Shutter Sisters

what you’re creating

By

the lovely and talented Kristi of A Life Photographic

We know more than anyone that you’ve been behind us 100% in all of our endeavors these days, it’s high time we return the favor.

Now it’s YOUR turn. We are eager to hear what you’ve been creating, sharing, putting out there, risking, expressing, capturing, celebrating…

Maybe you’re creating a book to enter for the Photography Book Now Competition. Or maybe we’re behind the eight ball and you’ve already submitted one (go girls go! enter one, enter one!). Maybe you’ve set your sites on a gallery show or a feature in a magazine or a gig as a guest blogger somewhere? Have you entered a contest? Have you won a contest? Have you been nominated for something and need our votes? Did you capture the best photograph you have ever captured to date and are bursting at the seams to share it?

Come on, don’t be shy. We are all here to encourage and honor one another. So, spill the beans. Toot your own horn. Feel good about what you are creating. We see it everyday in our Flickr pools and it is most defininely something to share!

And to celebrate YOU today, we’re giddy to throw a giveaway on the table. HP is giving one of you fine photographers an HP Photosmart All-in-One Printer with thier lovely matte Brochure and Flier Paper (love it!!!) for printing your creations. Just leave a comment here sometime between now and Friday night at midnight to get in the running. 

So, let’s hear it, we’re all ears and open hearts.

Thanks everyone! A big congrats to Puna for winning the printer! Yay!

Comments

  2. Ooh, love that pic! And nice meeting you last Thursday evening, too. I have no new shots to share right now, but I’m lovin’ everyone elses for sure!

  4. Ohh I have so many idea’s and desires right now with my work. I just don’t kjnow Quite how to get it jump started. I have printed out MOO’s which I think are just so pretty. And I have been passing them out. I have started a photography blog aside from my regular blog..but it isn’t getting traffic. Maybe I need to promote? lol.

    But whatever the case I’m having a Wonderful time thinking and dreaming. I am ready to make my dreams a reality. You here at SS inspire me that I Can do it!

    Here is a portrait I took this week of my friends baby Emma. She has the prettiest eyes ever =)
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3494860989/

  8. I’m creating a little guy right now that is due any day….and I’m even more excited for all the picture opportunities with this new little man!!!

  9. To open up is a difficult thing. But the encouragement from all these sisters is heart warming. Thank you

  10. I’m not doing much with my photography right now. I did just begin the process of starting college in the Fall. I want to teach Art. (I’ll get to minor in Photography!) The only other thing is on a much smaller scale, but fun, too. I’m making albums for my sisters of all the pictures of the weekend getaway they just surprised me with for my birthday. (sorry that was so wordy, still on my first cup of joe)

    Here are pics of that amazing weekend.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/benzismama/sets/72157617277571645/

  12. Goodness. Right now i’m doing too many things =) making this photo love into something more http://www.karynkelbaugh.com and still in the midst of my first 365 self-portrait project
    http://www.flickriver.com/photos/kayak57/sets/72157612207299928/

    And I’m working on some galleryish type projects this summer, including one i’m calling "Effort" that all started with this photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3290669992/in/set-72157612274732075/

    You wonderful Shutter Sisters are awesome and inspiring and keep me going I don’t know how many days. Thank you!

  14. I’m just trying to take better better basic photos…(I tend to lose myself in all of the texturing at times) I want to work more with humans (I’m slightly intimidated) I do better with just body parts;) I also want to open up my lens more (I’m a cropper by nature)I want to take my photos to the next level:) I would love to be entered:) thanks girls!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/30588897@N06/

  15. I just put together a book for my niece about all the animals you can see in the rocks of Cappadocia (a region of Turkey) if you use your imagination. It’s quite fun (even if I do say so myself!). http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/650687 Reminds me of how much fun it can be to create something.

