How we move through this world

I had lunch with a friend today. When you’re self-employed and work from home like I do it’s always a treat to meet a friend for lunch somewhere lovely: today it was Jamie’s Italian in Bath. When our starters arrived I whipped out my iPhone, stood up and took a few shots of the bruschetta slathered in olive oil and crushed borlotti beans—luckily Hanne knew not to start eating until I’d got my shot. The same thing happened when our pasta arrived, and our coffees too. It’s not often I get to eat in restaurants so taking photos to record the occasion makes sense. But I also do this when I’m at home. And when I’m in the supermarket. And when I’m eating breakfast with my 18 month-old nephew. I take photos of the fallen leaves at my feet and broken doorways and daisy circles. I take photographs to anchor myself more firmly in the moment and use my cameras to capture the potential photos I see everywhere I look. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing—for as long as I am able to take a breath and lift my camera to my eye, I will be creating images with pixels and film. Do you have this urge too?

My constant—some would argue obsessive—picture taking is simply the way I move through the world. Photography is like a form of meditation for me and when life is feeling harder than usual I take myself outside and look at the world through my lens. There’s always a new way to see things—it’s uncanny, really. When I was grieving the untimely death of my partner it was my camera that helped me reconnect with myself and my world, and it’s the reason why I know that creativity is the fastest way to access our truest selves.

Next month I’m leading a brand new e-course sharing everything I know about photography. Photo Meditations: Infusing Your Images with Soul is a five-week exploration of the inspirational and the practical for anyone who wishes to sink deeper into their own photographic journey. We’ll be diving into compositional theory, self-portraiture, shooting for your blog, story-telling and so much more. I should probably mention right now that I’m not a very technical sort of photographer—I’m going to be sharing some important basics in the first week, but I’m not concerned with histograms and what have you. What excites me, and what I hope to pass on to my students, is a passion for creating pictures that tell stories. That move the viewer. That convey what I feel. That hold layers of meaning. That delight the eye. That’s what we’ll be exploring in Photo Meditations. 

Would you like to join me? 

Please leave a comment here between now and Friday (midnight EST) for a chance to win a complementary registration for Photo Meditations!

Images and words by Susannah Conway; photographer, writer and the creator of the Unravelling e-courses. A Polaroid addict and very proud aunt, her first book, This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart (Globe Pequot Press), launches in June 2012. You can read about her shenanigans at SusannahConway.com. Registration for her new class, Photo Meditations, opens this Saturday, October 15th.

**Congratulations to Julie Fairchild for winning a spot in Susannah's class! Thanks to all for commenting.

Comments

[Dottie]

Your class sounds like just what I need right now....a little introspection! Thank you for the opportunity.

[Sharon]

I'd be thrilled to have a spot in your new e-course. It sounds wonderful!

[Libertad Leal]

Yes I have that urge too. To wit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/

That sounds like a wonderful course! :)

[Skaja]

I'm looking forward to this class :)

[Kathy]

The photos are beautiful and the class sounds wonderful.

[Betty Thompson]

Yay, sounds like the perfect opportunity to practice diving into the polaroid 600sun I just snagged at a flea market for $3!

[The Other Laura]

It sounds like a wonderful course. I hope I win!

[Mary]

What a beautiful post, Susannah. I share your desire to document the ins and outs of daily life and find true happiness in doing so.

Participating in your e-course would be a true delight. Thanks for this opportunity.

Mary xo

[Valerie]

Yes! Photography helps me stop to really see what is happening in the moment. It is mindfulness. I love looking back and photos with the knowledge that yes, I did stop for a moment to truly see, to absorb a little slice of precious time.

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/09/hill.html

[Shawna]

I would love to connect my internal world more closely with my external vision!

[Cat<3]

Yes, it is a meditation. A way to capture the moment, and then be able to immerse yourself in the energy of that moment...drinking it in again later. I'm always fascinated by how an image - the lighting, the colours, the angle, the focus (or lack of) can evoke such a range of emotion, memories and feelings!
Would love to be a part of this journey. Cat<3

[Laura]

Beautiful. This sounds like such a wonderful class. I've kept your classes in mind for quite some time, and I would be honored if I were able to win a spot in this one. Definitely lovely. :)

[Debra]

"My constant—some would argue obsessive—picture taking is simply the way I move through the world. Photography is like a form of meditation for me ...."

Thank you for that quote. I've never thought of myself like that before. Beautifully put.

I'd welcome the chance to participate in your class. Thanks.

[Natasha]

I love the sound of your course and so of course I will put my hand up. And good luck with the book, so exciting for you.

[JenniferU]

My camera has been broken for over a month now. Being without it has made me realize just how therapeutic photography has been for me. I'm planning on signing up for the class anyway, but a complementary registration would be just fine with me!

[Esmee]

Susannah, I've been looking forward to this course since you first announced it! As my birthday is the 17th, it will be a nice present to myself. Storytelling with pictures - sounds great! (plus I loved your unravelling course, so I know I'll be in good hands ;)

[Lorraine minogue]

I would love to take this course. Our philosophy is the same but your images convey it. I would love to even pay for the class but finances at this time won't allow.
Choose me please.

[Debra]

I said it on Twitter and I'll say it here. Susannah + Shutter Sisters = double the awesome! Around the time I did Unravelling I remember reading that Susannah is always composing photos as she moves through her day. Now, one year later I know exactly how that feels - and I can tell you that it feels fantastic. You'll see me in the course whether I win or not.

