Gifts of Gratitude

The Camp Shutter Sister love continues this holiday season with a very fun Gifts of Gratitude exchange.   It is kind of like a Secret Santa exchange but with a sisterhood twist.....

Over the past few days our Facebook group page has been full of heartfelt thanks, beautiful photos and overall glee.  We all have taken such pleasure and joy in finding out what each sister has received.

My lovely gift arrived last week from non-other- than Lisa Damrosch (who we recently interviewed on our Behind the Lens series).  The beautiful, hand-blown glass ornament hangs on my tree, the pumpkin stone is resting on my desk (and has me so excited to do a photo walk with her in Half Moon Bay), and the colorful, felted necklace brightens up my day every time I wear it.

As thrilled as I was to receive these gifts, I was even more eager to send my gift recipient her goodies.  My secret sister was someone who I met at the start of camp.  You know, that point where you are kind of anxious and not really sure what to expect.  But when I met Susan, my feelings of trepidation quickly melted away.  A group of us walked on the beach and started chatting and snapping photos and even though we had only met just a few minutes earlier, it seemed as though we were all old friends.  So when I found out my secret sister was Susan, I was excited to turn some of the photos we took together into little momentos of our time spent together.

Here is a photo that Susan took of the gifts I sent to her--she made everything look so good!  She is an amazing, creative photographer who seamlessly blends heartfelt words with her photographs.  Visit her blog to be inspired.

photo credit:  Susan Case

While this Gifts of Gratitude exchange was one of the highlights of my holiday season so far, I must admit that the biggest gift I received this year was the gift of sisterhood.  Every day, I'm moved by this group of thoughtful, creative, encouraging and kind women.   I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful for the 72 gifts I received this year.

xo,
Kristina

Wordless Wednesday--Shutter Sister Camp Collage

This terrific template is from: Dawn M Photography.  Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!

Self Portraits--Time to Point the Camera at Yourself

Taken with my timer--finally figured out how to use it.

I've never really attempted taking photographs of myself. I didn't even know how to use the self timer. It never occurred to me to find out, after all I was always taking the pictures and taking a picture of myself felt narcissistic and out of my comfort zone.

But then I went to Camp (I hope you don't find my camp references redundant, but I learned sooo much) and I sat in on session on self portraiture taught by the amazing Meredith Winn.

Her class was eye-opening and so inspiring. What I walked away with was that self portraits are a way to......

Document the fact you experienced something....that you too were there.  How many pictures do you have from a vacation, event, or just day to day life that include you?  Are you always the one behind the camera?

Shooting up, me at Camp--yep I was there!

Capture the good times and the bad.  Taking a picture on a difficult or emotion filled day may not be the first thing that comes to mind but think about it differently.  By capturing that moment, you are now able to look back and say "I made it."    There is so much power in that.  And of course, taking a photo of yourself on a day that is filled with love, happiness, and joy is powerful too.  What is better than looking back on a photo that reminds you of a wonderful experience or moment?

This may only be my hand, but it makes me smile, because it captures my daughter and me making a toy
 for the cats at the Humane Society.  

A way to express yourself artistically.  Have you seen the self portrait levitation photos by Yowayowa?  They are amazing!  I even tried creating them myself using my daughter as the subject, but now maybe it is time to try a self portrait version.   Or check out the multiplicity photos on Flickr.  So inspiring and fun!

Whether you share the photos you capture or keep them for your eyes only.  Self portraits can be a beautiful way to express yourself.   A post by Ann Gray on the Digital Photography School website has some great tips on getting started with self portraits.  Check it out, grab your camera and point it on yourself.   And if you are willing, we'd love to see what you capture.

Kim Klassen Texture--and then some.......

I've never officially participated in a Texture Tuesday by Kim Klassen  but this week I decided to finally join the party.  As you probably know, we are HUGE fans of Kim.  She is an amazing artist and talented photographer and each week she shares a texture with her readers.   If you have not visited her site yet, click on over.....you will truly be inspired!