  16. i am busy documenting the life of my first little one (and another, come christmas). spending my time learning to photography through the lens of motherhood has been extremely inspiring. maybe one day i will learn to photograph other people or things, but for now, i am content to stick with the ones i love most.

  17. I have always loved my camera and used the photos in my artistic endevors but only just recently have I became artistic WITH my photos. I am having so much fun with light and composition and feeling so inspired by others!

  20. I had my first paying "gig" not long ago. I answered a craigslist ad looking for a local photog to shoot a gift shoppe for a trade magazine. The Magazine arrived last week and I was dumbstruck to see my name as the byline and 11 of my pictures in the feature article. It was very inspiring to realize I could do it!!

  23. I’ve had a string of little creative disappointments in the past week or so. It’s a good boost to hear about what everyone else is working on.

  24. I feel so lucky to have photography in my life! I’m working on my 365 project which is bringing me joy. Have a photo in a competition at flickr that is making me happy! But most fun? I’m teaching a class to help other moms learn how to get the most out of their cameras!! http://debbiehodge.com So excited! 🙂

  25. I haven’t had my camera since spring break, but if anything I think it’s fueled the creative fires because I now think about what I’d like to shoot, how, when, etc.

  26. I am preparing to show my photos at the local library in July. Yeah, they pretty much accept anything that’s not porn, but I’m still excited. Gives me a reason to get some of my favorites matted and framed. I enter photography contests all the time, but so far no love. Also joined a comment group on flickr and am getting some really helpful critiques, which I put in my mental hopper and let it churn…

    Most recent photo project aims to show my sister how cute her nieces are in the colorful clothes she sent (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31866449@N04/). Man, I love flickr.

  27. My husband and I both love photography. He signed up for a course at a photography course in the big city and he homework assignments have got me so motivated. I also realize that I bring something totally different to the photos I take than he does. He loves the technical aspect of photography and gets frustrated that he can’t be technical and capture real moments (yet!). I’m the opposite. I don’t even care about the technical stuff b/c I know I can’t do both .. technical and real (yet!!). It’s been really nice for me to see that I’m actually really good and capturing real moments and engaging my subjects. I’ve been working at it and it’s coming!

    I’m also working on a front yard vegetable garden and I’m trying to document my progress. The temptation for me is to just quickly snap a shot after I’ve completed a task. I have to remind myself to work at the artistry of the shot. I’ve only taken my ‘before’ shots so far and they’re still on the camera so I can’t link to anything yet.

  28. What a cool post! You gals are so encouraging – you’re all fantastic photographers, but you don’t mind sharing it with the rest of us. It’s so cool to be part of this community you’ve facilitated! Lately, I’ve been paring my work down a bit from the Photoshopping I’ve been doing, and getting back to the raw ( and real of the wedding photojournalism I love. And now I’ve found myself pregnant, and I’m needing to put it all on hold again for another couple of years so I can pour into my family. It’s not a bad thing; I’ll have lots of time to decide what I want to be when I get back to it… I’ll be checking in here for sure as I go! Wish I had a more photographical accomplishment to share, but for now, I’m just learning to live, and taking my accomplishment as getting through the day…

  29. I am doing a lot of these things with the goal of putting myself out there in 2009. I just entered my first contest and am seeking some gallery "opportunities." Thinking about my work as it relates to these external constructs has helped me grow as a photographer.

  31. I just returned home from a trip to Florida, where I took 5826 photos! I haven’t even begun to sift through them all yet. While I was there, I got a chance to view a gorgeous sunset with my sister and nephew. I was able to get one of those photos posted to my blog before heading to Disney World, where I took the bulk of my photos. http://barrieb.wordpress.com/

    I am a contributing photographer for Celebrations Magazine (http://www.celebrationspress.com/) and hope that some of the photos I took on this trip will make it into future issues of the magazine. That’s what I will be working on this next couple of weeks.

