Love

As I sit here to write this post, I ponder on what else is there to say about love that hasn't already been said and reiterated.

But here is the thing, when it comes to picturing love, it is probably the single most personal thing one can capture, because we each have been touched by it in a very unique and special way. Love that is bigger than ourselves, love that endures time and hardship, love at first sight, and love found in the most ordinary moments.

As we decompress from the hoilidays and start our countdown to the new year, I want to invite you to look at your own precious life with the intent of capturing love that is real and that is simply yours. The love only you can feel and see, but that is also understood and felt universally.

Shoot, share, and then tuck that sweet love reminder forever in your heart.

Texture

I did not use to notice and play with texture in my photography until very recently.

When I first picked up the camera, I was interested in color. Color juxtaposition, colorful walls, details, etc. Color, color and more color! Later I discovered portrait and became completely enamored with capturing expression. People, styles, the beauty within, emotion, etc. Then I began to learn more about photo technique, and lighting naturally emerged as my next big interest. Morning light, golden hour, back light, and flares. 

But texture has been making an appearance in my photos lately. I often catch myself looking for the right table to set my latte on (just so I can shoot it). I look for the right rug to step on, the right background to blur, etc. Texture can add a lot of spice to an otherwise seemingly uninteresting subject matter, and in some cases, it can also completely ruin a picture if it creates clutter. Our eyes like the effortless mix and harmony we find in nature. The smooth against the rugged. The lacey, sparkly, and furry, against the luciious soft skin. 

But my point is... The more we shoot the more we learn how to see, and the more we see, the better we can capture and express our feelings. Texture is just one more of these things we can incorporate in our photos to help us get our point across.

How about you? Do you notice texture? How much do you play with it in your photos? Are you are up for some texture play? Share with us some texture candy today?

Just be you

I am taking away one big lesson in life and photography from SS Oasis this year:

"We each have a very unique way of being, seeing, and shooting."

I know it has been said before... But I'm so moved by the fact that we each have a very unique point of view. If you look at the photos tagged with #ssoasis on Instagram, you will see what I am talking about. Several times sisters gathered around the same subject, under the same light. And yet, every picture turned out completely different. 

Do you know what makes you the awesome photographer YOU are? 

Today, show us a picture that shows your very own personal style and visual voice.

shoes

We are all quite obssessed with picturing our feet in cute shoes to show wherever we are standing, aren't we? So I thought I'd propose something new! How daring! :)

Today I invte you to share a shoe with a story. 

These ones picture above were my daughter's first chucks! She had just taken her first steps when I bought them, and so they marked a whole new beginning for us. I am forever grateful I pulled my iphone and actually snapped this as soon as I unwrapped them. As much as we can see her wearing this pair in all sorts of photos, this is my favorite shot because it tells in itself the story of an important milestone in our lives. Simple and quick to do. It will last a lifetime.

How about you? Show us that special pair you wore in that first hot date, the one you wore at your wedding, or the one your dog chewed on over the weekend. Tell us your cinderella moment if you must! We want to see and hear it all. 

Give us a shoe with a story.

aim high

These days all photographers seem to let loose and aim high at the sun, letting the light sip into their pictures unapologetically. Let's face it. We all love flares! I wonder who was that first guy though, that broke the rules and showed his pictures with streaks and dots on it, just for the sake of sharing a pure feeling versus a well practiced technique. I'd hug this guy, wouldn't you? 

This made me think about real life too, and the fact that it might be nice to break some of our own self imposed rules once in a while. Even if it is just to see what happens, like in a photo experiement. It could turn out surprisingly beautiful and moving. It is our audacity after all, that brings on innovation and (dare I say...) more beauty to our lives and the world.

So I wonder, what sort of rule, small thought or confinement, you could choose to break today? Be playful. Be bold. Aim high. Whether you are aiming with your camera or just your heart, choose to do something that will bring you a godly feeling.

Then join us with a flare shot today, so we can all share in on your magic.

Remember to tag your images with #shuttersisters so all sisters can find and enjoy!