Shutter Sisters

quiet celebration

By

Typically when I think of the holiday season I think of festive, boisterous, falalalaing. This year I have changed my tune a bit. I have learned to find the beauty in the quiet of the holidays. The peacefulness, the unspoken love between families, the loveliness of nature this time of year. Perhaps the key is to learn to appreciate both. Take the time to celebrate with loved ones, but also take time to enjoy the quiet- take it in.

This photo reminds me of my newfound appreciation for quiet. Walking through my neighborhood alone I happened upon this cluster of pink sticks, perfectly framed by an evening sunset. Escaping the joyous noises of December is just as important as partaking in them. Capturing them can be equally festive.

Today’s giveaway consists of 2 8x10s from my etsy shop, you choose. Pink sticks is a recent addition. Comment to be entered to win and good luck!

Words, Photo and giveaway graciously offered by the blissful and beautfiul Traci French. Click over to be enraptured by her blog Bliss.

Comments

  8. Finding solace is hard this time of year with the hustle and bustle of each day. Thanks for the wonderful photo and the reminder…"to find the peacefulness" of the season.

  10. could someone tell me where the drawings from the give-aways are being posted? they started out being posted at the end of each post the following day, but i haven’t seen a winner in quite a few days. am i missing something? =)

  22. i agree that quieting down is an important balance to this time of year especially!
    that’s a beautiful photo, love the story behind it. knowing where you were and what you saw…

  30. mrs. french – I knew it was you immediately! So amazing that your photography has such a unique signature… Thanks for your peaceful offering… xox

  31. mrs. french – I knew it was you immediately! So amazing that your photography has such a unique signature… Thanks for your peaceful offering… xox

  32. mrs. french – I knew it was you immediately! So amazing that your photography has such a unique signature… Thanks for your peaceful offering… xox

  41. I love etsy! Your photos are amazingly peaceful and the colors so calming, what a great reminder that the simple things will make us the most happy. Beautiful work!

  48. mrs. french – I knew it was you immediately! So amazing that your photography has such a unique signature… Thanks for your quiet offering… xox

  51. i swooned over those colours & the utter beauty of nature. i love all the shades of teal & turquoise in many of your photos.

  52. That’s Mrs. French from Flickr!
    You can spot her work anywhere. Every piece has such an ethereal quality and I love gazing at her photostream. What a wonderful giveaway and I’m so with you on finding the quiet moments during such a crazy, festive season. The quiet moments are absolutely the most rewarding for me.

  58. APOLOGIES for multiple posts!! Computer kept telling me that the page was unavailable, so I kept on trying! For the record, I am NOT trying to increase my chances of winning mrs. french prints. 🙂 xox

  60. What a great bokeh!
    The colours are so vibrant so winter! For me it encapsulates this time and the holiday season perfectly.
    love this- its my favorite of your winter photos, the light chain is my favorite summer one 🙂
    Thank you for the reminder- the special moments in life are the things one remebers most later on, so its well worth stoping and taking them in whole heartedly- once the moment its gone, we only have the memory of it 🙂

  65. I think all of your photos are quiet reminders to slooowww down, look around, take in the beauty that surrounds us. That’s why I love them! 🙂

  71. I need to start taking a camera along when I walk my dogs. I often pass by something and think, "That would make an interesting photo."
    I love your idea of enjoying the quiet joys of the holidays.

  73. I think you’re absolutely right about simplicity – and I think that’s part of the reason you take such simple, gorgeous pictures. Keep up the good work!!

  103. Very pretty. It reminds me of the starkness of winter. the pink branches and soft colors of the sunset remind me of the hope that spring is coming.

  110. having just bought a new/old house in need of much cosmetic work, i am struggling hard to keep my life balanced and quiet, which is what i crave. it’s an uphill battle but i’m getting there! 🙂

  117. Oh how fun! This is probably my favorite giveaway yet because I definitely have prints I am wanting from your shop and I have a feeling my hubby didn’t get them for me for Christmas. I am in love with your Winter Dogwood and Delicate. And all the others, of course. The colors are are gorgeous and the photos are all so dreamy!

  133. how could i not leave a comment about lady french’s amazing photographs?

    they’re inspiring & awe-ing (is that a word? you what i mean) and i can’t get enough!

  134. I love love LOVE Mrs. French!! I read her website daily and have had my eyes on a couple of her prints for a while now 🙂

  155. OMG, Mrs.French! 154 comments! YAY! This image is gorgeous my friend, and I couldn’t agree more….the quiet amid the "falalalaing" is so wonderful as well. What a wonderful giveaway!
    xo
    Melis

  159. I took my kids to our local university’s arboretum today for a nature walk. It is so lovely to slow down and just appreciate nature!

  171. Oh my GOODNESS. I just wanna snatch ’em ALL up!
    I’m really loving the "bursts" and the "pink sticks"… so many of those would look so stunning in a collection.
    Just looking in your etsy shop is so filling and inspiring, love it!!

  173. i’m a photographer too albeit quite an amateur. i admire your work and point of view. i just found your site/blog a few days ago and love it.

  186. This is such a beautiful photograph, Mrs French! The celebratory piink against the restful turqoise background perfectly encapsulates that combination of ceebration and calm that you speak of. I would love to be considered for your giveaway!