Photo Love
Saturday, December 27, 2008 by Guest Shutter Sister 
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!
Reader Comments (138)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the mag
cool!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/3136763597/
I am learning more about photography,
to the point of currently feeling like I know nothing!
I pop in on JPEG Mag irregularly, I would love a subscription!
Dana
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/december-pp-dec-21/
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/december-pp-dec-19/
http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/december-pp-dec-18/
I was supposed to take and post a photo a day. It didn't work out that way but thank you anyway, Rebecca of View from a Prairie Box. It was certainly fun trying.