grand finale

Can it be? Is today really the very last day of 2011? It hardly seems possible, but of course it is. What a year it has been. We have grown and accomplished so much this year here. We welcomed new contributors. We saw the fruition of our very first Camp Shutter Sisters. (so exciting) Through it all you have been right here with us. You were present, open & brave. You paid witness and honored. You contributed, encouraged, connected, and grew. You constantly inspired us with your words, images and love. We thank you.

Each month you helped us celebrate a new One Word. January was 'your word'. February, 'words'. March, 'numbers symbols & letters'. April, 'inspiration'. May we went 'mobile'. June, we sought beauty in the 'details'. July was full of 'life'. August you took us on an'adventure'. September we shared many a 'story'. October was all about 'you'. November we were 'thankful'. And all of December we 'savored'. For all your enthusiasm and participation, again we thank you.

If you began a 365 project on Jan 1 2011, today is the culmination of 365 days of clicks. Congratulations! YOU DID IT! Even when you wanted to stop (you did right?), or forgot (and then quickly forgave yourself), you kept on and here you are 365 days later, mission accomplished. Job well done. Thank you for sharing your year in photos with us.

Today is a celebration of all these things. We have shared so much together this year. 2012 holds many new wonderful opportunities and surprises here at Shutter Sisters, the new year is going to rock ladies! But before we begin those new year's resolutions, and intentions, let's honor all we have seen and done with our cameras this year.  Let's send off this last day in style. Pick any image from 2011 you love and share it here. If today is your 365 finale, DO share that with us. Happy last day of 2011 sisterhood, we are so very grateful for you. XO!

Comments

[Marcie]

Hard to pick a one single favorite...so here's one happy one to end one year and begin another:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/12/29/girls-wanna-have-fun.html
Happy New Year!!!

[Ana Eugenio]

choose one is really hard. I pick the first that came to my mind. is one of my favorite moments when I take a nap after lunch.http://dreamyproject.blogspot.com/2011/12/you-are-getting-sleepy.html

p.s. I'm starting a 365+1 Project tomorrow :) yay! would love to have you as a GFC follower.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! xxo

[AmyG]

Thank you Shutter Sisters. I love coming to this blog everyday, and its not even about the photography. (Although the inspiration I get from so many talented people is amazing!) Nope, its not just the pictures. Its the hope, the passion and the focus. The focus on making your life the best life that you can. The focus on now. Its my daily reminder to stop and smell the flowers and take the time to love being alive right. now. Its the encouragement to live your dreams and don't be afraid to fail if you take a chance. 2011 has been the most amazing year for me and I believe Shutter Sisters has played a major role in keeping me grounded, focused, and dreaming of what I can be if I only try.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amygillard/6232646492/

[Maria]

This is one of my favorites. I took it during a walk around the Supreme Court of the United States with my cell phone camera after overcoming my first reaction of screaming and jumping in terror.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/madamemeow/6030494071/

[Patti G]

I worked more with my camera this year, taking a class at the local Art Institute and carrying my camera almost everywhere. I have a few favorites from this past year, but this one tickles me every time I look at it. I happened upon a field of sunflowers during that "golden hour" in the evening...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22639132@N04/6054757786/in/photostream

Thank you for your ongoing inspiration throughout every year - here's to a New Year! May it bring all the promise & hope you dream of.

[Sherri B.]

Thank you, Shutter Sisters, for this wonderful blog where you share your knowledge and heart. My photography journey only began six months ago, but I can't wait to see where it leads me. Thank you for the inspiration - Happy New Year! The 2011 photo I picked is special to me because of the memory it evokes: a beginning.

http://softlypiquedlens.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-new-year.html

[Olivia]

This is perhaps not my best photo of 2011, but I really like it because the bass player is my son! It also represents a departure from my usual type of people photography: I focused on the hands playing the guitars rather than the faces. It's also one of the very few times I've played with black-and-white processing.

http://flic.kr/p/ak15Sg

[mosey (kim)]

I wouldn't say this is my favourite photo, but it is definitely the message I carried with me through the year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-la-mosey/5355652690/

[Beth]

Aw Kristin, another whole year of possibilities awaits. I am in hopes of getting more film time in during 2012. I've only taken the trusty old Kodak Retina out once but am looking forward to doing it again. So my shot to share is from that outing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acadia62/6391692555/

[annie]

here's to happy memories from camp.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annieseye/6607768843/in/pool-1803357@N23/

[Becky Sue]

Thank you to all the Shutter Sisters who are such a huge inspiration to me!