The photo above was edited with her texture "and then some." I used two layers (one as an overlay and one linear burn at varying opacities) and I love it!




Oh and guess who I met at Camp Shutter Sisters?  Yep, Kim!!!  Here is a picture of us on the last day of camp.   I was absolutely giddy to meet her.  Can you tell?

California Surfer--Wordless Wednesday

Camp Shutter Sisters--Struggling For the Right Words

Ahhhhh Camp Shutter Sisters....oh how I loved this experience. Since I returned from this wonderful photography retreat, I've been spending countless hours viewing everyone's photos in the Camp Shutter Sister's Flickr pool, connecting on Facebook and reading each camper's heartfelt, beautifully written blog posts. I'm telling you these women are so incredibly talented!

Aside from posting my own very vague recap last week, I'm still finding it hard to express my experience. There is so much to say.......I don't know where to begin or how to process it all....

How do you describe something that had a profound effect on you? How do you put into words, the emotions and feelings that were stirred inside of you? How do you express your gratitude and appreciation for meeting each and every wonderful fellow camper?

Until I figure it out, I will share this video from Shutter Sister Chris Sneddon, which captures the magic of camp in images for which (right now) I have no words....

Camp Shutter Sisters from Christine Sneddon on Vimeo.

Instagram Friday--From--To

It is Instagram Friday!  My Instagram photos this week are a reflection of where I started the week to where I ended.  Quite a change!

Started the week at Camp Shutter Sisters--In a word AMAZING!!

Ended the week with piles of laundry.  In a word (or two) Never Ending!!

Camp Shutter Sisters--Sisterhood and Photography

I have so much to share with you all from my recent trip to Camp Shutter Sisters that I don't know where to start.  It was an AMAZING experience.  I'm still pinching myself because I can't believe it was real.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I feel so fortunate because I stumbled upon this camp.   It was an announcement on Kim Klassen Cafe (have you played with her fantastic textures yet??)  that prompted me to learn more about Camp Shutter Sisters (THANK YOU KIM!!!).   Oh and I met Kim!  {Squeal} And she is so warm and kind--just like I imagined.  

All of the women I met were beautiful, inspiring, talented, kind, giving, enthusiastic, artistic, funny....the list of adjectives goes on and on.  They are new found friends.  Kindred spirits. Women that I hope to see again very soon.

Putting the experience into words is a bit difficult for me right now.  But I can say that Camp Shutter Sisters was a place where sisterhood and photography walked side-by-side, hand in hand.  It was an opportunity to not only learn more about our cameras but each other and ourselves.

In the coming days, I'll be sharing some of the great tips and learnings from this fantastic experience.  But for now I want to let you all know how thankful I am that YOU visit this blog, that YOU share your stories  and that YOU all are beautiful.

xoxo-
Kristina

Shutter Sister Love---Wordless Wednesday

Getting Ready for Camp Shutter Sisters!

camp shuttersisters from xanthe berkeley on Vimeo.

I'm so excited to be heading down to Monterey this weekend to take part in Camp Shutter Sisters!  I can't believe that it is finally here!


My journey to camp, started in March of this year when I fortunately stumbled upon a post about this amazing opportunity.  I marked my calendar for registration day and signed up as soon as the site was open.   I was so surprised to learn that registration sold out in a matter of minutes and that I was one of the lucky ones who got in.

As the reality of camp began to sink in, I realized that I would be spending 3 glorious nights and four fun filled days with women who love photography as much as I do!  Imagine spending your days focusing on what you love!  It truly feels like a gift. 


The past few months have been filled with opportunities for connecting with fellow campers.  From Facebook group pages, to meeting fellow campers at Blogher, sisterly bonds have been forming.  I can't wait to continue to nurture these budding friendships and to meet more of these amazing women in person.  I feel like a little kid anticipating Christmas.


So next week, I'll be busy clicking (and clacking around the camp fire) and I'll be sure to share the highlights with you when I return!


For those of you who are not familiar with Shutter Sisters, I encourage you to visit their site.  It is a place to be inspired, embraced and united with women who share your photography passion.