MamaFocus Monday

The big winner of the MamaFocus Photo Contest (a la our collaboration with Mamazine)  is this wonderful shot by Iyoyome. YAY!

There were so many stellar submissions, I urge you to take a peek at the pool and see for yourself. Good stuff.

Speaking of stellar submissions, check out  the rest of the winners of the contest-

I wish i had more arms...or wings... by kimthemidwife - first runner up

After the Migraine by Camera Shy Momma -second runner up 

Sun Spinning by SouleMama- third runner up

Such great images ladies! Congratulations to you talented Shutter Mamas! It's always nice to win fabu prizes for your efforts, don'tcha think?

And since we're on the topic of mamas (albeit totally off the subject of photography), today the brilliant Brene Brown of Ordinary Courage begins an unprecidented series for parents based on her life's work, "The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting-raising our children with courage, compassion and connection." I had the pleasure of listening to the just released CD of the same name and I will tell you IT IS REMARKABLE! A must have for any parent--any person for that matter! Seriously. It's life-changing stuff but it's delivered in the most approachable, hopeful way. Don't just take my word for it...check out Brene's blog today as she begins her series. And get the CD.

Go. Now. Read. Be enlightened.

a good fit - photo contest

Today at Shutter Sisters we’re kicking off another photo contest. All you have to do is show us your best visual translation of the word fit and you could win a Nintendo Wii Console and the Wii Fit to go with it. Yes, you heard right. We are giving away a Wii AND the just released Wii Fit game to one lucky winner. Crowd goes wild.

There are three simple steps to follow in order to enter:

1. Submit a fit photo to our Flickr Pool. Only one photo per person please.
2. Tag it “Wii Fit Photo Contest”.
3. Leave the link in the comments here so we are sure not to miss your entry.

What exactly is a fit photo? Anything you want it to be. We’re all about anything that fits in the box or out, anything that’s a perfect fit or feels fitting; in other words, if the shoe fits…

You are more than welcome to post the photo to your blog as well and you may add a story that fits for some context to your photo. If you do write up a little something on your blog, be sure to link it to your photo in the Flickr Pool so everyone can enjoy your blog entry too. Play along however you’d like…whatever fits the bill. Keep in mind that you must have permission from anyone in your photo to enter the photo in the contest. And by all means, spread the word about the contest…anyone with a fitting photo can enter.

The contest begins today and you have until Friday, June 13^th to enter. The Shutter Sisters will choose three fit finalists from the submissions and post them here on June 17^th where you will get the chance to vote for the photo you feel is the best fit. The Wii and Wii Fit winner will be announced on June 20^th.

Get ready, get set, get FIT!

Mama Focus

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we thought we’d turn our attention to the mamas in the house.

Shutter Sisters, in conjunction with the fine ladies of Mamazine are hosting the 2^nd MAMA FOCUS photo contest. No more excuses ladies. We’ve been talking about this for a while and now. It’s time to get on the other side of the camera—all clicks on you. Or, if you are so inspired, you can enter a photo of a mama friend too. Like the photo above of the beautiful Keri and her gorgeous son Sam. You can enter any shot you’d like with only one exception—the main focus must be on the MAMA. Yay Mamas!

The rules and how-tos are posted on the official MAMA FOCUS page at Mamazine so click over and see how it’s done. To make it really easy to enter, we’re using a Flickr Group to keep track of all the entries so you can just submit your photos to the pool and you’re entered. That way too, we can get inspired by one another’s handiwork. We’re good like that.

And we’ve got prizes! Blurb has got the grand prize winner covered while the runners up will get playful bangle bracelets from Give Simple.

The contest started on Sunday, April 27 and ends Saturday, May 31. Winners will be announced Sunday, June 8.

OK Sisters, get ready, get set…

Click.

on the radio (uh oh)

We ask a lot of questions around here at Shutter Sisters. What inspires you? Are you up for a challenge? What images would you like to share with us?

I think it’s high time we give you a chance to ask us a question or two.

On April 16^th at 6pm PST, Sister Kate (it makes me giggle when I get to call her that) and yours truly have been invited to join the lovely and very clever Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored on her Blog Talk Radio podcast where we will answer your questions live on the air. Crowd goes wild.

Here’s what we’re proposing—you offer up your questions here in the comments and we will pick a few that we’ll address on the show. If we choose to use your question on the air, we’ll be sure to extend a little token of gratitude (gifts TBA) if that’s any incentive. *

So ladies, fire away. What is it that you want to ask us? We’re all ears.

* edited to announce that our little token is a BIG gift card to Snapfish. We've got 3 - $50 cards for the lucky winners! YAY!

Look Who Cleaned Up

And the winners of the Clean Well Moments Photo Contest are...

Christinator5 for her shot of her little gardener under the Outdoor Activities category.

The Honorable Mentions are Happy Girl Lucky's Splatter and Mrs. Eaves' Toes in the Mud. Way to go gals!

Kerflop for her shot Into The Jam for the category In the Kitchen.

The Honorable Mentions are Melmo's World's Nectarine and Joannerim's Gim Bap. Great stuff sisters!

Nicky Thomas for her shot Clean Me under the category of Arts and Crafts.

The Honorable Mentions go to Kristina Young's Blue Man Groupie and Storygoil's Not Treats. Nice job ladies!

Camera Shy Momma for her Not Green Peas in the Family Life Category.

The Honorable Mentions go to Keeper of the Chocolates' Powder Soup  and Wannabe Hippie's Cute Artist Girlie Pants. Creative captures girls!

Thanks to every who entered. All of the photos were nice and messy...just the way we like 'em. Lucky for the winners, Clean Well will be coming to your rescue in the form of squeaky clean prizes!! And for the rest of you, never fear, you can get Clean Well products at Target. See, everybody wins! Yay!