Collaboration

Collaboration: the action of working with someone to produce or create something

I am lucky to have parents who have always encouraged my love of art. My dad in particular always made an effort to provide me with materials and experiences that would expand my interest. When I was five I specifically remember receiving a set of crayons, colored pencils, and markers housed in a lazy susan-like apparatus. I loved that thing, and I would sit at my little table coloring kittens and rainbows all day. My dad enjoyed drawing or coloring with me and I remember being impressed by his talent. He never took an art class or had a creative profession (quite the opposite). But he appreciates all forms of art and views them with such an open mind. In fact, I think he enjoys the fact my entry into the art world as a college student and now professional allowed him to be exposed to more art than he might have been otherwise. So it was no surprise to me that about a year ago he took up painting. He is mostly retired and was starting to feel the need to utilize his creative side more. Even though I was aware of his artistic ability I have to admit I was surprised at the quality of work he was producing from day one. He started by practicing on still lives of pears on a window sill or peppers on a table, but soon found that what he really enjoyed was starting with a photograph of a scene and painting it as he saw it. I was happy to know that he had been using many of my photos as inspiration. He said that what he struggled with the most was composition, but that he always loved the composition of my photos. So he used them as a starting point and added his own interpretation of colors and textures.

About six months ago my dad came to visit us from Illinois and we spent an afternoon driving through the country looking for old barns and dilapidated buildings. I was armed with my camera as we trespassed our way over fences and through fields of cows. We were a team, dad pointing out things that would be great subjects for his next painting and me diligently snapping away. It turned out to be a productive day. I got tons of awesome shots and my dad got some great inspiration for some of his best work.

Now, a year after he picked up his first paint brush my dad has his own Etsy shop and participated in two art fairs this summer. My walls are filled with his paintings and his are filled with my photos. I’m glad that we are able to share our creative experiences and continue to inspire each other in our art.

Crap Shoot

I saw a photograph the other day of a baby. She was about eight months old, with round bubble gum cheeks that sat on her tiny shoulders. It reminded me of my own babies. Except suddenly I couldn't think of any pictures that I had of my own childrens' cheeks. The realization felt surprising and sad. And final. Like without the solidity of a photograph, the memory of those details was now precarious. What about their fat knuckles?  And their finger nails? And their belly buttons? Did I take pictures of these things? Or had I been putting it off until "tomorrow when I wasn't so busy". And now it was too late, and those memories feel like any minute they might fly away. Then, the more I thought, the more I realized I hadn't been putting off those pictures because I was busy. It was because I'd been viewing my life as a photographer. Instead of a mother. Person.Observer. We talk a lot around here about showing the messy, the real, the imperfect. And I believe in all of that. So that's why it surprised me to realize that I'd been looking at my whole LIFE as a photo session. If the light was bad, what's the point? If I was too far away, "it'll just sit on my hard drive as a snap shot anyway". YUCK. Sometimes we end up longing for those "bad" snap shots!

So, I'd been mulling this over. And Monday I had an opportunity to get over my self and my stupid perfectionism. My daughter, Annie, started kindergarten and my heart was in my throat. There were people, and flourescent lights. She was nervous, and I was missing her already. All I had was my little camera, and a horrible view of her in a far-away sea of children. But it was the last view I'd have before she walked into that Big Girl Hallway. My baby. The one I kept in the hospital bed with me because I wanted to watch her breathe. She used to fit into my kitchen sink. And her day belonged to me. Now I would have to rely on others to tell me about it. So many times I'd been counting down "until". But at that moment I would've given anything to be able to put her back into that sink for one more bath. Or to feel her sleeping on my shoulder.

I didn't want to lose that feeling. So I whipped out my little camera, zoomed in as close as I could, and got this. A shot that is so blurry you can't hardly make her out. But I love it because it reminds me of how fast everything goes by.

So, in honor of "letting go", I'm calling this "Crap Shoot" day. These are your shots that wouldn't necessarily win an award, but that help you save an important story. Please share yours with us! And then next week, stop by my blog on Thursday, because I think I'm going to make this a regular thing.

p.s. I don't consider this shot above as a "crap shot". It's just an image of one of my sweet clients. They're expecting their first child, and it reminded me about how fast it all goes. One day you're shining a flash light into a belly. The next, you're watching your baby waltz into kindergarten. So take pictures. In the end, all that matters is remembering.

Iconic Summer

We just got back from a week of traveling across the midwest to visit with our closest friends and family. Our trip included every favorite summer activity imaginable including camping, barbecuing, playing baseball, going to the beach, dining al fresco and spending time with friends. One of our stops along the way was a two day camping trip with our good friends and their two daughters. We spent our days chatting by the fire, throwing a Frisbee, and completely relaxing. There's nothing like watching two little girls experiencing summer at it's finest, unknowingly living the memories that they will look back on fondly. I've never seen pure and utter bliss like I did when the girls bit into those s'mores. I grabbed my camera and as I clicked away they didn't even know I was there. It's like they were in a s'more trance. To me, the image above represents summer.

Which photo represents your idea of the perfect summer? 

either or

As we prepare to celebrate my youngest daughter's 5th birthday in grand fashion (a bounce house and cupcakes with sprinkles) I have only one question-

Chocolate or vanilla?

If you have an image that begs a burning question, leave the link in the comments for all of us to ponder.

June Giveaways: Sundays At Home

A piece of advice I've heard given to many aspiring writers is to "write what you know."  I'm not a writer, so I can't comment on the wisdom of such counsel.  As a photographer, however, I HAVE found it helpful to photograph what I know or--to be more precise--WHERE I know the best.  For me, that would be my family at home. 

You would think that taking photos at home would be boring and devoid of creativity.  I actually find that I challenge myself to discover new ways of taking photos, whether it's a creative angle or playing with lighting or just waiting for the right moment.  Also, because this is the environment that my family is most comfortable in, I can take the most candid, natural photos of them because they don't have their guard up.  Besides, I really don't aim for every single photo I take to be an earthshattering piece of fine art.  In fact, it's the spur-of-the-moment snapped shots of the everyday mundane that I often treasure the most.

And now, I'm thrilled to announce that Shutter Sisters are designating Sundays for the month of June as "Sundays At Home" for our June Giveaways.  We've teamed up with the folks behind the book America At Home to give away FIVE of these amazing books WITH custom covers, one on each Sunday this month!  This book contains exquisite images of "the distinctive rituals, intimate moments, and all the ways in which we work, play, learn, and interact with friends and family members (and pets!) at home."  You can view sample pages here.  And because a custom cover is included in the giveaway, this extraordinary book will be made even more special with YOUR photo on the cover. 

To be included in the random drawing,  just leave a comment below with a link to your own At Home photo between now and Monday at midnight EST.  And if you don't win this week, you'll have four more chances each Sunday this month!  If you need some inspiration, make sure you check out these photos by beebee mod, Lawyer Mama [Steph], mainemomma2007 and spencercasa.