Grand Collaborations

View from the Navy Pier in Chicago at BlogHer 2007

As I tie up loose ends and back my bags for the weekend’s festivities I am giddy. More than anything BlogHer has become a block of time to be in the true physical presence of some of my favorite women that for the most part, I only get to spend time with virtually. It’s something I look forward to all year.

This year feels extra special though.

At last year’s BlogHer I was talking up this great idea I had of a unique collaborative photo blog for women that I had planned to launch called Shutter Sisters. People would ask for details and I remember saying, I’m not exactly sure what’s it’s going to be. I just know it’s going to be amazing. And it is truly amazing. I had an idea of what I hoped it would be but little did I know the caliber of community that has come to surround and support the blog would surpass my wildest dreams. You all have helped make Shutter Sisters what it is today. And it just keeps getting better. Thank you all so very much.

This year BlogHer for me will be an even richer celebration of sisterhood and some of the contributing sisters and many of our community will be gathering, walking the streets of San Francisco, clickin’ around town together. It feels almost surreal and I eagerly look forward to Saturday’s PhotoWalk. What’s more is that, thanks to Blurb, we will be kicking off the Shutter Sisters Collaborative Book Collection! You asked for it. You got it. The book will be called ShutterWalk and it will be full of some highlights from the PhotoWalk images captured. All participants have to do is upload their PhotoWalk Photos into the ShutterWalk Flickr Group, tag them with ssphotowalk08 and our favorites will be chosen for our book.

Since there are so many of you that aren’t able to join us this weekend, we are also going to begin the process of choosing the images for our second book. Yep. That’s two. We’re pretty ambitious, aren’t we? This is so that everyone can get into the spirit of starting our library of books. It will be called The Daily Click (crowd goes wild). The photos that will be chosen for the book from our Daily Click stream will be up to you!

Between now and August 1^st it is your job to be book curator. All you have to do is click through all The Daily Clicks and comment on the ones you hope to see in our book. The photos with the most comments will be featured in our First Annual Daily Click Collection. We can’t wait to see which photos you choose!

Once the books are done, they will be available at the Blurb Bookstore. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the best cause we could think of, Jen and Odette’s Girl Power Afrcia fund.

Thank you again to all of you for being involved here and so wonderfully supportive. It means to the world to us. Especially to me. Sniff sniff.

Comments

[megan]

ooh, i so wish i could go on the photowalk -- can't wait to see all the great pictures from it! have fun all!

[deb]

I remember meeting you last year at Blogher. I attended the photo session and you inspired me to keep taking photos. Thank you for that.

[Joelle]

WOOOHOOO!!!!!! The books (and the cause) sound amazing. I hope you have the best time in San Francisco. Thank you so much for all you (and the other shuttersisters) do to make this site such a wonderful, creative, fun place to spend time.

[Marcie]

Wishing you'all a great time!! Will look forward to hearing all about it upon your return.

[Christy]

I can't wait to see the results for both! Oh, how i wish I was able to partake in the photowalk, but this will definitely be the next best thing!

[maya]

good fun! best of luck on the book and have a great time at blogher.

[Ashley]

I am so sad I won't be @ Blogher this year for the photo walk, but I cannot wait to see the images from it. I also can't wait for these books!

SS is such an amazing site, I come here every day usually even before I check my email :) Thank you to Tracey and everyone who helped birth this into existence.

[Christina]

I remember my eagerness this time last year to see Shutter Sisters unveiled...it has been amazing!

[dr lyn]

Sounds fabulous -- and I wish I could be there! Guess I'll have to hope to be a Daily Click one of these days!! (hee hee!!)

Love SS -- a great part of my day.

[kristin]

awesome to hear of the books coming to fruition. sorry i will not be at blogher or the walk. sounds like a blast!!! look forward to great pics.

[Heather]

EEEEEeeeeeeEEEEeeeeEEEE!

[laura - dolcepics]

Yay! Thanks Tracey for starting up this wonderful community of Shutter Sisters! Yay for the books too!

[Michelle]

Thank you for creating Shutter Sisters. I've only been taking part for a couple of months, but this is the first place I visit when I come online. :D

Good luck with the book ventures and I wish you lots of fun at BlogHer.

[Emma]

Sounds great.
Anyone here from London? I'd love to try a version of this over on this side of the world!
Emma

[Val]

This is really neat-o :)

[camerashymomma]

have a blast!! i'm so excited to see all the results of these amazing women!

[melody]

Long live Shutter Sisters! :)

[Tracy]

Have a wonderful time in San Fran. And thank you, thank you, thank you for starting Shutter Sisters! I didn't realize it was so young. I've learned so much from the blog and from participating in the Flickr pool. So many kind, encouraging photographers! Okay, I'm gushing here but I can't help it. :)

[Mandy]

Looking forward to seeing the photos. I would have loved to go on a photowalk shoot with you and the other inspiring photographers. Maybe, we can do that someday down here in San Diego (hint, hint!!!)