Hello You!

Anyone who has been through a difficult time can appreciate how healing (and thought-provoking) taking self-portraits can be.  Sometimes you just need to face yourself in the mirror.  Sometimes you need to be willing to see exactly what you look like in order to silence the constant critic who can't stop exaggerating your worst faults. 

The truth is, we are all more tender, more fragile, more strong and more beautiful than we can bear to imagine--but it gets one step easier if we're willing to pick up the camera (or the iPhone) and take in all of who we are, through a more forgiving lens.

I've been doing this everyday for the last few weeks.  I think it's helping me get grounded and remember who I am, after all I've seen and been through over the last year.

Do you need a nudge to turn that camera back around on your beautiful self?

Hello Contest!

It’s time for a June Mini Photo Contest. That means it’s time to share your best image that fits our theme this week. Today, it’s Hello You! So show us YOU in all your self-portrait glory between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person please and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course!

So hurry, hurry--don't be shy.  We're eager to see your sweet face--exactly as you are right now.

a cup of something wonderful

Drinking tea is part of the everyday British way of life, as soon as you’ve finished saying “hello” to visitor, you offer them a cup of tea. It’s daily activity taken alone or in company. For some, it makes their morning and for many, the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

I hear, a cup of Jo, is the only way to start your day in the U.S, some proclaim they can’t function till they have fulfilled this tradition. Do you make the regular pilgrimage to your favourite cafe for some coffee love? I know others spend time in java solitude or bond together at the end of the night.

Children seem to be fascinated with this adult indulgence. My boys love the froth off the top of a cappuccino, and I’m always so delighted to see little girls still love to play tea parties, just as I did. In fact, a hot cup of something can be the perfect tonic, soothing the soul with its warmth and delightful, kind messages.

We’d love you to say “Hello” and share your favourite cup of something with us today, and we can all enjoy each others company, round this fabulous virtual kitchen table we have created.

Cheers!

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Hello Giveaway! It’s random giveaway time again from our friends at Hello Canvas. YAY!

Leave a comment here between now and Thursday at midnight and you could win a 20X24 canvas of your photo of choice from Hello Canvas. Cheers is right!

my best friend from kindergarden

"She's the one I call to whine about the extra fat around my waist, update my portfolio, or when I am faced with the decision of whether or not to let my boys meet my long estranged father. The one I've been through puberty, hair disasters, and the breastmilk vs. formula debate with. After nearly 30 years she's still the one I like to embarrass in public places, disagree with on many things yet very few important matters, and whose couch I love to fall asleep in.

She's my running partner, the wind beneath my wings, my best friend from kindergarten."

Today, show us the ones who wholeheartedly laugh at your silly jokes, always give a hand, and listen quietly. The ones who "get" you, shake their heads in disagreement, let you borrow shoes and faith, love you for who you are and somehow make you a better person. Today, share with us images of your friends.

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And remember, submit your best Daddy shots before midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and on this post for a chance to win a canvas from Hello Canvas. And Happy Father's Day!

Hello Daddy!

 My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me. ~Jim Valvano

It's time to give the father in your life a gift to remember this Father's Day. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, it's the perfect start. There's still time to order a canvas of your favorite fatherhood photograph from Hello Canvas! You've got until June 14th to order to get your canvas delivered in time for Father's Day.

In celebration of all the dads in our lives, we're hosting another mini photo contest. You guessed it; Hello Daddy. Show us your best Daddy shots for a chance to win. You’ve got between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course! Come on, tug on our heart strings, it's almost Father's Day afterall. 

Hello Gorgeous!

Last year, my friend Kelly Rae asked me if I could take some photographs of her, that would make her feel beautiful in her new pixie haircut. I was honored, of course! As photographers, I think one of our best gifts is to be able to capture the beauty we see and and reveal it to those around us. I cannot think of a better thing to do, but to make someone feel seen, gorgeous and happy in their own skin. And isn't she a beauty through and through? It was easy peasy. That is why I love my job :)

With that said, it’s time for a June Mini Photo Contest. That means it’s time for you to share your best image that fits our theme this week. And today (guess!), it’s Hello Gorgeous!

So show us what you’ve got between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person please and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up that will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course! Winner will be chosen by best interpretation of the theme. Good luck!