the last days

I am spending the last days of the year bundled up in my favorite scarf, crisp leaves and snow crunching under my feet, blowing on a warm cup of tea that I'm holding with both hands and Christmas songs playing repeatedly over in my head (right now, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" by Tony Bennett).

I am also pondering over my primary intention for the year to come, and as I reflect on the past twelve months and the moments where I felt most alive I can't help but think of the amazing women that joined the October class of the Simple Soulful Photography workshop. I once wrote that I envisioned this online course like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. But what I have received was so much more than that. The class vibrated with creativity, humbleness and courage, engaging in thought-provoking conversations that I learned so much from, rallying around each other when some participants were going through a rough patch, and sharing beautiful images.

Today I am happy to give away 3 registrations for the January session of the Simple Soulful Photography workshop (January 3-29). Please share with us how you're spending the last days of the year and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 13th at midnight PST.

Note: Last time I wrote that I was creating a little something special for those who couldn't join the workshop. You can now download excerpts from the first two lessons of the October 2010 session here.

And if you'd like to start the new year exploring the connection between creativity and self-care, learn basics but essential techniques on composition and lighting, and embrace, cultivate and express your most authentic self in a supportive community, I encourage you to register for the four-week course to join me and featured guests Marianne Elliott, Gail Mooney, Karen Maezen Miller, Amanda Gilligan and Bob Smith.

Tell me a story

When I look at this photo, I am transported back to the exact moment it was taken. We went for a walk on Thanksgiving day around the abandoned streets of Houston and found ourselves in an empty sculpture park. Along the way, my 3-and-a-half year old nephew had selected a pine cone and a stick with great care. And as boys do, suddenly the pine cone and stick turned into a ball and bat.

My sister-in-law and I sat and watched as a 3-and-a-half year old welcomed two grown men into his world. All three were transported to another time, another place, another age and before they knew it, they had built up a sweat, playing stickball like there was no tomorrow. They laughed and howled as my sister-in-law and I cheered them on from the sidelines. The lone guard on site sat by quietly, seemingly annoyed by the disruption to his peace and quiet. When they lost the pine cone and the foul ball went into the stands (a.k.a. the bushes), the guard stood up, walked over to the boys, and handed them a new pine cone.

Thanks and giving.

That is what I see when I look at this photo. I see the story, one that could have been lost if not for my trusty iPhone. Since I was shooting with an iPhone, thoughts of ISO and aperture and shutter speed were irrelevant. What mattered in this moment was the emotion, the love, the story. Luckily, you don’t need a $1500 lens to tell a story.

To me, that is what photography is all about. It’s easy to get wrapped up in getting the “perfect” photo, acquiring the “perfect” equipment, and getting your exposure, composition, and white balance just right. But when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters to me is if the photo tells a story and if it transports me back to that moment.

I often wonder how much I would miss out on if I didn’t always have my camera with me. Whether it’s with my fancy camera or my iPhone, I am continually compelled to photograph these everyday moments. Photographing the seemingly ordinary provides me with a way to find magic and beauty in my everyday life. It slows down my rapid pace and helps me focus (literally and figuratively) on what’s really important.

Have you found this to be true? Today, share your perfectly imperfect photos – the ones that tell a story, slow down everyday life, and transport you back to a time and place that are meaningful to you.

Image and words by Honorary Sister / Guest blogger Darrah Parker.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a spot in the Slice of Life Project, a six-week photography e-course taught by Darrah in which she will guide you to capture YOUR everyday life in extraordinary ways. Class begins January 3 and will jump-start your creativity in the new year. Comment between now and Monday 12/6 for a chance to win.

Keeper of Hearts: Another Bel Kai Necklace for the Capture Collection

 I can't believe this year is almost over.  It's been a good year for me in the sense that I've made a concerted effort to be more 'in the moment' and to make a point to 'listen with my heart' more often.  I even shared my heart, trusting those who love me to be a keeper of my heart when I needed it the most.  Because of this, I've had some really great opportunities come my way and have connected with some great women that I don't think would have occured had I not let my heart guide me and for that, I am so very thankful.

How fitting then, that I am sharing my Bel Kai Designs necklace, the latest addition to the Capture Collection of Shutter Sisters photographic jewelry.  To celebrate, today we are giving one away.  Just leave a comment here by midnight PST and please, show us what your heart is telling you. 

