Tell me a story

When I look at this photo, I am transported back to the exact moment it was taken. We went for a walk on Thanksgiving day around the abandoned streets of Houston and found ourselves in an empty sculpture park. Along the way, my 3-and-a-half year old nephew had selected a pine cone and a stick with great care. And as boys do, suddenly the pine cone and stick turned into a ball and bat.

My sister-in-law and I sat and watched as a 3-and-a-half year old welcomed two grown men into his world. All three were transported to another time, another place, another age and before they knew it, they had built up a sweat, playing stickball like there was no tomorrow. They laughed and howled as my sister-in-law and I cheered them on from the sidelines. The lone guard on site sat by quietly, seemingly annoyed by the disruption to his peace and quiet. When they lost the pine cone and the foul ball went into the stands (a.k.a. the bushes), the guard stood up, walked over to the boys, and handed them a new pine cone.

Thanks and giving.

That is what I see when I look at this photo. I see the story, one that could have been lost if not for my trusty iPhone. Since I was shooting with an iPhone, thoughts of ISO and aperture and shutter speed were irrelevant. What mattered in this moment was the emotion, the love, the story. Luckily, you don’t need a $1500 lens to tell a story.

To me, that is what photography is all about. It’s easy to get wrapped up in getting the “perfect” photo, acquiring the “perfect” equipment, and getting your exposure, composition, and white balance just right. But when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters to me is if the photo tells a story and if it transports me back to that moment.

I often wonder how much I would miss out on if I didn’t always have my camera with me. Whether it’s with my fancy camera or my iPhone, I am continually compelled to photograph these everyday moments. Photographing the seemingly ordinary provides me with a way to find magic and beauty in my everyday life. It slows down my rapid pace and helps me focus (literally and figuratively) on what’s really important.

Have you found this to be true? Today, share your perfectly imperfect photos – the ones that tell a story, slow down everyday life, and transport you back to a time and place that are meaningful to you.

Image and words by Honorary Sister / Guest blogger Darrah Parker.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a spot in the Slice of Life Project, a six-week photography e-course taught by Darrah in which she will guide you to capture YOUR everyday life in extraordinary ways. Class begins January 3 and will jump-start your creativity in the new year. Comment between now and Monday 12/6 for a chance to win.

seeing the signs

It's a funny thing when you're doing all in your power to be present while at the same time you're being asked to look ahead and focus on what's just around the bend. It's not always easy integrating the now with the later.

I'm fully aware that we've still got some time yet until the holiday season truly begins and yet my sights have been set on this soon-coming festive time of year for a while now. Between sharing images and photo tips for up and coming winter publications and writing the daily prompts for my photo e-class Picture the Holidays, I've been in my own little winter wonderland over here. And believe me, it has taken quite a bit of imagination on my part considering I live in sunny Southern California.

What I've come to find out is that there is great freedom in working ahead. Many of you might already know and embrace this truth, but, it's pretty new to me. And although I am still literally in catch up mode in many areas still, I'm ruminating on a lifestyle that keeps me a little more ahead, rather than a little more behind. Let's just say, it's a work in progress.

Here's what's awesome; even when you're planning the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, shooting your picture for your holiday card, or shopping for (or making) gifts waaaaay in advance, you can be fully present, in the moment and loving it. Without the overwhelming feeling of being rushed you can actually enjoy the moment even more. I'm finding the whole notion to be quite an eye opener and even though my One Little Wordfor last year was "deliberate" (which to me meant to make every moment count and hopefully be more productive by default), I feel like it's taken most of 2010 to really work it's magic on me.

So, why this holiday photo today? Because I want to encourage you to commit to being present throughout the holiday season this year. And yes, that might mean not being resentful when the holiday decorations are up at the mall. It might actually mean embracing the extra time you're being offered to get into the spirit of things! It's not such a bad thing if you look at it like that. You don't have to feel rushed;  just take your own sweet time and enjoy it, it on your terms. Imagine, by the time the holidays arrive, you may be totally ready and in a fantastic frame of mind to celebrate. Imagine!

If you're willing to give it a go with me and focus on the beauty, love and joy that the holidays are supposed to be about, I encourage you to join me for Picture the Holidays. I promise it will be just what your creative spirit needs to shine this season. Registration is open now and class begins Dec 1st and ends on Dec 31st. You're going to love it!

Just leave a comment here between now and Thursday 11/11 at midnight EST for your chance to win one of three class registrations I am giving away for Picture the Holidays. I'd love to hear your thoughts and see some festive photography too. My guess is you've got all kinds of sparkly shots to share!

simple, soulful

"Your Style Statement is the two words that define the true you. It's a touchstone for making more powerful choices in your life – from your wardrobe to your living room, your relationships to your career plans. Your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression." - Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Simple, soulful. I know it doesn't seem like much, yet defining my style statement has been an important milestone in my career and life as a creative soul. These two words have helped me make decisions about chairs and outfits, and enlightened my path whenever I wandered too far away from my true self. So when I was offered the opportunity to conduct an e-course on photography earlier this year, I couldn't think of better words to define it. 

