what you don't see

I have to tell you how amazingly freeing it is to show you the photo above.  When I started writing this post and looking for photos that show the, “what you don’t see”, I started finding and laughing at all sorts of discarded photos in my computer files.  What you could perceive from the first fireplace photo is that my house is perfect enough to get this shot or as one comment I received on the fireplace photo, “It’s like you live in a magazine”. ..ha, not with four kids and a dog! That is just photography magic (and clever cropping) my dear friends. I’m pretty sure a magazine wouldn’t have an unfinished fireplace, dusty wood floors, a discarded newspaper and wires poking out where once there was a flat screen. There is so much we don’t see in photography.

 I took the “pretty” fireplace photo before we were finished because I needed inspiration.  Priming and painting an entire two story, floor to ceiling fireplace is not an easy task and taking this photo kept me focused. It reminded me that soon, hopefully soon, I would have a wonderful showpiece in the house in which to hang our family’s stockings and decorate with each new season.

Photos speak volumes in both what it shows and doesn’t show the viewer. Often times what you don’t see, the real shot,  is the most beautiful part.  I have a photo of one of our newly arrived chicks sitting on a window sill looking out.  In hindsight what I wish I had done was take a step back or two.  What you would have seen then was my sweet husbands’ hands cupped underneath the window sill, steadying himself there just in case miss chick decided to jump, simply because I had asked.  To me, that memory means so much more than the professional looking chick photo. It reminds me how real and wonderful life is outside the perfect point of focus.  How although a pretty picture has its place to keep us inspired, the not so perfect shots (or uncropped versions) shouldn’t be so easily discarded, because they too have a story to tell. The newspaper on the ottoman in the right side of the fireplace photo…my kids sharing a chair, laughing and reading the Sunday comics in pj’s.

A dear friend of mine posted this photo on flickr a few years ago. Out of  the hundreds of beautiful and perfect shots she has taken through the years, this one stands out most in mind.  Why?  Because it is so real.  It is her and I adore her.  It is her life on her farm summed up in a single photo and I find it so achingly beautiful. Today, show us the real, the perfectionist, the messy, the inspirational, the uncropped and the gorgeously, beautiful parts of YOU.

Images and words courtesy of the lovely Andie edwards.

Circus Act

As artists we are inspired, and then we are compelled to create. Over a year ago my approach to photography evolved when I was introduced to the work of Shannon Sewell. After hosting a workshop with her, and through trial and error on my own, I learned the life-cycle of a styled shoot. Here are a few things I consider once I decide to go ahead with a concept.

OBJECTIVE
                Knowing I’m about to spend hours on a project, I have to have a good reason to make it all worthwhile. I love planning, shooting, editing, and looking at the story-like images that are created from a themed shoot. So really if nothing happened with the images from there, I would consider it a win. With the circus shoot, however, I knew I wanted to try my hand at getting published online. This objective was the force that made me put in the necessary time and energy to make it exactly how I envisioned.
                Identifying an objective, and evaluating it throughout the process, also helps me decide what is useful stress and what is just distracting stress. For example, for this shoot I found myself getting side-tracked by the backdrop... should it be a tent, an arena, garlands, lights, what if I didn’t do a backdrop at all, should I sew one or buy one... and on it went. It gave me such a creative block that the backdrop almost derailed the whole shoot. I had to keep reminding myself that I wanted the outcome to be an identifiable nod to the circus without taking it too literally. So I threw out overly complicated options while still getting the structure and color pop that I wanted.

PLAN
                Regardless of the size of each project, planning is crucial. It’s also one of my favorite parts of the creative process. I’m not exactly a control freak, but I’m also not a person who loves surprises... like “Surprise! Wardrobe doesn’t fit.”, or “Surprise! Model A’s mom doesn’t want her images shown online.” I know things will come up that I can’t control, like “Surprise! I accidentally had my assistant set up the backdrop on top of poison ivy.” (eh-hem... true story), so it’s very important that I anticipate the things I can control.

I keep a checklist to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. My checklist varies depending on the needs of each shoot, but here’s how it looked for this project...

- Models: how many, what age, where to get them, how will they be compensated

- Model Releases: Get them signed. Period.

- Hair and Makeup: who will do it, what styles for which look, which models have a hair and skin profile to match the desired look, hair accessories needed

- Wardrobe: accessories, shoes and clothing (in this case a combination of dance costumes, items from my closet and the girls’ closets, and a contribution from Lillipops Designs)

- Props: details support the theme, added visual interest, aids posing, where to get them

- Location: what will the light be like when we shoot, is it easy to get models there, is it right for the theme

- Timeline: coordinate multiple models to arrive at staggered times, what will the light be

like when we shoot

- Grab Bag: contains “floating” accessories in case I decide an outfit needs something else, safety pins, pretty much anything that might come in handy

- Print: list of models and their looks (make copies so the makeup artist, moms and anyone else assisting don’t have to hunt me down with questions), directions to the location, timeline to keep us all on track, notes to myself about specific angles or lighting or poses I want to use

- Treats: because food and drinks make everything more fun

COLLABORATE
                Most of the time I can figure out anything with the help of search engines and a hot glue gun. And then there is hair and makeup... and then I’m kind of stuck. The fact is great hair and makeup makes models look better, post-processing easier, and is a key element in completing certain themes. Thank goodness I met Courtney Peters, a hair and makeup artist with mad skills and a need for portfolio images for her upcoming website. I sent her the “character” information, along with model specifics, but ultimately I left the creativity and execution to her.
                My style of photography emphasizes details. Which is another reason I rely on assistance for large shoots such as this one. On the day of a shoot there are a lot of random details I don’t want to miss. Props need to be moved to the location, model releases need to be signed, outfits need to be put together in a specific way... you get the idea. These are all things that, when added up, can drain me and affect the quality of my work when it’s time to shoot. My friend Cortnie was a great help in taking care of loose ends during the circus shoot and problem-solving some of the planning. She also chatted with the models and their moms so that I could focus on my own thoughts.
                Collaboration with other creative people can offer perspective and insight that give your project depth. It’s also a way to spread the burden of coming up with all the ideas, props, plans, and work by yourself. But for me, the biggest reason to collaborate is that the whole process is more fun. Don’t be afraid to reach out to stylists, vendors, designers, and other photographers.

