The Power of Glass and Mirrors

 

There is a belief shared by some cultures that photography has the power to steal a soul... imprisoning it within its amalgam of polyester, celluloid, salts and gelatin.

What do you believe?

For me, what used to be camera shy, still is. But I'm finding over the years it has evolved from the worry of soul stealing into the peace of soul searching. The more I put myself in front of my own lens, the more I see the layers peeling away to reveal something I had long forgotten. It's me. The less I realize it's being stolen, the more I realize I am giving it freely. There is beauty in that.

Are we really the projections we put out into the world? Sometimes I joke that people might not recognize me in real life if they only know me through images or words. There might be truth to that. Can photography catch those collective bits of me to make me whole? I only know that I hope to become the person I can {sometimes} catch on film.

Tell me, how do you see yourself? Is it hard for you to step in front of the camera? Be brave and show your self. In truthiness, in art, in mystique... whatever your comfort. The self you put out there might be the one you most want to be. Today you might be the peace before the storm or the rage after the rain. You might be humbled, blessed, joyous, tired, overwhelmed, or bored beyond belief. Discover something about yourself by peering into your own lens. There are alot of stunning self portrait photographs in the Shutter Sister's collection. Have a peek... and know this:

We are powerful, those of us who wield a camera. We can pull emotion through glass and mirrors.

self-talk

I have not stopped thinking about Meredith's post about our mantras. By the response it got I know I'm  not the only one who enjoyed it.

Words are powerful things. The words we use in our life to describe ourselves help create us. They not only can define who we are, they can also accentuate who we want to become. I read a recent post over at The Gypsy Girl's Guide that reminded me of something I once heard from Karen Maezen Miller, that the things we give our attention to are the things that grow, flourish and thrive. I certainly know this to be true with self-talk.

Today, I encourage you to be mindful of the language you use with yourself. Use your own inner dialogue to nurture, empower, encourage yourself. Whisper sweet nothings into your own ear. As my dear friend Myriam shared recently, "You are the one you've been waiting for." Indeed. We are.

So, go ahead, tell yourself the story of your own magnificence. The more you say it, the more it will be.

What are your favorite words of empowerment? I need a good dose of super-power today!

I Picked up my Camera

I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression (PPD) a little over a year ago.  My reaction to the diagnosis was mixed.  At that point in my life, I was completely numb to everything that was going on around me, detached from my little girls, my husband, my friends.  I guess I could say I was relieved by the news, slightly comforted by the fact that I had an excuse for how I was acting.  The depression wasn’t me; it was something that was happening to me.

Unfortunately, all that came with the diagnosis was a bottle of little blue pills and a handful of books.  I needed help, and I thought I had asked for it.  I couldn’t find support groups or therapists because I would have a panic attack just thinking about having to pick up the phone.  The “what ifs” were incessant, and I was drowning in them.  I had to completely depend on the help of those around me, primarily my husband who truly became my knight-in-shining-armor.  Not only was I numb, detached, and anxious, I felt that I had absolutely no control over what was happening to me.  I would try to talk to myself rationally, convince myself I’d be ok, but emotionally I was consumed.  I felt like my life had stalled.  I kept trying to start it back up again, but something just wasn’t making a connection. 

Slowly, things started to get better, and as they did, I realized that I needed an outlet.  I needed a way to document what was happening, what I was seeing, how I was feeling.  I needed to put myself out there so others could see and understand what was going on in my life.  I picked up my camera and began a 365 day project.  I decided that if I made myself pick up my camera everyday to learn something new about it, or about taking pictures, or about post-processing, then I would be spending less time feeling sorry for myself and I would start a new process of growth.

I failed miserably at my project, only making it 1/3 of the way through, but that was only as far as I needed to go.  Along the way I discovered some pretty amazing people, and they inspired me over and over again, though they may not have even realized it.  Not only that, but I was encouraged to try new things, to set goals, and to take risks.  Most importantly, I found myself surrounded by a community of strong and wise women who brought me back from something dark and scary.  I’m finally at a place, one year later, that I feel I’m on top of things (though we all have our down days).  All it took was working up the nerve to pick up my camera.

What has your camera done for you?

Photo and words courtesy of Honorary Sister/ Guest Blogger Meg Farehbach (Tea & Brie). 

a place in time

The magnet of our childhood is in us always, pulling us back to places once familiar. It moves effortlessly like a current, pulsing with the strength of iron in our blood.

I think of this on long drives {with my hands on the wheel and his sleepy body buckled in the backseat} I think of this fleeting moment of adventure together ... just me, my son, and a map. With a head full of memories {the rocky coastline of Maine} and a heart full of dreams. I think this freedom is not really knowing where you're going but believing in your heart you'll soon find your way.

Why this path? {it's not for me to know} It's well worn, this road that leads me through the driving rain. I am here in this place in time. Yet my compass spins to East. {always has, always will} I find myself circling like a hawk, always with one eye on my happy place.

Show me, will you? Your happy place... a piece of your heart, a place you return to again and again. Show me the places you're drawn to, the places you belong. Let me join you there if only in our dreams.

Picture and words courtesy of Meredith Winn or as many of us know her, camerashymomma. We are thrilled to welcome Meredith as a regular contributor here at Shutter Sisters. We are so lucky to have her!

Walk On

Each and every day we take one step after the next in true and utter trust that the ground beneath our feet will be there. That gravity will never forsake us. Who knew we traveled through our daily lives with such certainty with such faith? Karen Maezen Miller has a real knack for reminded us of truths that are so simple, they’re profound.

Our heads are often in a million places at once, darting from task to task, with a fret here and a worry there but we continue to walk, feet to ground without even thinking about it. It is what it is. The ground is there, no matter what. And even though we do realize that nothing is certain but this very minute, we keep going with a blind trust. The ultimate kind.

So what about this walking we do every day? What about where we land? Do we even notice where we rest our weight? Where we lay it all down with that kind of Universal faith?

I walked and walked and walked all over NY city today without much of an agenda at all. I can’t really remember when I did that. Walked just because I could. Maybe it was because I had a dear friend to guide me and keep me company. Or because I had some time to spend doing whatever I wanted around this amazing and new (to me) environment. The why is no matter. It was glorious. It was empowering and I couldn’t help but notice all the wonders that lay before me; at my feet.

I encourage you to walk and wander and notice what’s beneath you. And if you choose to take a camera along, I’d love to see what you see.