when the water is warm

On this day a ball ran away, first with intention and then with current, and I dove into the ocean after it fully clothed, up to my neck in the salt of July. For the rest of the day and until we sailed home I festered in the sun, my shirt crispening and stinking of seaweed, but oh, the rightness. There's something rare and delicious about being wet and dressed.

Tonight, the land is tucked in for winter along with the sailboat and the beach, and the sea is a determined grey, and thanks to your encouragement I am set to keep my photo-mojo from going into hibernation.

Can I tell you something? You're all glorious, a kick in the pants in the most excellent way. I visit the flickr pool and see this and this and this and think my god, how can I presume to post in company like this? You are teacher, mentor, muse.

Thanks for being here, shutter sisters. Thanks for being that runaway ball for me, for each other, for saying jump the heck in.

++++

 

In grand celebration of our sisterhood here, we are giving away a coveted Flash Bulb Necklace (as seen above) to a lucky reader.  You must comment on this post today to be included in the random drawing. It seemed like the perfect way to jump start the December festivities here at Shutter Sisters. What December festivities you ask? We thought you'd never ask. All month long we are hosting A Giveaway a Day and just as the name promises, each and every day this month we will be giving something fabulous away to one of you. It's just a little way to show our gratitude. Click over and comment each day for your chance to win something wonderful just in time for the holidays. Be sure to invite your friends! The more the merrier we like to say.

Updated 12/2...and the winner is Lilia (aka Pumpkinoodle)at Babymoon Photography. Thanks everyone for your comments! 

Comments

[devan]

sooooo lovely!

[Elaine]

Gorgeous photo of you, above. And yes, I often feel as though I dare not apply when I see the beauty in the images the sisters share. And yet, we all have our own special version of beauty that nobody can touch. I guess that's what makes us US.

[Francine]

I love that necklace! Thanks for the cool giveaway :)

[Steph Wiese]

I'm trying to spread my photo mojo... by shooing away the fear in my mother's eyes anytime a camera is near. With but a few pictures of my mother during my childhood, I am determined to photograph the beautiful woman she is today and show her the joy in making photographic memories. Now, how do I calm those eyes?

www.stephwiese.squarespace.com

[maz]

You guys are my new best friends, 'cos you give so much inspo and creative warmth. December giveaways are the icing on the cake :)

[ACJ Photography]

I simply love this space, the women who make up this group, and this beautiful necklace!

[Lisa]

This site is so inspirational. Thanks for all you do. The necklace is beautiful, I would love to wear it proudly.

[vivienne]

wow! what a generous december of giveaways!

[Amanda]

I love this picture. It seems as if the wind is carrying her forward, pushing her towards something, pushing her necklace forward. It inspires me to take more pictures, no matter how inadequate my skills feel. Thank you.

[darlene]

wow ~ that's a lot of giveaways, how fun!! :) happy december!!

[Nanayof2]

oh this is soo much fun!!

Thanks for linking to my photo :)

[kate in oh]

OH! i love giveaways. count me in.
Love the flash bulb necklace, as well.
thanks

[Betsy]

Love the little poem about the ball running away. How delightful!

[simply]

neat necklace...:o) count me in :o)

~simply~

[Cis]

December photography around here can be challenging ... but I like the challenges your site gives ... gets one thinking "out of the box". Yep, I'd like to win that necklace too.

[LindseYaya]

Time to throw my hat into to ring. Wishing this 'sisterhood' all things merry and bright this season.
Peace, love, and pecans.

[Sharon]

I love the inspiration here . . . and the necklace is pretty cool too! Happy December, Shutter Sisters.

[Misty]

I'm fairly new to this blog, but I adore it! Thank you!

[Jess]

Who doesn't love a giveaway...bring them on!

[Julie Alvarez]

Oh, wow, 119 comments already (and growing as I type)! The things that a giveaway can do! But the beautiful thing is that we are just a tiny part of the large bunch of people that surely reads the blog but never comment...
Thanks for sharing this and for the giveaways!
(I love being wet and dressed, I did that all the time as a kid, let myself wet in the rain as I walked...)

[NotAnna]

The creative side of me has been wrestling of late with some highly critical demons they share space with in my head. Soon, soon, soon I will start sharing photos. I just know it.

[Robin]

this place is so inspiring.

[Lucy]

You all have so much vision and courage in your photography. I'm learning new things everyday and not just about photography.
Thank you.

[Kelly Bennett]

Looking forward to this month! What a great idea!!!

[tracy]

Few things would make me happier than this necklace!!

[laura - dolcepics]

Wow, stunning photo!

[Tina]

What wonderful ideas you girls have. I need to get back in the swing and you guys have helped me do just that. Thank You~ I look forward to your giveaways.

[Tracie]

I'm so glad to have discovered this site. I always get inspiration when I visit!

[lilia]

Oh, dreamy hooray! Off to check out the inspiration links! :-)

[Tiffany]

I love it all! I gotta have this necklace!

[dawnfh]

I've got to get a new necklace..please

[Lee-Ann]

Wow! I love what you wrote and I love this necklace! I hope to be a good enough photographer one day to be part of your group!!

[julie]

I love the necklace! and your blog!!
Julie

[Toni]

That flashbulb necklace is totally cool, especially after seeing it in the image above. I'd love to have one, and if I don't win one, might just have to order one anyway. But, pick me!!

[Ginger]

A giveaway for something I've been coveting is the perfect way for me to get over my inhibition about posting here with all you talented ladies. Now if I could just get the nerve up to share a picture!

[Sebrina]

December is my favourite month!! I would love a chance to win a necklace :)

[Bridge]

Love this photo & the necklace.

[Bria]

Happy December 1st! A month of thanks, treats, and eats.

[Cindi Barker]

I love giveaways! And what a better gift to receive than the flashbulb necklace, thanks for the chance to win one.

Cindi

[Toni]

The words and photo of this post are simply wonderful.
I would love to be the owner of one of those great necklaces.
Thank you!

[Angie]

Lovely photos!

[Shawna]

What a dreamy photo. I so agree about the wet clothes.

My goal this winter is to photograph a snowflake. I think it's a challenge that will last all winter and might even get me into the mountains.

Thanks for the giveaway and the constant inspiration!

[Sherry]

I visited your blog quite a often earlier in the year and have just returned recently. Thank you for inspiring and for the giveaway.

[Angie]

Fun! And I love December, really!

[Melissa]

I just started reading this blog a couple weeks ago; I just want to say how wonderful, inspiring and beautiful this blog is!

I would just love to own a flashbulb necklace. Hopefully luck will be on my side.

[canadacole]

As you are our teacher, mentor, muse. I love how we all share. I'm mostly a lurker, but who doesn't come out of hiding for a giveaway? Thanks for all you do!

[AppleTree]

Love the site, love the necklace. Both are great inspiration.

[Krista]

I've been thinking about sending my hubby a link to the flashbulb necklace as a hint. Winning it would be just great! So, please, throw my name in the hat!

[heather]

Happy December! That is an extraordinary portrait. I can feel the breeze.

[Marina]

We're just easing into the full strength of the summer. I'm a transplant; a nordic, frosty, sparkling icicle thrust suddenly into the unabated glare of the sun. I miss the snow and ice and I'm looking forward to seeing the many ways SS interprets my favourite season, and all of the beautiful photographs that spring from these ideas. Maybe it will make me feel homesick a little less.

I'd love to win a necklace. I need something pretty to wear on the beach to distract from my too-pale skin.