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

[Tracy]

First of all, the bags are GORGEOUS! I've totally been salivating over them.

Secondly, I sometimes try the willy nilly approach and you're totally right about getting unique angles. Most of the time I delete the results but here are a couple of successes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/2585737736/in/set-72157605653458417/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/2374064719/

[Linn]

Those camera bags are beautiful! I do shoot without looking now and then and sometimes get a decent shot...but only if I'm using my wide angle! The 50 mm almost never gets a decent shot that way!

[texassky]

I love this pic. I can see the joy in your face that taking pictures bring to you. How lovely! I scrunch my face up like its gonna help me see through the peephole or something! Hellooo crowsfeet:) Happy day to you and MERRY CHRISTMAS

~http://rainy-n-texas.blogspot.com

[Heather]

Oh my. Wow. The bags are wonderful. They are instantly on my wish list:)

[Jenn Van Wyk]

I shoot Willy Nilly - I usually do this when taking photos of family & friends casually, and I don't want them to know I'm taking their picture! The camera bags are lovely - thank you so much for designing a gear bag that actually looks good!

[Michelle]

I have enough trouble with the very carefully focused and metered shots! HAHA!
This is fabulous. Well done!

[Jess]

I love your reflection in the window!

[Mandi]

lol, I take pictures the same way!
Awesome giveaway too!

[Julie K]

I love shooting willy nilly! Lots of great ground level foot shots that way! And those coveted bags ... swoon.

[vanessa]

The bags are gorgeous! I have it saved on our toolbar hoping my husband will find it in his heart to get me one. :)

[Jen]

Oh, those bags. I am living by the willy-nilly approach more and more. I think that's the fun of photography.

[Tatum]

I'm a willy-nilly shooter too!

[Jenn]

I'm going to try shooting willy-nilly now! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Those bags are gorgeous!!!

[Heidi]

I *try* to shoot without looking through the viewfinder but it rarely works - I always capture the ceiling or the wall or half of someone's face. :-P

I LOOOOOOOOOVE your bags! Would love even more to win one. :-P

[Kathy]

When I'm photographing kids I'm always ready to go into willy nilly mode. Sometimes they move so fast I don't have time to get the camera back up to my eye.
Love the bags.

[Sarah Brooks.]

I shoot like that a lot too! Also, those camera bags are beautiful!

[michelle]

I am going to give willy nilly a try!
And the lola bag is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucy]

The bags are AMAZING! and so is that shot!

[Tracy S.]

Wonderful Photo! We all need a little willy-nilly in our photography.

Love the bags and am crossing my fingers that I get one.

[molly]

It was just a little too cold to get down on my belly for this one--plus my belly also happens to be six months pregnant. I love how just lowering my camera to the ground can have surprising results.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mommycoddle/4083855559/

And yay for these amazing bags!

[aileen]

love your bags and shoot willy-nilly all the time. now i know what to call it! great capture of a willy-nilly shoot. that's just what i imagine it looks like, being engaged with the person in front of you.

[Toni]

I'm going on vacation for the first time with my new camera in January. I NEED a great bag!!!!

[Finn]

I don't do this very often, but I think I'm going to give it a go. Excellent shot!

And the bags? To die for. Thank you!

[Tonya]

Love love these!! Bout time someone invents some for us lady photogs :)

[Meg Li]

Awesome! I just blogged about how much I want the Lola bag. Trying to carry around my dSLR is one of my biggest hindrances to working on my photography - I'm so glad you're meeting this need. Thanks!

[Mandi]

The bags are gorgeous! Finally something hip and functional for cameras!

[Deirdre]

I'm impressed with that shot! How do you focus?

Beautiful bags. I wish there was enough in my bank account after all my holiday shopping to get myself a present, but I'll have to wait (unless, of course, I have crazy luck and win!

