rainbow sprinkles

 

June is always a busy month at our house. From the end of the school year festivities, to dance recitals, to awards banquets, to the kick-ff of summer, to birthdays, it’s a hectic (albeit fun) time of year. Although I have often wished that my youngest daughter didn’t have to vie for celebratory space by having a birthday in June, I realized this year that her June birthday, if seen in a new light, is actually a gift.

I’m always mindful—as  most parents are—to be sure my kids gets rightly celebrated. That we thoughtfully choose the proper way to celebrate; serving the favorite meal, making the favorite cake, using the favorite plate, and hosting a party that fits the age and the era. Although this can be overwhelming sometimes amidst all the other activities that are jammed into June, this year, I felt like my daughter’s June birthday gave us a chance to actually slow down and focus on what matters most. Instead of feeling like it was just another thing on the calendar, it felt like the perfect respite from the chaos.

This year we eagerly and deliberately planned ahead,  setting time aside for a lovely lunch with close friends, a dinner out with the immediate family unit, and made the decision to buck our annual cake-baking tradition for a more unique birthday treat; a do-it-yourself sundae bar. I will admit, I lingered for a bit on that one. How could I possibly be OK with changing up a family tradition that hadn’t been modified since my oldest daughter was born 14 years ago? I’m not sure how. But I was OK with it. We all were. And it created just as much of a special celebration as would have come from baking a cake. By letting myself off the hook on that one (sundaes are soooo easy) I gave myself and my daughter the opportunity to add rainbow sprinkles—quite literally—to a celebration fit for a very special nine-year-old.

I’ve been wishing for ways to create a new energy around this time of year and the rest of the summer for that matter (less anxiety, more ease) and what I’ve learned is that wishes like those can come true.  All it takes is a little foresight and allowing yourself the chance savor the moment.

As we begin to wind down our vibrant month of color here at Shutter Sisters (#sscolormonth), today we have chosen to celebrate them ALL. It’s rainbow day! Rest assured, July will be bringing all kinds of opportunities to shoot and share your summer moments with us (yes, that’s a hint to our next OWP theme that will be announced on Tuesday, July 3rd) but it’s still June so let’s celebrate all the colors of the rainbow right now. Share with us every shade today!

aqua marine

Oh my gosh... I'm loving Colour Month SO much!. I hope you are too?

We're half way through, with loads of colour being captured on instagram & shared the Flickr pool, you must take a look at the rainbow that's growing over there, it's breathtaking: lime green, yellow, mustard yellow, yellow orange, orange, carnation pink, magenta, red, Wow! did I say I'm loving it?.

There is still more to come...I can't wait to see all.

Keep adding the hashtag #sscolormonth for the chance to win a colourful Epiphanie bag of your choice. Woo hoo!

grass green

There is nothing I love more that the change of the seasons and with it the soft lushness of green grass. Add a little sunshine and you have a verdant oasis!  (i like the word verdant)

Have you ever read about color theory? I wrote a post about it here awhile back.  I find it fascinating how a certain color can hold such vastly different meanings.  Take today's color green (grass green to be exact), to me, I see the color green and think growth, new life, promise.  If you look up color theory it states green to be the color of nature, harmony and fertility. But then there is the flip side of green, sayings like 'green with envy' or 'green with jealousy' come to mind.  How about the wicked witch of lore, she is almost always the color green. See what I mean?  Green is good but also bad. Color can make you have a physical response. I guess that is why we each have our own personal favorites.  Some drawn to bold fiery reds,  where others are drawn to the cool blues.  Me, I love the yellows, oranges and greens.

Last weekend my family and I moved.  It was a lot of work,  physically and emotionally.  By Sunday I was a wreck.  I had hit my internal wall and could do no more.  My body and mind gave in and waved the white flag of surrender.  I laid on my bed and crashed into a deep unexpected nap. When I woke I needed to go outside and feel the grass under my feet.  I needed to lie down, face to the sun and soak in what was left of the day, thank goodness it was a beautiful evening. I snapped this shot of my girl lying in the grass in her own little world. It felt so good to be in the grass. All that green softness eased my weary mind and body. I truly felt rejuvenated.

Today capture grass green in your lens.  What does green make you think of?

Don't forget to share your grass green images right here in the comment thread  and in our Shutter Sisters OWP pool on Flickr.  Tag all your color shots this month #sscolormonth to be entered in the drawing at the end of June.

yellow

I love Summer.  I mean I L-O-V-E it, I really do.  Being a SoCal girl, we epitomize summer here and to me, nothing signifies summer more than the color yellow.  It's bright, cheery and exudes a summery warmth.  I've also been told that my aura color is yellow.  It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going.  Obviously, those words totally describe me. (Well, if you know me, I'm sure you would agree! Heheh).  Face it, yellow is a happy color and happy it makes me.  :) 

Today, share your happy yellow photos with us.  

And don't forget to share your yellow images right here in the comment thread and in our Shutter Sisters OWP pool on Flickr.  Tag all your color shots this month #sscolormonth to be entered in the drawing at the end of June. 

 

red

There's a tube of red lipstick that lives in my film bag. I don't wear lipstick, but my mother did. I keep it as a reminder of motherhood, womanhood, sisterhood. Because we all walk through life carrying our differences and similiarities packed neatly into our bags. The vintage leather camera bags that house film and polaroids. The diaper bags that keep babies happy. The handbag that stores the things that make us who we are.

Passion comes in many colors. 
Red screams bold. Red screams strength. 
Red is a good reminder of those things I tend to forget about myself.

June is colour month here at Shutter Sisters! Today we are seeking red. It's a challenging color to photograph! I dare you to go bold today. Where do you find red? Where do you find passion? Where do you find yourself?

Today, join the shutter sisterhood... and what better way to start then by spinning the color wheel to red! All you’ve got to do is add your photo to the comments and tag it #sscolormonth here, in the OWP pool on Flickr, or on instagram! Remember that by joining in the celebration of colors this June, you are automatically registered for a chance to win an Epiphanie camera bag!


***

Feeling bold? Are you curious about self portraits? Registration for NOW YOU Workshops opens today!