Shutter Sisters

seeing the signs

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It’s a funny thing when you’re doing all in your power to be present while at the same time you’re being asked to look ahead and focus on what’s just around the bend. It’s not always easy integrating the now with the later.

I’m fully aware that we’ve still got some time yet until the holiday season truly begins and yet my sights have been set on this soon-coming festive time of year for a while now. Between sharing images and photo tips for up and coming winter publications and writing the daily prompts for my photo e-class Picture the Holidays, I’ve been in my own little winter wonderland over here. And believe me, it has taken quite a bit of imagination on my part considering I live in sunny Southern California.

What I’ve come to find out is that there is great freedom in working ahead. Many of you might already know and embrace this truth, but, it’s pretty new to me. And although I am still literally in catch up mode in many areas still, I’m ruminating on a lifestyle that keeps me a little more ahead, rather than a little more behind. Let’s just say, it’s a work in progress.

Here’s what’s awesome; even when you’re planning the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, shooting your picture for your holiday card, or shopping for (or making) gifts waaaaay in advance, you can be fully present, in the moment and loving it. Without the overwhelming feeling of being rushed you can actually enjoy the moment even more. I’m finding the whole notion to be quite an eye opener and even though my One Little Wordfor last year was “deliberate” (which to me meant to make every moment count and hopefully be more productive by default), I feel like it’s taken most of 2010 to really work it’s magic on me.

So, why this holiday photo today? Because I want to encourage you to commit to being present throughout the holiday season this year. And yes, that might mean not being resentful when the holiday decorations are up at the mall. It might actually mean embracing the extra time you’re being offered to get into the spirit of things! It’s not such a bad thing if you look at it like that. You don’t have to feel rushed;  just take your own sweet time and enjoy it, it on your terms. Imagine, by the time the holidays arrive, you may be totally ready and in a fantastic frame of mind to celebrate. Imagine!

If you’re willing to give it a go with me and focus on the beauty, love and joy that the holidays are supposed to be about, I encourage you to join me for Picture the Holidays. I promise it will be just what your creative spirit needs to shine this season. Registration is open now and class begins Dec 1st and ends on Dec 31st. You’re going to love it!

Just leave a comment here between now and Thursday 11/11 at midnight EST for your chance to win one of three class registrations I am giving away for Picture the Holidays. I’d love to hear your thoughts and see some festive photography too. My guess is you’ve got all kinds of sparkly shots to share!

Comments

  3. Your class sounds wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I recently purchased your new book and am loving it. A friend asked me to take pictures at her wedding in December so I am taking many photos right now for practice.
    Sandi

  8. I haven't registered yet…would like to win…good to have this kind of encouragement to be mindful when we usually rush though this month!

  9. I decided three weeks ago that I would sign up for this class (the day I discovered the website). I would love to be entered in the give away, but I will definitely be a part of this holiday celebration whether I win or not 🙂

  11. I didn't register because I'm a broke 23 year old waiting for the next paycheck…and I've been horribly regretting not taking Picture Fall.

    This past Christmas, I wasn't shooting manually yet, so I'm going to spare you those photos…
    But here's a bit of sparkle from the season that's quickly leaving us. 🙂

    http://wildfledged.tumblr.com/post/1533791441

    I would be elated to be part of this class; hopefully I will anyway!

  12. The holidays always seem to rush by when it is the time you really want to slow down…I would love to be part of your class and capture the beauty of the holiday- the magic, the sparkle.

  16. I would like to win. I failed at picture summer when we went out of Internet range for camping and I fell too far behind. I'd like to try again!

  17. Thank you for the opportunity. I haven't registered for the class, but was contemplating it. No doubt I'll be participating whether I win or not. I was curious, do you send out photo tips in the class? Or is it daily assignment of what to shoot? just curious.

  19. I love this site and check it daily. There is always great inspiration. I would love to win a spot in your class!

  25. i think what i love most is making my home nice and cozy and full of fairy lights! looking forward to picture the holidays, would be great to win too!

  26. I would love to *win* a spot in this class… It's sounds like it's going to be soooo magical… Thank you soooo much for the reminder.. So often we do rush things, when we really just need to stop and be fully in the moment… :0)

  27. "And yes, that might mean not being resentful when the holiday decorations are up at the mall." You totally nailed me.

    I love the idea of being ahead and it allowing for a more mindful experience. I'm a natural procrastinator, but you have me a bit more motivated to change my ways. (and I would love to take the class!)

  28. I love watching the Christmas decorations go up…..even if it is the day after Halloween!! Why shouldn't we have two full months to celebrate and have a little extra hope and joy in every day!