[sperlygirl]

the bags are wonderful! what an incredible give-away. thank you for the opportunity :)

[Erika]

I have experimented with the willy nilly approach. Here is an example from last spring http://www.flickr.com/photos/gashuttergirl/3577631226/in/set-72157618761508719/ . I have also tried it with flowers, but don't have an image posted for some reason.

Love the bags. I have been looking for something like that for years.

[juliacsmith]

Ooh. I have my eye on that red Lola – I even put it on my list for Santa!

At the New York City Marathon this fall, I "gave thinking a rest" and just snapped like crazy as I moved through the crowd: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcsupersmith/4131146839/

[Patty Reiser]

I think this is a great way to photograph children. I will have to try this on my next photo shoot.

[Anna aka.BeachMama]

I try to shoot willy nilly but, it never seems to work out like that one for me, I will keep trying though because it is a great way to shoot. Love those new bags too!

[natalyn]

I LOVE shooting willy-nilly! A lot of times I'll do it with my iPhone sitting against my cheek, and with my Nikon I just point it in random directions! Here's one of my examples:

http://nattysfamily.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-65.html

And those bags are gorgeous!

[Sheila Cain-Sample]

Love these bags. My Nikon just gave up the ghost, I'm looking for a new SLR. Love to have a new bag for my new camera

[monica]

Wow. Those are the coolest camera bags EVER. The GINGER has been added to my wishlist!

[Andrea]

Wow. These are fabulous. I love the Belle and Lola bag but the Ginger is just perfect for me, I get things dirty! I love the little tags the most though! Lovely ideas. Good luck with your venture.
Andrea

[Lisa]

How do you FOCUS willy nilly?? :-)

I LOVE this bag and have spent months looking for a new one....I think I just found one that will work perfect for me!

[Kate]

I have admired your bags from afar for awhile now--what a great idea! It would definitely help in travel situations when I bring my camera but don't want to look like a total tourist by hauling around my "camera bag" with a big logo on it.

And the photo--gorgeous. I love the colors and tinting.

Thank you!

[gonzomama]

the bags are beautiful and a long-time coming! i'd love to put my camera into a proper bag rather than the diaper bag. (though the cloth diapers do a great job protecting the camera).

[emily]

i love the willy nilly reflections...and THOSE BAGS...*swoon*

[Meg]

I've been trying to do a better job of "shooting from the hip", but it doesn't always come out as planned. But, like you said, sometimes *magic* happens that you wouldn't have been able to get otherwise!

And, *gush* I LOVE those bags. No, LOVE doesn't even begin to cover it!

[Shawna]

i have to admit, i'm terrible at willy nilly with my dslr. i was fine with my point and shoot, but for some reason with the big one i can't aim! i think i'm going to have to give it a bit more practice, because i'm finding it really makes a difference with kids when the photographer doesn't have a big black machine for a face.

[Annika Christine]

I am looking for such an cool bag for ages! I would be perfect for me!

[thatgirlblogs]

if I did that, I'd get a picture of the sky!

[Jessica]

Willy nilly is the way to go with kids, esp. if you're watching them at the same time. I took this photo of my then 7-month-old son while making sure he didn't slip in his pool. (He's all wet because he loves to splash. :))

http://picasaweb.google.com/goaliej54/Misc#5416257281478124914

[Brian - Ottawa Wedding Photographer]

Awesome photo! I also shoot on occasion with my camera not to my eye. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't!

PS, my wife has been raving about your camera bags for months! Glad to see the site up, hoping to win one!

[jeanne]

im not a girly girl, but here would be a great place to start...

[Preeti]

Oh, these are SO cute! I have been looking for something like this for quite a while! If I don't win I will definitely have to order one.

And I love to shoot willy-nilly as well. You never know what goodness will come out of it!

[Trude]

Woo for those bags! Totally on my dream wish list. :) I shoot without looking a lot when I'm outside playing with the dogs, or the cats. That way I can catch them by surprise and get down on their level without always laying in the dirt! :)

[Sarah Q]

LOVE your bags! LOOOVE LOVE LOVE 'EM! :) Congrats on the launch!!