time capsule

As a photographer, I’m a memory gatherer... not just the big stuff like birthdays, weddings, holidays etc… but those everyday moments… the ordinary… the in-between moments… the little things we may not feel are that are important right now, but what we may look back on and realize were big things.

So I’ve been gathering memories, collecting the everyday moments in my life, and using video & photos packaged up into films and freezing that moment in time. I’m calling them time capsules. I know that time flies by, and what happens today, will be different to how life will be next year... in 5 years, 10 years and so on… and I want to remember the little things.

Today I’m giving away one spot on my first eCourse – Creating Time Capsules, where I plan to set you on a journey of discovery and inspiration so that you can make your own, delightful, memory-evoking time capsules... All the details are here.

For a chance to win, please comment below or show me a moment you’ve photographed… what memory have you frozen in time? big or little… something you would add to your imaginary time capsule.  

You have until Saturday 4^th Feb midnight PST and I will announce the winner in this post....

11.11.11 : part one : our morning routine from xanthe berkeley on Vimeo.

Updated - The winner is Mama-pan - Mary Frances Thank you to everyone who entered.

Comments

[Marcie]

What a sweet video...a wonderful 'time capsule' and way to capture a moment-in-time. I don't have anything quite like it..but that I'm always capturing 'moments'..mostly in nature:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/2/2/leader-of-the-pack.html

[gis]

I love the idea of time capsules, I try and make one every year putting toghether a slideshow with my 365 project photos. And I love to capture moments....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16853210@N05/6758956429/in/photostream

[emma]

I love taking photos of random things, around home or out and about. My photo, when I look at it, reminds me of the beautiful summer day recently I spent with my husband after a busy Christmas. We had a lovely day just wandering around, eating lunch and having a quiet drink. I can almost feel how warm it was looking at the photo.

I loved looking at that video - so beautiful!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53759195@N05/6626253825/in/set-72157626212308531

[Suzi]

This photograph encapsulates what's important to me, it's a moment I will always treasure. My love and me in one of our favourite spots on the North Devon coast.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/standing_on_tiptoe/6418524959/in/set-72157624228885345

[anngeedee]

Yesterday, it rained all day. We were stir crazy and ready to get out of the house so we all grabbed our umbrellas and played in the rain. As we played, the rain finally began to stop. I brought out my camera because the kids were having so much fun and here's my reminder of the great time we had: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anngeedee/6809261011/in/photostream Learning to capture it in video as a time capsule would be a wonderful gift.

[Ana Eugenio]

my first time capsule: http://www.anasofiaeugenio.com/2012/01/time-capsule-by-ana-eugenio.html

[Becs]

Hi Xanthe, recently found your amazing blog through Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers. I totally share your photography philosophy and love capturing the everyday and everyday moments. The link is to a pretty big memory though - a reminder of a place and long standing friendships, definitely one for my time capsule!
http://www.catchingsundust.com/2012/02/photo-heart-connection.html
Love your time capsule videos. :)

[Denise]

Hi Xanthe, Oh how I would love to join your course. I've leapt into a 366 project this year and I just adore how it pushes me to capture those daily moments. just one from yesterday: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8451524@N08/6811136257/in/photostream
Big hugs...and so excited for all that you are creating!!

[Gotta Run]

beautiful, beautiful video, and thank you for introducing me to The Paper Kites!

[DebC]

The day documented here:
http://simplify-daily-life.blogspot.com/2012/01/20120129-craft-time-momma-bird-nest.html
will remain as a top cherished memory of mine forever.
She will be graduating soon ... and probably moving far, far away.