Coincidentally, Kristin, my favorite shots are all from Maine!

While on vacation at Higgins Beach.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/6035369424/

Sunset over Long Sands taken with my iPhone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/6415394943/

Sun setting on Nubble Lighthouse.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/6560764991/

Happy Snappy New Year!!!

[Sherry]

This is one of my favorite photos from 2011 because it tells so many stores: my first attempts at HDR imaging, improvement in my photography (composition, etc.), spending time in my favorite region of Texas (actually I love all regions of Texas), time with my family (my sister records cemetary/headstone information), not to mention what stories/experiences the ancient cedar tree could tell as well as the old, crooked headsones within the cemetary found deep in the woods of East Texas.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42677352@N03/6410832095/in/photostream/

[Sherralee]

This was the year I took myself seriously as a photographic artist. I discovered how to express myself by creating images which spoke to me on a deep level, and which seemed to appeal to others as well.

A big shout out to Kim Klassen for leading the way for so many of us and being such an amazing teacher and inspiring mentor. And thanks to all the Shutter Sisters everywhere who embark every day on a joyous voyage of discovery.

http://flic.kr/p/aD1EoB

[Tamara]

i am so grateful for finding shutter sisters this year...and look forward to a full year with you in 2012 {i'm a new reader...since november}. i think this image is probably my favorite from 2011. it was taken during a christmas camp trip to refugio state beach. this was our first christmas without our daughter, who had traveled to portland to visit my brother. we all felt her absence, and this picture of jon looking one way and donovan {our dog} looking the other, and the composition allowing for the feeling of smallness in the midst of big life changes {college next year for her!} sums it up.

happy new year to all!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59203832@N07/6608032919/in/photostream

[Evelyn in Oregon]

I discovered Shutter Sisters by way of Kim Klassen...so glad to add you to my favorite blog roll. I believe my favorite image of the year is the one I took on Christmas Day of my 3-year-old great-niece. It's a great metaphor for looking both behind and ahead.

http://withinmyfocus.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-52-of-p52-looking-back-or-ahead.html

[Anne Littlebird]

I think this was one of my favorites for the year. I really got into black & white.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22781262@N04/5890431610/in/set-72157626965122153

[Siobhan Wolf]

Such a year of growth. I am so grateful for this connection, this community, this sisterhood. This picture is one of my very favorites from 2011, and it also speaks how I feel today, filled with love for you all and this journey that we are fortunate to share together!

http://flic.kr/p/aVCDWe

Thank you all for the support and inspiration, for being here, and for being YOU! xo

[damlucy]

So hard to choose an image...but the first one that came to mind was this one. Something I snapped on a whim, while sitting in my car picking up my son from school. I had just read this post--- http://shuttersisters.com/home/2011/11/16/make-a-wish.html and decided to let go of all the crap that keeps me from participating in things, and especially of taking photos of myself. So I snapped this with my iphone, and it has quickly become a meaningful image...both for the fact that I took it, and for the wishes I made while doing so. Thanks Sisters!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/damrosch/6355222417/in/photostream

[cherish]

One of my favorite photos. Happy 2012 to all.
http://inspirehappy.blogspot.com/2011/08/hang-ten.html

[Adriana]

This year was good to me. It all started with the 365. I now have a photo memory for each day. So while this isn't necessarily my favorite shot it definitely set the tone for 2011. Just start!
http://m.flickr.com/photos/smallroots/5314335484/

So thankful for this site and for the sisterhood. Best wishes for all in 2012!

[urban muser]

a wonderful post kristin! i don't know that this is my favorite, but i sure had fun experimenting with my iphone and completing a 52 self-portrait project this past year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanmuser/6498812263/
happy new year to all!

