bravo

There's nothing like some recognition when it comes to being brave. Sometimes we make bold moves and never even slow down to give ourselves our well-deserved pat on the back. We get so caught up in forward motion that we often act bravely with little or no fanfare. Why is that? I think courageous acts deserve some acknowledgement.

Who's with me?

From sharing stories to sharing photos to sharing support to sharing dreams to sharing our talents, the bravery of our sisterhood (and ourselves) knows no bounds.

Today, let us be proud of the strides we are making and give ourselves the kudos we so deserve. Let's here about the things you're proud of today! Consider this your personal invitation to exercise your bragging rights. Come on, let's hear it!

Bravely done my friends, bravely done.

Comments

[Kristina]

I am proud of the pictures I captured while travelling in Morocco - I love the colours, the light and the textures!
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/search/label/morocco

And I am proud of the outcomes of my first steps back to film photography :)
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/search/label/analog

[Marcie]

Proud of stretching and growing and finding different and new photo genres:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/5/10/city-lights.html

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

This is going to sound silly but I'm proud of myself for reading my camera manual (first time I've ever read one) and for taking the time to explore and learn. With each piece of information I read and each mistaake I make I learn a little more. I even took the time to try and figure out my photoshop elements software and have been having fun with layers and textures.

http://dychedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/texture-tuesday.html

[marina]

thank you so much for this encouragement, Tracey!
I am proud of keeping taking shots and learning, also of taking myself not too seriously, as in this case:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mar_s/5709467559/lightbox/

[kristin]

i have been amazed how my passion for photography has opened a portal for me to give back in SO many ways.

this year my word is "GIVE" to give more to my family, my community , my world.
it began with raising $900. for The Special Olympics by jumping in the cold Atlantic Ocean new years day.
then a few flickr sisters joined forces for good hosting a print sale that raised over $1000. for the International Red Cross relief for Japan. and now joining with Irene and others for To Mama With Love Benefit Print Sale.
It is amazing what our art can do for the world. it fills me with such beautiful hope.

[Katrina Kennedy]

I am proud that my photos are hanging as 6x3 feet prints in a local running store. They are part of the main decor and capture some of my favorite work over the last five months. It makes me feel as if I've arrived :)

Thank you for this post!

[Puna]

It's not much, but I have been photographing quite a few events lately. I get no compensation, just the thought of a job done the best I could.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/05/oil-change-time/
http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/05/may-9-mad-cyclist/

[Shelley]

What a great post! I'm usually a lurker to the site but felt compelled to add a comment today because I have really been feeling great about the photographs I have taken over the last several months. Tracey Clark's Picture Series has reignited my joy and passion for photography and I'm really proud and happy with the shots I've taken and the growth I see.
One of my recent fav shots is pictured here - http://shelleyshockley.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day.html
Thank you to Shutter Sisters for the inspiration and the many connections you offer the female photogs of the world!

[tracy]

I am writing about finding my authentic self and sharing my photos + learnings on my personal blog: http://thefindingofme.com/

One of the posts I am most proud of is about believing in the power of my own artist. It was honest and real. What I want to be in life and on my blog. I'm glad I was brave enough to put it out there. Because this is what started the journey to finding myself. And it might be a voice that says to others, "I know - I've been there too..." http://thefindingofme.com/?p=482

[trishb.]

i'm proud that i'm pushing past feelings of fear. i have lurked here for a long time, but was hesitant to comment until i thought my little blog was perfect. thanks for the personal invitation to be brave.
http://trishbphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/bravo.html

[Lizzie Staley]

I recently graduated from doing a BA (hons) in Drawing and Applied Arts. In my final year I wasn't sure what to do when I left. I wanted to help prevent people trafficking, so I was involved in Stop The Traffik, but I also needed to think about earning money.

I applied to do an internship with Fashioning An Ethical Industry, even though careers advisors said I probably wouldn't get it as I wasn't a fashion student.

I spent all summer job hunting and only applying to things I would actually enjoy, but feeling pressure from various people to hurry up and get a job, maybe even a supermarket job. I also did a pattern cutting course and started a sewing course to swot up on my skills.

I prayed about it because I felt a bit lost and out of my depth in 'the real world'.

In October I got the internship and ended up doing admin and illustration for Fashioning an Ethical Industry, I continued my college courses 2 days a week, I started a job making bags for Katcha Bilek (made from unwanted truck and tractor inner tubes, bike tyres and seatbelts, into beautiful stylish bags).

I have now finished the college courses, but have started working for Clara Bows Millinery and Vintage Tea Sets, also in a friend's charity shop, and now looking into how I can make my Polaroids into cards and things to buy, making money from my photography obsession and also making recycled fabric bags!

It is so busy, but I really enjoy it, even when work can be unreliable.

I do feel proud of what I have achieved in under a year, but I feel it is God's unending blessings and his desire to care and love us that has got me here.

If you want to look at things I am involved in, do feel free to click the links below. Don't worry if not :)
My photos, illustrations, creations etc:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizzie-staley/sets/

The bags I make from inner tubes:
http://re-collect.net/

Where I help at fascinator making workshops:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clara-Bows-Millinery/130934110249951

[Kristin]

I am finally posting links to my photos on line... this has been terrifying and scary and it makes me feel BRAVE just doing it.

kristinhardwickphoto.com

there. bravery for the day. thank you.

[Holly { Soupatraveler }]

I can't tell you how wonderful this post is and how amazing all those women up there are!!! I've enjoyed checking out their accomplishments and seeing what they're doing. Last night I posted a shot on flickr in celebration of pushing through to pursue our dreams, http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5707576396/in/photostream/.

