before bedtime

This is the moment I look forward to every day. When dishes are washed, bellies are fed, and the smell of strawberry shampoo lingers in the air. When there's nothing else to do but play a game of Monopoly in our pajamas, read our favorite books or nestle on the couch and watch a movie together. When I am not only reminded to unplug, slow down and enjoy the present moment, but also to invite soothing, peaceful energy into my home and life, every day.

What about you? Is there a special place or hour of the day that helps you slow down, center, and brings a sense of quiet and peace to your busy life? Tell us. And please, show us.

3 questions, 3 sisters (round 2)

Are you ready for another round of "3 questions, 3 sisters"? Do you want to know the tricks that Shutter Sister Maile uses when taking her beautiful portraits? What Sarah-Ji looks for when shooting the streets? Or how Paige keeps little ones smiling and cheerful on photo shoots? Read on!

Sarah-Ji, what is it in the streets, in the lives of strangers passing by that moves you and inspires you to pick up the camera?

If there's one thing that I yearn for in all aspects of life, it's narrative. Every single person on this planet has their unique story, and it's that thought that fascinates me about the strangers I encounter on the streets. I'm compelled to point my camera towards images that have a story to tell. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether the stories I see are actually true, and most likely they are not since I have no claim to psychic powers. However, when you think about it, a story doesn't have to be true to move us or to change us. If it did, a huge chunk of art would be meaningless. I hope the images I capture will evoke stories for those who view my photos. Everyone might see a totally different narrative, but as long as they are touched in some way, that's what matters to me.

Maile, I've spent some time visiting your website, and I was stunned by your portraits. How do you do to make people so beautiful? And what is your approach when taking someone's portrait? Please, share your tips too!

I think people are most beautiful when they're relaxed, so I'm always very aware of my own energy. I've found that the more relaxed I feel, the more likely it is that people will loosen up and feel free enough to interact naturally together. Technically speaking, good light is way more important than the background. So I'm always looking primarily for flat light, meaning there are no highlights or shadows being cast across someone's face. As they say, shade is good. But open shade is better. It's that spot where the person is right on the edge of the shade. That's why doorways work well, because there are no funky shadows, and they're still close enough to the bright light to have it be reflected in their eyes. If I pose people, I will have them stand to the side, sit on their hip, raise one shoulder slightly higher than the other, because angles are flattering. And the holy grail of making any woman look amazing, is to shoot with the camera positioned higher than her face. Even if it means that you ask her to squat down in front of you. This is the fool-proof head shot. Because not only does it make anyone look thinner, it also reflects light from the sky into their eyes. And it makes eyes look bigger and more dramatic because they are the closest thing to the camera. This is also the reason why if I'm taking a snap shot of myself, it is mounted on the ceiling. Just kidding (sort of) :)

Paige, while we were in Chicago I remember peeking into your camera bag and asking you about the rubber duck and the Pez dispenser. Could you please share with our readers what they're for?

My husband gave me the rubber duck when I first started the business because he thought it might be a good attention grabber for kids and babies. And he was right! It squeaks, it's cute, and they love it. I often play peek-a-boo with it or set it on top of my head to get their attention. The Pez dispenser was not my idea, but I read about it somewhere. I took a bunny Pez dispenser and fit it right into the external flash port on top of my camera. I had to shave a little off the sides with a knife to get it to fit perfectly. I sometimes use it as a last resort to get kids to look in my direction. I'm sure I look ridiculous when it's up there, but I don't care! Whatever works! In my camera bag I also keep bubbles for entertainment and lots of stickers for bribery!

What about you? What are your tricks? What does inspire you? Please feel free to leave your answers and/or comments below. There's another giveaway so don't forget to comment!

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Hooray for this week’s Memolio winners:

Kosenrufu Mama, Spread Your Wings, Donna, Chocolate on my Cranium and Life in Eden .

AND five more books are up for grabs in yet another generous giveaway from Memolio in a random drawing this week. Just leave a comment here to be entered. Good luck!

the six questions featuring Jennifer Evans

I was immediately drawn to Jennifer Evans' Polaroid photos the moment I stumbled across her Flickr Pool about a year ago. And I have been admiring her unique sense of composition and light, as well as the delightful blend of beauty, style and simplicity emanating from her images ever since. I was so excited when Jennifer kindly accepted to answer our 6 questions, and I couldn't be happier today to share her answers with you.

1. What's the story behind this photo? 

This day was like any other day, yet special for me. I was spending it riverside on the Thames with the love of my life. We were enjoying the briskness of a fall afternoon, drinking cider and eating fish and chips. The sunset was beautiful that evening, like flames slowly crawling over the bridge. It ignited a renewal of passion for each other once again. 

2. What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film? 

As long as I can remember photography has been a part of my life. There is quite a substantial amount of photographer's in my family. Polaroid was introduced on the day I was born. Many in my family owned Polaroids, but my grandfather was the one who lived by it. He wouldn't use anything else but his trusty sx70 camera.

