ella Rose like no other photo I have taken of her and I have taken ALOT!.
http://thegossardgirls.blogspot.com/2008/05/you-are-my-sunshine.html
ps
scroll down for the photo. It is within the post and is not the header of my blog. Did not want any confusion ๐
Here’s a common occurance at my home.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amgreco92/2543056685/
This isn’t exactly at "home" but it completely represents why I live where I do and what I love about where I live!!
http://bp1.blogger.com/_4L5SKK-iZPg/SDDOXeHiHAI/AAAAAAAAAX8/J_FRoDNK_dA/s1600-h/JoEllyn+kissing+monster+bass.jpg
If that link doesn’t work–it’s the first pic you’ll see on my blog which should be linked through my name…
I’m so glad I came upon this blog!
Hey guys, here’s my Sunday pic, thanks for the opportunity!
http://grownupartists.blogspot.com/2008/06/hope-i-make-deadline.html
One moment of home — a current favorite activity: lining up all the animals and laying there chatting with each…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2504053404/in/set-72157605201836768/
Apparantly, this banana was pretty funny… I’ve recently decided to capture more of the "messy moments" and this is one of them.
Er, yeah. About that banana.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27260799@N07/2543452533/
Here is my picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27255731@N05/2543495455/in/pool-shuttersisters
I completely know what you mean by taking photos of what you know and love the most. I am constantly challenging myself to get great candids of my loved ones since my 4 year old is getting to the age where he tries to "smile" for the camera.
I hope I don’t overwhelm here but I have so many and I just chose four of my favorites {{sheepish grin}}. I’m in love with my little man.
http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/05/lions-dont-like-pictures.html
http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/06/baseball-practice-and-photo-tips.html
http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/03/best-help-in-world.html
http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/02/when-he-used-to-like-trains.html
my big kid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smilinglaura/2217877970/
In front of my giant inspiration board is my tiniest and greatest inspiration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycatherinehamelin/2413832020/
What a great give away! Here’s one of my photo’s at home, taken of my son:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73718243@N00/2429333897/
Lisl
This was taken in the home where I grew up. I took this of my mom and her mom (my grandmother) during a family birthday party. This is a scene I definitely know best. Thanks for the contest! How fun!!
http://flickr.com/photos/ewiggs/2293355381/
My photograph shows my almost-adult children with the dog that was the companion of their childhood.
http://magpiefiles.blogspot.com/2008/06/group-hug.html
It is not wonderful if you judge it by technique but it says everything about our family.
Noticing the shadows, "x" marks the spot since home is my center.
http://woolgatheringofyarn.blogspot.com/2008/06/at-home.html
What an awesome giveaway! Here is mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinfayephotography/2182303832/
Summer Sunday are my favorite http://www.melizzard.com/2008/06/sunday-summers.html
we’re listening to stories and taking naps on Sunday afternoons.
http://nikkipolani.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/sometimes-quiet/
My favorite at-home shot. http://www.susiej.com/index.php/my-content-little-guy/.
Great photo of your daughter, she looks like she’s deeply in thought living out her dream of the moment.
Oh, what a great idea! Here is my entry!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiveflowers/2546262958/
One of our favorite places at our house is the backyard. Now that the weather is nice, not a day goes by that we aren’t out there as a family enjoying our sanctuary.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57679938@N00/2450835938/
I love these kind of shots. Just sitting around capturing real life. I did a series of photos in this post last winter in this post – I Do Not Understand Males
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/03/11/i-do-not-understand-males/
My favorite pic in this post is the second one. Such concentration!
This isn’t my best and it’s no longer Sunday, but I took this photo of my son, Max, about 10 minutes ago. He’s resting after a long day. Max has Cerebral Palsy and he’s frequently all tightened up, so this shot of him relaxed and loose, lying on his big pillow (called a Cloud Nine), it makes me smile.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_cEgTSqGLUmc/SESVjrbch0I/AAAAAAAAAZI/lgMCeo6IxAY/s1600-h/012.JPG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheart/2546221951/
It’s where I take most of my pictures ๐
My niece Anna and her mischievious grin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27313038@N06/2547111616/in/photostream/
I have been a silent stalker for quite sometime now. I figure this is as good a reason as any to come out and say hello! Love the site. Talent abounds! Thanks for your contributions, Sisters!
Here is my entry for the prize: http://imagesby138.blogspot.com/2008/06/america-home.html
I have seen this book in the local bookstore but what a special thing to have a photo of your own grace the cover! Great giveaway, Ladies!
Standing outside with my daughter(sporting her new hat one of my best friends made for her) after her 6th birthday party this weekend.
oops sorry this is my first time posting anything on here.
here’s the link
http://flickr.com/photos/87112962@N00/2547454826/
These are my Sundays….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katskrazykids/2344065481/
Here are by best "at home" shots…
any feedback is appreciated…
๐
http://picasaweb.google.com/abbeyh13/AroundTheHouse?authkey=SW48dy-v8wI
there’s nothing so "at home" for us as dinner by the "bond"-fire in our back yard. =)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2502011862/in/set-72157605117529816/
Do you mean literally in the house or what we do on the weekends? We like to walk on the beach a lot. There is one photo of Babygirl that I especially love of her on the beach, she is enjoying the breezes. You can see that here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8950213@N02/2548576620/
But if you mean literally at home, then we normally hang out, have fun and do silly things like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8950213@N02/2547785405/in/photostream/
Have been enjoying seeing what other folks do at home.
Love the first photo in this post…who’s is it?
http://flickr.com/photos/sarahcosta/2544488508/
onw of my first favorite photogs was Sally Mann. Her fine art photos of her own little family at home instantly captivated me and I’ve loved her and them ever since.
here’s a flickr set of MY OWN @ home:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/24319138@N00/92jDN9
Thanks for the opportunity!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beehill/41795440/