the best moments

"The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing time… The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

As a photographer I've found out that it's essential to fully embrace what defines me and makes me unique, and work hard towards the direction of my own goals and personal dreams instead of someone else's. But what I also realized is that dreams change. All the time. And with new dreams comes the necessity to challenge what I know, step outside my comfort zone and learn new things.

When I started taking Polaroid photos I had to learn about the different cameras and films, how to slow down and mindfully craft the composition of each shot. When I started my own business as a child/family photographer I had to pull out my digital camera's manual more often than I'd like to admit and understand and establish sound business practices. Lately I've been working with non-profit organizations and learning about poverty, exclusion and how best to use my skills to help promote social change and make a difference. And most recently, as I am crawling all over the city to photograph homes for a travel website, I am learning how to shoot with a flash.

It's not always easy. Learning often comes with uncertainty, fear, frustration, and yes, mistakes. But when we cling to what we know, to our comfort zone, never addressing the things that we are afraid of or curious about, we cut ourselves off from the opportunity to find and develop new creative strengths, to discover what we can do and become who we really are.

Today tell us: what are some the big and small challenges that you’ve overcome lately and that have helped you become a better photographer? When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? Is there something that you've always wanted to learn but were too afraid to tackle? If yes, how about taking the plunge today?

what's your medium?

"People who work creatively usually have something in common: they love the media they work with. Finding the medium that excites your imagination, that you love to play with and work in, is an important step to freeing your creative energies."- Sir Ken Robinson, The Element

Although the Polaroid sx-70 is my camera of choice (and used to take the photo above), I also shoot with a digital camera (Canon 5D), Holga, Holgaroid (Holga + Polaroid back), Polaroid Land 250 camera and most recently with a Leica minilux. Exploring different formats and mediums not only allows me to widen my perspective on life and gives me access to all of the ways in which I experience the world, it also helps me discover what I like, what I don't like, where my own true strengths lie, and eventually expand my understanding of my own creativity.

Have you found your medium? If yes, please share images with us today. If not, tell us: What are you experimenting with?

beach love

My favorite antidote to months of racing through the demands and commitments of daily living. An irresistible invitation to slow down, let in a little joy and savor a better pace of life. And probably my favorite thing about summer. I can't really explain what it is about that vast expanse of sand, sea and sky that helps me re-discover that feeling of inner abundance and brings me back to a place of peace and calm. I can let my cameras sit on a shelf and forget about them for weeks, when presented with the opportunity to spend time at the beach I will always pack as many as I can, giddy with anticipation and excitement.

Today share your love for the beach. Let’s celebrate the sense of freedom, connection, the pure and unbridled joy, and the beauty of the ocean.

summer color

1. Picture Summer | Day Eight, 2. Coca-Cola from the 1980s, 3. got a thing for red shoes, 4. Untitled, 5. boom!, 6. My number one copilot.

I've got to admit, few things make me giddier than little splashes of summer red.

How about you? What is your summer color? Today show us the vibrant hues and soulful shades that are defining your summer life.

Photos from our Shutter Sisters Flickr Group

shadows

1. shadow love, 2. shadow me, 3. Shadows, 4. Shadow People, 5. sister shadows, 6. soothing shadows

"In photography, there are no shadows that cannot be illuminated" - August Sander

Enjoy the longer days, soak in the light, grab your cameras, capture shadows.

Photos from our Shutter Sisters Flickr Group