June Giveaways: Sundays At Home

A piece of advice I've heard given to many aspiring writers is to "write what you know."  I'm not a writer, so I can't comment on the wisdom of such counsel.  As a photographer, however, I HAVE found it helpful to photograph what I know or--to be more precise--WHERE I know the best.  For me, that would be my family at home. 

You would think that taking photos at home would be boring and devoid of creativity.  I actually find that I challenge myself to discover new ways of taking photos, whether it's a creative angle or playing with lighting or just waiting for the right moment.  Also, because this is the environment that my family is most comfortable in, I can take the most candid, natural photos of them because they don't have their guard up.  Besides, I really don't aim for every single photo I take to be an earthshattering piece of fine art.  In fact, it's the spur-of-the-moment snapped shots of the everyday mundane that I often treasure the most.

And now, I'm thrilled to announce that Shutter Sisters are designating Sundays for the month of June as "Sundays At Home" for our June Giveaways.  We've teamed up with the folks behind the book America At Home to give away FIVE of these amazing books WITH custom covers, one on each Sunday this month!  This book contains exquisite images of "the distinctive rituals, intimate moments, and all the ways in which we work, play, learn, and interact with friends and family members (and pets!) at home."  You can view sample pages here.  And because a custom cover is included in the giveaway, this extraordinary book will be made even more special with YOUR photo on the cover. 

To be included in the random drawing,  just leave a comment below with a link to your own At Home photo between now and Monday at midnight EST.  And if you don't win this week, you'll have four more chances each Sunday this month!  If you need some inspiration, make sure you check out these photos by beebee mod, Lawyer Mama [Steph], mainemomma2007 and spencercasa.

Comments

[laura]

Ooooh, lovely idea! Pretty much all of my photos are at home. Here's one that comes to mind!

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/not-so-perfect/

The best part about home photos is the fact that we can capture our daily lives "as-is", which happens to be the parts of life I want to remember the most.

[Tonya Doughty]

Love this type of photo! Here is one of mine that has always made me all warm 'n fuzzy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/771184599

[intensity_too]

I love this photo of my youngest son sleeping soundly in the recliner.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/intensity_too/52800648/in/set-72157604859010023/

[Jo]

I'm in a Sunday mood just looking at those photos. If it stops raining, we usually get out in the garden on Sundays. Here's my daughter showing her pumpkin around his new home:

http://appletree.typepad.com/fourrooms/2008/05/a-girl-and-her.html

[rachael]

he really wanted to go outside. don't you love the mohawk?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21338573@N07/2519377523/in/set-72157604968771450?edited=1

[Shelli]

Oh boy! All my photos are at home!

Okay, now everyone can see what a mess my kitchen cabinets are in. I never say that I'm a good housekeeper. Ha.

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#40

[divrchk]

This is such a cool book! Here is Andrew checking out how far his ball flew... http://www.flickr.com/photos/divrchk/2407735496/

[Alissa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissaspics/2510314414/

He wasn't sleepy...just going to watch tv for awhile. Sleeping children afford LOTS of photo opportunities :-)

[Francine]

Love this idea. here is one of our cat claiming the bed :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raggafran/2540897935/

[renee]

Your post inspired me to photograph my household this morning. I captured my children engaged in crafting, their favorite indoor at-home activity. I love this shot especially of my 7 year son, who is all-boy, arranging his newly crafted mini wooden ballerina dolls.

http://fimby.tougas.net/Sunday_morning_craft

[Joelle]

What a lovely give away! My kids love hanging out in the backyard digging for creatures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsliedtke/2505733778/in/pool-343665@N23?edited=1

[Amy]

What happens in MY home...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellaminnowpeas/202485029/

[Jennifer]

I live far from any of my brothers or parents. So I am always taking pictures of the everyday stuff at our house to share with them. Those pictures always end up being my favorite.

Fun idea for Sundays!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2541810534/

[Tracy Kuethe]

My daughter got new reading glasses last month. This is her first bit of homework she tried upon getting home...and she declared: is my handwriting better already? And yes, it was!

http://flickr.com/photos/7652520@N05/2541090727/

[Carrie Harvey]

Here are my girls having a quiet moment in the backyard...of course it was provoked by Mom (otherwise it wouldn't have happened!!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23724564@N02/2442063824/

[Helen]

Go, Daddy, Go!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21993040@N08/2511698604/

[Autumn]

Elena likes to help me with yard work on Sundays.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyanearden/2541317057/

[Mrs. Eaves]

We just moved into a new house a few weeks ago and are still unpacking and experiencing the newness of everything.

http://camerashy.cemestos.com/wheres-waldo/

[anna]

My son loves to help me bake, I am sure it is for the reward afterwards...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sassyanna/2388424260/

[elizabeth]

Since it seems like I am always following the pup around with a camera, I thought this one was rather appropriate:

http://retinalperspectives.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/a-new-perspective/

[Mama DB]

Yeah, I'm stalkerazzi at home as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23829646@N02/2417946302/

[Jenny Rebecca]

Wish every morning were like this...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/2542406804/

[Lisa]

He fell asleep like this waiting for me to tuck him in...

http://flickr.com/photos/lisaboo/469396168/in/set-72157600340793665/

[Marcene]

We like taking walks on Sunday afternoons...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21008348@N03/2437937380/

[Lawyer Mama]

Thanks for the link! Although you linked the picture I probably would have linked here! LOL!

