simple, soulful

"Your Style Statement is the two words that define the true you. It's a touchstone for making more powerful choices in your life – from your wardrobe to your living room, your relationships to your career plans. Your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression." - Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Simple, soulful. I know it doesn't seem like much, yet defining my style statement has been an important milestone in my career and life as a creative soul. These two words have helped me make decisions about chairs and outfits, and enlightened my path whenever I wandered too far away from my true self. So when I was offered the opportunity to conduct an e-course on photography earlier this year, I couldn't think of better words to define it. 

The Simple Soulful Photography e-class (October 4-31) is a four-week workshop complete with lessons and challenges that will encourage you to find and express your authentic self through photography. I envisioned this e-class like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. I come in early and journal while waiting patiently for familiar and friendly faces to appear. This place is our café. This is your place. Where imperfections are celebrated, insights are shared and souls are nurtured. A place where we support each other on our quest to finding our authentic self and building a more creative and fulfilling life.

I am most excited today to give away 3 registrations for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. Please share with us your style statement or what words define your work and true, authentic self and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 27th at midnight PST.

Update on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by Irene Nam

thank you all so much for your comments. I truly loved reading them all, I know sharing your style statement was not easy for some of you.

And congratulations to Danielle (18th commentor), Chelsea (34th commentor) and Amy (8th commentor), you won a free registration for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. I will email you the details directly soon. Can't wait to see you next week!

Again, thank you all for participating. I always feel bad when I do a random drawing because 1) I personally never win at those and I know the feeling very well 2) I wish I could invite you all to the e-course, I really do. So for those of you who are interested in this class but for some reason cannot participate this time, I'm creating a little something special for you. More soon. xo Irene

Comments

[amanda]

my style is simple and playful, with a touch of timeless.

[Marcie]

My style is more about light and its capture than anything else.
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1307

[Susan]

Natural. Everyday.

[Tami]

Powerful and Emotional. I love "grabbing moments" that evoke a strong feeling, memory or deeper thought within me...and especially love giving another viewer the sensation of being there -in the moment- with me, regardless of the subject.

[sarah]

I am struggling with this issue at the moment, I really don't know what my style is, I only know I want one.

[lauren]

I feel like they change everyday, but today they are...

Carefree, Vibrant. Real.

[Kelly N]

My words/style would be Nature Lover. Natural states, natural light=LOVE. :)
I woujld love to participate in this e-class.

[ShanaD]

Just got Style Statement a few weeks ago and haven't worked all the way through it yet. From first impression, I am a creative bohemian.

[melody]

Style - seeing the world and shooting with open heart love.

Would love to walk into that cafe and find you there, waiting...

[Amy]

While I've never considered a style statement before it didn't take me long to figure out that mine is Boldly Comfortable. I like statement pieces that have a warm and fuzzy side.

[Cathy]

Hmmm...I'm thinking "natural fun!" It's pretty cool to put words on my style! Thanks!

[BleuOiseau Photogrpahy]

I just bought this book and hope to receive it tomorrow! I have been struggling to find out my true style and since checking out this website and similar ones, I realize I need to give this a chance. I love simple, natural choices but deep down I do enjoy boldness and bright colors but they are outside of my comfort zone.

Thanks for this post!

[pam]

my style is black and white, clean, though I love movement in my photos, and cropped extra wide....sorta panoramic

[Chelsea C]

That is tough, I never really thought of defining my style in just a few words. Thinking about my wardrobe, my personality, my photography, and what I am drawn to in art, house decor, fashion, and photography, I would have to say simple, comforting, unique.

[Lisa G.]

i've yet to thoroughly define my style beyond "vivacity." I like capturing life.

[Jenny]

Hi There,

The two words that are popping in and out of my consciousness and photography are heartfelt and playful.

Fingers crossed.

Jenny

[Breanne]

Hmm...

Candid. Joyful. Thoughtful.

I think. :)

[Sarah Malcom]

I am working on discovering my style, and really think I could benefit from what sounds like a great workshop! But here's an example of one of my favorite recent photographs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahsshot/5018817455/

[Ally N]

I want my style to be raw.powerful.charged.

I want you to see my photos and have to take a second look, a second glance, to fully process both the image and the emotion.

Like the old Life magazine photos always were for me.

Ally

[urban muser]

hmmm, i'd have to say, from the hip, spontaneous.
great giveaway.

[texassky]

I am pretty new to photography. What I have noticed over the past year of studying my photos is that I like things with lots of color. I don't oversaturate, I just like the scene to be filled with bright colors. The images look more candid, less posed, more people, less objects and mostly outdoor. I would love to see how this style changes and molds with me as I grow with my camera.