I'm proud of breaking into the commercial photography scene in the past month. I shot one of my design client's advertising campaigns and have started shooting events for Metromix Philadelphia. Here some shots from my first two Metromix gigs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5680600315/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5693260344/in/photostream/
It looks like I'll be getting more in the future and one of them includes a press pass to shoot the Roots Family Picnic! I'm so scared, but excited at the same time. What does one do with a press pass? Where can one go? I guess I'll find out!

Thanks for all the encouragement Shutter Sisters! And the encouragement of my flickr family, you all keep me believing in my dreams making me think that they can come true. xoxoxo

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I've had some amazing MONDO BEYONDO moments in the past few months. Amazing things are happening and I'm just tickled about the progress I have been making!

Here are some of my MONDO BEYONDO's that have come to fruition:

- Was given an all expenses paid trip to San Diego as part of a blogger event for only 12 people. I also got a new Sony point and shoot that I'm loving. It's been a nice change from my big 'ol DSLR!

- Just sold one of my images to a large regional magazine, my second time being printed in this publication. They tried to get it for free and I politely declined by telling them that I am a working photographer and would only allow them to use my image if they paid me :D They gave me 2x's as much as the last time they used one of my photos!

- Local stores are approaching me about carrying / buying my photography, so are individuals.

I think that's quite enough to be proud of and grateful for. Things are continuing to happen and I am welcoming it ALL with an open heart and mind. Kudos to all of those who have made strides in their lives, let's keep the momentum going :D

WW

Recent post: 10 Reasons to Visit the Farmers Market | {New Post} http://ow.ly/4RNUb

[Libertad Leal]

I am really proud of myself for finally being brave enough to pick up the camera start shooting. I used to be really, really scared of the camera. It sounds nuts now, since it is permanently attached to my hand nowadays, but I really was intimidated by it. I remember cutting out a piece of advertising I saw in a magazine to put in my Vision Board that says: Suddenly I See". I looked at it every single day with purpose, with excitement and I can finally say in all honesty that FINALLY I SEE!!!
recently I also had the guts to submit an entry into the largest Photography Biennial in the country, FOTOFEST. I probably don't have a shot but I did it. And I handed it in person. When I came out I was positively bursting with glee and excitement. Just having done that made me incredibly proud of myself.

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

[Deanna]

For me it has been dedicatedly making the decision to become more open as a person and through this discovering my love for creating art. It has become my goal to be completely open in my art. Starting a blog to share my art with my family and friends was a very brave move for me because I tend to be quite critical of my own work both in art and photography.

http://anewdayartblog.blogspot.com/

[Rebecca Weaver]

I'm proud of my first ever 'explore' on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56221446@N06/5697898496/

[Brenda]

Starting my blog (How to Feather an Empty Nest @ http://www.gottgraphicsdesign.com)
Taking early retirement
Completing the Advanced DIgital Photography course at our local community college
Earning two Honorable Mention awards for my photograph "Shift" - one at our student photography competition as well as a local show http://www.gottgraphicsdesign.com/2011/02/04/honorable-mention/

[Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photo Blog]

My friend and mentor challenged me to step outside my comfy hammock (as she calls it) and ask for feedback on my photography. I got a lot of helpful suggestions.
http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/food-photography/food-photography-tips-helpful-feedback/5440/
http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/photography/photography-critiques-asking-for-feedback/5328/

And a not so helpful suggestion:
http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/photography/photography-critique-smile-and-move-on/5418/

What's funny is that I was too happy with myself for asking for feedback that the comment that wasn't helpful didn't upset me - I tried to talk more with the photographer, but she wasn't interested in speaking with me, which is her perogative.

I do love that so many people are willing to take their time to help; we may not like what we hear (or read), but the fact that they gave us a few minutes is fantastic.

[Carrie]

I'm proud that I got up today, that I saw my support worker and I worked on designing my own photographic pendants whilst all the time hearing the words 'you are pathetic, you are worthless' in my head. I am exhausted and enveloped in the dark fog of depression seeing no way out but the unthinkable. I am proud that I am still here.

[Trude]

I felt incredibly brave finally launching my website and photo blog in February. Still not over it. :) Now I'm pushing myself outside my comfort zone to start really booking jobs! It's funny, the word of my life has always been courage. I have plenty of strength, but this life takes courage too! :)

[Cynthia at Coffee On The Patio]

I think all of us who create are brave. I'm proud of myself, that as a professional photographer for 25+ years I am still learning new things.

[Radish]

A lerker happy that I am still learning and loving it at 72. Here is to the others out there.

Day2dayradishes.squarespace.com

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

I'm proud of having my second photography show, and that this one is a solo show. You can get a peek at what I'm exhibiting here: http://liferefocused.wordpress.com/

[hillary]

i'm so happy to hear everyone's stories of bravery, passion and pride!

here's mine:

http://www.eyechai.com/blog/2011/5/11/a-studio-of-my-very-own.html

[Chelsea C]

What a great post Tracey! I love all that everyone is sharing, and that there are some commenting for the first time! I have been challenging myself lately by trying out portrait and event photography. I am proud of the images I produced for my very first portrait session...it was challenging but very rewarding!

http://heartsandscars.blogspot.com

I have also donated my time to photographing events that raise money for pediatric cancer research.

http://heartsandscars.blogspot.com/2011/05/reaching-for-cure.html

[Ashleigh]

I am proud of publishing my first book!

http://ashinbleu.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/published/

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