willy nilly.

I didn't realize I'd been shooting like this until a client pointed it out. With disbelief, she said "You're not even looking through the camera?!" I looked down and realized that indeed she was right... I wasn't. I think it happens reflexively as a subconscious urge to subtract the camera-barrier. This way our faces can meet and interact. This photo probably isn't the greatest example because the little boy is looking away. But it demonstrates the willy-nilly approach. Of course there are tons of crappy shots that come from this roulette-wheel technique. But it's balanced by a few great ones too. And there are always angles that I would have neglected to find had I been thinking harder about it. Sometimes it's just good to give thinking a rest, no?

Do you ever shoot all willy-nilly? We'd love to see some examples and hear your thoughts! 

Also, I have a special holiday treat for you today... (and maybe a bit of a shameless plug too)! In case you haven't heard, I just launched my new website of camera bags for WOMEN! We're super excited and would love it if you clicked over to check it out at www.epiphaniebags.com! The bags are set for delivery in February, but you can purchase gift certificates now! PLUS one lucky commenter will win a free bag of their choice! Leave a comment today and you'll be entered to win! 

And if you'd like to pre-order a bag for yourself or as a gift, we're offering the Shutter Sisters community a special discount. When you check out, type in the code: SISTER and you'll receive 15% off your purchase. This is the last promo that we'll be doing until next spring. And it expires Sunday at 12:01am CST. So don't miss out!  :)

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Updated December 18th...

Using the random integer generator, THE WINNER IS CAROLYN from Silly Happy Sweet! CONGRATULATIONS! I'll be contacting you with the details. Thank you for all the comments everyone! Remember the discount code is good through Saturday!  :) Happy holidays!  

Comments

[Debbie Brenner]

I love the photo, I love the bags, too!

[Marcie]

I love your bags!! And - this photo is amazing..both as a self-portrait and that of the little boy. Willy-nilly really works!!!

[kosenrufu mama]

i love your picture!!! wonderful! i like shooting without my eye in the camera, most of these http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/10/una-domenica-in-paradiso.html pictures have been captured keeping the camera next to my heart! i love the effect!
wonderful bags as well!!! i would like to win!!!

[Kylie]

I often shoot willy-nilly with my kids - that way they can see my emotions and interact without the camera in the way!
Love this shot, his gaze, your smile and fantastic willy-nilly approach!

[Simon Lawrence]

Excellent photograph, very impressed.

Si

[Galia]

OMG, does this mean that I don't have to chuck my cameras, willy nilly, into my DG saddle bag, along with all the other girlie things. I've been dreaming about these bags for over 10 years.

[Angela]

Your bags look absolutely magic. And what a fantastic name for the brand - Epiphanie... I love it!

[indigo]

I shot this from the hip yesterday whilst out looking at the City window displays.

[indigo]

Ooops - forgot to add the link!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indigo2087/4191820973/

[Traci]

Love the bags! They would make a real nice Christmas gift to myself! Thanks!

[jenna nelson]

Oh, Belle. Where have you been all my life?

[camerashymomma ~ meredith winn]

oh maile, i love this photo!! look at your smile!! i shoot willy nilly all the time, it's just second nature. i think it's that you are so in tune with the boundaries of the camera, it's just like a third eye. (and my mom used to say "willy nilly" all the time so this makes me smile today!!)

xo

[Elizabeth Harper]

I shoot Willy Nilly all the time when I'm working with people or animals... with surprising results like the one below.


http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/paying-less-for-more/

[vivienne]

i love taking the camera away from my face too...i think sometimes it adds some magic that perhaps you couldn't see through the lens!

and i'm over the moon excited about these beautiful bags you've created!

[Tracy Sutherland]

I don't think I've ever shot willy-nilly in my life! I'll give it a try...

Nice bags too!

[cdscott]

My whole life is willy-nilly! Seriously, I do love to shot in unexpected ways. The results are usually pleasantly surprising. I'd love a bag!!!

[s.patel]

i LOVE the bags!! I am saving up to get one (and heavily hinting to my hubby)--I should forward him that coupon code :)

[ELK]

I LIKE that he is looking away..it is a lovely profile! Many congrats on you bags!!


this one is of a screen ..and shadows of outside ...forgot camera set to black and while..willy nilly!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/4187819387/

[Marina]

great shot! I have never shooted willy nilly, but I will have to try now!
and congratulations for your camera bags site: they are so beautiful and practical, what I would really love to carry around!!

[Kim K]

This is a wonderful shot...I love the expression on the little boys' face!
Your bags are beautiful...LOVE the Belle! I think you'll have lots of success with
your business!

[Sandra]

This photo of my baby's toes and pudgy fingers was taken willy-nilly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artfullife/3795788553/in/set-72157612065515197/

The camera bags look fabulous!

[strawberrygoldie]

Willy nilly.