Angela

www.rainy-n-texas.blogspot.com

[Michelle Hockman]

I think my style is honest and fresh. It seems to keep evolving though! Michelle Hockman

[Melissa Buchanan]

I haven't read Danielle and Carrie's book, but the two words that come to mind are:
Clean
Honest

I'll sit with these a bit and see how they turn out! ;)

Thank you
x

[Marla]

Gosh, I wish I knew my style . . . then my house wouldn't still look like a college-kid's apartment!

Photographically, I like to keep things simple - too much "stuff" like props, etc just makes my skin itch . . .

[claudia]

Wow, I could really stand to win this class ;)
I haven't given it too much thought but my business name is Cosi Bella, in Italian it means "so beautiful" - hey maybe that should be the two words! Hmm, maybe I need the class :D

[Jamie M.]

I don't know if I can define my style just yet, but I always love when my pictures are simple and a natural.

[Mrs. H]

Hm. My style is about... the details & the natural.
The course looks amazing! Thank you.

[Debbie]

thanks for the inspiration!

Heart and light

[blue elephant photography]

Mine is Vintage and Creative ♥ I love them both in 1 photo =)

[Sandy]

I'm feel like I am ever evolving and searching...but I think two words that describe my style would be vibrant and sincere.

[Deirdre]

Gorgeous photo! I'm just disappointed this class is at the same time as Tracey's Picture Fall.

[Stephanie Watanabe]

I feel like it is so fortuitous that I saw this post when I did. I've read Style Statement and have been living (or trying to live) my 2 words for the last year or so. I'm mad crazy about the book and about Danielle LaPorte (she rocks)!

Hello to the Shutter Sisters community from a CREATIVE AUTHENTIC. :)

I'm in a period of flux and change right now. In my career mostly. And am looking to explore on a deeper level, what this all means and looks like. The way I've always done it is through film and photos.
This course sounds amazing and right up my alley.

[marina]

Thank you for this chance to participate in the giveaway, Irene, it would magical to be able to take your course!!!
I love your style!
For what concerns mine, maybe discovering the beauty of small details in the natural world. more than two words.

[Michelle W]

Candid, Simple, fun!

[Marilyn Johnson]

I am currently reading about my style statement and trying to find out what it is. I would say nostalgic is one word I would use. I am trying hard to find time every day to capture the joy and love of our family and each individual of our family in photographs and journaling.

[kristin]

i think my style evolves with time, but i capture my life right now, in the moment. seeking beauty in my everyday.even on the bad days, no matter how small.

[jag]

Simple.
Soulful.
Oh, how those words resonate within me! I wonder what my two words are??
xox

[Ellen]

I don't even know what my style is! :( But I know what I like and what I want it to be..... simple, dreamy, emotional. :)

[Christa Allgood]

My style right now is just fun! I think it changes depending on my mood but it's usually fun. If I am too serious it takes the joy out of my work.

[Magda]

I am very new to photography, having just started using a DSLR this summer. What a wonderful oppotunity it would be to have the challenge of taking a course to help define my style. At this moment the words "natural" and "playful" come to mind, but I am unsure if this is my personal style or what I seek out when I take photographs.

[Tracy Sutherland]

I don't have words that describe my style (yet?) but I'm discovering that I definately prefer simplicity, and focusing on details.

[rachaelmarie]

my style is a mix...it is about connections and relationships between people, unscripted moments combined with more formal images, emotion, purity, honesty...simple. and always personal...a reflection of the person.

[Tera]

I would describe my work as unique, fun and focused. I shoot such a range of things that it was hard to actually put that in words.

[Sara]

Hmmmm...I'm not sure about my style statement. Maybe I need to read the book... Probably natural, organic, and I love photos that capture and convey energy. I'd love to take the photography e-course. (Just picked up your book, by the way--it looks great and I can't wait to spend more time reading it!)

[Lori]

This class sounds fabulous!

I am constantly trying to find my style, trying on different ones for size but I keep coming back to organic/natural and simple like the photo below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderwood/5024285106/

[Sharon]

My style is still very much developing. When I look at my photos, I see a bias for strong graphic patterns and bold color. In making pictures of people (especially my kids), I love to get close up and share details.

[Christine]

I just finished the style statement book and am rolling around with mine.....Harmonious Luminosity. This is the first time I've put it in writing beyond the pages of the book and it feels right. Balance and light - perfect for a photography course!
Wonderful give away!
Christine

[Kristi]

My style statement is always evolving as I grow and evolve. The two words I use currently are simple & light. I love simplicity and I crave it in my crazy life. Light is something I am constantly drawn to...I like to look for the best in others and in every situation.

[Ali]

Wow - two words to describe my developing style... that's a tough one. I'd say simple because I like B&W and clean lines and maybe edgy or gritty because I like urban landscapes/decay and grainy textures.

Looks like I'm going to have to check out danielle laporte's book and do a little more searching...

[Melissa Jones]

Real connections. Capturing memories.