creative bootcamp

So we’ve been talking igniting our inspiration this month with the one word project. How about a little Creative Boot Camp to get the sparks flying?.

Are you ready to answer the deeper callings of your creative soul?... Are you tired of following the pack and ready to begin producing your most authentic work... Do you yearn to produce work with full of meaning and brimming with authenticity?...then Maegan Beishline of Madeline Bea Photography has designed a course for you.

Maegan Beishline says “Creative Boot Camp: Spring Training is all about artistic exploration…and through that exploration, getting to know yourself as an artist. It is all about doing the work and flexing the creative muscles in an effort to get to the place where you are producing very authentic work…the work of your soul. Each day of the two week course, there will be a different essay on creativity, an activity to go along with that essay, and some ideas for journaling or further thinking. Also, throughout the course, there will be thoughts and inspiration shared by other artists to really dive into the different mediums."

You can find all the details of the course at the Creative Boot Camp site and learn how half of the course fee goes to showHOPE: a movement to care for orphans.

I’m thrilled to give away one complimentary place on this amazing journey, so please leave a comment between now and Monday 4/25 midnight (EST), perhaps tell me what inspires you or what a course like this could do for you.


Updated - A winner was chosen randomly - Anita of goingalittlecoastal.blogspot.com - Maegan will be in touch with details.... hope you enjoy the journey.

igniting inspiration

 

 

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant, there is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.    -Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Inspiration is an interesting thing. There's no telling when it will come. Sometimes we work for it or actively seek it out. Other times we unknowingly stumble upon it.  Whatever it is and how ever we find it (or it finds us) it is necessary to our work as creatives; as photographers.

I recently took my first trip to the acclaimed Palm Springs Photo Festival in search of inspiration. My only regret? That I didn't take advantage of more of what they offered.

I can't tell you how inspiring it was to hear an entire panel of photographers (both emerging and well-established) speak on how shooting your passion is not only what matters most, it's a must to land the job. And guess what? Even photo editors of our favorite magazines search for the photographers whose passions are expressed in their images. Of course a ton of work goes into it too but when you're doing something you love, the work, although still work, can sometimes feel more like play. Or something like that. Just ask Ryan Heffernan about that kind of shoot.

Later we heard the story of how one photographer's journey began when he discovered (quite by accident with the help of a broken mirror) that he himself was the subject he was meant to shoot and how that realization launched a 40 year career in self-portraiture. His work is incredible.

The inspiration didn't stop there. There were all kinds of things both anticipated (like how friends can be magic) and totally unexpected (like how palm tree and windmills can be totally enchanting). Good company and new surroundings can work wonders for creativity!

For the rest of this month we are going to celebrate inspiration for our One Word Project. We are asking you to share what inspired you most through your images this month! Illuminate us! Shoot your inspiration and in return we'll be giving some inspiration away throughout the month too!

Today’s offering? A spot in my workshop at Teahouse Studio in lovely Berkeley California. Friends, photography, tea? I can't think of any more inspirational than that! Leave a comment here between now and Saturday night at midnight EST for your chance to win.

 

Now, show us your images of inspiration.

...........

Congratulations to Lea for winning the spot in Tracey Clark's photo workshop at Teahouse Studio. Woot!

a present to yourself

When I submitted a prompt for #reverb10 I crossed my fingers that it would be chosen for the month long project. Little did I know that it would end up being the prompt for Christmas day. I couldn't be more delighted! I can think of no better way to celebrate this time of looking back and looking ahead than to do so through photographs.

Over the last year I have had plenty of pictures taken of me; self-portraits (such as the shot above) as well as images taken by my daughters, and even some taken by Shutter Sisters. With each shot, something more is revealed. I see a clearer picture of  who I am.

The prompt today is specific however. Find a picture taken of youself that best captures you. Either who you are or who you strive to be.

I have found that when you allow your truest self to be seen, really and truly seen, you are set free. There is so much power in that it gives me chills just writing about it. I know this freedom to be true from first hand experience. When Shutter Sister, and dear dear friend, Jen Lemen shot this image of me on one of the most sacred beaches I have walked on, she captured me in a way I have never seen myself before. Every time I look at it, I get goose bumps. Who is this woman? Confident, strong, powerful, true, real. Even though I might not always consider myself in these terms, I've got a photograph to prove that I am all these things and more. It's pictures like these of ourselves that are worth a thousand words.

This prompt isn't an easy one. It might take some time to excavate a shot from the 2010 archives. But, I do hope you spend the time needed to study the pictures of yourself over the past year to see what kind of magic you find. When you do, please share it with us here. Leave a link to your photo and/or post in the comments. On Wednesday, I will pick two winners from the comments. One person will be given a copy of Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From the Heart and the other will get a complimentary spot in my next photo-centric e-class Picture Winter, just for playing along.

Thank you #reverb10 for such an inspiring experience this month. It's been amazing.

opening my eyes (and a giveaway)

Polaroid sx70 camera, PX600 Silver Shade UV+ film

Of all the wonderful people I've met this past year, Gail is the one who has taught me how important it is that we, as photographers, remember to use our tools (our cameras) to create awareness and motivate positive change.

Since the last time I talked with her, many have rallied around her Kickstarter project to help her raise finishing funds for Opening Our Eyes, a documentary film about her 99-day journey around the world with her daughter to film the stories of people making a positive difference in the world. I can't tell you how much this project resonates with my spirit and feed my passion.

And you can help make a difference too! Here's how:

Today I'm giving away a copy of our book, Expressive Photography (UK cover) to one lucky and generous reader. All you have to do is back Gail's project on Kickstarter, make a pledge of a minimum 1$ amount and leave a comment here before December 24th midnight PST to be entered in a random drawing. I'll also throw in some Polaroid postcards and Polaroid mini prints.

We're so close to reaching our pledged goal! Less than 250$ to go, every dollar counts!

UPDATE: We made it! We just reached our goal! Thank you all so much! You can still donate and leave a comment here to enter the giveaway. Anything pledged forward will be shared with the subjects of the film for their causes.

And congratulations to Rachel for winning a copy of Expressive Photography! Thank you all again so much for your support, your generosity has made it possible! Happy Christmas!

we're focused on you

Can you believe that the first Shutter Sisters post marked the start of this community almost exactly three years ago? Gosh, we've grown so much since then and we're truly thankful that you've found a home in this sisterhood. As we look ahead to 2011, we've got some exciting new ideas to share! But before we get knee-deep in planning, we want to focus on you, your interests, and your hopes for this sisterhood. So, we've got some questions for you!

Please take our brief survey now (just 15 quick questions) to share your thoughts with us and we'll enter your email address in our drawing to win a fabulous Epiphanie camera bag courtesy of Epiphanie creator and Shutter Sister Maile Wilson. You've got until December 31, 2010, 11:59pm to be eligable for the drawing on January 1, 2011. We can't wait to hear from you!