The Simple Soulful Photography e-class (October 4-31) is a four-week workshop complete with lessons and challenges that will encourage you to find and express your authentic self through photography. I envisioned this e-class like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. I come in early and journal while waiting patiently for familiar and friendly faces to appear. This place is our café. This is your place. Where imperfections are celebrated, insights are shared and souls are nurtured. A place where we support each other on our quest to finding our authentic self and building a more creative and fulfilling life.

I am most excited today to give away 3 registrations for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. Please share with us your style statement or what words define your work and true, authentic self and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 27th at midnight PST.

Update on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by Irene Nam

thank you all so much for your comments. I truly loved reading them all, I know sharing your style statement was not easy for some of you.

And congratulations to Danielle (18th commentor), Chelsea (34th commentor) and Amy (8th commentor), you won a free registration for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. I will email you the details directly soon. Can't wait to see you next week!

Again, thank you all for participating. I always feel bad when I do a random drawing because 1) I personally never win at those and I know the feeling very well 2) I wish I could invite you all to the e-course, I really do. So for those of you who are interested in this class but for some reason cannot participate this time, I'm creating a little something special for you. More soon. xo Irene

Dreamer

I am a DREAMER. 

Last August when I discovered the Mondo Beyondo eCourse, I knew it was for me.  Due to several circumstances, the timing wasn’t great. Financially for instance.  But I knew somehow, some way I would have to get in on the ‘Mondo Beyondo’ goodness.

Flash forward a few months later to December. I knew the next session of Mondo Beyondo was starting in January. I made up my mind that no matter what, I was going to take it.  It would be my Christmas gift to me.  One evening, while I was popping around online, I followed a link from twitter that mentioned a Mondo Beyondo give away at the amazing Design Mom blog only to discover Gabrielle had been hosting a whole week of giveaways. 

I posted my heartfelt comment on the giveaway post and said a little prayer.  I’m guessing you know the rest of the story; I WON!  I won a spot in the January session, out of hundreds of women!  Awesome!

January came and I took the course.  It was everything I imagined it would be, and more.  Part of the course asked you to write a ‘Mondo Beyondo’ dream list.  So I did.  I wrote it inside the journal pictured in  the image above.  I then tore out the page and tucked it away.  ‘sigh’

One of the items on my list was to be here. Right here on this blog. And here I am.

I have to say, many of my dreams are unfolding, right before my eyes.  I am truly blessed.  It’s amazing what happens when you put your biggest dreams out there...it really does work.

In honour of dreaming, I created a little Photoshop tutorial video to share. It's over on my blog. I like to call it ‘dreamifying’. You can also click HERE to download a printable pdf of my ‘dreamer’ tags because we all need to be reminded to dream sometimes.

I would love to see your dreamy images or perhaps you have a dream story you would like to share. 

Image and words courtesy of Honorary Sister/Guest Blogger/Dreamer Kim Klassen.

+++++

Hello Giveaway! (no, you're not dreaming)

It’s random giveaway time again from our friends at Hello Canvas.

Leave a comment here between now and Thursday at midnight and you could win a 20X24 canvas of your photo of choice from Hello Canvas. Hello!

look who's come

We've had this birdhouse for as long as I can remember. It was a wedding present, many moons ago and has hung amongst our peachtrees ever since.  Although it has caught the attention of my lens a number of times throughout the years, it's rarely been used for anything other than an accessory for our yard.

And yet, alas! Look who's come to visit this spring!

I cannot tell you how much this does my heart good. The fact that this little house might actually be used for what it was always inteneded for is such a delight. Year after year these birds come and find the most unlikely places to nest around our yard. It's amazing that even though this vacant home has been here all along, no one had moved in. It reminds me that no matter how many times we might see something, it only takes one day, a new light, a different perspective to see it differently. Somehow, this little bird saw this house as the right place this year. The perfect home.

Such is what we're going to do during the 30 days of Picture Spring; shed a new light on the same old things; capture fresh perspectives and picture the celebratory moments that occur in our everyday lives. Only a few more days left until we begin our class Picture Spring! We kick it all off on April 1st (this Thursday) so be sure to register if you haven't already. And you can follow along in the journey on our own Picture Spring featured gallery right here at Shutter Sisters. We're thrilled to be sharing a daily image from participants in the class.

I do hope to see you over there! It will be a picture perfect way to sing your creative song of spring right from the comfort of your own right place, lens poised and ready for spring's splendor! For those of you doing a 365 project, Picture Spring will give you 30 days of photo prompts which can really help when you're seeking inspiration every single day!

Anything out of the ordinary catch your eye lately? Do share you unexpected delights with us today.