Photo Love

I left the bookstore with my arms full. I wanted her to ask why I was buying four of the exact same magazine. But she didn't. So I offered up my reasoning because I could no longer keep it to myself. “A photo of mine was published in this magazine." She glanced at me in her ho-hum way of tedium that comes with full time work and the Christmas rush on a Sunday afternoon in December. "That's great." She said and asked me if I wanted a bag.

"No thanks!" Oh boy did I sound chipper! I wanted to hold these pages close to me. I wanted to gather my babies to my breast. I couldn't hide my pleasure. It sprung from my heels as I headed for the door. 

Lighter. I feel lighter.

And somehow more complete.

I am who I am regardless of accessories. But the more I dive into photography, the more I feel whole. More human. More real. It's no longer a camera. It's a second heart, a third eye that I wear on a neck strap. When I go without photography ~ when I’m too tired, too bummed, too self absorbed ~ I realize just how much I need. It's become who I am, no longer just an accessory.

Today I was walking down a sidewalk with both arms full of photo love and the biggest grin spreading across my face. A smile so big I almost didn't recognize the feeling. Those muscles have been hibernating, too scared to come out and see the light of day. Those muscles finally pulled around my mouth and I let myself be happy. I let it out in a big ol' grin cause I'm doing it, whatever it is, I'm doing it right now. And it feels really good. And that is some sort of satisfying that I never expected to feel just by holding a magazine.

If you haven't explored JPG magazine yet, you should do so immediately! Photo challenges and photography themes for each magazine issue keeps the creative juices flowing for me. It's a phenomenal online community of inspirational photographers, and the magazine is made by people just like you!

Words and image courtesy of Guest Blogger / Honorary Sister Meredith Winn (aka camerashymomma).

Today the fine folks at JPG magazine are offering a subscription to one of you. Subscriptions like this are the kind of gifts that keep on giving. Love that. All you have to do is share the photo love and comment here today to be in the drawing. Good luck.

Congratulations to Kacey, the winner of the lens rental at Ziplens. Woot!

Comments

[Marcie]

Congratulations!!!! And thanks for the info.l about this magazine. Looks like a wonderful community and resource.

[adrienne]

Congrats!!! I love this magazine!

[jodyangel]

I love reading JPG mag. Only I've only read it online. What joy it would be to hold it in my hands =)

[Katie Malone-Smith]

yay for being published!
pick me!

[AppleTree]

Great mag, great place to be published.

I need to explore JPG more.

[Heather]

Congratulations! Even if the cashier isn't responding with enthusiasm, _I'm_ excited for you!

[jenney]

I've never heard of this mag. It looks really cool! TFS!

[jenney]

Sorry, forgot to add: Congrats on being pubbed! How exciting!

[Tracy]

I don't know this magazine but I'll check it out!

[Sandra]

congrats to you! the magazine looks great! ~ very exciting!

[Grey Street Girl]

I love this story. Meredith's a great writer and photographer and I'm so glad she was included in the magazine. I find it's a really fun way to challenge yourself each month.

[Alicia]

i love this post...love how you talk about taking photos...love the shot in JPG

[divrchk]

I keep meaning to subscribe but haven't as of yet... I'd love this prize! Congrats on being published.

[sandi]

Awesome that you were published! Way to go!
I would love a subscription to this mag!

[Shawna]

Thanks for the info on the magazine. I'll add it to my list of reads!

[Stephanie Fox]

Congrats on being published in the magazine.

[kristin]

so so so freaking awesome! deserved! you did it! congrats mere. what a proud beautiful smile.

[Sarah]

Congratulations on having a photo published! That must feel FANTASTIC.

[Bunny]

Congratulations on your photo! You are one of my favorite photographers I have found through Shutter Sisters and I keep an eye on your Flickr stream. I would love JPG magazine!

[wilsonian]

Congratulations, Meredith! I love this statement of yours, "I let it out in a big ol' grin cause I'm doing it, whatever it is, I'm doing it right now." That is so powerful.

[cindy k]

congratulations! that is so exciting - i'm amazed you purchased just 4 copies of the magazine ;). i will check it out as i'd love a magazine about photography.

[pam]

Photo love is a great phrase! This is where I come for inspiration. Congratulations to you!

[jenlancaster]

Thanks for the great source of inspiration!

[Stephanie]

Congratulations! I'll have to check this mag out!

[Lila]

Many well deserved congrats on this achievement...and in such a fine magazine!!

[Kacey]

I won!!! Yippee!!! Yay!! Off to look at the lens rentals at Ziplens!

Enough about me... congrats on getting your photo published! That is exciting news.

[Safire]

Cool magazine!! Congrats!

[Stacy]

What an honor to be recognized in the mag. I'm sure it's just the beginning for you. Congrats.

[alice]

Oh wow congratulations, that magazine looks fantastic! :)

[maya | springtree road]

congrats to meredith!

would *love* a subscription to jpg.

and here's my photo love for the day: http://flickr.com/photos/springtreeroad/3139707815/

[Abbie]

Congrats!! How exciting to see your photo in print! =)

Keeping my fingers crossed for the subscription!

[Sue Carter]

Congrats on being published. How fun to see your photo in a magazine!
I would love to get a subscription to that uber cool magazine!

[Stephanie]

How cool! I have never seen this magazine before, but now I can't wait!

[Melissa (Photomom86)]

congratulations on having one of your pictures published in a magazine - very exciting indeed!

[Joelle]

Congratulations!! Your post made me smile :)

[Sharon]

Congratulations! That is really great!

[Kari]

I would love this!

[Karyn]

I love JPG! I hope someday to buy armfulls of magazines because a photo has been published! That website is just wonderful and I totally agree with beginning to feel whole.

[spread your wings]

congratulations on being published - it has to be an incredible feeling. love the magazine. would love a subscription to it

[Kelley]

Congratulations! What a cool magazine to be published in.

[holly]

congratulations! I hadn't heard of this magazine before, I'm excited to go check it out!

[MelodyA.]

Congratulations! What a great honor.

Love that mag.

[toni]

Congratulations! Great story, I probably would have bought every copy the store had.

[lisa]

Yay!

[Casie]

Congratulations!!!! I am happy for you.

[Kate C.]

My dad brought that issue over a few days ago! I love that shot!! Congratulations. :)

[iHanna]

A second heart, a third eye - I just love those words! Thanks for sharing your happiness - and congrats!

[Tracie]

How awesome to be published! I love taking pictures and I'm always looking for inspiration!

[lizzy]

congratulations! i share your excitement!! i wish the bookstore clerk would have asked too... this is one of my first picks when i enter the bookstore for hours of reading...and a subscription would be fantastic.

[Kim]

Congratulations on being published! And thank you for giving us an opportunity to win a subscription. Their website looks like a lot of fun. I'll have to look for the magazine the next time I'm at Barnes and Noble. :)