  34. I so appreciate this community of supportive and encouraging photographers! Still a shy hobbyist . . . working on developing an eye for interesting subjects! My biggest "project" is printing enlarged prints for my office wall. When I do, I’ll share with you all:)

  35. I was inspired by the One Word Project and the May word of the month, Share.

    I decided to share my gifts and creativity with my twelve year old niece, Destinee. I purchased a digital camera for her for Christmas — her first — and she has carried that camera with her every holiday, birthday, and dinner in between. You can see in her eyes that she wants to emulate taking photographs and being artistic, so I had the idea to do a "One Word Project," with her.

    Every week, I call her to tell her the "word/phrase of the week." We each have all week to come up with a photograph that displays what that word or phrase means to us, either in the short or long term. This week was our first week doing it, and today is the day she will e-mail me her creation. Our first word is "joy," and this past week she was so excited and chirpy about what she had come up with.

    I can’t wait to see what she has for me, and it feels so satisfying to plug into that creative side of her brain. I can’t wait to start showing off the side by side’s of what we came up with on Flickr!

  36. How did you know I’m in need of a new printer??
    I love visiting this site, it always gets my creative photography juices flowing!

  37. i am still working on fine tuning my craft, but i am setting the groundwork to open a business sometime soon. i am taking on clients at no charge for a short time to create a portfoilo + i am opening up a print shop as well. lots of creations in the beginning stages here 🙂

  38. I started taking photography serious 1 1/2 years ago and have learned SO much. This site has helped me grow, learn more about the art from fellow-sisters! Since starting some of my work has been featured in our local newspaper, national website and now have people contacting me for personal photo-shoots! Everyday I’m learning something new and I find SO many women are willing to share and help me through the learning phase. I would love to be in the contending for this fabulous printer! Thank you Shutter Sisters!

  40. I loved reading everyone’s projects and ideas. How fun :). So many creative people!

    I have a couple things that I am pretty excited about – I have a photo website (different from my wedding photography) that has other photography that I do and my goal is to raise money for different things close to my heart (like water wells in Africa, helping women out of the sex trade, etc). I would love to have a gallery show with some of those images and raise even more money.
    http://jamielynnephotography.com/index.php?splash=1
    http://jamielynnephotography.com/

    A second personal project that I am going to start working on is photos from around the city I live in (one of the raddest :)), Austin. Austin is a beautiful city, so it will definitely be fun! Here’s a couple I have already shot.
    http://jamielynnephotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/photo-of-week-34.html
    http://jamielynnephotography.blogspot.com/2009/02/photo-of-week-81.html

  41. my husband and I set out on a journey back in January to travel full time and to photograph beautiful places. We’re working to show the beauty of the country in various ways. It’s a dream come true really. I am discovering more about myself in the journey than anything else.

  43. To me, this website helps me think outside the box. I want to be better, and so I experiment. I’m also a high school teacher, and I can see the creativity flow from my students, they sometimes just need direction. We share ideas and together, we sometimes can produce some amazing results. I can’t wait for summer, where I can devote more time to this hobby. Thanks ShutterSisters, you’re awesome!

  45. Wow, I am so inspired by all of you! It gives me a little more courage to do somthing with my photography. Thanks!

  46. I would love to put whatever photography skills I have towards creating projects that can raise money for a local cancer center ( I’m thinking notecards, framed prints, calendars, gallery wrapped canvas). The hard part is trying to make something that will actually make a profit for the center, so this printer would be a huge help with that!
    Thanks for all of your inspiration & encouragement.

  47. I was recently accepted in the Alberta Society of Artists, which is a professional arts organization which you must be juried into. Especially proud because there are not many photographers accepted!

  48. i love seeing all this wonderful creativity!!
    i am (perpetually!) working on my photography-my portrait biz, the art side of it all, learning & doing & being the best photographer i can be 🙂

    trying NEW things out: my very first bridal:

    http://www.starglophoto.com/blog

    and dreaming of a gallery show with walls covered in little prints of my daily slice of life images.

    thanks for SS & sharing the amazing talent of so many women!

