stolen moments

Just when I thought my night was ready to wind down, my son tells me he has nothing for breakfast the next morning and that we're out of bread to make sandwiches for his school lunch.  To say that I was not pleased about having to go the store at 9 p.m. is an understatement.  I grabbed my keys and purse and stomped out of the house while grumbling all the way to the car. 

Once I arrived at the store, I grabbed a basket and continude my grumbling as I headed out for the items I needed.  Of course the items I need are on both ends of the store.  First I grabbed a loaf of bread on one side and then stomped my way to the other side of the store to the cereal aisle.  I located the requested box of Fruity Pebbles and tossed the box into my cart.  As I prepared to move on, in front of me was a couple, both easily in their 80s.  With their basket sitting in the middle of the aisle, they stood there arguing about which cereal to get and just listening to them made me smile.  

Now I have tell you, I have a thing for the elderly.  I mean, I really do.  If I had a choice of sitting in a room of my peers or a room of senior citizens, seniors win, hands down.  I want to sit with them and soak in as many life lessons from them as I can.  I miss my grandparents tremendously which is why I think I tend to gravitate to seniors so much.  Being near this couple made me miss them even more.   

As I stood there in the company of this sweet couple, my irritation instantly disappeared.  I grabbed my phone and took this photo as they finally decided on their cereal choice and made their way slowly down the aisle. It was my little gift to myself, a stolen moment just for me and I reminded myself that life is too short to sweat the small stuff, fruity pebbles and all.

Today, share your photos of stolen moment with us and let us have a peek inside, too. 

a timeless sparkle

Wrapping up a long, busy week I spent some time sorting through some things. Thoughts, feelings, and stuff. Funny thing about going through stuff (on any level) it takes a lot of work. But, it also often yeilds surprises and maybe a treasure or two.

 I found this pristine Polaroid that I forgot I had. Camera case, manual and a few other accessories made the discovery all the sweeter. Despite her age, she's got plenty of sparkle left in her. And I'm guessing because of her age, she's got shine that only a gem like this one can provide.

I loved the synchronicity of this find as I have had all kinds of nostalgia on my mind lately with the coming of my next class Picture Black & White. Class begins this week and I am all geared up for some monochromatic magic. I do hope you join me.

And speaking of joining in, I want to thank you all so much for supporting the #shot4shot project over hte last week. Today may be the last official day of the project but the need for support and awarenss will continue so please, keep spreading the word about Shot@Life! Don't forget if you did play along to send a link to one of your shots from the week to our email so you can receive your complimentary 'thank you' photo journal from Paper Coterie. YAY!

Speaking of your shots, today is Best Shot Monday and the last day of April so it's time to share your best shot with us and send off this month with some sparkle and shine.

Just for fun, we're giving away a spot for Picture Black & White today so leave your best shot link to be included in the random drawing. Commments must be left by midnight EST  tonight (4/30) and winner will be announced on Tuesday. 

Oh, and the lovely Kate shared such a sparkly weekending shot and the link to her blog was broke. So be sure to pop by today and tell her what a great shot it was!

***congrats to Heather for winning the spot in Picture Black & White. Woot!***

shine forth

Photography.  It's all about light.  Even when broken down into it's simplest definition it is still all about the light.  If you don't know this already, the word 'photography' is Greek.  The definition based on the roots and prefixes actually means, "Drawing with light".  For me, that romantic idea was my spark. It's what started my passion for photography, for light drawing, for light collecting, light capturing, for light holding.  When we take pictures, we think about many things, but mainly the light.  Where is the sun?  Are there harsh shadows?  Is flash necessary?  But one of the things we need to think about is the light that comes from within you, and from within your subject. 

Inside every person is a light.  It may be just a candle, or it may be a huge bonfire.  But it's there.  The secret to creating beautiful portraits is to find that light and let it shine!  Look at your subject, and then see them with different eyes.  See the beauty in them.  And then find a way to manipulate that and capture the light, to store it in your camera.  Make them shine. 

