Shutter Sisters

simple, soulful

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“Your Style Statement is the two words that define the true you. It’s a touchstone for making more powerful choices in your life – from your wardrobe to your living room, your relationships to your career plans. Your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression.” – Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Simple, soulful. I know it doesn’t seem like much, yet defining my style statement has been an important milestone in my career and life as a creative soul. These two words have helped me make decisions about chairs and outfits, and enlightened my path whenever I wandered too far away from my true self. So when I was offered the opportunity to conduct an e-course on photography earlier this year, I couldn’t think of better words to define it. 

The Simple Soulful Photography e-class (October 4-31) is a four-week workshop complete with lessons and challenges that will encourage you to find and express your authentic self through photography. I envisioned this e-class like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. I come in early and journal while waiting patiently for familiar and friendly faces to appear. This place is our café. This is your place. Where imperfections are celebrated, insights are shared and souls are nurtured. A place where we support each other on our quest to finding our authentic self and building a more creative and fulfilling life.

I am most excited today to give away 3 registrations for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. Please share with us your style statement or what words define your work and true, authentic self and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 27th at midnight PST.

Comments

  1. My style is just developing, but I know when I capture something in my style. I aim for simple, expressive natural light shots. Thanks!

  2. I thought a lot about what words describe my true and authentic self.
    It's hard to label myself admitting not being perfect. Cause I'd like to.

    Restless. Tender. Emotional.

    Those are my words.

  4. I think my style is capturing a glimpse of my subject as they "really" are, not the posed look we see so many times. I love candid, natural light shots.

  5. Looking at my photography, wardrobe, home furnishings, hairstyle, shoe collection and writing samples, the words that come to my mind are "quirky mod". I take what is chic, conventional and spin it to make it my own.

  6. Huh – I never even gave a thought to formulating any kind of style statement for myself. I think two words that might be right for me, though, are eclectic and determined. I wear what I like, decorate with what I like, work with what I want to rather than with what is sensible, without any kind of devotion to fashion or a particular style.

  10. What a great opportuntiy, thanks. I relaly haven't thought about my style statement. For now it would be simple and emotional.

  15. I'd say that my style is real. I try real hard to show how real life is. Sometimes I wish I wouldn't & clean the table first, but that's a lie. My tables always have a few crumbs lingering.

  16. This is the second time I've seen something about a style statement. I haven't read it yet, but I think it might be time to pick it up.

    Words that come to mind for me are TIMELESS & PURE.

    That might change after I read the book, though 😀

    ~WW

  17. I think my words are genuine and true. I want my photos to be genuine and true to the subject matter. Whether it's my wiggly 1 year old great niece or 92 year old father in law. I like the photo to tell a story. On the other hand, I like true photos – just catching a moment that I want to remember without trying to compose a shot and all that stuff. It sounds like a great class! Still loving "Expressive Photography" – it was worth waiting months for! 🙂

  18. I love capturing glimpses. Glimpses of what was going on in at a certain time in someone's life. What a great giveaway!!

  19. I have heard of the Style Statement before, thanks for the reminder. I love the idea of choosing two words that help you make decisions and enlighten the path. Personally it is not so easy for me to choose these two words because I often feel as though my essence is obscured by too many fears and complex layers of personality. "Complex" was actually one of the words that sprang to my mind, until I realized that this is not my essence. Anyway, I need to give this some more thought but for now I think that these two words may come close: peaceful, light. Thank you!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcmartin/4410594108/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcmartin/4980544675/

  20. This sounds like a great book; I'm definitely going to read it! I've been trying to figure out my style for a little while now, and I think that at this point in time my style statement is genuine and introspective.

  24. Not sure if I have a style yet but I do like to focus in on the subject, crop tightly, I guess is the term. I often take things out of a shot if something is distracting from the subject. I am a mom of two beautiful girls so they are my common subjects. Thanks for a chance to win, you may just "see" me whether I win or not! This looks like a great e-class.

