taste

“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” -Henry David Thoreau

This is the time of year when the weather begins to turn and with that, the food and drink we serve up follows suit. Is it me, or does this time of year beg for soups, stews, pastas, and bread? Everything warm, rustic, and deeply satisfying. Autumn is officially upon us. Today, tell the story of what you taste this time of year and share it with us. In other words, make our mouth’s water!

Let's Eat

 

“Let’s Eat!” How many of us say those words each day, gathering our families together to share a meal? Food is such an integral part of everyday moments, it often time gets overlooked when we think about the beauty in the every day.

Yes, eating feeds our bodies, but it’s the moments beyond the food that feed our souls. Whether it is a simple chat with a friend over breakfast, or recapping the day with loved ones around the dinner table, food, eating, and connection go hand in hand.

“Let’s Eat” is the photo prompt for today. I challenge you to glance around your world, slow down, and look at your food as more than nourishment. Notice the moments while waiting for dinner to be set down on the table, a certain cute food habit someone might have, or a special treat you were able to share with someone you love. Even simple ingredients that go into our meals have a story. It’s up to you to discover that story through your own lens.

Share images inspired by today's prompt with us and be sure to tag them with #sselevate.

Image and words courtesey of food blogger extraordinaire Kristen Doyle of Dine and Dish.

something red

People often ask me if Elevate the Everyday is about photography and I can only answer this; yes and no. Yes, it's about how to use the creative tool of photography to focus on the little things that matter most but no because even before photography there's the art of observation. And I feel like that kind of observing or perhaps better said, seeing, is even more important than the photography itself. Without the seeing, what could we possibly be shooting?

Dorthea Lange said, The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera. Eureka!

What is it that we do each and every day with our cameras? We see. When we are compelled to hold up our camera to our eye, it's because we have seen something that moved us in such a way that we just had capture it. And when we put our cameras down, we still see. The beauty, the wonder, the awesome, the everyday, elevated.

Over the years I've realized that my photography has heightened my way of seeing. Everything to me is photo worthy now. But, it's been a slow evolution, this honing of my vision. But, the best part is, the more I am open to it, the more I see and the more magic appears. This is exactly what elevating the everyday means; capturing that magic in a photograph. Something tells me, you can relate.

As you are open to all that your everyday life has to offer, watch for the magic. Today's prompt is Something Red. My guess is that it will show up everywhere. Please share what red you find with us here in the comments. Be sure to tag all of your images you share through your social media platforms #sselevate.

And check out our partner in elevating the everyday this month, Paper Coterie. They've got all kinds of magic happening over there, like a giveaway(of a camera-eeep!) and fun, free printables from some of my favorite peopleall month long. YAY!

at ease

Recently I went to California to visit Myriam. Our plan.... to learn and play in lightroom and photoshop. The weekend turned out to be so much more than that. It was amazing.

Sunday we decided to open up our photos in lightroom and give it a go. Also on the agenda a Mother's Day picnic with Myriam's lovely in-laws. It was after 2:00 and we were still sitting at our computers playing in lightroom. A few minutes later Myriam popped down off her stool and announced she is off to the grocery store. It wasn't long before she was back with several bags full of goodies. She began to prepare an amazing meal. As she chopped and diced I watched and clicked away. It was magical.

I was moved by her ease in the kitchen. She was completely calm and peaceful as she prepared a beautiful meal. She was in-flow.

Personally, if I'm having company I'm all over the place. I will start in the morning, fussing over the house and then flit around in the kitchen preparing the meal. I'm anything but at-ease. It's just not my thing. It's not that I don't like cooking....but I really don't love it... However, pop me down in front of the computer and all is right. Everything is easier. Ya know? 

Note to self....next time I am having company I need to channel that inner-ease...some inner-Myriam perhaps. I know it's in there. 

Today let's talk about our own 'at-ease thing'..... or perhaps it's a few things.... What come easy for you... What feels right? When are you most in-flow? I'd love to see or hear about it.

My Mug Shot

  

I love it when great things come together. Like coffee and cream. Like tea and honey. Like #mymugshot and #shotofcoffee. It seems that both Kristen Doyle (of Dine and Dish) and myself have a thing for capturing images of our morning mugs. I know there's a lot of you who join us in our passion which is why I am sharing this mug shot for my Best Shot Monday today and why I am giddy to share with you what Kristen and I have cooked up this week.

#mymugshot + #shotofcoffee = #shot4shot

This week is World Immunization Week and we thought we'd put our hastags and our shots of coffee to good use in supporting the new United Nations Foundation's campaign Shot@Life. What's it all about? It's about saving the lifes of children. It's about getting vaccines to the children that need them most. It's about compassion. It's about caring. It's about coming together for a greater good.

We encourage you to use your lenses to bring awareness to Shot@Life: a campaign that wants to put an end to the deaths of children that are caused by preventable diseases.  Your job is easy...to give kids the shot at life they deserve, all you've got to do is get creative, get social and have fun! For all the details on how you can get involved this week, take a peek on my blog or on Kristen's.

Oh, and we did say fun, didn't we? Take a look at the super-fun prizes we're giving away in exchange for your submissions to #shot4shot. We are so thankful for this stellar group of supporters!

1. Big Picture Classes is offering away a complimentary spot in my next photo workshop Picture Black & White. And by the way, 10% of your registration fee goes directly to Shot@Life! So even if you don’t win but you register anyway, it’s a win/win. YAY!!
2. We’ve got a limited edition Shot@Life Messenger bag. It’s adorable and awesome.
3. Shutter Sisters is offering up a signed copy of Expressive Photography.
4. Ephiphanie Bags has donated one of their coveted camera bags. Squeee!
5. An awesome Keurig brewing system! Super-yum.
6. Paper Coterie has offered a $100 gift card. Love their stuff.

And... Paper Coterie wants to help us thank all of you who choose to participate by givng every single person who shares a #Shot4Shot image this week a lovely photo journal. What better way to feature your own favorite photograph from the week? You help us spread awareness AND you get a gift. It's just so awesome.

Be sure to tag your images and posts that support Shot at Life this week on all your social platforms with #shot4shot and #vaccineswork.

We can't wait to spend this week with you creating all kinds of goodness.

Share with us today your Best Shot for this fine Monday and let's get this party started!