  49. wonderful! joyful. this is exciting. it only adds to my excitement about photography that has been growing leaps and bounds in me these last several months.

    my twin sister also shares this passion. we both want to learn and grow in our photography! this is why we started a collaboration blog of our photography called Ethereal
    http://ethereal-two.blogspot.com/
    we hope to interview other photographers on it at some point as well.

  50. I post to my photo blog every day to challenge myself…it’s been a blessing to me to see how when I commit to something I actually get to see the fruit of my labor bless others as well. Thanks for all your encouragement!

  51. I just realized that Brene’ Brown, a shuttersister, is the sister of a friend I used to teach elementary with. I always heard about her "author sister", but I finally made the connection today – and it is just too cool! Excited 😉
    I just love this place. It’s amazing.

  52. I’ve been helping my boyfriend develop a photography book. And dreaming about being able to print my own pictures at home to use in hand-made cards and scrapbook layouts whenever I please – no more waiting on Snapfish.

  53. I’ve created some memory boxes to donate to the hospital where I had my beautiful daughter for those who lose their children, whether through stillbirth or some other reason. I’m planning on making it an annual thing for Mother’s Day.

    I’ve also been working with my photography, taking pictures of my amazing daughter – http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/katarianna/Aviendha/week%20042709/DSCN1627.jpg

    and also other things, playing around with manual settings and whatnot. Like these photos taken at the zoo –
    http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/katarianna/Zoo%20and%20Japanese%20Garden/040409/DSC_1483.jpg
    http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/katarianna/Zoo%20and%20Japanese%20Garden/040409/DSC_1504.jpg
    http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/katarianna/Zoo%20and%20Japanese%20Garden/040409/DSC_1552acopy.jpg
    http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd98/katarianna/Zoo%20and%20Japanese%20Garden/040409/DSC_1558.jpg

  54. I’m ecstatic to report that this is the year that my photography business is starting to bloom! I finally have a website, business cards, and a shameless desire for self-promotion. But it’s also the year that I’m fully opening myself up to the beauty of what I’m experiencing–both through the lens and outside of it. Photography used to be a protective thing for me: a way to get close, but not too close. Now I find myself invited into the most intimate moments in the lives of friends, families, expectant mothers, new parents…..and I am loving every minute of it, being moved by it, laughing with them at the unexpected, feeling a part of the family, if only for a few hours.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3483270832/in/set-72157617339328465/
    I could hear him whispering to her, "I love you, you’re wonderful…"

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3433517884/in/set-72157616646915480/
    Heart skipping a beat seeing young, inspired love on display.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3428959090/in/set-72157616585956014/
    Absolutely stunning. No words for this.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3282761073/in/set-72157613849143353/
    Only 5 weeks, and already so much personality!

    And finally……
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3264372925/in/set-72157613527351418/
    I’ll take the bad days, too!

  57. I just figured out how to slurp my blog and create a Typepad book from my 365 days photo challege. I completed the 365 (a photo each day) challenge this past January and what a blast I’m having looking back at all the photos — the good, the bad, and the funny!

    The everyday photos are a joy to me. And though I have great lofty goals to do bigger things with these pictures I love, for now — having them and sharing them with people I love is enough.

    http://lynlepre.typepad.com

  58. I was recently given a toy lomo camera. When I went in to drop off the first roll of film, I met two other photographers. I have been asked to join their little group and am exciting to create with them! 🙂 Thank you for this blog. Its so wonderful to see what everyone is doing and what inspires different people.

  59. I’ve arranged for two photoshoots this spring, working on a photography/cook book and sooo many other projects on the go. Just excited about spring and summer and all the little goodies that life has to offer 🙂

  60. My daughter and I started our blog together last Aug when she went off to college and now she has finished her freshman year. We are going to have a show of some of our favorite diptychs this summer at our local Starbucks. We’re very excited about it.
    The blog has been such a rewarding experience for me and I can’t express enough how much I appreciate the support and encouragement so many of you give by visiting us. I hope we can keep it up through the summer and continue through her years at college.

