Come as you are

As I began to think about my post for Shutter Sisters this week, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of doubt. What do I have to offer? What if I fail? 

I noticed that these questions often arise for me in Writing, but never in Photography. Writing is definitely more vulnerable. It requires me to stand still and hold my reins firmly in the open fields of thought, in the land of “wild horses”. Writing takes me galloping on an emotional journey, and only if I am lucky (and blessed with unexplained divine intervention!), it brings me back to what is simple and real. Sigh. It is that good when the writing process comes full circle, isn’t it?

Photography, on the other hand, by its own mechanism, grants me permission to release, both the shutter and the expectation. It invites me to keep it simple: to show up and see, to focus and release. It is a process rooted in the present. It whispers to me: Come as you are. It seduces me: Whether you’ll miss it, like it or not, you’re about to enter the truth of a moment. How can one resist, right?

Indeed, it is in the merging of both of these Art forms that this post and I exist. I had to roam freely, tame fears, and in a moment of clarity, remember to let myself be charmed by what I love, and release. So now I tempt you to join me and “Come as You Are” as well. Show me whatever you’ve got today that represents your journey, your process, without any worry, without a plan, just with the truth of what is.

So excited to introduce Alex de Souza of Gypsy Girls Guide fame as a new regular contributor here. Yay!

Comments

[camerashymomma]

oh alex!! welcome... welcome!!
your image is striking, it's so beautiful i can't stop looking at it. and the thoughts behind your words resonate with me. i can think of no other place to come as you are, than here, to the sisterhood.
~meredith

[beth]

I guess what I've got today, is what I posted on my blog...
it's full of life and meaning and perspective.....

[littlepurplecow]

Alex, so happy to have you join us! Love your image.

[Elizabeth Harper]

Hanging on to old memories while crafting new dreams...

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/its-curtains-for-the-new-look-repurposing-a-dream/

[Jade Sheldon]

I often feel as you do.

This is a combination of my art and my writing...

http://intestinegoddess.blogspot.com/

[daniela]

congratulations alex! what a beautiful addition and natural "fit."

[Lu]

I will have you know I have never detected a since of doubt in any of your writing or photography. Most definitely not in anything you contribute to the blog community. I am constantly inspired by your vision, your spirit and your unique way of seeing things. Wonderful to have you contributing here.

[Kristin Zecchinelli]

welcome alex!!! so exciting to see you here regularly.

as for me today was a family day. our morning filled with painting and our afternoon filled with raking.
creating, cleaning, sharing, our every day together as a family. i looked in the sink after cleaning up our project and i smiled at the beauty even in the clean up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/4084653962/in/photostream/

[maya | springtree road]

this photo is fantastic.

[Marianne]

Oh, my. Your words are so powerful and beautiful, they have stopped me in the tracks of my day. x

[Emily Perry]

Yeah! So great to see you here~ was that shot from burning man? so cool!

[Rebecca in Switzerland]

Wow! What a photo. Looking forward to meeting you in March...

[thea]

Oh my, have you ever read something by someone where you are awe struck that they are writing something so beautifully about what you experience? I struggle so much with writing-expressing myself through words. This is the busiest time of year for my portrait business and I find myself at a loss for words when I post their sneak peeks, not because of a lack to say, but the sense that it won't come out right.

I have been keeping my words simple in hopes that my photographs will do the talking.

As I read this post I felt like raising my hands to the sky and dancing, as I felt so understood...thanks so much

[mac]

i feel the same way....
although i was never able to pin-point
it as gracefully as you did here.

you fill me up in
all the right places.

beautiful photo as well!!!!!

xoxoxo