Themed shoots require extra work coordinating a lot of moving parts. After the circus shoot I was exhausted... and maybe not-so-fresh after hours in the heat and humidity. So I thought when I walked in the door after the shoot I would be ready for a break. Instead my mind was enthralled and working on my next ideas. 

What are you compelled to create? Today we would love to hear some of your ideas.

Image and words courtesy of Laurel Hogge of Laurel Photography. For more about Laurel and to see the other images from the circus shoot visit her website.

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Don't forget, we are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September to one of YOU!  All you have to do is share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to Win that day's random drawing.  Be sure to leave links to your story shots.  

Growing Old

he's engaged in normal conversation,
like every visit they share.
they've come regularly since days of bare feet and braids,
since days of excited footsteps pattering on tile.
now they sit,
texting on their phones as he talks to the tops of their heads.
they nod and say the right things,
always leaving him with an emptiness-
he sees his age in their eyes.
they go through the ritual of playing their latest piano pieces,
his most cherished part of their visits...
for as soon as he hears the nocturne on the out-of-tune keys,

he's a dashing young man clad in a starched uniform,
with gleaming war medals clinking as he walks.
the room is filled with respectful eyes
watching him sip a cocktail while conducting business in murmured words.

then, the front doors open,
and she steps in.
heads turn, and he puts down his drink to take in her presence.
her eyes sparkle as she locks a gaze with him.
she crosses the room,
places her warm hand over his,
and smiles.

with her beside him,
his youth could never be taken away...

the nocturne ends.
the children resume their mechanical conversations
until his granddaughter, their mother, picks them up.
as soon as she arrives,
they softly kiss his cheek and rush out the door.
she walks across the room, 
sits next to him,
places her warm hand over his,
and smiles.
she has her grandmother's eyes,
he thinks as they sparkle back at him.
and for now,

he feels young again

* * *

Image and poem by 17-year-old Suzanna Hodges, niece of Shutter Sister Stephanie Roberts. Suzanna made this image of her great grandfather using Tiltshiftfocus, PhotoShop Express, and Instagram apps on her iTouch. Do images ignite your imagination in the form of visual poetry?

We are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day's random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots.

life's focus

"Life has a way of coloring your way of living - but it's you who chooses the colors." - unknown

Don't you just love the simple wisdom of this quote?  As we go about our lives, it is so easy to get wrapped up in everyday dramas that play out around us.  When it gets overwhelming, I like to pick up my camera.  My lens becomes my filter. I am in complete control of what I see.  Real life is pushed aside and bliss rushes in.

In those moments, I seek out things that sooth my soul or tickle my funny bone. Saturated colors, my son's freckly nose, the silly antics of our five dogs, and focusing on the details... all help reenergize me for the next challenge that life throws my way. And you know that with three boys, it is guaranteed that more teen angst is peeking around the corner.

While I am not suggesting that you put blinders on, I do encourage you to spend some time looking at the world with selective focus.  Everything in life will become more enhanced. What was once taken for granted, such as a sunrise, a simple wildflower, or a quiet moment suddenly comes to life.

Today, focus on the little things in life that make you happy and share them here with us.

Images and words courtesy of the Tammy Lee Bradley, founder of Mortal Muses and newest contributor to Shutter Sisters. YAY! You can find her on Facebook and her blog Bliss and Folly, as well. Help us give her a warm sisterly welcome!

smiling at strangers

I don't think people smile enough anymore, myself included.  In New York City, most people are too caught up in the hustle bustle of every day. We move through life without looking up, often not connecting with any of the other 8 million people who live here. Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a lonely place.

 This is especially true underground on the subway where everyone has their own little routines and distractions--reading the newspaper, listening to music, swiping away on smart phones, kindles and iPads, or even sleeping. We have our commutes down to a science.  We know exactly where to stand on the platform to be in the perfect spot when the doors slide open at our destination so as to not waste a single moment.  And although we sit, stand and hover a mere inches from each other every day there is rarely any eye contact, and definitely not enough smiles.

So I decided to play my small part in trying to do something about it. I recently started leaving notes on the subway that simply say "smile at a stranger today."  I've typed them, handwritten them and even had some little cards made. I've taped them to walls in subway stations and train cars and I often leave them on the seats where they will catch the most attention.  Yesterday, a woman picked up one of the notes I left as she sat down across from me.  She read it, looked up, and smiled.  And today, these two people struck up a conversation after I left my notes on the seat next to them.  I don't expect to change the world but I'll take what I can get, one smile at a time.

How about you?  Have you sent any messages to the universe lately? Whether it's literally with notes or words, or creatively through your photographs, share with us today what you are saying to the world around you.

Images and words courtesy of iphoneographer Christy of Urban Muser. You can also find her at Mortal Muses every nine days or so.