    The synchronicity we experienced so often was very exciting to me. Here’s just one example.
    http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2009/01/cat-bird.html

    Lastly, I just want to say how inspiring the Shutter Sisters blog has been for me. Every single day I am amazed at the depth of the posts, the fantastic tips, and links they share, and am motivated by the challenges. Thank YOU!

  62. I’m plugging away on my third 365. Some days are harder than others but I know how rewarding it is in the end so I’m sticking with it.

    Would love a printer!!

  65. I’m working on improving my photography (always!) I’ve sold a couple of things, and gotten some good feedback from some pros, so I’ve decided to make a go of doing it professionally. I’ve been getting paperwork and a website together, http://www.category5photography.com. I plan to add a blog, and add some pics to the galleries. I’m also taking a People Photography class, so I can add portraiture to my business. Did I mention I’m trying this with a DH, two kids and a full-time mortgage paying job?

  66. I’ve recently opened my etsy shop, which is very exciting… especially since I’m actually selling things. I’m also trying to start up a business. In fact, I’m starting a project tomorrow that has the potential to bring in a lot of clients and repeat business. I’m nervous, I’m worried about it not working out, I’m afraid people won’t like me or my work. But, how will I ever know if I don’t try?

    I hope it takes off. I’m ready for the hard work, the ups, the downs. I guess I just have to figure out what to do next.

    xo
    meg

  68. I’m busy scanning my Dad’s 35mm slides. (It’s been a very long process) and will then burn them to DVD in a slideshow for my sisters and brother. Dad was diagnosed with liver cancer in February and my "therapy" that is helping me deal with the few short months we have left has been going through his old Kodachrome slides. He did what I strive to do each day with my own photography… capture life as it happens without shaping it, posing it or making it fit into a composition.

  71. I was accepted as one of the artists in the Canadian Tulip Festival Art Gallery and sold my first big image this past Saturday – the first weekend of the festival! The festival runs over the next 3 weekends so here’s hoping for more sales (though I’m over the moon about even just the one)…

  72. I’ve been working on a year long mini-album. I turned 50 last Dec. I am documenting the year as a fifty-year old.

  74. Some of my photos were chosen to be in a magazine showcasing our recent department trip to the Yucatan. It is just a university magazine, but it still feels like a big first step for me.

    Next I plan on actually printing some of my photos instead of just letting them lurk on my computer.

    http://www.kimberpic.blogspot.com/

  75. I’ve been trying to create a webpage and a blog for my business. Tomorrow I have my first maternity shoot and hopefully will be creating some magic! Can’t wait to see how it goes and play with the images after the shoot.

  77. well…

    tonight is my very first photo session with someone
    other than
    family…
    and i’m nervous…
    beyond nervous…i’m feeling a little ill.

    wish me luck!

  78. Photography has become such a wonderful outlet for me. I entered a couple of my photos in a local photography show and one of them was chosen for the gallery show. I was flabbergasted and very excited. It was something to go to the gallery and see one of my pictures hanging on the wall!

  79. I’m just a mom-with-a-camera and a love for photography and a passion for light, but too often I catch myself in a rut with photographing only what’s right in my face that day (which isn’t always a bad thing, btw). My oldest turned 16 yesterday and we went out for an impromptu photo shoot of her that turned out to be a delightful time. I’ve committed myself to taking birthday day photos of each of my children this year. What is more precious in my life than they are anyway?

    http://dailypleasures.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-sweet-sixteen-elisabeth-joy.html

  80. I did my very first professional photo shoot yesterday! It is hard for me to see myself as anything other than an amateur. My self confidence got a boost this week.

    Thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement!!