That's all I know : )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/4172684883

xo
Heather

[Stephanie]

I love the bags! They are so stylist. No one would even know its a camera bag.

I always feel like I'm shooting willy nilly. With a two and a four year old, shots are rarely planned. My four year old is getting better, but posing is still usually on his terms. Here are a few from our recent trip to the museum and my first time shooting the whole day on manual.

http://www.timeslidesby.com/2009/12/my-little-princes-at-the-henry-ford-museum/

[lucy]

i take willy nilly shots when i'm walking in the woods, trying to shoot something at an odd angle. i love to capture details you can't see otherwise. here's one taken low to the ground, under a bush, behind a rock:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/3939598330/

[Golden]

They are so cool! I am getting my very first DSLR for Christmas and I don't have a bag yet!

[Diane]

Hurrah for willy nilly and WOW! Those bags!!

[Alli]

Willy Nilly is how I shoot a lot. I don't know why, it just seems so natural to me! http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumleydotorg/4172838003/

[lifeineden]

This is my first willy nilly shoot when I first got my DSLR. I love my son's expression. http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/3713838349/in/set-72157617762728374/

[Barbi]

I never shoot willy nilly and I think I should try it! My photos are of my family specifically my daughters and I bet I would get some good shots if I were to try this so I shall. Love the bags!! Lola is definitely on my wish list! The red and lavender, my two favorite colors!

[erika]

It isn't a pretty picture at all. Sort of sad & kind of makes me feel like a bad mom, but I didn't know what else to do BUT take a picture (everything had been tried). Willy Nilly was the only way to capture his flip-out since he was all over me. The outakes are as ridiculous as his flip-out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22634402@N02/4187995470/

The bags are awesome! They're on my camera wish list.

[Karen]

The bags are perfection--function and beauty all in one! Love them.

[heather]

I love shooting willy-nilly, especially with babies - it's great fun to just put the camera on the ground and see what you get... like this favorite of mine. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38858797@N00/4192829168/

[Alli]

Oh, I've been waiting for the release of your bags! I'm headed over to check them out right now!

[beth]

love the willy nilly question....and YES....I shoot willy nilly all the time and my hubby always seems to notice :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/4192846064/

ps.....oh wow oh wow oh wow......those camera bags are just yummy !

[misti]

Willy nilly is not something I am good at. I love that you ended up in the photo of this one!

And looking into the photo and seeing the surroundings of the area, I'm interested in how you determine where you are going to shoot your photos. Do you stay in one location the entire shoot? Do you have people asking what you are doing mid-shoot?

[~ kristina ~]

Congrats on your new line! They're lovely.

[LaShawn]

I love shooting "from the hip". I get some really interesting shots that I would not have gotten had I tried to frame it.

BTW, your new bags are amazing. They are on my Santa wish list!

[Lori Wilson]

I LOVE your bags. They are precisely what I've been looking for. A bag that is cool enough for us fashionistas and still functional as a camera bag. I've tried very large, fancy laptop bags I've tried small thinly padded backpacks. And of late I've just been dumping my camera into my regular purse and hoping against hope that I didn't bang it on anything. I'm so excited for these camera bags and am looking for ways to come up with the money I need to buy one.

[marina]

Love your bags. I'm hoping my husband preordered one for me as i dropped a lot of hints!

I like shooting willy nilly as well but usually get oof shots.

[Emma]

I'm not yet brave enough to shoot willy-nilly, but I love this photo so I'm going to try it out soon :) All of your photos are fabulous, of course and the bags are just completely AMAZING! Such talent.

[isaida]

I love the bags - on my wish list!

[melissa]

Great colors on the bags!!

[Krista]

Good luck on this new venture. I'm sure you'll do well as the bags are gorgeous! I especially like the Belle.

[Beryl]

Oh my, your bags are lovely! Definitely on my wish list.

Willy Nilly is really hard for me. I never seem to get it quite right. Here is a semi willy nilly shot of me trying to be inconspicuous with the camera at a dinner with friends.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/berylayn/3769090035/

[Jenny Rebecca]

Yay! So glad the bags are "going live". :o)

Haven't shot willy nilly but sure would love to try now.

[divrchk]

I should shoot willy nilly more often. Your bags are gorgeous but I just had to fly home for a funeral so the funds are low. Have a great holiday!

[packrat]

I have spent my life looking for the perfect bag! My closet looks like it too, but these look like they could be the one. My camera is shoved into my purse, which means I dig for everything I need and am very frustrated!

[Erin]

Great shot!

And I am crossing my fingers for that bag!! Love them!

[Alicia]

I love to shoot like this, it's so fun and you never know what out may end up with.
ps I love the bags too.

[Justina]

I've been inspired by your post to do more willy-nilly shooting. I spend too much time worrying about how a photo will look and not enough time just enjoying the moment.