our virtual community

images courtesy of #ssmoment via instagram

from top left: @wilburandfern @leslieradams @runningchatter @lucyloomis

I don't know about you, but watching the images pour in from Saturday's Shutter Sister Moment (in real time!) was truly inspiring for me. Many of us long for a tribe. A collective, a group of like-minds with whom to gather. We all know this world is spread far and wide, that's why so many of us gather here, right?

We might not be able to chose our family, but we are most definitely free to choose our tribe.

Ladies, I couldn't feel more blessed to be part of this tribe. Seeing these images come in via Instagram (over 1300 images.. wow!!) and linked to this blog really made me feel connected to this amazing community. I think we all enjoyed it so much that we are planning to have more live feeds in the months to come! yay!

That said, I spent saturday with my family at the coast... and yet each and every one of you was in my heart; tucked away with visual pleasure, knowing in my spirit that we were all out there doing our thing... together yet separate. In this online world, finding connection like this is so important.

Thank you all for joining us in our Shutter Sister Moment. Haagen Dazs was over the moon with joy to see all the imagery pour in as well. Let us not forget the power of photography, ladies! What we are doing matters.

Our random number generator selected #29 as winner of the $100 gift card! thank you, linderloo, for sharing this image with us! Today, to celebrate the last day of July, please share with us your favorite moment from the month!

moments with the sea

Last week I finally made my way to the beach for the first time this summer with the family.  Of course, the day I chose to go the air was chilly and we had a thick marine layer that didn't clear up until late afternoon.  The kids didn't mind and still spent most of the day in the water while I sat in my sand chair covered with a beach towel and wearing my hoodie jacket for warmth, but I didn't care.  I was just thankful that I was able to sit still for more than 20 minutes at a time and not be home doing endless piles of dishes or laundry. I love the sea and the salty air no matter what the weather is like and being able to sit there, feeling the cool, salty air on my skin was exactly what I needed. 

Today, share your beach shots or summer moments with us. And don't forget to tag your images with our new tag for this month, #ssmoment and check out Haagen Dazs 50 Summer Moments project. Tag your images #hdmoment for a chance to have your image chosen for their book.

photography spoken here

Before I was brave I was camera shy.

But we speak photography here. This community, in all the ways it has grown since its birth in 2007, has been a life force for so many women photographers that I know. It is so much more than a platform, a foundation, a place of strength. Yes, it's a community of like minds. Yes, a gathering place for those of us who not only embrace the technicalities of our equipment but also the emotions our images evoke.

We carry balance here. This is the sisterhood we feel. Day in and day out we feel welcome here, invited to the creative circle. That confidence grows tenfold as we all walk away with inspiration to shoot another day.

We speak photography here. 
We are peers.
Sisters.

In this profession/passion/career/hobby where mostly men have made the rules, we as women photographers changed the game. Years ago I found it hard to walk into my local camera shop and be taken seriously (especially if I had my child with me). That statement is simply ridiculous and yet it's completely true. Did anyone else feel that? (2007 was only 5 years ago, sisters! Women have turned the photography world upside down, all for the better!) Now I walk with confidence knowing I am part of this revolution, the photographic revolution of sisters. Can you feel it too? We do our part each and every day we shoot photos and share images and leave comments all the while going about our busy days.

We know your lives are busy.  We know there are lots of places to visit and such little time to chat. So, today, I simply wanted to thank you. For being part of this creative circle. We may lurk, we may not have time to comment, we may be juggling jobs and kids and passions... but we feel your presence as you feel ours. This is sisterhood. This is friendship over the miles. Please know that if I could gather all of you up into one familiar city, I would. And we would shoot the breeze and share tips and recommendations for print shops. And there would be wine and ice cream and photowalks and laughter. And it would be awesome.

Today can we carry on this conversation? I'm new to town and I would love to know your favorite shops or where you find inspiration online. What's the latest in your photographic world? What's the latest in your camera bag? Today I want to hear what you want to talk about... what do you want to hear? Any exciting projects you'd like to share? Let's make today an open forum for discussion. And of course, share any images or links that you are loving these days.

loved

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,

A song is no song 'til you sing it,

And love in your heart

Wasn’t put there to stay -

Love isn’t love

'Til you give it away.

~Oscar Hammerstein

There is usually one holiday gift each year that speaks to my heart.  Sometimes it is a handmade card from one of the boys, a silly trinket in my stocking, or that perfect gift that only Santa knew I wanted.

This year,  love came to me in the mail from Camp Sister, Chelsea.  A tangible reminder that I can wrap my hands around, feel the warmth, and bask in the knowledge that I am important to others.  

Today, share with us a photo that reminds you that you too are loved.   It is such a wonderful feeling.

thankful for this

A month like the one we've had here, has been incredibly nourishing. To be reminded again and again of all the things there are to be thankful for keeps me in a grateful frame of mind; which is the best frame of mind to be in.

I've been really trying to live in the space of thankfulness; for my family and friends, for health and happiness. For living a creative life, for being surrounded by a community of incredibly inspiring women, and for photography. And from the look of the One Word Project flickr pool this past month, you've been focusing on the same thing.

Although today might be the last day we "officially' celebrate the word thankful, I know that if anyone can continue to carry that spirit into the next year, it's all of you. I look forward to that. But for now, let's share for one more day, what the last month has meant.

Share with us your quintessential thanksgiving (whatever it looks like to you). And because our gracious sponsor Hello Canvas encourages us to delcare our gratitude by enlarging it (canvas style), they are providing the last giveaway of the month. All you need to do is share your "thankful" here in the comments for your chance to win the random 20X24 canvas giveaway!

And as a little something extra, they'll also be giving away a 20X24 over on their facebook page today. All you have to do is visit them over there and share a comment on their facebook wall. Don't forget to tell them you're with the sisterhood for your chance to win the fb contest.

You have until midnight tonight EST to leave your comment here for your chance to win a Hello Canvas print (like the one in the photo above!).

...........

Congratulations Veronica! You won a canvas print from Hello Canvas! YAY YOU!