  83. taking pictures every day, trying to become better and understand more about the camera. Mostly of my sweet little girls!

  86. Hi, It’s taken me a while but my big thing is to actually sign up with shutter sisters and use flickr instead of just keeping all my photos on my hard drive! Baby steps!

  89. how delightful to have this lovely venue to share our work, too. i’ve started something new and something that I hope will stretch me as a person and help me grow as a photographer. I’ve created a one year, twelve project endeavor which will help change my daily perspective. This month I’m photographing every day objects that appear "fresh" — and we’ll see where it goes next month. http://leighphotography.typepad.com/the_photo_project/

    You have all inspired me to create this project and I thank you!

  90. I’m setting myself challenges 🙂 Challenges which turn into photo books { a gift to myself} when they are completed. Not only am I happily doing the 365 project but now I’m doing a ‘people person picture a day’ too. and it ROCKS as a way to have fun and improve your photography skills.
    I make sure I tell everyone I’m doing them, then I feel more like keeping them up too. 🙂

  93. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty uninspired these days. I still like to look at what everyone else is doing though and I know I’ll get back in the swing of things sooner or later!

  94. Last year I suffered a personal tragedy, so this year is challenging me. I’ve always planned that I would take my photography further, so I’m trying to prepare for the day that I can get out there and have people pay me willingly to call myself their photographer.
    I’ve set up two blogs…
    http://birniphotography.blogspot.com
    and
    http://birnifurrtography.blogspot.com

    These are works in progress so I’m happy for you to critique, but please do it by email – I don’t really want potential clients seeing them 🙂

    BTW thanks for the great inspiring stuff here, both to all who have placed links, and to shutter sisters x

  95. I’m keeping up with Project 365 which I abandoned last year. The point of this was to improve my skills and most weeks I have one or two I’m quite pleased with. I haven’t gotten "brave" enough to share very often!

  96. I am creating a year’s worth of daily photos – and the stories to go with the memories.

  100. I am creating a life. I am an artist and a wife and a mother. I am a gardener and a new apiarist. I have a fairly new blog where I post a lot of photos of this life and try to talk holistically about this life and all of it’s elements. Please come by to visit anytime.

    http://www.mywildacres.com/fieldjournal/

  105. I’ve been thinking seriously about trying to do photography part-time. I am in the learning stages, and I am not even sure what my first steps should be. But I did put something on my website about pricing so that I could be prepared, if someone happened to ask.

    http://www.mamaofletters.com/Site/The_Focal_Point/The_Focal_Point.html

    Also, I’m considering selling some prints at Heritage Day at the William Harris Homestead. I need to speak to the director there about it. These are some of the photos I took there, and I like them very much:

    http://www.mamaofletters.com/Site/Albums/Pages/The_William_Harris_Homestead.html

  106. I started using and exploring my camera more and more. And I might not be an expert, but I am sure enjoying myself and taking the guts to take photographs.

  108. I want to get better with using manual settings so I’m creating a series of challenges for myself. I select the manual settings and then shoot all kinds of photos at all times of the day inside and out just so I can see what it produces and learn from that. I only recently started this project but am having fun because I’m not really worried about getting the perfect shot – I just have the freedom to shoot and see what I get and hopefully learn and find my comfort zone with manual settings.

  109. Your blog is so inspiring! I love it.

    I’m taking a photography course right now and learning SO much! It’s frustrating and exciting at the same time. I’ve been shooting and shooting and shooting and it’s been a lot of fun.

  110. I am soooo excited. this baseball season i have, what i like to think, mastered "shutter speed"!!! i have actually made the baseball almost stop!!! this is very exciting for me, my latest photo is of my son, of course, flying in the air to dive for the ball! and the best of the best is one i took seconds before the ball hit his glove!!!! i am very happy that i have evolved!! now on to the apperture.

