A Homespun OSS - June 2008

Ever since I got my first glimpse of this shot from the wonderful Melody of Slurping Life I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. We even featured it in The Daily Click. But sometimes once isn’t enough and therefore I am honoring it as my One Sweet Shot this month. There's just something about the feeling I get from the image; the colors, the compostition, the spin. It's such a evocative image.

And speaking of...there is more beauty and inspiration to be discovered today so get  clicking through this list of other honorees submitted by you; the Shutter Sisters community.

Becca of capture-beauty is honoring this shot from Beth Armsheimer.

Mama of Letters is honoring this shot by springtree road.

Rachel of Parton Ponderings is honoring this shot taken by her cousin (yay cousins!) Victoria.

Camera Shy Momma is honoring this shot by insane mom of 3.

Dr Lyn is honoring this shot by strawberrygoldie.

Lindy at Chronicles of Sqiudgyboo is honoring this shot from Belle and Bear.

MamaNatalie is honoring this shot by secret genius.

Hip Momma is honoring this shot by Sarah Ji.

Emily is honoring this shot from Lawyermama.

Temmy of bird on a wire is honoring this shot by Angela Klocke.

Diane*V is honoring this shot by Jennamelia.

And Hip Happy Hay and Rachael Pasch are both honoring this shot by Nicky Thomas.

As always thanks for playing along. Enjoy the clicks.

And don’t forget that today is our second installment of our Sundays at Home Giveaway.

Leave your comments here with links to your own Home Sweet Home Shot to get into today’s random drawing for a copy of the book America at Home (with your very own custom cover). It’s a really cool book full of great photographs.

The lucky winner of last Sunday’s Givaway is Melissa at The Gossard Girls. Congrats Melissa!

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.

A Mother's Gift

Happy Mother’s Day Sisters!

In honor of the mother’s out there, the generous and ever-so-talented sisters at Blue Poppy Jewelry are offering one lucky shutter sister their thoughtfully created motherhood necklace especially for Mother’s Day. It’s our first ever giveaway here and we are delighted it’s come from Blue Poppy. You know we’re big fans. As a matter of fact…we’ve got a very exciting project in the works with them that will soon be revealed (here’s hoping your interest is now officially piqued) but for today, it’s about our little celebration of motherhood.

Because many of you are busy basking in the glow of handmade cards and clay handprints, today we’re making it easy on you. All you have to do to be included in the random drawing for the Blue Poppy Motherhood necklace is leave a comment here anytime between now and Monday at midnight EST and on Tuesday, we will reveal the lucky winner. If you’d like to share a link to a photo that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy in that mama way, you are most welcome but the only thing you have to do is leave a comment.

Speaking of warm and fuzzy…what about this gorgeous and poignant self-portrait a la Toyfoto? Her work makes me weepy. Weepy or hysterical with laughter. And as synchronicity has it (I swear it was a total coincidence), it’s her birthday today. Happy Birthday to you Siobhan! Is it me or is there something kinda magical about that?

Again, Happy Mother’s Day to you. May you enjoy every minute of your day. And don’t forget to hand over the camera (or at least use your self-timer). You can always use a photo of the day to enter the MamaFocus contest too. Just a thought.

edited to add- Congratulations to Anna of the blog Hank and Willie. She is the lucky winner of the Blue Poppy Motherhood necklace. Hooray for Anna! Thanks to all of you who commented. It was nice to get your Mother’s Day wishes. We hope yours was wonderful.