Here's mine:
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2521473166/

[kristin]

first off, thank you SO much sarah-ji! i am honored to be mentioned in a post. this is a first for me and i am so excited i feel like i was picked for prom. (giddy!!!)

love this contest! this entire post is so fitting for my family. we had one of the very best Sundays here today. my boys made apple pie and it was a sunny lazy day, perfect.
here is a pic from our day.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2541596893/in/photostream/

[Kathleen]

Backyards are the best spots!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2542488243/

[nicky thomas]

Hello Shutter Sisters

Here are a couple of my favourite at home pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2287688311/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2298375097/

enjoy and have a nice day

nicky x

[Heather]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2498961725/in/set-72157604817366138/

[Wendy]

I just love your blog. My favorite "at home" picture this weekend.

http://wendesu.typepad.com/square_one/2008/06/sundays-at-home.html

[Sharon]

Most of our pictures are at home-my boys are comfortable here, and silly, and sweet. Great idea!

http://flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/2542990585/

[melissa]

This is a lovely idea! If you knew my daughter you would understand why this photo says Ella Rose like no other photo I have taken of her and I have taken ALOT!.

http://thegossardgirls.blogspot.com/2008/05/you-are-my-sunshine.html

ps
scroll down for the photo. It is within the post and is not the header of my blog. Did not want any confusion :)

[Amanda]

Here's a common occurance at my home.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amgreco92/2543056685/

[JoEllyn Steele]

This isn't exactly at "home" but it completely represents why I live where I do and what I love about where I live!!

http://bp1.blogger.com/_4L5SKK-iZPg/SDDOXeHiHAI/AAAAAAAAAX8/J_FRoDNK_dA/s1600-h/JoEllyn+kissing+monster+bass.jpg

If that link doesn't work--it's the first pic you'll see on my blog which should be linked through my name...

I'm so glad I came upon this blog!

[jess]

Hey guys, here's my Sunday pic, thanks for the opportunity!

http://grownupartists.blogspot.com/2008/06/hope-i-make-deadline.html

[Lyn]

One moment of home -- a current favorite activity: lining up all the animals and laying there chatting with each...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2504053404/in/set-72157605201836768/

[Kim McMechan]

Apparantly, this banana was pretty funny... I've recently decided to capture more of the "messy moments" and this is one of them.

[Kim McMechan]

Er, yeah. About that banana.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27260799@N07/2543452533/

[ToVah]

Here is my picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27255731@N05/2543495455/in/pool-shuttersisters

[Abra]

I completely know what you mean by taking photos of what you know and love the most. I am constantly challenging myself to get great candids of my loved ones since my 4 year old is getting to the age where he tries to "smile" for the camera.

I hope I don't overwhelm here but I have so many and I just chose four of my favorites {{sheepish grin}}. I'm in love with my little man.

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/05/lions-dont-like-pictures.html

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/06/baseball-practice-and-photo-tips.html

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/03/best-help-in-world.html

http://artistryinfocus.blogspot.com/2008/02/when-he-used-to-like-trains.html

[Laura Plouzek]

my big kid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smilinglaura/2217877970/

[Mary Catherine]

In front of my giant inspiration board is my tiniest and greatest inspiration:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycatherinehamelin/2413832020/

[Lisl Sukachevin]

What a great give away! Here's one of my photo's at home, taken of my son:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73718243@N00/2429333897/

Lisl

[Elizabeth Wiggs]

This was taken in the home where I grew up. I took this of my mom and her mom (my grandmother) during a family birthday party. This is a scene I definitely know best. Thanks for the contest! How fun!!

http://flickr.com/photos/ewiggs/2293355381/

[Alice C]

My photograph shows my almost-adult children with the dog that was the companion of their childhood.

http://magpiefiles.blogspot.com/2008/06/group-hug.html

It is not wonderful if you judge it by technique but it says everything about our family.

[Laurie L.]

Noticing the shadows, "x" marks the spot since home is my center.

http://woolgatheringofyarn.blogspot.com/2008/06/at-home.html

[Erin]

What an awesome giveaway! Here is mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinfayephotography/2182303832/

[Melizzard]

Summer Sunday are my favorite http://www.melizzard.com/2008/06/sunday-summers.html

[nikkipolani]

we're listening to stories and taking naps on Sunday afternoons.

http://nikkipolani.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/sometimes-quiet/

[susiej]

My favorite at-home shot. http://www.susiej.com/index.php/my-content-little-guy/.

Great photo of your daughter, she looks like she's deeply in thought living out her dream of the moment.