the creative path

Do you ever just get preoccupied in the day to day, the week to week, the month to month that you forget to stop and take a look back just for the sake of recognizing how far you've traveled?

We keep walking our creative paths; striving, sharing, expressing, working, playing, moving, and creating. There are days we skip along like children, effortless in joy and other we labor just to take one more step. But, we keep walking because as creative women, it's just what we do. We wouldn't have it any other way. But what about really taking stock of all that we've done? It's high time we do that for ourselves. Because we've all come pretty far. Wouldn't you agree?

I was fortunate enough to talk about the creative path with the inspiring Jamie Ridler for a podcast at the Creative Living Series.  Just talking with Jamie helped me reflect on my own creative journey and got me to slow down long enough to look back and acknowledge how far I've come and how my once-upon-a-time dream of gathering like-minded, like-hearted creative, photography loving women together has grown and is thriving. It left me so humbled and full of gratitude that my path has led me to all of you. 

You can listen in on the podcast at Jamie's site (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN).

And in celebration of each of us and this amazing place where we gather to share our passions, how about another Expressive Photography book giveaway? Consider it an expression of my love and gratitude. And I mean it with everything I am!

Share with us something from your own creative path today. Anything at all that celebrates how far you've come! Go you!

To be entered to win a copy of Expressive Photography just leave your comment here between now and Friday at midnight EST.

Congrats to Laura Gillmore/GenBug for winning a copy of Expressive Photography! Woot!

the magic of macro

Isn't that sweet? These bug friends are giving each other piggy back rides! Er...wait...a...second...

If I ever find myself in a photography rut, or need a break from shooting portraits I can always find inspiration by taking some macro shots. It's a nice change to focus on the tiny details in life whether they are beautiful, funny or strange (or a combination of all three!). Macro photography allows me to slow down and pay attention to my camera settings or composition a little more. 

Today, show us how you get up close and personal in your images. Express yourself!

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And in the spirit of self-expression, we're giving away another copy of our new book Expressive Photography: a Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting from the Heart. Just leave your comment here between now and Sunday at midnight EST for your chance to win!

Updated to add: YAY Cindy! You won the book! Woot!

Express Yourself

Tap tap tap...may I have your attention please...the word on Amazon Street is that our new book, Expressive Photography: a Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting from the Heart is just about ready to be shipped!

And yes, we are beside ourselves! What better way to kick off September's One Word Project than to do it with lots and lots of heart? How? By using the word express as your inspiration for the month.

Express youself! Your love, your joy, your passion, your point of view, whatever it may be. We want it all.  All you, expressing yourself in your images. Heart and soul.

And since it might be a little tricky to have a Karaoke sing-along to celebrate our book's release, we thought we'd just give away a few books this month, starting today!

Express yourself in the comments today (between now and Saturday at midnight EST) for your chance to win a copy of Expressive Photography, hot off the presses.

And while we've still got the mic, we'd like to express our thanks to our US publisher Focal Press and our UK publisher Ilex AND we'd like to express our gratitude to all of you for your support and participation over the years. You are truly the best ever!

Edited to add:

CONGRATULATIONS to Rachel at A Southern Fairytale for winning a copy of our book! YAY!

when no comment is needed

A few years back I shared an Ode to Wondertime magazine. I know it's been out of publication for years now but I still remember fondly the very last page where they featured a photo under the title no comment. That was it. Because, there was nothing that needed to be said. The photo alone spoke volumes.

Many of you participate in what they call Wordless Wednesdays already at 5 Minutes for Mom so you know how it goes. No words. No comment. Just a photo...THAT photo that needs nothing else. It can be classic, poignant, whimsical, quirky; it makes no difference. You just know it when you see it.

Today, share your no comment photos with us. Add them to our Flickr pool and be sure to tag them "no comment". Who knows, you might just find your picture that says a thousand words featured right here.

The Kindness Camera.

 I believe kindness is an essential part of everyday life.  Kindness is a big deal in our home, too.  I do my best to lead by example and I think I've done a pretty good job of raising two kind and compassionate boys.  My 10 yr. old has wanted to do more so we've been doing random acts of kindness as well as letting others know that their kindness is appreciated.  It's been fun but more importantly my son is gaining something that will follow him throughout his life. 

I've said before that I believe we all bring our own medicine to this world and I believe that my medicine is my photography so when I received a phone call from a friend asking me if I would be willing to take some random photographs of the kids during a church sports camp, I accepted without hesitation.  She let me know that they didn't really have the budget to pay me but that I could charge those that wanted photos.  I told her I didn't want any payment and I would not be charging anyone but that this was my gift to them. 

How many times have we heard that giving is better than receiving?  It's true, you know.  Those three days at that camp with those kids showed me that, in more ways than one.  Had I not agreed to spend time at this camp with those kids I would have never met the gorgeous girl in the above photo.  Ann is four years old and is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.  What a joy and honor it was to be in her company.  To see her smile was priceless.  Meeting Ann led me to Donna who was also at the camp.  She founded From Maddi's Closet, a nonprofit public charity for the benefit of children with cancer at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles after losing her 4 yr. old daughter to cancer in 2004.  Many times I have expressed my desire to become involved with a children's charity.  My desire is now a reality.

Mama, my son said, your camera should be called the Kindness Camera.  If taking pictures of my son doing acts of kindness or doing something kind for others with my camera makes it a Kindness Camera, then so be it.  It's gifts are endless.

How about you? Have you used your camera for kindness or photographed any acts of kindness? If so, we'd love to see them.  If not, that's okay.  Just remember to share a little kindness today.  You'll be glad you did.