Connection in Community

There are these ties that bind us to our outside world. Sometimes they're tangible. Like a phone call from a friend or an unexpected visit from a family member. All straight-forward events, rather predictable. But there are other bonds, less obvious ones, connecting us in an invisible web of community stretching far from our homes. Take this one for example. You are more than likely reading this blog because of your love of photography, but if you're like me, you return again and again for the special glimpses we get into one another's lives through the daily posts and the various theme groups…and of course the thrill and chance of having your photo featured.

But I've found that there's something more, something bigger, something exciting that takes place when we go from just visiting a group anonymously to engaging with it fully. When we take one little step in its direction, magic begins to happen. You see, I've found that by reaching out, even when it seemed uncomfortable or strange or weird, that my world expanded growing in unimaginable directions. It certainly didn't happen overnight, but slowly I've found myself with a new circle of friends, female photography friends, which as we all know aren't necessarily living down the street. And as my circle increased, something unexpected happened, I found my confidence in my photography grew stronger, my focus deepened, and I found a calm within myself that hadn't existed before. The energy we shared collectively seemed to augment one another's skills. And sometimes, someone who'd seemed unapproachable to me, because they were further along in a journey I wished to emulate, would be willing to respond if I took the time to reach out to them.

Over the past year, I've been able to shift my community out of cyberspace and into face-to-face encounters with these incredible women. From Frankfurt, Germany to Monterey, CA from to New York City to my hometown of Philadelphia, I've been fortunate enough to attend several meetups that a year ago I could never have imagined. I've gone from meeting these women in person to shoving up against one another while barefoot on the beach to get just the right shot…from where we stood! But that's just what has happened. I felt honored and delighted at my reception, and a little amazed at how it all unfolded. And all because I reached out, taking one, little tippy toe step at a time.

How about you? Have you felt the magic of community? What relationships and bonds have you formed lately? Today, share with us your images of connection.

Image (shot with a Lensbaby) and post courtesy of the awesome Holly Clark, who many of us know and love as Soupatraveler.

accidental tourists

The other day my family and I were graciously invited to to visit a local attraction for a small event they were hosting. It had been some time since we had visited The Aquarium of the Pacific and we were eager to get back there, looking forward to spending one of our last days of summer taking in the sights and sounds a nearby coastal city.

Who knew that a lovely morning at the Aquarium would put us in such a touristy frame of mind? After spending time experiencing all of the wonders from down under the sea, we wandered around the surrounding area as if we had never been there before. Shops, restaurants, and lots of photo ops, we we acted just like vacationers.

Looking at all the images from the day, I realized, I captured us perfectly; the accidental tourists.

I can only imagine how many photos you took this summer; of all your adventures near and far. So today, for the sake of boardwalks and salt water taffy, roller coasters and postcards, sunburns and snapshots share your quintessential tourist pictures. Everyone's got some! We want to see yours today.

water world

Last week the summer heat made a very big appearance here on the east coast.  Seemed almost everyone was sweltering in above normal temperatures with little relief in sight. Perfect time to seek out ways to cool off and have fun all at the same time.  Summer and water just go hand in hand don't you agree?  Water parks, kiddie pools, sea spray, wave jumping, rain dances, puddles, water balloons, fountain fun, sprinklers, and the trusty old garden hose. Splashing and spraying our way through the summer heat. Shooting water is all kinds of fun.  If the sun is shining the drops sparkle light diamonds, or you may capture the action of individual droplets.

What water fun have you captured lately?

Let's all take a collective dip into the cool water today.  Share your summertime water shots with us here.  Maybe get out the sprinkler and jump through the spray... Have fun with it! 

nice package

Smart marketing and clever packaging are 2 things that are never lost on me. I apprecaite and make mental notes of every single creative little (and big) thing that people/brands/products use to get our attention. So much so that I have secretly held a dream somewhere in the back of my over-active project-minded brain of a regular offering called Nice Package where clever packaging would get the kudos they so deserve.

Since I don't imagine that coming to fruition anytime soon, why not just put it out there right now? After all, the little things I notice fall right under the category of this month's One Word, details. It is all in the details as far as I'm concerned.

How about it sisters? Do you notice all the many perfectly packaged items there are out there these days?

Grab a shot of something you find clever and/or endearing in the packaging department and share with us a Nice Package. *ahem* You know what I mean.

Pictured above, an empty bottle of Pom x Tea. And let me tell you, even beyond it's nice package, it's wonderful.

reoccurring themes

Sometimes we don't really notice patterns when we're too close them. Day in and day out we carry on with our routines and rhythms, repeating actions, activities, habits and rituals. We wake and walk and work. We lift our forks to eat, our pens to write, children to love, our cameras to click. Every day with little fanfare.

I've recognized my love affair with coffee mugs for years. The shape, the feel, the message, the color, the rim, the handle. I notice and take note of all of these things each time I lift my mug to sip. And yet, it wasn't until I began to use my iphone (and instagram) that I really noticed how much I really observe the beauty, simplicity, and poetic and hopeful aesthetics of this simple everyday object and how this one seeminly mundane item takes center stage in so many of my photographs.

Is there something you have found that often takes the center of your attention? The subject matter of your images that occurs again and again in ways that might even surprise you?

Take a good look at what it is that captures your eye and your lens and share with us the reoccurring themes of your daily work.