As a kid, Polaroid was fun... Having the image physically in your hands appearing in a matter of minutes. It was magic, I was convinced. To this day I carry my sx70 with me everywhere capturing moments that only my eyes see and sharing them with the rest of the world. Still believing in the magic, just like my grandfather. 

3. What's your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy? 

"Day by day", that is the way I try to live, I see this in my photos as well. I try to capture everyday life, the beauty and the beast of it. That's the same with life, the good and the bad, but that makes a person who they are. That is the same with my photographs, they tell a life story on their own or as a photo diary. 

4. Where do you look for inspiration? 

Everywhere, anywhere I look, the music I listen to, the books I read, the places I travel, the art I see, the people on the streets... The light.

5. If you could go anywhere in the world for an epic, weeklong photo excursion all by your luxuriously unhurried self - regardless of money, time or childcare issues - where would you go and why? 

Well there are so many places in the world that are left to be explored. In my first degree I studied a bit of anthropology and focused on a tribe in Vietnam, called the Hmong tribe. I have always wanted to go there and live with the people for a short time and document their way of life. That is just one of many places I would love to go on a photographic journey to. 

6. Are there women out there that you consider your shutter sisters? Who, and why? 

Many, I have met so many women, some through Flickr, some through life who I would consider my shutter sisters. Two in particular are the closest... One of my best friends Breanna Wucinich has always had the love of photography, I have introduced her to Polaroid and she has fallen in love as well. The other is another great friend Fernanda Montoro, with whom I have shared many Polaroid projects with in the past and many to come in the future. We also have a stall at the famous Broadway Market in London, called "The Polaroid Shop". I know I will meet many more shutter sisters in the future, and have many more photographic adventures!

Thank you so much Jennifer!

Please, go take a look at Jennifer's Flickr Pool and website. I promise her images will inspire you and make you smile.

autumn in Paris

I don't like autumn as much as I enjoy the other seasons of the year. And yet it recently dawned on me that stories unfold and lessons are better learned during those shorter days when a sore throat forces me to slow down, when I find delightful comfort in small, simple things, and crisp leaves crunch under my feet as I walk my sons to school in the morning.

Today, please show us. What does fall look like in your city? And tell us, what does inspire you about autumn?

3 questions, 3 sisters

photo of Karen Walrond by Andrea Scher, photo of Stephanie Roberts by Karen Walrond, photo of Andrea Scher by Tracey Clark.

Some of them I had worked with for many years, some I only knew from their words and images. And yet meeting my fellow Shutter Sisters in Chicago this past summer has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. I can't even begin to tell you how uniquely beautiful, kind and talented these women are and how much their friendship and support mean to me. Today I want you to know a little more about them, so I asked one question to three of them. Here are their answers:

Stephanie, has traveling to Africa shift your perception of the world and changed the way you look at people? What do you see now that you might not have noticed before? 

Yes, indeed. Traveling to Africa changed me in many ways. It pushed me to be more open and trusting with new relationships. When you place yourself in a foreign country – not knowing the local language, culture and geography – it forces you to develop new relationships, to trust your instincts about people, and to be open to new experiences despite the presence of fear. I never thought I'd ride on the back of a motorcycle for 45 minutes (driven by a man I barely knew) on a dirt road... up a mountain... in the open countryside of Rwanda... with nothing but my camera in my backpack. But it was one of the most memorable moments of my time there.

The people I met in Rwanda instantly became very dear to me for several reasons. Their hearts are pure and open – sharing love in the form of kind words and warm embraces on a daily basis. Children would reach for my hand and brush the hair away from my face without hesitation. They value their relationships with each other over all material possessions – sharing love, kindness, their simple homes, and food without hesitation.  Their strong sense of purpose is rooted in faith – expressing thanks to God openly for all that they have. I look at people now with much more kindness and compassion in my heart, and I'm truly grateful to my friends in Rwanda for teaching me how to do that.

Karen, what has been or still is your biggest challenge as a photographer?

My biggest challenge always has been, and remains making my photography provocative or innovative.  At this point in my practice of photography, I feel comfortable that I can take a pretty picture -- now I struggle with how to make viewers wonder -- wonder how I came up with a particular angle or treatment, wonder what the backstory is behind the shot, wonder why the photograph affects them the way it does.  It's a hard thing to try to do, since often in photography we can get comfortable with our particular style, but I think innovation and provocation is necessary in order to feel like we grow as photographers.

I keep on trying, though. :)

Andrea, what do you think is the one quality that any photographer should have?

One quality every photographer should have is a true love of beauty and awe of the world. Sometimes this is natural for me, and sometimes carrying my camera can help remind me to look at the world with these kind of eyes. Going on a photo walk can be like a walking meditation. Each step you are looking for what's beautiful and interesting about the moment. It keeps you present, and (no pun intended) seeing through a lens of appreciation.

Today I invite you to answer those questions too in the comment section below. I have the feeling that wonderful thoughts and insights might unfold here. And if you would like to ask a specific question to one of the Shutter Sisters for a future "3 questions, 3 sisters" post, please let us know!