Just Add Sparkles

Yesterday's post brought so many inspiring comments on how and what lights your creative spark. If you haven't had a chance to read through them, I encourage you to take a little time to browse all of the great ideas! Awesome!

Many of the comments mentioned being sparked by classes, communities and prompts. I find these kinds of sources work for me as well. It's one of the reasons I am so excited about the new online offering from Jamie Ridler Studios, Sparkles. Have you seen the lineup of extraordinary women sharing simple and fun sparkle strategies? I was honored to be asked to even share one of my own!

Sparkles is a 31 day class of prompts created to lead you on an adventure to awaken your creative spirit and fill you and your days with sparkle. Each day, you’ll receive a quick-to-read, quick-to-do inspiring creative exercise in your inbox.

What I love most about Sparkles is the "whole package" approach. With prompts from creative women in a number of mediums (from painting to cooking to photography to dance!) I think is a fantastic way to light your creative spark! Sometimes thinking outside the photo frame is a great way to inspire your photography and infuse your creative vision with a little sparkle.

Besides, the premise is that it only takes 5 minutes to sparkle? We can all build in that kind of time!

I look forward to Sparkling with you over at Jaime's place. She is one amazing lady who has brought together an inspiring group of women with some very fun, very sparkly ideas! I have so enjoyed getting to know her. Oh, and today is the last day to try your luck at winning some awesome giveaway gifts for participants. The list is full of great stuff. There's a free spot in my community workshop Picture Inspiration and a copy of Expressive Photography up for grabs over there too. Fun!

So, today, show us some bling! Share your Sparkles!

stacking up

My One Little Word this year is rhythm. I knew when I chose it, I was going to have to dig pretty deep in the creative well to find ways to visually translate a word like rhythm. Much to my surprise, I see more rhythm, rhyme and repetition than I have ever seen before!

So far, my word is shaping up, or better, stacking up quite nicely for me.

Are you seeing your word appear right before your eyes? We'd love to hear (and see) all about it.

Inspired by February's lesson in Ali Edward's One Little Word Workshop.

the next step

Have you been craving creative time? Are you ready to explore your newfound love for images and photography? Are you looking for some mentoring to help you take your photo skills to the next level? Are you interested in connecting with other photographers to play together?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to join me at The Makerie in Boulder, Colorado, this coming Spring! The Makery is a cozy mountain retreat designed to inspire, encourage and nurture your creativity. I'll be teaching two photography classes that are deeply rooted in all the goodness we share here at Shutter Sisters! It does not matter what equipment you have, if you just picked up the camera, if you have been shooting for a while, or if you are already a pro. My classes are focused on supporting you while you take the next step, whatever that may be for you. Perhaps the step you most need to take is to simply show up and embrace your love for photography! That is more than enough, isn't it? So if you want to recharge, feel inspired, learn some new tricks, and enjoy connection... Come play with me!

In addition to the workshops, there will be wake-up yoga and/or hiking, as well as healthy, local, organic yummy foods as part of the weekend. This is also a green production with an emphasis on recycling, re-purposing, organics and natural materials. So you can't go wrong, sister. You just can't. It really is that good! And I would absolutely love to meet some of you in person!!! :)

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So tell me, what is the next step for you in your photography?

And if you are inclined, share with us whatever image you are most inspired and moved to share today. Yep. I am sure whatever is inspiring you, will inspire us as well!

he Makerie is a creative retreat for anyone. Whether you are a skilled crafter or have never picked up a paintbrush, we offer something for everyone. We believe with all our hearts that everyone is creative and our cozy mountain retreat is designed to inspire, encourage and nurture your creativity. Each of our sensational teachers will offer unique workshops at the Makerie, and we can’t wait for you to take a peek at the wonderful variety of offerings!

 

BLOCK PRINTING | COLOR | EMBELLISHMENT | JEWELRY DESIGN 

KNITTING | PAINTING | PATTERN DESIGN  | PHOTOGRAPHY   

 RECYCLED ART | SHOE MAKING | YOGA 

In addition to the workshops, we will provide wake-up yoga and/or hiking, as well as healthy, local, organic (where possible), yummy foods as part of the weekend so you feel nurtured all around. Our creative getaway makes special efforts to be kind to the earth, as we strive to make thoughtful choices
in the event planning process, during the event, and in the classes themselves, with an emphasis on recycling, re-purposing, organics and natural materials. Simply put, being at the Makerie is like being back at camp.

a present to yourself

When I submitted a prompt for #reverb10 I crossed my fingers that it would be chosen for the month long project. Little did I know that it would end up being the prompt for Christmas day. I couldn't be more delighted! I can think of no better way to celebrate this time of looking back and looking ahead than to do so through photographs.

Over the last year I have had plenty of pictures taken of me; self-portraits (such as the shot above) as well as images taken by my daughters, and even some taken by Shutter Sisters. With each shot, something more is revealed. I see a clearer picture of  who I am.

The prompt today is specific however. Find a picture taken of youself that best captures you. Either who you are or who you strive to be.

I have found that when you allow your truest self to be seen, really and truly seen, you are set free. There is so much power in that it gives me chills just writing about it. I know this freedom to be true from first hand experience. When Shutter Sister, and dear dear friend, Jen Lemen shot this image of me on one of the most sacred beaches I have walked on, she captured me in a way I have never seen myself before. Every time I look at it, I get goose bumps. Who is this woman? Confident, strong, powerful, true, real. Even though I might not always consider myself in these terms, I've got a photograph to prove that I am all these things and more. It's pictures like these of ourselves that are worth a thousand words.

This prompt isn't an easy one. It might take some time to excavate a shot from the 2010 archives. But, I do hope you spend the time needed to study the pictures of yourself over the past year to see what kind of magic you find. When you do, please share it with us here. Leave a link to your photo and/or post in the comments. On Wednesday, I will pick two winners from the comments. One person will be given a copy of Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From the Heart and the other will get a complimentary spot in my next photo-centric e-class Picture Winter, just for playing along.

Thank you #reverb10 for such an inspiring experience this month. It's been amazing.

the last days

I am spending the last days of the year bundled up in my favorite scarf, crisp leaves and snow crunching under my feet, blowing on a warm cup of tea that I'm holding with both hands and Christmas songs playing repeatedly over in my head (right now, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" by Tony Bennett).

I am also pondering over my primary intention for the year to come, and as I reflect on the past twelve months and the moments where I felt most alive I can't help but think of the amazing women that joined the October class of the Simple Soulful Photography workshop. I once wrote that I envisioned this online course like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. But what I have received was so much more than that. The class vibrated with creativity, humbleness and courage, engaging in thought-provoking conversations that I learned so much from, rallying around each other when some participants were going through a rough patch, and sharing beautiful images.

Today I am happy to give away 3 registrations for the January session of the Simple Soulful Photography workshop (January 3-29). Please share with us how you're spending the last days of the year and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 13th at midnight PST.

Note: Last time I wrote that I was creating a little something special for those who couldn't join the workshop. You can now download excerpts from the first two lessons of the October 2010 session here.

And if you'd like to start the new year exploring the connection between creativity and self-care, learn basics but essential techniques on composition and lighting, and embrace, cultivate and express your most authentic self in a supportive community, I encourage you to register for the four-week course to join me and featured guests Marianne Elliott, Gail Mooney, Karen Maezen Miller, Amanda Gilligan and Bob Smith.