(Cross posted at Everyday Heartbeats)

Update on Friday, December 3, 2010 by Chris Sneddon

I cannot begin to tell you all how touched I am by all your wonderful comments.  You are all truly beautiful souls.  Never stop listening to your heart!  Congrats to Melody, the 31st commentor, on winning the necklace. Thank you all for participating!

For the Love of Books

Where would we be without our wealth of books? On our shelves, our night stands, our coffee tables. Reading to ourselves, to our children, or being read to. Words, illustrations, pictures. Covers, sleeves, pages. Oh, our beloved books!

Ever since our very first Shutter Sisters book has been out, we've seen it on bookstore shelves, being busted out of Amazon boxes, displayed in your homes. There have been encouraging words, rave reviews, and giveaways. We cannot thank you enough for all of your support!

With all this good stuff to report, we've decided to create a little home pagefor all the links that are around the blogosphere. Have your shared your thoughts on Expressive Photography on your blog or somewhere else around the wonderfully wide web?  Please share it with us on our new Expressive Photography page here at Shutter Sisters. And if you've got a shot of the book to share, we've got a new place for those too! It's called Book Sightings and it's just for pictures of the book. All you have to do is add your images into our Flickr Pool tagged "Expressive Photography" (with the quotes) and we'll be featuring your sightings! What better way to celebrate?

And because we are focusing on the love of books of all kinds, our generous sponsor this month Focal Press has offered a number of their stellar titles to YOU for a book love giveaway day today.

All you have to do is share a comment on this post between now and Sunday 11/27 at midnight EST to be entered to win one of these photography titles from Focal Press:

Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sister Guide to Shooting from the Heart (wink wink)

The Elements of Photographyby Angela Faris Belt

Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity by Michelle Bates

Lensbaby: Bending Your Perspectiveby Corey Hiltz

The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman

Books! Books! And more books! 5 books means 5 winners! YAY! So, this post begs the question: what are your favorite books? Do tell the story!

seeing the signs

It's a funny thing when you're doing all in your power to be present while at the same time you're being asked to look ahead and focus on what's just around the bend. It's not always easy integrating the now with the later.

I'm fully aware that we've still got some time yet until the holiday season truly begins and yet my sights have been set on this soon-coming festive time of year for a while now. Between sharing images and photo tips for up and coming winter publications and writing the daily prompts for my photo e-class Picture the Holidays, I've been in my own little winter wonderland over here. And believe me, it has taken quite a bit of imagination on my part considering I live in sunny Southern California.

What I've come to find out is that there is great freedom in working ahead. Many of you might already know and embrace this truth, but, it's pretty new to me. And although I am still literally in catch up mode in many areas still, I'm ruminating on a lifestyle that keeps me a little more ahead, rather than a little more behind. Let's just say, it's a work in progress.

Here's what's awesome; even when you're planning the menu for Thanksgiving dinner, shooting your picture for your holiday card, or shopping for (or making) gifts waaaaay in advance, you can be fully present, in the moment and loving it. Without the overwhelming feeling of being rushed you can actually enjoy the moment even more. I'm finding the whole notion to be quite an eye opener and even though my One Little Wordfor last year was "deliberate" (which to me meant to make every moment count and hopefully be more productive by default), I feel like it's taken most of 2010 to really work it's magic on me.

So, why this holiday photo today? Because I want to encourage you to commit to being present throughout the holiday season this year. And yes, that might mean not being resentful when the holiday decorations are up at the mall. It might actually mean embracing the extra time you're being offered to get into the spirit of things! It's not such a bad thing if you look at it like that. You don't have to feel rushed;  just take your own sweet time and enjoy it, it on your terms. Imagine, by the time the holidays arrive, you may be totally ready and in a fantastic frame of mind to celebrate. Imagine!

If you're willing to give it a go with me and focus on the beauty, love and joy that the holidays are supposed to be about, I encourage you to join me for Picture the Holidays. I promise it will be just what your creative spirit needs to shine this season. Registration is open now and class begins Dec 1st and ends on Dec 31st. You're going to love it!

Just leave a comment here between now and Thursday 11/11 at midnight EST for your chance to win one of three class registrations I am giving away for Picture the Holidays. I'd love to hear your thoughts and see some festive photography too. My guess is you've got all kinds of sparkly shots to share!