the perfect pair

Somehow my eye has been noticing all sorts of things that come in pairs lately. Sometimes they make for the perfect combination (like the couple above! don't you think they are just too cute?) and other times they are just plain odd.

So whether you're looking at lovebirds, food, shoes, friends or dogs and their owners... How about sharing those images that show all the interesting ways in which things are paired together around us?

bonus song: Better Together by Jack Johnson

Hello Gorgeous!

Last year, my friend Kelly Rae asked me if I could take some photographs of her, that would make her feel beautiful in her new pixie haircut. I was honored, of course! As photographers, I think one of our best gifts is to be able to capture the beauty we see and and reveal it to those around us. I cannot think of a better thing to do, but to make someone feel seen, gorgeous and happy in their own skin. And isn't she a beauty through and through? It was easy peasy. That is why I love my job :)

With that said, it’s time for a June Mini Photo Contest. That means it’s time for you to share your best image that fits our theme this week. And today (guess!), it’s Hello Gorgeous!

So show us what you’ve got between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person please and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up that will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course! Winner will be chosen by best interpretation of the theme. Good luck!

Patterns

Well... One could say that this photo is kind of naughty! But actually, contrary to what you may be thinking, the girl pictured in the shot did not try to flash me with a hint of her tights! :) Nope. What I captured was actually a tiny 'Marilyn Monroe' moment, as she held her skirt when a gush of wind tried to lift it up at the corner of Powell & Sutter in San Francisco.

In the moment, I hardly even saw legs! All I saw was a feast of patterns: the juxtaposition of the swirls on her skirt, the pink leopard print on her shopping bag, the checkered walls, and all those designs, nicely pulled together by the whites, blacks and pinks. Such a treat for a photographer's eye, don't you think? As far as my 'photo obsessions' go, I have to say that seeing and shooting patterns is very high on my list (which explains my love for fashion photography!).

How about you? Do you notice patterns? Show us what kind of designs, lines, shapes, fabrics and patterns, you've been shooting.

Harvesting

I recently read a quote by Hundertwasser that said "Painting is to dream. When the dream
is over, I don t remember anything I dreamed about. The painting, however, remains. It is the harvest of my dream."

I thought that was a perfect quote for our Photography as well. On the daily basis, we pay attention to our surroundings, we enearth feelings, we reap best moments, and we find a way to make our vision tangible, lasting... We indeed work on the harvesting of our dreams.

I just love that as we're gathering bits and pieces of our lives, we are actually assembling something really powerful that will remain. It is so exciting for me to think that someday when we are long gone, our work may still live, feeding the inspiration of others, and consequently, continuing to produce more and more crops of nourishing Art in this world.

Now, show us: What sorts of beautiful images have you been harvesting lately?

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And because it's Giveaway May and we're taking about harvesting dreams here, we've got an amazing giveaway:

Artist, Author, and Possibilitarian Kelly Rae Roberts is giving one lucky reader/commenter a spot in her upcoming e-course, Flying Lessons: Tips + Tricks To Help Your Creative Business Soar. Now is the time for making those creative business dreams real and this e-course will give you all the inspiration, information, and resources to take flight. Truly.

Just leave a comment here bettween now and Sat. 5/8 at midnight PST for your chance to win a spot in Kelly Rae's e-course. It gives us butterflies just thinking about it!

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Congratulations to Leanne, the winner of Flying Lessons. YAY!

surfer wisdom

The other day when I was at the beach, I overheard two surfers debating whether they should go surfing or not. "The waves aren't that great" said one of them. The other replied "but you know what they say: When in doubt, paddle out." Then they both laughed and went for it.

Their little conversation got me thinking about our photography and how we should also always choose to put ourselves out there to get the shots. When in doubt, take that walk, bring that camera, take that shot. I don't know how many times I was filled with regret for not bringing my camera and not believing there would be something worth shooting on my way to work or on a rainy day. There is always something happening and waiting to be captured. And there is always something to be learned from every click, every experience. When in doubt, shoot.

So today, how about sharing a shot from that day or moment you hesitated, but went for it anyway?