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

[charlane]

yay! congrats on the publication - I keep trying there, so I know it's a great honor to be published in JPG.

[Freda]

congrats on the photo being published. I would love a subscription. What a cool magazine!

[pbird]

Thank you for sharing your story...I'm inspired! I hadn't heard of the magazine, so now I've got to check that out too.

[Kimberly]

i haven't seen it thus far but will be heading to the bookstore today!

[Chocolate on my Cranium]

That is so exciting! I can totally understand your happy, lighter than air, feeling. What an accomplishment!

[Diane]

YAY, M!!

Pick me! Pick me!

[Secret Agent Mama]

That. is. awesome.

[Emme]

Great post and congrats on getting your photo published! I will check out the magazine too, it sounds perfect.

[sarai]

Congratulations!

[kt]

so happy for you! looks like a great mag i want to check it out now. kt

[Jessica]

Congrats! JPG is such a lovely magazine...

[Nick]

I saw this pic in the magazine while I was at the airport looking through the magazine stand! Awesome! Congrats to you!

[Emily]

Congratulations!! I'll be looking for this magazine during my next trip to the book store!

[Regina]

Thanks for sharing the excitement & about this publication that I was unaware of until I read this post.
Congratulations to Meredith on this proud accomplishment.

[Deanna]

Congrats to you! I would love to win a subscription :)

[Julie Alvarez]

I am so happy for you, I can even imagine the feeling of that smile! Your description reminded me the smile I get after I got down from stage, after singing. I love that feeling! So, again, I am so happy for you!

[Elizabeth]

What a cool picture! I live in Austin and LOVE Hey Cupcake! Congrats on publishing!

[RT]

Congrats--and how delightful to let yourself be happy in the great moment! That's very cool. I'd love a subscription to this magazine. It sounds like the kick in the pants I need. : )

[rachelzana]

This looks like a really neat magazine!

[michelle]

ooohhh....I would love this.

[Star]

Congratulations on being published! I'd have had an armful at the checkout counter as well.

[Sharon]

Congratulations on being published. It's high time I checked out JPG. And picked up my camera too. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Carol]

how exciting!

[giggletwig (corey)]

Congrats on being published!

[Lucy]

That is *so* awesome. How wonderful!

[jessica]

Oh, congrats! I just got my new camera and I'm ready for some serious inspiration.

[Renee]

great magazine! what an offer!

[Tracy]

I'm so happy for you! Isn't it fun to have a passion for photography? And then to be rewarded this way must be awesome! Congrats!

[Suzanne]

Congratulations on being published! Its so exciting!!

[kosenrufu mama]

my congratulation to you!!!! the best present for christmas!!!!

[Sherry]

Congratulations! "...it's a second heart, a third eye..." I like that.

[Jessica]

Congrats! How exciting that must be, to have a photo published! I hope I can say the same someday. :)

[faith]

Congrats!

[Janice]

YEA for YOU!! How cool is that?! What an honor to have one of your photos published! I can only dream......

[Kylie]

Wow! Congrats on being published :)

[Sheri]

Excellent post, Meredith. I know the feeling. :)

[Suvarna]

This is the first time I heard of it too, congratulations! I'll be looking for it next time I'm at the magazine shop.

[Kelly]

The links in this post don't seem to be working, but I'd like a chance at the subscription!

[Courtney]

I need all the help I can get, so a subscription would be fantastic!!!

[Jess]

Wow, that is awesome!

[Hay]

Perfect!

[jeanne]

congrats on the publish!!!

[Chris]

Love, love, love JPG Magazine and my subscription just expired. So I'll take a gift subscription, thank you very much! lol. Congrats on getting your pic in there!

[Ashley]

Congrats on being published, how exciting!

[Christine]

Congratulations on being published in JPG. It is a cool magazine. I relate to your enthusiasm and the joy that photography brings. Well deserved, so BRAVO!

[jenfarnam]

How sweet this would be. Congratulations on being published. Jen

[Bria]

Congratulations! What a great feeling, huh?

[Courtney]

That is so exciting. Congratulations!!

[Lu]

congratulations and the magazine is wonderful.

[Shama-Lama Mama]

Oh YAY for you! I love browsing through JPG. Would LOVE to have my own subscription!