  112. I am working towards learning the technical aspects of photography better. I want to really have a good understanding of that… I already have the eye for it. 🙂

  114. I took a course in photography in high school, but never took it seriously until now. It’s only been a month and a half, but I’m excited by what I’m learning!

    Since I’m also an amateur painter, I love the freedom Photoshop Elements gives me to create painterly effects to my photos. This led me to create my own take on photos by using the combination of effects and changing colors…to create 5-10 versions of the same photograph. I love how each one gives you a different feeling.

    This post on my blog, explores bokeh effects. Take a peek and let me know what you think!

    http://artbybeatriz.blogspot.com/2009/05/same-photo-retouched-in-different-ways.html

    Or check out my Flickr set. This has the mosaic of the my "changing colors" photos! Let me know what you think!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbybeatriz/sets/72157617327819431/

    Thank you shutter sisters for this fun post! It feels good to reflect.

  117. i also post at least one photo each day and am constantly on the look out for more inspiration to fuel my photography drive. i’m so thankful so many people are willing to share their ideas and incredible captures here 😉

  119. I have been weekly writing a post on my blog about my son "Turbo" and the things he is learning. I am doing this to practice writing, but also my photography. I love capturing pictures of my boys, and it has been fun to capture what Turbo learns… for instance a few weeks ago I took pictures of Turbo learning about Rollie-Pollies.
    This week is about Turbo learning to live with his baby brother… "Squeaker"
    http://blog.stonecafecreations.com/site/node/265

  120. I am working on adding my photos to my shop on etsy or splitting the shop into 2 shops one with photos & one other type of item (vintage? jewelry?), along with the first shop. I have been playing with editing programs (so much fun!) & learning more about digital photography (still more comfortable with my old ‘museum piece’ Olympus OM1). I have posted some of my photos on Flickr
    http://www.flickr.com/samsstuff

  121. I’ve been trying to build my readership base on my personal blog. Why I put so much love and adoration into my own blog I don’t know, when I have a business I’m running too. LOL. I just do.

    http://mz-cellaneous.blogspot.com

    Thanks for the ideas (or nudges) maybe I’ll start thinking about other things too. Like gallery shows and books. awesomeness.

  124. I’ve been building up the confidence (and material) to do my first display / mini-show, but I feel like this comment is kind of a cheat, because I haven’t actually *done* anything yet 🙂 In face, getting flickr comments is a massive celebration for me!

    That said, I would love the printer, hense the comment. Well, that, and to say what an amazing inspiration everyone else is 🙂

  125. I’m making time for photography. It’s hard to create the time but always worth it. Also, I did my first official baby portrait shoot of a newborn. THe pics turned out great and I got to cuddle with the little tyke afterward!

  129. I am working on some new projects and hoping to enter some contest very soon. Getting back in the creative groove.

  131. I don’t know a thing about taking pictures, I still use 35mm film and my Canon Rebel is always on AUTO!. Somehow I manage to get some good pictures!

    http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-little-pollock.html

    My daughter and I love experimenting…..here is fun with my old Holgaroid using 5 year old film that was stored in 100 degree heat while shipped cross country with our belongings:

    http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/04/fun-with-holgaroid.html

    For my anniversary yesterday my hubby bought me a new Canon T1i so I am SO excited to start learning how to use it. I love your site and now maybe I will be able to get some new lenses and take some amazing pictures!

    Thanks!

    Ashley

  132. I am expanding our photography blog to include more writing and reflecting, while working on a new blog, and book, on a close-to-my heart theme. It’s time to step out of my box and into the world I’ve kept deep in my heart.

  134. working on a photography book of last years life in our family. Love photography

  135. I’m slowly gaining confidence (and experience) by publishing on my blog.
    I love coming over here to this blog… always so encouraging and inspiring.

    Thank you.

  137. I’m entering submissions for an art show. i will be a guest blogger next month. I am a mother of five. I am a superhero! toot toot!

  138. thanks for doing this!
    i’m journaling tidbits of my life through my blog with plenty of pictures.