[Leah]

This is my first time to your page and i feel immediately connected to you and your views of photography. I absolutely love the way you describe your views of photography. I can completely relate to your style of photography. My camera has always been my escape and passion in life. I love capturing each single moment of everyday. Taking pictures fulfills me and allows me to express my feelings. I am a struggling college student right now trying to start my dream of my own photography business. I would love this opportunity to be a part of your course and learn from you and your amazing style of photography. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Julie]

This sounds like just what I am looking for. I've just begun taking photos. As I am trying to learn i find myself bored with some photos. I want to find the heart of it but don't know where to begin.

[Julie M]

Yours words about using photographs to anchor you to a moment rings so true for me. I'm constable snapping pictures (to the annoyance of my husband & many of my friends)...capturing precious moments & beauty of the everyday. I'm playing with the thought of taking classes & possibly taking my love of photography seriously. This class would be the amazing push I need to do something about it.

[Erika (gashuttergirl)]

I would love to join you in this course.

Just checked out your book cover - it is beautiful! Congratulations.

[Dawnica]

I love the way you think!!! I want to be able to shoot with my camera and have fun. I am a beginner and I think I am getting too caught up with all the technical stuff I am making myself way more confused.
I would love a chance to win a lesson! Thanks~

[Leanne]

I'd love to win a registration to this course: I also find taking photos therapeutic, something that I have a need for, particularly when life is demanding. I actually just posted this on my blog yesterday-http://knowwheretostand.blogspot.com/2011/10/to-be-creative.html
which kind of fits with what you're expressing here.

[Rachel]

Resonates so completely....thrilled you are offering this class.

[Fanny P]

Susannah, I am a longtime admirer of your beautiful photographs, also eagerly awaiting the release of your book next year! I would LOVE a chance to join your class and explore how to make photography even MORE of a daily practice. :)

[shirley]

Thank you for the opportunity in this giveaway. Photos tell so much and are so revealing.

[Isabella Rose]

I did the Unraveling class, and it was fabulous! Thank you so much for the chance to win a spot in this new class...I am not sure I will be able to afford it this time around and would LOVE to join! I definately use my camera as a theraputic tool. It forces me to slow down and focus on the little piece of my world that fits into my lens. Macro photography is the best therapy! In addition, as I grow in my photography I see so much beauty all around me that I know I would have missed otherwise. It makes me so much more aware of the moment. Right now I am dreaming of the day I can afford the iPhone...just for that awesome camera! I, too, see pictures everywhere....if only my phone had a better camera!

[Monica]

This post touched my soul. My favorite evening walk is during the sweet hour of light. I come home happy, light, peaceful. Love exudes my every movement while I bask in that meditative energy. What an exciting event to have a 5 week course focusing on taking photographs with your heart and transforming your vision into a story. I'd love to take this journey.

[Melissa Jaine]

Dear Susannah
Although I already plan to sit by my computer waiting for registration to open :), a complimentary admission would be heaven sent!
mj.
x

[Allie]

I would love to learn from you in your course. Thanks for such a moving post.

[P Gannon]

Would love to get some lovely inspiration from you - this class sounds great.

[justine]

love the idea of photographs being meditations, would love to join the course

[Io]

I would love to do the Photo Meditations. I have never been much of a photographer. I've wanted to, but something held me back from doing more than the usual sightseeing type photos. But recently my eyes have started waking up, the fog is lifting! I'm exploring!

[Fiona]

Hi...I love your photography and writing...thanks for this opportunity, my fingers are crossed...x

[LionSze]

Shortly after my MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) course back in Spring 2010, I attended a London Flickr meeting - the London Allnighter. The whole process is much like meditation - mindful observation throughout the night, through my camera.
Can't wait to be on your course Susannah!

[Pam]

Fresh air - that's what this sounds like! I'm pretty bogged down by technical stuff. Need to work the other half of my brain . . .

[Sheryl]

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take this class!!!

[Sarah P.]

This course sounds fantastic and exactly what I'm looking for. I've been needing inspiration and a reinvigoration of my love for photography. Thank you so much for giving away a seat in the course.

[Laurie]

I'd love a spot in your class. You are a wonderful photography guide!

[Colleen]

I'm soooo excited! I would love to have the chance to learn from you.

[Lis]

Would love this.x

[Lis]

it's so exciting to see how your life and inspiration just keep rippling out into the world! Congrats on all that you have achieved - amazing to see what happens when one listens to their heart and trusts its guidance.

[Bonnie]

That sounds like a wonderful course!

[sewknittertats]

My friend told me your classes are the best. But I don't have a fancy camera, and I'm so shy about taking pictures. I'd love to have a class for inspiration. I could never afford this class, but I would have such fun if I were able to. I'm taking your class in big picture classes coming up. Having a year long class would give me something special to share with family and friends and be proud of.

[julia]

I come to Shutter Sisters when I need to remember what matters. This site gets me past all the baggage of life. And every once in awhile, I happen upon a posting that mends a hurt, feeds a thirst, or fuels a passion. It is, in fact, time to act on what has been #1 of my "to do" list since 2009. Pick up the camera: See, shoot, share and shine - be joy. I'm in:))

[Colleen]

Oh Dear! I really goofed! I waited to see winner before signing up. Then POOF... Sold Out! I think that that is my new don't like word. I really hope you'll have another class.

[Kelly Lenihan]

I, too, keep my camera with me at all times to record moments. To be able to better express those moments with more mindful photography sounds like just what I need - this course sounds amazing and I would love to participate in it. I see that I've missed the time frame to leave a comment to win a complimentary registration and that the class is sold out - I'm very sad.

[soraya nulliah]

OH! This sounds truly delicious!! Learning how to tell our soul stories and life journeys with a camera...magical. thanks for the opportunity to win a spot! xxx

[Rambling Heather]

Oh I would love to win this class!! Just saw that it was sold out :(