Collaboration

Collaboration: the action of working with someone to produce or create something

I am lucky to have parents who have always encouraged my love of art. My dad in particular always made an effort to provide me with materials and experiences that would expand my interest. When I was five I specifically remember receiving a set of crayons, colored pencils, and markers housed in a lazy susan-like apparatus. I loved that thing, and I would sit at my little table coloring kittens and rainbows all day. My dad enjoyed drawing or coloring with me and I remember being impressed by his talent. He never took an art class or had a creative profession (quite the opposite). But he appreciates all forms of art and views them with such an open mind. In fact, I think he enjoys the fact my entry into the art world as a college student and now professional allowed him to be exposed to more art than he might have been otherwise. So it was no surprise to me that about a year ago he took up painting. He is mostly retired and was starting to feel the need to utilize his creative side more. Even though I was aware of his artistic ability I have to admit I was surprised at the quality of work he was producing from day one. He started by practicing on still lives of pears on a window sill or peppers on a table, but soon found that what he really enjoyed was starting with a photograph of a scene and painting it as he saw it. I was happy to know that he had been using many of my photos as inspiration. He said that what he struggled with the most was composition, but that he always loved the composition of my photos. So he used them as a starting point and added his own interpretation of colors and textures.

About six months ago my dad came to visit us from Illinois and we spent an afternoon driving through the country looking for old barns and dilapidated buildings. I was armed with my camera as we trespassed our way over fences and through fields of cows. We were a team, dad pointing out things that would be great subjects for his next painting and me diligently snapping away. It turned out to be a productive day. I got tons of awesome shots and my dad got some great inspiration for some of his best work.

Now, a year after he picked up his first paint brush my dad has his own Etsy shop and participated in two art fairs this summer. My walls are filled with his paintings and his are filled with my photos. I’m glad that we are able to share our creative experiences and continue to inspire each other in our art.

Crowd Goes Wild

It’s that time again when the children among us head off into the annual ritual of structure and routine that is school. Another year older, more articulate, confident, sure. More…grown up. I am left now reflecting on the journey and what its taken to get to here—the hard work and growing pains, the exhilaration of approaching a milestone; breathing in the goodness of the day, arms to the sky celebrating where we have been, where we are now…how far we’ve come.

I can see it in my daughter’s face as we pack her backpack for middle school. She is giddy with growing up. I thought she’d be nervous, pensive, hesitant—but she’s not. She’s thrilled! And she should be.

The same should go for us. We should mindfully create a time in our own lives to take stock; look back at the past, nod in respect and appreciate how much we’ve grown as people, as women, as wives, as mothers, as friends, as photographers. No matter where we are in the journey, we have traveled to get here and our present place (where ever that may be) is worthy of acknowledgment.

Good news often greets me with words from this community—photo milestones, projects, awards, recognition. Reasons to celebrate. That’s what we’re here for. To encourage one another in our creative work. So…I urge you all to recognize how far you’ve come. Celebrate yourselves and each other as we all raise our lenses to the infinite blue sky and bask in the accolades we so deserve. Whether it be through the recognition from the public or capturing an image that sings to our own soul, what you are all doing, the creative strides you are all making are amazing.

So, out with it. Is there anything you want to say today to take that step in giving yourself a loving and appreciative pat on the back? What about those photos? If there’s a shot you want to celebrate, post it here. Today is all about bragging rights. I can hear the roar of a collective applause already!

gratitude

 

It is funny how we amble our way through the internet world, randomly bumping into people and sites that change our lives. I found Shutter Sisters through Kate. I found Kate through Amy. The spinning circle of the Web.

 

Shutter Sisters has changed my life. I have a hobby. What was once an open, searching space in my soul is now full, warm, happy. I do something that is considered “artistic.” Before this, the most artistic thing I had done was twirl a flag in marching band. Now, don’t get me wrong. I was good with that flag. But…

 

You know those questionnaires you are sometimes asked to fill out? That ask, “What is your hobby?” I would stare blankly at that question. Does reading count? What about randomly surfing the internet? Scolding children? Does that apply?

 

I see the world differently now. I have my camera by my side, patiently waiting for me to hit the brakes of my car, grab her compact, silver body, leap out the door and start shooting that flower that caught my eye. Scoop her up to catch my sons in action, a phenomenal sunbeam through the trees, or just a solemn cup of coffee on the counter. I find joy in winter! A season I dread. Looking at winter last year through my unassuming Canon PowerShot was a joy. A new way of seeing what, to me, has always been cold, snowy grayness. I guess what I am trying to say is this: my camera helps me find the joy in the everyday. Which, in turn, makes me a happier, better person. So, a healthy dose of gratitude for the people who got me here.

 

Thank you, Kate, for sharing this site with me.

 

Thank you, Shutter Sisters, for having me.

 

Thank you to my Flickr’ mamacitas. You inspire me. You lift me up when I am down. You bring a smile to my face daily. You make me so proud to call you my friends.

 

And thank you to my family, for constantly encouraging me and enduring my hundreds of photos a month. To my dad for buying me that Minolta twenty three years ago. That camera planted a seed that has FINALLY started to grow and flower. That was one patient, neglected seed…

 

So. “What is your hobby?”

 

Photography. Hands down.

 

Pihoto and words courtesy of Honorary Sister/Guest Blogger Heather Wolf Turner best know perhaps as Strawberry Goldie.

surprises everywhere

At first, I found the request for shooting an office party to be puzzling. I imagined dozens of people in slacks making awkward small talk, while balancing shrimp cocktail on their knees.  Why in the world would someone want to document this?! But I agreed. And when I showed up, I realized why they'd hired me. It was a group of 13 people who had worked really hard together for years. It didn't feel like a "networking event" as much as it felt like a genuine celebration of dedication, and accomplishment, and joy. There were pride-filled tears and hugs, and laughter. And since they seemed more like family than co-workers, that's how I wound up shooting them. It was a sweet reminder that it's always about the people. It was also an unexpected treat to find an empty office in the back, with the best window light ever! I used this room for headshots. This is Mr. Boston, with his awesome parents Jesi and Winston. They all have a special place in my heart, not just because they are so fun to photograph, but because Boston is single-handedly responsible for the Red Sox winning the World Series last year. Yep. AND, in the spirit of surprises, I'm totally going to rat Jesi out right now. Look closely...can you see her toes? Looking all painted and cute? When she took off her shoes, only TWO were painted! She is a girl after my own heart! Congratulations everyone at United Lending!

How about you? What surprises do you have in store for us today?

Love Thursday: July 17, 2008

I've been going through my archives over the past few days, and I stumbled across this photograph of my daughter resting her head on her father's shoulder.  At the time, Alex was about 2 years old.  She's only 4 now, yet the feeling of nostalgia that washed over me as I looked at this shot was palpable.  Alex and my husband remain as close as ever; but this image made me realize how long that closeness has existed.  I love the soulfulness in her eyes.  This is definitely one she'll hang in her college dorm room.

Happy Love Thursday, everyone.   As always, please leave your links of love in the comments section below, and be sure to check out the beautiful shots left by lorelairoark and VWC Photography in our Shutter Sisters Flickr pool.

For those of you who will be attending BlogHer, I look forward to meeting you at the Shutter Sisters Photo Walk!  My husband bought me  a point-and-shoot camera (a Nikon Coolpix!), and I have NO idea how to use it.  I'll be looking for tips from you all!

And may you shoot lots of memories today.