  139. Just last weekend, my husband and I got to spend three days in the beautiful city of Rome, Italy. Getting out of my usual surroundings -without my kids- and having no obligations, no agenda… even though it was just three days, it really felt like a fully-fledged holiday! It’s not my first time in Rome but it was the mister’s first… so as he oooohed and aaaahed over the sights, I just wandered along closeby, camera in hand, clicking away at whatever -or whoever- caught my eye. Now that I’m back, I have very little free time on my hands, but in the moments I can steal away to myself, I’m having a lot of fun mulling over the 448 pictures I took in Rome, editing some, uploading some… it’s like reliving the bliss.

    And the best post-trip treats?: finding those surprise shots you forgot you even took… and noticing those surprise details you didn’t even see when you were shooting… like little gifts from the past, taking you back again…

    The initial batch uploaded to my flickr set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/sets/72157617753678514/

  140. Our family moved from the big city to a hobby farm in 2007…I love love blogging about our novice adventures! My camera and keyboard are the most important tools on the farm now…as a diary of our activities, to keep me connected to my own sense of self and, of course, to keep in touch with our friends and family. I want the blog to grow into something more…I can see the possibilities…I just need to find the courage and time to take bigger steps!

    http://hawksnestfarm.blogspot.com/

    Thank you Shutter Sisters…for inspiring me to keep going!

  142. I’ve recently got very much into photography. I’ve taken pictures of my kids every day of their short lives, but I’m beginning to use new subjects along with the shots I continue to take of them. I began a "picture a day" blog with the hope that it would encourage myself to be more diligent in practicing my skills.
    Thanks for all of the advice and tips and encouragement posted on this blog 🙂

  144. I opened up a shop on Etsy a few months ago, still trying to generate my first sale:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6872039

    And I was just asked to contribute some of my work to an auction to benefit humanitarian aid in Ethiopia, which is related to something else I am currently creating – I am in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia, hoping to travel there later this year and come home as a new mother!

  145. I’m taking baby steps towards realizing my dreams with photography. Shutter Sisters has done a lot to give me a safe place to share. Thank you Thank you Shutter Sisters.

  146. I’m thrilled about my first "commercial sale"… a new lunch café opened up in my neighbourhood and the owner asked to purchase a few photos she had seen on my Flickr stream. OK, truth be told, she’s a friend of mine… but I was so honoured to be a part of her new business venture! And mine. 🙂

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3511166063/in/set-72157616191500256/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3511178113/in/set-72157616191500256/

    Thanks again to all the Sisters for your encouragement and support!! Shutter on…
    xox

  147. I’m working on improving the serious side of my photography – doing a photoshoot at a local learn to curl night, passing out my Moo card to people there, and contributing to communities like Shutter Sisters. Self promotion is something I struggle with, so every step is a big one.

    http://www.keepingtimeca.com

    Thanks everyone for providing such great inspiration!

  148. My parents lived in Paris 50 years ago, when they were first married. My dad was a photographer and I have all of his work, as he has passed away. My brother and sister and I are taking my mom back to Paris for her 70th birthday and she has not been back since she lived there as a young woman. I am taking my trusty Nikon on our journey next week and I have been working on a surprise photo collection of my dad’s images to present to my mom when we sit down on the plane – she has no idea that I have been working with dad’s old photos! My plan is to leave half the book blank and to complete it with my images of our journey together.

  150. I make myself post to my blog everyday. Sometimes the shots are perfunctory, but sometimes I really like them, and the rule of putting something up everyday has made me see things differently…I’m looking for the right composition, I guess. I am alway so amazed that folks will take that first step to photograph a birthday, wedding, store…that seems quite far away to me, I guess because my day job is all consuming much of the time. And like most, I’d love a new printer!

  152. I’m on a big push to de-clutter my life and organize my office so I have the physical and mental space to continue to be creative.