Superhero Photo Challenge: spell it out

A friend stayed at our house a few weekends ago and left this sweet message on our fridge when we returned. I was impressed since we have lost half the magnetic alphabet to the pantry, toy bins, garbage can and anywhere else my toddler sees fit.

This week's challenge is to send a little message to the world. Photograph someone with a handmade sign, make some chalk graffiti on your sidewalk, paint your belly with a Sharpie. Whatever inspires you!

from sea to shining sea

waiting patiently
beneath a blazing sun
seeking...
Lady Liberty

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I took this shot at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan last weekend. Seeing the long line of tourists eagerly await the water taxi for a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty gave me a good feeling.  I love this country. 

Do share your view of America today.

Love Thursday: Love, our way

 When it comes to our daughter Alex, my husband Marcus is much better than I am at entertaining: he will play with Alex for, literally, hours. Weekends are filled with them riding bikes, shooting baskets, swimming in my parents' pool, whatever. If it involves play, Marcus is generally the parent on call -- I'm often inside on my computer, or reading a book, or generally keeping to myself. Marcus, while unfailingly attentive, is also The Fun One.

But when it's time to talk, I'm on duty. Every morning when Alex gets up and every night before she goes to bed, we snuggle and talk. Every afternoon that I pick her up after school, we spend some time discussing current events. Sometimes we talk about light subjects, like what happened during her school day, or why it's tough to decide which is better, ballet or gymnastics, or whether popcorn is tastier than cheesy toast. But sometimes we talk about deeper subjects, like what happens when you die, or why parents will do anything and everything to protect their kids, or why the most important thing is to be kind to yourself and kind to other people.

 I guess we just love her each in our own special way. 

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Happy Love Thursday, everyone.  Please leave your links of images of love in the comments section below, and  be sure to check out the beautiful shots by Belle & Bear and {Kate C.} left in our Flickr pool for inspiration.

And may you find your own special way to love someone today. 

What Must Be Given

I don't believe beauty can ever be won by force. A beautiful portrait either gives itself up willingly or consciously or it is captured delicately, breath held, finger poised, easy...easy...now!

"Photogenic" is nothing more or less than a measure of the soul's aperture. Children are so photogenic (and so vulnerable) because theirs is open wide. The difference between a photogenic adult and one who is not, is a difference of consent. You cannot "take" a beautiful picture of someone, it must be given.

Like a naturalist in the wilderness with her subjects, I have let my children become so accustomed to my camera, they no longer notice it as a mechanical object. It is an extension of their mother's eye, no more obtrusive to them than my eyeglasses. Just another tool Mom sometimes has to help her see. When its lens takes them in, it is my gaze they perceive and respond to, not the camera (and sometimes their response is to ignore).

Shooting them has become a form of caress, as natural as reaching out to brush bangs back from their eyes. I see my reach in the photos. There is nothing objective about them. "This is how I see you," is the caption written invisibly on every one. "This is how love sees you." It is how I think we all wish to be seen, all our lives, even when the aperture narrows or is jammed.

What about you? What portraits reveal an exchange between subject and photographer, the trajectory between the eye of the beholder and the one so carefully held?

 This guest post was written by the amazing Kyran Pittman of Notes to Self.

Perfect Recipe for Something New

As anyone with a long term love of photography knows, it's easy to find yourself taking the same kinds of pictures over and over again.   Glance over your last 1000 pictures and you might see what I mean.  Overrun in flowers?  Same style portraits?  Bricks and mortar?   While there's no harm in going on a kick now and then to master your craft, you'll know it's time for a change when your images start to look the same and you can no longer recognize the gem in that one picture that represents a departure from your tried and true subjects.  May I shyly submit the photo above as a case in point.

What subjects do you tend towards when you pick up the camera?   Ready to cook up something fresh and unexpected by widening your repertoire?  Comments are open for your confessions and links to the images where you strayed from the same ole, same ole with delicious results.