[mama-pan | mary frances]

I am such a big fan of your photos, xanthe, and would love to take part in this course.

here's a moment that took my breath away the other night when I went to check on my kids:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98076237@N00/6808275727/

[Beth]

How gorgeous! I've done some slideshows but never combined stills with video. I love how you varied the pace and emotions by this combination. It helps the viewer recognize how fleeting the moment yet important the capture and memory. I'd love to learn how to do this. Thanks also for introducing the Paper Kites. Just love them and have already downloaded a few songs for inspiration :)

[claudia]

oh love this Xanthe, your boys are darling! I too love the combination of video with stills. I'm making a mental note to shoot some video, thank you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/6746057611/in/photostream

[Emily]

Xanthe, your videos are SO amazing.
I have such an appreciation for how you put together the stills, the music, the shots and angles you get, and editing you do to make the story. They are seriously, seriously wonderful.
This year I aspire to incorporate more video into my storytelling journey. In fact, when it was time to upgrade to a full frame, I switched to a 5d markii instead of a Nikon d700, JUST because of video capability. So far, I haven't utilized it near enough.
Anyway, I could gush all day on your videos and photos.
I'm doing a 366 this year. Here's my shot from yesterday: http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeeekphoto/6808173103/
xoxoxo

[Laura]

Love the 11.11.11 time capsule! And time capsules in general. How beautiful to create a collection of visual memories that are meaningful. And to celebrate the little things. So wonderful.

In a time capsule, I would include this image of my grandparents. This is just after mom graduated with her masters several weeks ago (so proud)! I love my grandpa (also capturing the moment) photographing my mom who is one escalator over. And my grandma's smile. http://www.flickr.com/photos/68437462@N04/6812061465/in/photostream

[Raquel]

I love this and would love the chance to learn!

[luthien]

Oh I love this time capsule! It's wonderful!

I was doing a photoshoot with my parents, because they wanted to have a good photo of them together. So in between poses my dad finds this big branch and sticks it in the water http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniedegeus/5939662428/in/photostream and my mom comes running up to him and sticks her head between his legs and in a reflect I shot http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniedegeus/5939663314/in/photostream I think this is the best picture I have of them, ever.

[Vita]

Thank you very much for this opportunity! I love your blog, you are so inspiring! I think my photos got better since I am simply watching yours! :-) Though I feel quite ridiculous with my "moment" as I am total amateur comparing to others, but, of well, that's why I want to join your course and learn something new. :-) Thank you!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monpetitviolon/6812176381/in/photostream

[Lindsay]

Thanks Xanthe for your post and for sharing your amazing time capsules. I've tried creating a photo/video capsule and there were a few errors in the final version. Would love to learn how to properly put a time capsule together.

[busymomma66]

My memories of my kids are the most precious. they are growing up sooooo quickly and are busy young adults now. I like remembering the quiet moments with them. They both love to snuggle on my bed, especially on lazy weekends.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busymomma66/6520341203/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/busymomma66/6520341235/in/photostream/

[Kathy]

a wonderful idea and your video is priceless.

[sarah]

a time capsule! perfect....camera always at hand, snapping away at what seems to some so mundane, strangers giving me the stink eye....now i will just say, 'creating a time capsule!' smile and inspire them to do the same.

i want to remember when she always had crumbs on her face from constantly filling that tiny little body with food, the left over fruit sticker on her face....often more than one but hasn't been great than 7 at a time. those lashes, innocence floating through life, stopping to admire the contortions of her face, always making us laugh & always willing to give a back scratch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6810653535/in/photostream

[damiec]

that video was so wonderful. I made a resolution to take more this year - I want to be able to hear my children's sweet, young voices after they have grown, but then I've got all of these loose clips and I don't quite know what to do with them.

as for a moment - I know that some day I won't be able to walk through my childhood home. so now, every time I visit, I take a few pictures to help me return when I no longer have the keys.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/6812039423/

[DebC]

I just now had time to get back to the computer...
to browse through the comments and watch your time capsule video.
Your video is t.o.t.a.l.l.y w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l :)

[Samantha]

Beautiful video! I love the idea of creating a time capsule! Would love the chance to learn how!

[Judene]

I love this idea.

[Dezra Despain]

Lovely video! It is a reminder of the everyday simple things.

For me, right now Indianapolis is energized with the Super Bowl and all the hoopla surrounding that event. I am not into sports but I really couldn't let this pass me by without participating somehow. There is so much going on! I went down to Super Bowl Village on a cold, windy Saturday and came away with wonderful memories.

http://dezradespain.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/patience-and-super-bowl-xlvi/

[WorthIt!]

