Shutter Sisters

Styling

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I think that many of us consider ourselves to be photojournalists. We strive to capture moments as they happen, careful not to pose our subjects too much. I know that I tend to be drawn to a style that shows life in its natural state. But sometimes I think we need to give ourselves permission to do a little “styling”. I took the above shot on Thanksgiving Day, while on a hike along the river with my dad and husband. I found that big leaf on the beach and before I knew it, I was picking it up and heading for the shoreline. I gently laid it on top of the shallow water and snapped away as it started to sink. I love the end result and I’m glad I allowed myself to create a scene without any guilt.


Today’s giveaway involves two lovely items. The first is a print of your choice from Paige’s dad, Steve Geddes Artworks. She has written about his artwork on Shutter Sisters in the past. The second item is a set of 8 notecards designed by Paige using her own photographs. Click here to see what they look like. Just leave a comment here to be entered in our random drawing. One lucky winner will win both items!

Comments

  4. I would love a lens baby. I am a lurker on the site but love shutter sisters.
    what an awesome give away. thanks for having a giveaway. such inspiration from this site and all the links i’ve found through it.
    it is definitely helping me and my photography skills.

    thanks again.

  5. The leaf photo is wonderful. I found your blog by "GOOGLING" this morning and I think I have been back here at least 5 times this early morning. A terrific find for me and great inspiration.

  7. such beautiful clear lines in the leaf – it is so pretty. would love to win one of your dad’s paintings – i remember the post about them, and thinking about how my own two lovlies inspire me and how special that Paige is still such an inspiration to her dad.

  17. I am just now starting to feel like I can adjust the physical world to make a better photograph. I now move leaves out of the way of a perfect bunch of grapes or bend long grass out of the way. The twinge of guilt is a bit odd, isn’t it? It is obviously another step in the journey, we’ve gone from snapping, to composing, to styling!

  20. Beautiful leaf photo! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little styling now and then. It’s worth it for beautiful shots like that!

    Great giveaway today. Very individual.

  21. I have to tell you I live North of Omaha, (small town 1 1/2 hours North) and I looked at one of the prints title that on his site, and it just drew me. Love his work.

  27. what a great photo! i love that this concept, of slight placement. it’s your eye, that’s what photography is. i recently saw a set on flickr, a woman photographer from the 1950’s (her son uploads her bw’s and she narrates the story) she had just talked about taking photographs in washington dc. a tree branch was in her frame of the capital so she broke it off and then handed it to her husband to hold it up, better framing the subject! i love that ingenuity. i think it’s what gives photographers their eye. just a little tweak to the photojournalistic experience.

  28. Count me in for tthe note cards! I will share and send these notes to eight people who have contributed goodness in the lives of others as a source of thanks……

    Trish

  30. A beautiful photograph!
    Creating a composition, especially a beautiful one, is something to feel guilty about.

  31. There is definitely an art to styling at times…that synergy between created beauty and found beauty. The unexpected yet, perfect composition. This is such an example of a bit of assistance that worked to achieve perfection.

  33. This is a beautiful shot! I agree, that letting yourself stage something is necessary and just another way of creating art with your camera. A good reminder!

  36. Beautiful photo of the leaf… so rich with textures, colors & I find that my words are lacking to describe how much I truly enjoy it. Love the notecards & the paintings…so creative!

  41. Love the leaf photo and the creative father daughter giveaway. Count me in for a chance to win, please!

  49. I love original art and would indeed give it a place of honor! Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!

  50. Nature is the source of all knowledge we know. Your photos are to tell many things both visual and sentimental. A single leaf may bring a chance to me, who knows as I believe in the natural bounty. Thanks for giving this chance to enter in.

  59. Beautifully styled! Is photo styling easier than hairstyling? Because I can’t seem to manage that….

  62. Oh! I’m a huge Paige B fan! I’ve been following her since she first launched her website! And I love to check out her blog! (Way to go Paige! Congrats on your success!)

  63. i love the little surprise moments in photography. Those moments where you take a picture by accident or you take a chance and it end up being one of your favorites…..happens to me all the time.

  65. I’m always so inspired by reading all of the posts but sometimes ones like yours today really hits the mark.

    Just reading this post makes me a winner. Thank you,

    Diane

  69. Photographing nature is one of my favorites! I especially love the fall with the changing colors.

    This is a beautiful, yet simple photo. Love it!

  73. Talk about styling…I just took my own portrait in the reflection of a Christmas ornament…’tis the season. Although, I do think its kind of cute!

  78. What great gifts for yourself or to give to someone you love. I love your shot today too. amazing and awe inspiring to take a piece of nature home with you in a picture.

  92. I adore the leaf and stone photograph. It’s Perfect!
    Thanks for the inspiration…and less guilt 😉

  93. I adore the leaf and stone photograph. It’s Perfect!
    Thanks for the inspiration…and less guilt 😉

  94. that is a great shot. I am not above making minor adjustments (moving a leaf, moving aside branches, holding down some grasses) for a shot, though I do try not to do major damage in the process. 🙂