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

[wendy]

I don't have a style yet... I'm too new. I experiment, get frustrated, try again, push my own boundaries, imitate, reach. I desire authenticity and surprise. I want to give a glimpse of possibilities, of promise, of hope; to convey a sense of peace: to be grounded, yet not stationary.

[Julie]

What a great exercise!!

Genuine, simple and soft

[Leah]

What a tough question. . .I have never really thought much about my style. I'd have to say natural light, relaxed and honest. Or at least that's what I'm going for in my photography.

[Jen Reese]

I am still trying to find what is ultimately my style -- but I suppose I would describe what I do as just trying like heck to capture as many "moments of now" as I am able to. :)

[Laurie]

I guess I would say inquisitive (or curious?) and detailed.

[isaida]

simple, from the soul, authentic

[Miss Giny / Au Pays des Merveilles]

I love natural light, black and white, vintage, soft & sweet colors ... I try ! :)
Thank you

[Trish]

I'm just getting going again, but I know to be as close to printing straight from the camera as possible. Natural light, with little processing work to be done prior to printing. And my aim is to tell a story. It's more than just capturing a moment, but the little nuances (i.e. facial expressions) that really tell what's happening in the shot.

[Emily]

my style statement is:
honest, connected, and fully experessive.

[kasandra]

i think this is probably the most sought after aspect to most on their photographic journey ... i love the playful, colorful images i see ... but if i'm being honest, i lean more toward moody, and dark ... with a tiny tinge of melancoly. but i'm really a very happy person :)

[Crystal]

I really am just starting on this journey to define myself and my style. Right now, colorful, peaceful, natural, grateful are the words that come to mind. The class sounds like just what I need - thank you for sharing the spots.

[Jen]

Coming from a newbie "momtographer" who hasn't really figured out her style - thanks for this great post! It was also helpful to read through the other comments and get some ideas of words that might fit for me. Your workshop sounds wonderful!

[trisha trigg]

My style is comfortable and accessible.

[Rebecca]

what a good exercise, i guess if i had to choose two words to describe my style it'd be searching, celebrating

[gina]

my style statement ...

fun, free, blessed, bold, playful and real

[Jo H]

I'm still figuring out what my 'style' is... but I know that it's relaxed and fun... genuine and spontaneous. That would be what I find in my work.

[Erin in Kona]

Looking through my photostream, I can see which photos of my own that appealed to me enough to post, which sort of gives a theme: bright and positive. I like bold colors, boosted natural colors, and I also like images that are fun, happy and entertaining, all of which I think give a really positive edge to an image. So there you go. Thanks for making me look and think about it.

[Trude]

I'd definitely say it's a landmark for any photog! I'm definitely still feeling it out, 3 years after first picking up a dSLR, so right now I'd say the best words are funny, loving, clean, true.

[Robin at Recess]

Whimsical. Real.

[Heather]

my style...well...that is still being defined...but I'd say friendly....a storyteller of the ordinary.
!

[Kate.S]

what a wonderful idea for a class. I'd love this. It might help me find the way I need...

[natalyn]

My style is still developing really but I know what kind of work I like to do. Quiet, compelling.

[Jessica]

still working my way through the book but I'm drawn to warm and elegant

[Meghan]

My style.....currently exploring lots of blurred depth of field, in tight focus, conveying heart and love.

[Faith Hope & Cherrytea]

reflective observer

[frran]

My style is still evolving.
For now, some descriptive words one might use are -

candid | natural | simple | narrative

[Sandra]

Capturing a moment, a look...expressed that gives a peak into a
one's heart that tells a story about them. Moments unprompted...whimsical, funny, thoughtful, carefree,
Joyful, and yes, even sad. These are the split
second challenges that are gone in an instant
that I am on the hunt for with my camera
always at my eye.