  35. I would love to be registered for the give-away. I have recently discovered your great blog and Flickr groups, and since I have been unemployed this fall, I have been making photographs and sharing daily, meaning some days, well a lot of days, people barely get fed around here. There should be snow where I live sometime this season, so I would love to help give your imagination a boost add some northern sparkle to the mix. Congratulations on the book launch!!

  38. The holidays are always my most favorite time of year. Taking photos everyday as I get ready and enjoy, is a great idea.

  39. tracey,
    i'm a bit of a grinch when i comes to christmas. was raised without that holiday, and i've always felt out of step with the rest of the world in december.
    maybe participating in 'picture the holidays' would change all that. or maybe it would make it worse!
    we'll see.
    thanks for this giveaway!
    xhillary

  40. Ooh, I'd love to win! We travel for Christmas since we live far from my family, so I get into the "spirit" early so the kids can experience Christmas at home as well. Our shelf elf is already flying back to the North Pole every night to report to Santa, shopping is almost done, and Christmas videos have replaced Elmo in the van. I *love* Christmas! 🙂

  42. It's my Birthday today, and that would be a wonderful Birthday surprise. Pick me, pick me!! I hope, I hope 🙂 🙂
    PS Just got Expressive Photography, love it!!!

  43. Oh, I would love to take this class. This season I would like to take more outdoor holiday photos.

  46. Love the holidays and love this site!! I have it set as my opening page when my computer comes on….it's like a little present every time I turn on the pc….love all the enthusiasm! Validates what I do on a daily basis!
    🙂

  48. I would love to participate in Picture the Holidays. It would give me an excuse to focus on something just for myself, instead of just running like crazy all the time.

  49. Of course I'd be thrilled to win a registration for Picture Holiday! 🙂 At first I thought how stressful this would be to take pictures during that hectic time of the year but now I think that maybe that really helps to focus on the joy of it!

  53. How Fun!! Thanks so much for the opportunity. I think this is a great way to be intentional and present for the Holidays with all of the business that December inevitably brings.

  54. thank you for the (always) thoughtful and thought provoking post

    mu husband and I have already expressed the "UGH!" at the Christmas items up before Halloween was even over. however, after reading your post, I will challenge myself from now on to view it as an opportunity and appreciate the early reminder.

    thank you for the new perspective =)

  56. What a joy to focus on something I love during the holiday season!! I'll pray I win the free registration. 🙂

  57. I'd love to enter – but I must say I'm glad the class starts December 1 because I am of the thinking that Christmas should not begin until after Thanksgiving. I'm savoring my holidays one at a time. 🙂

  60. Nice! My son is 18 months old…last year I did nothing to get into the holiday spirit, and I promised myself I would change that this year. Now, here I am, anticipating a holly jolly season, but I don't even know where to begin! "Picture the Holidays" sounds like it would be great inspiration, especially as I'm in the process of trying to learn the intricacies of my mother's Nikon D40…she's very generous in sharing it with me…perhaps she wants more pictures of her grandson! Haha.

  61. Thanks for your post and the reminder to enjoy each and every moment of the holidays. I've always loved the holiday season but with a bunch of little kids it seems to get more and more stressful and not fun. I'm vowing NOW to enjoy this holiday season with my family.

  62. I've registered already and can't wait to start! I found that the daily prompts in Picture Fall really inspired me to take more and varied photos. I loved it.

  63. Thanks for the opportunity to win a spot. I took Picture Summer but wasn't able to participate in Picture Fall. Your photos are always so inspiring!

  65. I love how you reframed how we see the too-early arrival of christmas decorations. I always grumble when the christmas music starts at the hardware store in october. I like the idea of seeing it instead as a gentle reminder of the upcoming season, as an opportunity to take it in on my own time.

  66. I would love to win a registration for the class! I'm so sorry I'm not going to be able to come into the city tomorrow. I really tried to figure out a way!

  69. An opportunity to win a seat in your upcoming class is awesome. It's so easy to forget to be present during the hustle and bustle busyness of the holidays. Daily prompts would be the prefect little reminder.

  73. That's what I'm trying to do this year: enjoy the whole season and not feel rushed! I would love to join your class too.

  74. This class would give me great motivation to use my camera daily and soak up all the holiday season has to offer. Very tempting 🙂

  76. Loving one little word – mine was for 2010 was learn. I'd love to extend that to the very end with the Picture the Holidays class!

  77. Picture fall was such a wonderful experience, I am so excited for picture the holidays. Have not registered yet…maybe I will win a spot instead! 🙂 I like the idea of embracing all of the earliness…not on my computer right now so I don't have any holiday photos. But I am looking forward to shooting some favorites in your class!

  79. I have signed up for the class and can't wait. So excited and intrigued. Thanks for doing this and putting your all in to it.

    Sheri