Most of us are very practiced at this.  We understand beauty, aesthetics, and most of all, light.  Without even thinking about it, we are drawn to certain objects or people, enticed by something about it.  We may not even know what makes it so appealing.  Sometimes it may be outer light.  Often it may be inner light.  We are so experienced finding beauty outside of ourselves, that we never get in front of the camera.  It's hard to find your own light if you are always looking for ways to enhance others.  But there's also a light in you.  Your passion, your creativity, your love. Your desire to improve in any aspect of your life.  Your joy in living.  That gives you a beauty that  shines from the inside out.  It is greater and more pure than any makeup, surgery, or any other procedure can do for you.  You are beautiful!  The light within you absolutely glows!  I've never seen most of you, but I have seen your art.  Your light shines through in your photos.  It's part of the process that every photographer goes through when they push down the button and release the shutter.  They take a chance.  They share their light. 

There is a line from scripture that reads "...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations."

The necklace in my featured photo is one of my very favorites. It may look like a torch from far away, but if you look closer, you will see the profile of a woman's face.  It represents the light within us, and the simple beauty we can create.  This necklace reminds me to "Arise and Shine" and be an example through my actions and through my art. 

Please share any photo that you feel shows inner light and deep beauty.  Share it and allow yourself to shine!  You are talented, you are beautiful, you are loved.

Today I encourage you to discover your true beauty. Today I encourage you to shine!

Image and words courtesy of guest blogger Kelsey Schwartz.

My Mug Shot

  

I love it when great things come together. Like coffee and cream. Like tea and honey. Like #mymugshot and #shotofcoffee. It seems that both Kristen Doyle (of Dine and Dish) and myself have a thing for capturing images of our morning mugs. I know there's a lot of you who join us in our passion which is why I am sharing this mug shot for my Best Shot Monday today and why I am giddy to share with you what Kristen and I have cooked up this week.

#mymugshot + #shotofcoffee = #shot4shot

This week is World Immunization Week and we thought we'd put our hastags and our shots of coffee to good use in supporting the new United Nations Foundation's campaign Shot@Life. What's it all about? It's about saving the lifes of children. It's about getting vaccines to the children that need them most. It's about compassion. It's about caring. It's about coming together for a greater good.

We encourage you to use your lenses to bring awareness to Shot@Life: a campaign that wants to put an end to the deaths of children that are caused by preventable diseases.  Your job is easy...to give kids the shot at life they deserve, all you've got to do is get creative, get social and have fun! For all the details on how you can get involved this week, take a peek on my blog or on Kristen's.

Oh, and we did say fun, didn't we? Take a look at the super-fun prizes we're giving away in exchange for your submissions to #shot4shot. We are so thankful for this stellar group of supporters!

1. Big Picture Classes is offering away a complimentary spot in my next photo workshop Picture Black & White. And by the way, 10% of your registration fee goes directly to Shot@Life! So even if you don’t win but you register anyway, it’s a win/win. YAY!!
2. We’ve got a limited edition Shot@Life Messenger bag. It’s adorable and awesome.
3. Shutter Sisters is offering up a signed copy of Expressive Photography.
4. Ephiphanie Bags has donated one of their coveted camera bags. Squeee!
5. An awesome Keurig brewing system! Super-yum.
6. Paper Coterie has offered a $100 gift card. Love their stuff.

And... Paper Coterie wants to help us thank all of you who choose to participate by givng every single person who shares a #Shot4Shot image this week a lovely photo journal. What better way to feature your own favorite photograph from the week? You help us spread awareness AND you get a gift. It's just so awesome.

Be sure to tag your images and posts that support Shot at Life this week on all your social platforms with #shot4shot and #vaccineswork.

We can't wait to spend this week with you creating all kinds of goodness.

Share with us today your Best Shot for this fine Monday and let's get this party started! 

Focus

The word focus keeps crossing my path. It's so interesting how that works. Little whispers from the universe. 

I strongly believe that whatever we focus on will grow. I love this quote by Marianne Williamson. 

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.
                                                                                                                  ~Marianne Williamson

Over and over I've seen this work in my life, both positively and negatively. I've focused on my troubles and they've continued to grow. I've focused on my art and it's flourished. I've focused on a bad relationship and it kept getting worse. I've focused on beauty and found more beauty. I could go on and on.

It works. We can use this 'power' for good or for evil. I try my best to choose good.

Tell us/Show us....what are you focusing on these days?