Oh....YES you can

Say you can, you will.....say you can't...you won't.
Is it that simple? Hmmmm, maybe not quite. But this has worked for me, time and time again.

Throughout my creative journey I have always believed I 'could', even before I began, and it has served me well over the years.

If you simply believe that you CAN, you really CAN do amazing things in an extraordinary way. 

In my twenties I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I got married and had two kids by the time I was 23. The one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted kids, so it was an easy decision to make. In time, after the baby stage was over, I came back to the question, 'what am I going to do with my life?'

A few years later I decided I wanted to paint. I simply started painting...dove right in. I never did take a painting class; I just kind of faked it, til I made it. I had no idea where that painting would take me! The more I did, the more in love with the process I became. I started calling myself an artist early on. I think that belief, that clear intention, laid the groundwork for my future and allowed me to build a career with my art. Honestly, if you were a stranger looking in you would have thought, is she crazy... she's really not that good! But yet with great intentions, I made it happen. I managed to create a career around my art, a career that has helped support our family, a career doing something I love.

When I discovered photography I never once thought I couldn't do it. I just did it...forging ahead...learning as I went. When i finally decided to learn photoshop I dove in with both feet....simply believing I could.

Just the other day someone asked me: 'but how do you know how to do all this stuff?' And I simply answered 'Easy, I never doubt that I can, and I learn as I go.'
All the knowledge and inspiration we could ever need is at our fingertips; right in front of our eyes in just seconds. We don't even have to leave home. There really are no excuses.

I've watched my children struggle to find direction in their lives. Their biggest obstacle is a 'can't do' attitude, but I know one day they will discover that they really can. And for that, I can not wait!

Whatever you want in life, you can do it…. It may take hard work…there may be mountains to climb, obstacles to move....but it's completely doable. First you must believe you can.

Are you struggling with your photography? Do you think you can't take pretty pictures, or you can't get out of automatic mode, or you can't learn how to use the big, bad photoshop? 
You are right! As long as you feel that way….it will never happen. You gotta switch your thinking….. 

Now's the time, my friends…. It's almost 2012….. are you IN? Are you READY? Can you do it? Whatever it may be.....You can… I can… We can!!

Today I am giving away a spot in my new eCourse, Beyond Layers, a year of art full inspiration. 52 weeks of encouragement, motivation and inspiration……centered around, but so much more than photoshop……

I'm so excited to share this with the world. I'd love for you to be a part of it.

To enter please share with us your 'I can' statement for 2012.
In 2012.... I can…..
What is it you've been wanting to do? State it here…. and believe you can with all your heart. 
I will be right here, cheering you on!

*****

For more information about the Beyond Layers eCourse, click HERE. The give away winner will be announced at the bottom of this post on Saturday, December 31st at 12:00pm.

Update on Saturday, December 31, 2011 by Kim Klassen

The give away is closed.... But please continue sharing your 2012 'I cans" with us!

Thank you all so much for sharing so openly..... I'm excited for each and every one of us.....

The Beyond Layers eCourse winner is...... Tracy K. Tracy wrote 'I can believe in myself!' 

love that!! :)

Tracy, please message me so I can get you all set up!

Happiest 2012....xo, Kim

Choosing Happiness Right Now

If we can really truly find happiness in the very moment/space we are in, wow… that is good stuff.

I know it can be hard. I'm not saying it's easy. But I do think it's true.

I choose this photo to share today, because I took it just a few months after I discovered photography. I shot it with my nikon d40 and the 50mm 1.8 lens. If that means nothing to you, let me explain. The d40 is an entry level dslr. The 50mm 1.8 is a fabulous and really reasonably priced lens. At the time, buying that lens was a huge investment.... a giant leap of faith. We definitely could not afford it, but I wanted it with my whole heart. 

Because I was using it with the d40, it didn't auto focus and at the time I had no idea what I was doing. I was learning as I went. I simply knew the 50mm had a low aperture number which would allow lots of light to come in. And I felt completely blessed that I had it.

I shot the photo with my whole heart. I was so present in that moment....alive and in love with my new passion, photography. I can take myself right back to that day, that moment in time. I was sitting on our old staircase, it was mid afternoon, aiming at the lovely antique door knob, trying my best to get it in focus. I could see the picture I was trying to create in my mind... a Country Christmas photo.

Focus…..Click…. focus….click…… magic happened. 

It's one of my favourite photos ever. And, It's been licensed by many companies. Isn't that crazy?

Would the d700 or the 5d…. with the 50mm 1.4g have made this a better photo?
I don't think so.

As photographers, we are always thinking of the next thing… whether it's a fancier camera, a better lens, the newest software. I am so bad for this! I won't deny it. But, I know, if we can embrace and give thanks for whatever equipment we may have at this very moment, it can completely transform our art.

So my friend… wherever you are, and with whatever you are shooting…. whether it's a point and shoot, an iPhone, a less than dreamy dslr…. whatever it is… go forward into this beautiful season of joy…and shoot with gratitude…..
Maybe, just maybe, magic will happen. And perhaps all that happiness will open the doors to so much more.

Today, share with us a 'from the heart' photo. I just know you have some….. 

Lights of the Season

My favorite part of the holiday season has to be the lights.... They create such a magical feeling.