  26. i love style statement! the first time i worked through, my words weren't me. months later, when i was trying to figure out what my style statement was, especially in relation to my design aesthetic and also the way i dress, i worked through the book again and found me: modern bohemian.

  29. Bright and shiny. I like when my pictures not only LOOK bright but when you can see that the moment it captures was bright and shiny, too.

  32. sacred/aware. i hated it – hated being aware, but knew the truth of it immediately. people are fine with the sacred part, but aware makes them uncomfortable – i've known this since i was a child. aware is scary, that ability to read between the lines, the knowing of a truth or lie. i try to keep it to myself. it is never easy.

  34. I love this idea! So much so, that I just purchased Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design on Amazon 🙂 I'm not able to pinpoint exactly my style without the full book experience but I've been toying with "Upcycle Magic."

  36. i love your style statement, irene…simple soulful. delicious. i have been marinating for two years in danielle laporte's books and still have yet to birth the 'two words'…but my essence is definitely about love, art and alchemy. thank you for this generous offering.

  37. I think my two style statements would be Alive and Graphic. I hasten to add that this is not where I think my photography is at the moment, but where I am aiming for.

  39. I've been think about this a lot lately. My style seems to incorporate two very different styles, and then I attempt to blend them together. I love a very contemporary aesthitic and a clean vintage country vibe. So I'm always trying to blend those two things.
    I loved reading everyones style statements, it's so interesting.
    I would love to win the e-course.
    To see my style visit
    http://gildingliliesjournal.blogspot.com

  40. I think I am still developing my style. I find that how I see things through my lens and how I process photos is really depends on how I am feeling that day. This gets me thinking that perhaps I should me more consistent.
    Two words I can think of right now in my photographic journey would be sensitive/caring.
    I would like opportunity to explore this a little more.

  41. I love the Style Statement book and have worked through it once, though I'm tempted to do it again! What I found was that I'm Sacred/Creative (though I question the creative at times, with the blocks I've been having lately), but the sacred definitely fits.

  43. Nostalgic, casual portraiture, close-up, documentary in a way, sometimes candid, really relaxed shoot atmosphere. I don't like kids to get all dressed up. It makes them feel like I am the boss and that they require strict instruction. If I allow them to wear what they want, they tend to start off in a good mood.

    I am not really a location shooter. never take kids to the middle of the field to shoot them. I try to keep them comfortable in their own surroundings. I get some of my best pictures by not saying a word, and just watching for them to either laugh or give me an awkward smile. Right now I shoot mostly children, but I have adults coming more and more my way. And they want and love the direction. Two totally different animals, adults and children.

    My blog is pretty much just a photoblog, not a lot of the written word, which is how I would like to keep it.
    http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/

  44. Nostalgic, casual portraiture, close-up, documentary in a way, sometimes candid, really relaxed shoot atmosphere. I don't like kids to get all dressed up. It makes them feel like I am the boss and that they require strict instruction. If I allow them to wear what they want, they tend to start off in a good mood.

    I am not really a location shooter. never take kids to the middle of the field to shoot them. I try to keep them comfortable in their own surroundings. I get some of my best pictures by not saying a word, and just watching for them to either laugh or give me an awkward smile. Right now I shoot mostly children, but I have adults coming more and more my way. And they want and love the direction. Two totally different animals, adults and children.

    My blog is pretty much just a photoblog, not a lot of the written word, which is how I would like to keep it.
    http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/

  45. LOVE style statement! i bought it when it first came out a couple of years ago, and would recommend it to anyone….but anything with danielle laporte's signature on it is worth checking out, in my opinion. : )
    my style statement feels too personal to share, but some words that define my work are soulful, authentic, joyful, brave, and full of love!

  47. I LOVE that book. It set me on a new path too, and now that I'm thinking about it, I'd love to go through it again. My style statement is "Sacred Organic" (or Sensual Organic, I can't decide) 🙂

  49. My style? Simple, Joyful. These word represent my life and definitely describe the kind of photos I like to take.

  54. Powerful and Emotional. I love "grabbing moments" that evoke a strong feeling, memory or deeper thought within me…and especially love giving another viewer the sensation of being there -in the moment- with me, regardless of the subject.

