the strays

 

Would you believe that all  of these beauties are stray dogs? Yes, you probably would. Because they all seem to be in their own world. Lying somewhere alone, trying to make themselves invisible.  They might surprise you though. A whistle or a kind word would make them jump up for a cuddle.

I captured these dogs as part of shooting a photo documentary of a spay and neuter campaign in Bosnia.

Being prepared for the worst scenarios it left me speechless to find so much trust and kindness in the dogs I met in the streets. That melted my heart. Dogs like this have to work so hard to find their daily meal. Getting a kind gesture or even finding some love are rare things for most of them. In spite of the hard side of life they welcomed me with warmth and love.

Photographing animals makes me forget all that is around me. It is a healing process for me. Moments to cherish.

Photo essay and story courtesy of Jolanda Boekhout (aka Jofabi). She can be found on her website. More of her Strays series (and more about her trip) can be found on Flickr.

Todays prompt: Collection

weekending by Christine Young

Christine Young shoots images like this with her Nikon CoolpixP100 and spends her weekends hiking with her dog and camera … treasure hunting for new ways of seeing and being.

You can find her on her website Christine Create. 

What are you seeking out this weekend?

Todays prompt: embrace

Sundays prompt : something black

last call for Oasis registration

Don't let us disrupt your Sunday plans, in fact, we're only interrupting your weekending activities to remind you that registration for the Shutter Sisters event Oasis will end on Friday, Sept 7th at noon PST. There are only a few more spaces that are open and they'll only be available for a few more days.

We've been spending a lot of time in Palm Springs lately, specifically at Ace Hotel and Swim Club and we can only say, we are bursting at the seams with excitement at being there with so many sisters of the shutter. It's pretty much going to rock and it's only a few months away. We are counting down the days and would love to have you doing the same with us!

Today's prompt is "books" and we do hope you choose to book your spot at Oasis before it's too late. 

summer reading

 

From the Impassable Wilderness of Wildwood to the pristine and proper home of Miss Aunt Polly of Beldingsville, Vermont in the classic Pollyanna, our summer reading list seems to take us places. I find
myself swept away, trudging along the Pacific Crest Trail via Wild (by Cheryl Strayed) here and there as time allows, sitting poolside or as I drop into bed rivited & resonating.  We don’t mind tucking into the
tent early after a full day playing in the lake when we can close our eyes and experience all that Trenton Lee Stewart has to offer by way of Nicolas Benedict in The Mysterious Benedict Series.  There is an
ever changing list of opportunity and possible travel by way of a good book, but there is one book that will forever be a favorite. One kept on hand for every expedition as our faithful guide & inspiration, not
only just of the mind: the Atlas. (Road trip anyone?)

What have you been reading? Or should I say, where have you been going? Share your images of summer reading today and tag them #sselevate.

Image and words courtesy of Sarah Swanson-Dexel.

reflections

Perhaps it’s the end of Summer or the start of Fall.  Maybe it’s my birthday or something in the stars. Or what I usually attribute it to; getting the kids back to school and getting back to a predictable routine. Whatever the case, this is always the time of year where I do the most reflecting.  For years I’ve marveled at the power of this—what seems to be for me—the new year. It’s no wonder I don’t fuss over the true New Year, taking it all lightly and in stride. It must be because I always do my seeking and searching now.

Reflecting on the past and reflecting on the future play equal parts in my annual soul pilgrimage. One is no more important that the other. In fact, they seem to work together in a perfect alchemy. Looking back, I am reminded of what has been. Looking ahead I can begin to forge my path into the future. Whether I choose to bring what the last year held along with me into the next is never certain. It’s different every year. And I guess that’s not really the point. The point is the time of reflection itself. Slowing down, being contemplative, breathing deeply, holding onto gratitude, shedding  tears, getting rest, listening, musing, and paying attention to every feeling, every memory, every whisper. That is where the true magic of reflections lie.

Today I encourage you to take the time for reflections, whatever that might mean to you and seek out ways to translate that into your images. Literally or figurative, let’s reflect together and share our findings as yet another way to Elevate the Everyday.