I'm way behind on my holiday decorating....In fact, this is all I've done so far! The lovely light from this rusty lantern caught my eye as I was zipping by this evening.... 'picture perfect' I thought....

snap....snap...snap....

There's nothing like a sparkly holiday tree. Or how 'bout a sparkly puppy dog? Oh my goodness...so precious.... or...some homespun holiday cheer. 

Have you captured a little twinkle magic....or maybe some inspired holiday cheer....this year? Share with us today.

Daily Practice

Today I was out at the lake with Ben. It was absolutely beautiful. The snow was so pretty....a perfect backdrop. I walked about snapping photos, soaking up the extra warm air. I paused for a few moments, took a deep breath and in that moment I felt a deep-down gratitude. Gratitude for an hour in my day, to just walk and think and BE. 

So good!

Ben and I walk each and every day...rain or shine, sleet or snow. We head out on the trail. It's a must for both of us....like sleeping, eating, breathing.... We just gotta do it. It's our daily practice, and I'm most grateful for it.

How 'bout you? What do you manage to do, everyday, no matter how crazy life gets? Please share with us today.

sisterhood and dreaming

photo by our Target cheerleader and photographer, Chris Sneddon

i've been thinking a lot lately about dreams. In fact, my head has been spinning with them.

Camp SS, reignited my dreaminess….. I feel like my dreams have taken on a whole new life. And the best part .... I am no longer dreaming alone. What I discovered at camp is the power of sisterhood. I have never really experienced anything like it. Suddenly something I thought I didn't need, has become something I can't live without.

I witnessed Camp Sisterhood in so many ways….. 

• I watched as Tracey, Jen and Myriam took the power of their sisterhood and made all kinds of magic. Honestly, you could feel their collective energy. It was beautiful.
• I watched friendships form amongst strangers….big and awesome friendships…. It was beautiful.
• I watched blood sisters share the Camp experience together and admittedly felt a little ache inside…. a little sister longing…. It was beautiful.
• I listened to women share their deepest of deep feelings…. their fears and insecurities… they put them all out there. And as they shared, I felt the deepest connection with them. It was beautiful.
• I discovered that sisterhood is powerful. That when women come together, HUGE things can happen. And my oh my, It was beautiful!

Even the littlest of things become important….in the 'sisterhood'…..

I just have to share a camp side story….

I was so determined to get to Target while in the U.S. We do not have Target in Canada, and I really wanted to go. I mentioned it to Xanthe….and she was completely on board. (no Target's in the UK, either) 
But there were a few obstacles in our way.

We didn't have a car....and even if we did, there was no way I was driving. So we needed a car and a driver.

Camp was busy. There were really only tiny windows of time that all of us could make it work.
We had to time our trip, just right.

But, we were determined not to let these obstacles get in our way.

Chris was completely up for it….and willing to taxi us. Have I thanked you for that Chris? I couldn't believe Chris was willing to take us to Target! She has one right across the street from her house. (seriously, so jealous of Chris. Can you imagine?). Paige had a car and she generously offered it to us. Thank you Paige.

Mission Target, became a bit of camp buzz. As I would move about camp, many lovelies would ask… 'did you get to Target? Seriously, you don't have a Target? You gotta get to Target!!' 

We were on a mission…..

Day one went by, no Target, Day 2… no Target…. Then, oh my gosh…. two lovely sisters came to me….with a Target gift card, the afternoon of day 2. It was the sweetest thing. I just could not believe it. Thank you Jen and Brit. You two are both so darn lovely! Target, had to happen!! After all, I could not use my gift card at home. Right?!

And so, as the days progressed, the urgency to get to Target grew stronger, and, finally, a window for Target-time opened! Oh no… no car!! Paige's car was out and about! What? Seriously.... NO!!? Enter.... beautiful Laura!! She's like, 'I can drive you to Target?' I felt terrible, that this sweet woman would have to leave the wonderful 'camp-bubble' to drive us to Target. But, we had to get there!! And so….off we went! Laura as the driver, Chris as the navigator and photographer….Xanthe and I in the back, bursting to get there!!  

We laughed and skipped and oo'ed and awed.....Oh my gosh… watching Xanthe's Target experience was so much fun! Chris followed along with her PEN, taking photos. Laura, gave us her best Target shopping advice. Xanthe bought the cutest 'jumper'...EVER...and tons of American candy to take home to her beautiful boys. I found several fabulous treasures, including a lovely sweater jumper. Thank you Jen and Brit.

It was a sisterhood moment, FOR SURE! The Target dream became a reality…a lovely camp memory. It all happened because of the sisterhood…cheering us on. I realize now, dreams, both big and small, are so much better when shared with sisters.

Today, I am so grateful to sit here…. now part of a sisterhood… a part of something, I had no idea I was missing.
Here's to shared dreams and sisterhood.

This sisterhood thing is all so new to me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you experienced the sisterhood? Are you longing for it? Have you been part of a sisterhood moment, that has left you wanting more or maybe completely changed? Share with us today.

 It's Friday!!! Hello Canvas is thrilled to celebrate our sisterhood by giving away another free canvas via thier facebook page! Go upload a sisterly photo for your chance to win!