  57. My words/style would be Nature Lover. Natural states, natural light=LOVE. 🙂
    I woujld love to participate in this e-class.

  58. Just got Style Statement a few weeks ago and haven't worked all the way through it yet. From first impression, I am a creative bohemian.

  60. While I've never considered a style statement before it didn't take me long to figure out that mine is Boldly Comfortable. I like statement pieces that have a warm and fuzzy side.

  62. I just bought this book and hope to receive it tomorrow! I have been struggling to find out my true style and since checking out this website and similar ones, I realize I need to give this a chance. I love simple, natural choices but deep down I do enjoy boldness and bright colors but they are outside of my comfort zone.

    Thanks for this post!

  63. my style is black and white, clean, though I love movement in my photos, and cropped extra wide….sorta panoramic

  64. That is tough, I never really thought of defining my style in just a few words. Thinking about my wardrobe, my personality, my photography, and what I am drawn to in art, house decor, fashion, and photography, I would have to say simple, comforting, unique.

  66. Hi There,

    The two words that are popping in and out of my consciousness and photography are heartfelt and playful.

    Fingers crossed.

    Jenny

  69. I want my style to be raw.powerful.charged.

    I want you to see my photos and have to take a second look, a second glance, to fully process both the image and the emotion.

    Like the old Life magazine photos always were for me.

    Ally

  71. I am pretty new to photography. What I have noticed over the past year of studying my photos is that I like things with lots of color. I don't oversaturate, I just like the scene to be filled with bright colors. The images look more candid, less posed, more people, less objects and mostly outdoor. I would love to see how this style changes and molds with me as I grow with my camera.

    Angela

    http://www.rainy-n-texas.blogspot.com

  74. Gosh, I wish I knew my style . . . then my house wouldn't still look like a college-kid's apartment!

    Photographically, I like to keep things simple – too much "stuff" like props, etc just makes my skin itch . . .

  75. Wow, I could really stand to win this class 😉
    I haven't given it too much thought but my business name is Cosi Bella, in Italian it means "so beautiful" – hey maybe that should be the two words! Hmm, maybe I need the class 😀

  82. I feel like it is so fortuitous that I saw this post when I did. I've read Style Statement and have been living (or trying to live) my 2 words for the last year or so. I'm mad crazy about the book and about Danielle LaPorte (she rocks)!

    Hello to the Shutter Sisters community from a CREATIVE AUTHENTIC. 🙂

    I'm in a period of flux and change right now. In my career mostly. And am looking to explore on a deeper level, what this all means and looks like. The way I've always done it is through film and photos.
    This course sounds amazing and right up my alley.

  83. Thank you for this chance to participate in the giveaway, Irene, it would magical to be able to take your course!!!
    I love your style!
    For what concerns mine, maybe discovering the beauty of small details in the natural world. more than two words.

  85. I am currently reading about my style statement and trying to find out what it is. I would say nostalgic is one word I would use. I am trying hard to find time every day to capture the joy and love of our family and each individual of our family in photographs and journaling.

  86. i think my style evolves with time, but i capture my life right now, in the moment. seeking beauty in my everyday.even on the bad days, no matter how small.

  88. I don't even know what my style is! 🙁 But I know what I like and what I want it to be….. simple, dreamy, emotional. 🙂

  89. My style right now is just fun! I think it changes depending on my mood but it's usually fun. If I am too serious it takes the joy out of my work.

  90. I am very new to photography, having just started using a DSLR this summer. What a wonderful oppotunity it would be to have the challenge of taking a course to help define my style. At this moment the words "natural" and "playful" come to mind, but I am unsure if this is my personal style or what I seek out when I take photographs.

  91. I don't have words that describe my style (yet?) but I'm discovering that I definately prefer simplicity, and focusing on details.

