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

[Stacy M]

Yes, I love to shoot willy nilly. Sometimes I get such a nice surprise that way. LOVE your bags and can't wait to get my hands on one. Thank you for creating a fashionable bag that doesn't look at all like a camera bag.

[Brandi]

I get willy nilly at times too.. I actually dig photos that accidentally include me in them sometimes.. It's always interesting. I would LOVE a new bag.. I need something bad!

[Ivanette]

I'm so excited Epiphanie is live!! I follow the Shutter Sisters on Twitter and have been waiting anxiously for the release! My hubby bought me a new camera for Christmas but held off on a new bag because he knows I'd rather wait for the beautiful Belle (rather than his standard issue, all black, utilitarian bag!) I'm truly looking forward to a gorgeous bag that I'll want to show off when we're photographing weddings, rather than trying to find a place to stash them from view!

[Ann]

Oh my goodness! I love your bags! Also, I notice that kids (teenagers) shoot willy-nilly all the time and they just love the results.

[cheiron]

Love your willy nilly shot! Love your bags too...I would love to win one (I've got it all picked out!)

[Kate @ Little House]

Oh, so many comments! This was a wonderful post - inspires me to un-glue myself from the view finder :)
and the bags are wonderful. Congratulations on a job very well done :)

[Rachel Perry]

I have been trying to figure out a way to buy one of those bags, but being a college student just about the graduate from college (two days, baby!) and not knowing what is on the horizon, I can't.

I LUV these bags. Beautiful job on them!

[libbie]

I feel like you get better photographs when you think a little less about what your doing and just go for it.

[Jen]

Love willy nilly shooting! That photo is awesome! And I LOVE the camera bags. My Nikon would love that for a home! I love the ginger one!

[tz]

YOU are brilliant!

[amanda]

wow - those bags are unbelievably adorable. I've only recently started getting into photography, and i absolutely love it. you can make every picture your own and add your own flair. photography definitely is a personal object that you can share with your friends and family, but also hold dear to yourself!! love love love the bags! and all of your photos!!

[Anna]

Wonderful bags!

[Vanessa]

Oh my! Do I have some perfect photos for this- they just haven't been posted for me to link.
I let my little guy have the remote the other day and with the camera on the tripod he just started clicking. with every 'click-click' of the shutter he got more crazy. best part was that I had it aimed right at him. It was almost like he was in a photobooth. I will post pictures later tonight.

oh and I love that you give us all permission to just shoot and stop thinking. thank you!

[darlene]

*swoon, those bags are amazing, oh so amazing. love. and your willy nilly shooting ~ so perfect :-)

[Joan Carver]

Your bags are absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!! So nice to see something feminine instead of unisex.

[Kim Klassen]

biggest congrats to you... your bags are BEYOND BEAUTIFUL... how exciting....

and i love your image and ideas.. THANK YOU... :)

kim

[Sandy]

Nilly willy is fun, and your bags are absolutely gorgeous! One is on my wish list and I can't make up my mind the teal or the red!

[Ashley Ingram]

What great bags! I reallly need to get one for my photog BFF. :)

[Sharon]

Love love love your bags!

[embee]

I saw a link to your site on a friend to knit with. Love the bags. What a great contest.

[aphrodite]

Oooh, that's a yummy photo, and those are yummy bags! I almost always look through the viewfinder, but when my 3 yr old niece wants to take pics with my camera, there's not much viewfinding at work, and there are usually some impressive results nevertheless! :)

[robyn]

I like how happy you look in this photo. You look like you are truly enjoying the moment.

[sarah]

So adorable (bags and photo)! I love this shot! Sometimes willy-nilly is the way to go.

[abbey]

I love the Lola bag!

[Kristin]

What absolutely gorgeous bags! Love them!

[Sarah]

I love the bags! I find myself shooting like that a lot as well allows you to connect with the subject in a way thats much more intimate than looking through the lens

[Hillary]

I'd love to win this giveaway. I just got a new camera for my birthday and I've been looking everywhere for a fashionable bag. Yours are gorgeous!

[Hobbygaasa]

Wow great shot!
And I LOVE the bags - really cool for the lady photographer! Greetings from Norway!

[KellyW]

Love them!

[Melissa]

I love the photograph...especially with you in the window!
And I am DYING to get my hands on one of those bags!!!

[Megan]

I LOVE the new bags!!!! I told my husband that it was what I wanted for my birthday this year!

[ToniM]

I find myself shooting that way also, especially from the kiddos that try to hide from me.

[leslie o.]

My brother shoots like this all the time... I should try it. Looks like fun :)

[lyn]

lovely bags, sign me up for the giveaway please.

[Sarah A]

I think I'll have to try that a little more often! And I LOVE your bags. My mouth is watering.

[tammie]

i love the bags! and i love willy-nilly :: one of the best words. ever.

[Lisa]

congrats on the bags. love them!

[Carolyn]

Your bags are beyond adorable. I carry around an ugly black bag for my Canon. I can't wait until your bags are released and ready to go. Your going to do great with this business, I can tell you now!!! Yay for you! I will certainly help spread the word to everyone I know. The site is cute too. :)

[marianne]

I clicked over from a knitting blog that I read and can't resist a giveaway, especially not one for an awesome camera bag! thanks for doing this!
I don't think I've ever shot willy-nilly before; I think I actually like the camera-barrier, like it makes me feel invisible, and therefore non-interfering with whatever is going on that I'm trying to capture. and such a situation seems more authentic to me. (I don't know if that makes sense.) I will have to try willy-nilly to see what it's like.

[Dawn]

willy-nilly-"snort" love that word!

[Melissa]

Love, love, love the new bags!

[Wylie]

I couldn't see the bag website, but am sure they are beautiful, having read some of the comments. I would love to win one!

[golightly]

I often don't look through the viewfinder - and I often end up with many blurred pictures. But I love them anyway because I get interesting angles, crops and emotions that I would have otherwise captured. I love this picture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16869615@N03/2453070053/in/set-72157604802608786/
actually I love the entire set, blurred and all taken at the viceroy hotel in 2007.

And congratulations on the new line of bags, they're wonderful.

[Marie]

I love this shot. I'm going to have to give the willy-nilly a go!

[Alyssa]

the bags are beautiful... I Love the willy nilly approach, especially when photographing children.... a photo teacher once told me to carefully compose your shot, then turn around 180 degrees and press the shutter. Some great shots happen that way :)

[Suzy Harrington]

Love the photo. So glad to see you so successful. Michelle (one of your first San Antonio senior shots) is home, here in Germany - her senior year in college now. Boy does time fly!!
Congrats on everything!
Suzy

[Sandra]

aww! love this shot! i'll have to try this technique ;)

[FireMom]

I was so hoping these would be ready for Christmas as it was the only thing on my list. Still, I'll buy one when they're out as I hope to have my new personal camera purchase decided by then. Until then, I'm just using my work camera (so I have a bag).

They really are lovely!

[Jill Brown]

Such a cute image! ;)

and...Oh I've been drooling over thos bags! Especially the one called "Ginger"! So cute! :)

[Madame Meow]

Love everything about this picture, especially your expression of happiness.

It has just dawned on me that I need a cooler photo bag, too.

Here's hoping!