[Leslie]

Sadly, I didn't take nearly enough photos in 2011! I don't really know why, but I hope to change that in 2012. This is probably my favorite from the year...a Polaroid, of course! http://www.flickr.com/photos/westieluvr/5939508055/in/set-72157606656487077

[Ai]

I am happy to say that I have a few favorite photos that I've taken in the last few months since I've picked up photography again. I love this one because of how the color popped amongst the brown around me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ailovesthis/6590172207/in/photostream

Thank you Shutter Sister for all the opportunities to share, learn and be inspired. I'm looking forward to 2012!

[Dotti]

Shutter Sisters has been such an inspiration for me for almost two years now. Finding you in early 2010 certainly changed my photography and even my life! I see life differently now, I savor more now, I find more joy in the simplest of every day events. Thank you.

My hope for all of us is found in this photo, my 365/365:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48337138@N04/6608984049/

My wish for all of you is found on my webpage:

http://www.camperky.com/2011/12/happy-new-year.html

[Debbie Ealer]

the end of the year,the end of the wishes,,the start of new things,the start of fresh wishes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbsga/6607565581/in/photostream

[debbie]

my last post of the year
covers a lot of territory

xoxo kristin
you will be awesome tomorrow! and tomorrow will be awesome for you!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/6606960941/in/photostream

[sarah]

nothing could come close to the once in a lifetime experience of our encounters with the humpback whales migrating this year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6302743545/in/set-72157628029455054

happy contented finish to 2011 with blessing, peace & well-wishes for 2012!

[Gotta Run]

Happy New Year!
I don't know that this is my favorite picture of 2011, but I took it today, the last day of 2011 and I like its message . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottarun2009/6610237901/in/photostream

[Tori]

I am glad to see the sun rise on 2012, so I offer you this photo of a sunrise last week:

http://seventhwardphotography.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/and-so-happy-christmas/

Here's to a new year of inspiration, creativity and fun!

[Lisa Gutierrez]

I'm pretty relieved my Project 365 is over. It got especially tough here at the end. I am a few days behind on editing, but I have the clicks and that's what counts, right? I looked through my 365 of 2011 folder and this one shot out at me-- http://flic.kr/p/ao8GG7

so glad I thought to pick up my camera at that point. I don't know if I would have, had I not been doing a Project 365.

[georgia]

love love love this photo. "the end" often gets a bad rap. but you have made it a welcome thing here... in pictures AND in thought.

i don't have a specific one photo that i could share as my favorite of 2011. but i have a shoot that i could definitely say that about... it was right after i got my new lens, the light in the room was optimal, and my son was in a very good mood, so i shot and shot as shot away. i was so happy with the result! the way the photos turned out was the very reason i wanted this lens!

probably my favorite pics of 2011 here:
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2011/12/hes-makin-list-hes-checkin-it-twice-hes.html

[Malin]

This photo of my daughter playing on a melodica is one of my favorites from 2011.

[Malin]

Oooops, I forgot the link:

http://malinbrand.se/photography/?p=260

[Holly {Soupatraveler}]

Happy New Year's!!!! And finally, my grand finale for my 365: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/6609554013/
I made my first video, or really photo slideshow, and am thrilled with how it turned out. I wouldn't say its my favorite photo of the year, but its definitely the culmination of a great project!

[Spyros Heniadis]

My favorite from 2012 is probably this right here. My niece and nephew.

http://www.selfhelpphotographer.com/2011/weekly-gratitude-brennan-kate

Taken at the end of the year, but I love it no less for that. Just looking at the photo makes me smile and brings me back to the joy of the moment, of us playing together, and the photo that resulted.

[Helios Binoculars]

Hi....
thanks for posting such a nice post.it is very cool. I love coming to this blog everyday, and its not even about the photography. (Although the inspiration I get from so many talented people is amazing!) Nope, its not just the pictures. Its the hope, the passion and the focus. The focus on making your life the best life that you can. The focus on now.This is one of my favorites. I took it during a walk around the Supreme Court of the United States with my cell phone camera after overcoming my first reaction of screaming and jumping in terror