Love your quote - that is exactly why I love my iPhone...it's always with me and allows me to capture wonderful little moments like the sunlight on my nephew's face and the joy in my sister's at the car wash...magic!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/6812613433/in/photostream

[Jules]

Such a beautiful scrapbook ! So ALIVE. I'd love to do that :)

[ktbuffy]

I think capturing moments in time is what we all strive for in photography, particularly as moms! This is one of my favorite moments: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktbuffy/5001638085/

[Christina]

this is so gorgeous!! love... i love to capture moments of love, to share, to hide, to offer in times of need.
; )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22136020@N04/6812632589/

[Sandee]

What a great idea! Here's one I would have in a time capsule for sure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34977978@N05/3985134088/

[Michelle Sheldon]

I love this idea! Here is a moment i captured with a little one sneaking up on an untended piece of birthday cake. lol

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barefootdreams/6100555600/in/photostream

[Libertad Leal]

I absolutely love the idea of time capsules and I ADORE your latest one. I am all about the everyday moments that make life magical. Here is my favorite image from my series "everyday mother". It's such a simple moment but I love it so much.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5101402816

[summerbl4ck]

This is so lovely. I've had it in mind for a while to do a day-in-the-life project. And now I wonder if I could include video too. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Bari Baskin]

Oh how wonderful is this time capsule! I loved the photos of the teeth and the video of getting ready in the morning discussing mummies. Your accents were such treat at as well. I try to pull out my camera at home frequently to capture those memories I know so are so fleeting. (my kids are so accustomed to my camera they barely even acknowledge it any more...yay!) Here's my moment of my little girl, waiting for her friend. http://www.flickr.com/photos/barilynn/6812999815/in/photostream

[Tracy]

amazing, amazing video. love!
my little one is constantly in motion it seems: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/6398245257/in/set-72157627328155191/

[joey]

My favorite part is when you and your son say "morning."

I've made some attempts at a video similar to yours, but I have so, so many problems with the video editing software. I would jump at the chance for some insight from you.

Here is a moment I caught my oldest reading. Nobody told him to, he just did it!

http://sea-bass.blogspot.com/2012/01/reading.html

[Linda]

I enjoyed your videos so much when you shared them with Kim's Beyond group. It inspired me to try one of my own! It does take a bit of planning, I think!

[J Salcedo]

I love the video and the photo that accompanies your article. I have a 21 year old and a 9 year old. Because I have already seen how fast one of my children has grown up, I am so glad that I caught so many every day moments as he grew up, and I continue to do that with my younger son.

[Isabella Rose]

Love this video that you made and would love to learn how to do it myself! My baby girl watched it with me and wants to know if your son lost his tooth that day???

[Jet Harrington]

Love the idea of time capsules - capturing those magical everyday moments, to savour and celebrate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scatterbeams/6813113875/in/photostream

[Trude]

It's all about the captured moment!s! Like this expression on my brother's dog's face lately when we tried to celebrate her first birthday... http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/6751102373/in/photostream

[Kelly]

first off....I loved your video. It moved me and your family is so amazing. you are very creative.

[Jennifer Hagedorn Dizon]

Soooooooo beauuuuutifuuuul. Soooo from the heart.♥ ♥ ♥

[Amanda Creek]

I love your time capsule! For my time capsule, I would include moments from the year I spent in Russia (6 years ago) with how my time impresses me today.

[melissa]

thank you, xanthe, for sharing your soulful artistry and for offering this exquisite opportunity to journey with you.

a moment of ease...http://melissarivera.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/photo-friday-81/

a moment of delight...http://melissarivera.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/photo-friday-71/

[Suzanne]

Thank you for sharing this video. The stills along with the sweet little conversations of the day are exactly what life is all about. Perfect.

[Lou @ Littlegreenshed]

beautiful - Xanthe, really lovely. I suppose my blog is a time capsule, documenting daily life with my sons. I try to take photos of stuff, life, teeth falling out, riding bikes, growing things etc... it's just about stopping in the moment and remembering. x

[meegan]

This is absolutely beautiful. A perfect memory...