  92. my style is a mix…it is about connections and relationships between people, unscripted moments combined with more formal images, emotion, purity, honesty…simple. and always personal…a reflection of the person.

  93. I would describe my work as unique, fun and focused. I shoot such a range of things that it was hard to actually put that in words.

  94. Hmmmm…I'm not sure about my style statement. Maybe I need to read the book… Probably natural, organic, and I love photos that capture and convey energy. I'd love to take the photography e-course. (Just picked up your book, by the way–it looks great and I can't wait to spend more time reading it!)

  96. My style is still very much developing. When I look at my photos, I see a bias for strong graphic patterns and bold color. In making pictures of people (especially my kids), I love to get close up and share details.

  97. I just finished the style statement book and am rolling around with mine…..Harmonious Luminosity. This is the first time I've put it in writing beyond the pages of the book and it feels right. Balance and light – perfect for a photography course!
    Wonderful give away!
    Christine

  98. My style statement is always evolving as I grow and evolve. The two words I use currently are simple & light. I love simplicity and I crave it in my crazy life. Light is something I am constantly drawn to…I like to look for the best in others and in every situation.

  99. Wow – two words to describe my developing style… that's a tough one. I'd say simple because I like B&W and clean lines and maybe edgy or gritty because I like urban landscapes/decay and grainy textures.

    Looks like I'm going to have to check out danielle laporte's book and do a little more searching…

  101. I don't have a style yet… I'm too new. I experiment, get frustrated, try again, push my own boundaries, imitate, reach. I desire authenticity and surprise. I want to give a glimpse of possibilities, of promise, of hope; to convey a sense of peace: to be grounded, yet not stationary.

  103. What a tough question. . .I have never really thought much about my style. I'd have to say natural light, relaxed and honest. Or at least that's what I'm going for in my photography.

  104. I am still trying to find what is ultimately my style — but I suppose I would describe what I do as just trying like heck to capture as many "moments of now" as I am able to. 🙂

  108. I'm just getting going again, but I know to be as close to printing straight from the camera as possible. Natural light, with little processing work to be done prior to printing. And my aim is to tell a story. It's more than just capturing a moment, but the little nuances (i.e. facial expressions) that really tell what's happening in the shot.

  110. i think this is probably the most sought after aspect to most on their photographic journey … i love the playful, colorful images i see … but if i'm being honest, i lean more toward moody, and dark … with a tiny tinge of melancoly. but i'm really a very happy person 🙂

  111. I really am just starting on this journey to define myself and my style. Right now, colorful, peaceful, natural, grateful are the words that come to mind. The class sounds like just what I need – thank you for sharing the spots.

  112. Coming from a newbie "momtographer" who hasn't really figured out her style – thanks for this great post! It was also helpful to read through the other comments and get some ideas of words that might fit for me. Your workshop sounds wonderful!

  114. what a good exercise, i guess if i had to choose two words to describe my style it'd be searching, celebrating

  116. I'm still figuring out what my 'style' is… but I know that it's relaxed and fun… genuine and spontaneous. That would be what I find in my work.

  117. Looking through my photostream, I can see which photos of my own that appealed to me enough to post, which sort of gives a theme: bright and positive. I like bold colors, boosted natural colors, and I also like images that are fun, happy and entertaining, all of which I think give a really positive edge to an image. So there you go. Thanks for making me look and think about it.

  118. I'd definitely say it's a landmark for any photog! I'm definitely still feeling it out, 3 years after first picking up a dSLR, so right now I'd say the best words are funny, loving, clean, true.

  126. My style is still evolving.
    For now, some descriptive words one might use are –

    candid | natural | simple | narrative

  127. Capturing a moment, a look…expressed that gives a peak into a
    one's heart that tells a story about them. Moments unprompted…whimsical, funny, thoughtful, carefree,
    Joyful, and yes, even sad. These are the split
    second challenges that are gone in an instant
    that I am on the hunt for with my camera
    always at my eye.