SHUTTER SISTERS!

Come visit the new photo blog Shutter Sisters!

 

It's Time to Say Goodbye

So, I planned on sticking around until ClubMom pulled the plug on me but it's getting hard. Most of the other ClubMommers have hung the closed sign in the door and it's starting to get a little eerie around this here ghost town.

It's almost Christmas and I figure most everyone is in a flurry of festivities anyway so it just feels like it's time to wrap myself up in my scarf, button up my coat and go join in the holiday hustle and bustle of the tangible world for a few weeks. That is just until Shutter Sisters awakens with the bright, shiny New Year. Our goal is to launch in Beta on January 21st. Even though we plan on it being a soft, rolling launch, you are all officially invited to come for a visit as soon as we open the doors. And stay a cup of tea. And scones. And if you like it, maybe we'll grab a pizza for dinner. What the heck.There is no one else I'd rather have come over than you ladies.

In the meantime I will be writing at Mother May I of course (everyone must come by for Best Shot Mondays-pleeeease) and I even might revamp things a bit over there which would include trying to get the archives from this blog to that one. Blink blink. We'll see how that one goes. None the less, it's time I let go...

And for fear of getting overly emotional, I will only say thank you. You all have given me so much..you have no idea. I only hope that we can continue to encourage and inspire one another along the way because wherever we are and whatever we do, we will always be shutter sisters.

My Best Christmas Card Shot

You asked for it, and I've kept you waiting long enough....

Here it is, THE Christmas Card photo of 2007--

I just adore it. Except for the fact that my girls look way too grown up which breaks my heart a little every time I look at it.

And you? What shot do you adore this week?

Change is in the Air

The weather for SoCal has been very unpredictable; changing on a dime. Hot, cold, windy and rainy. Sometimes all in the same day.

This is what appeared in the forefront of an incredible tumultuous sky, right outside our front door.

I can't think of anything more encouraging than a rainbow in times of transition and CHANGE.

Needless to say, I'm get more and more excited to launch Shutter Sisters. It's going to a picture perfect way to begin 2008!

How do you capture CHANGE?

Monday's Touch of Grain

My oldest daughter has been having a blast with the stealthy little Digital Camera by Discovery Kids. Tis the season I'm sure you've at least considered getting your child a "real camera" if they are anything like my precocious girls who insist on having things that are more grown-up than child like.

So, I just got this kid's camera to review (pop over to Mother May I to get the full scoop) and my daughter is loving it. To tie in with my write up, I am including what I consider her Best Shot for the week. I will admit (because I don't want to deceive you) that I did feel the need to tweak the colors a bit in LIghtroom to get it to how I liked it but you know, that's my prerogative, right?

Yes, it's grainy but if you know anything about me, I dig on grain big time however, not everyone does and so I do touch on ways around the grain in my review.

Got anything snappy to share this week?

A Theme and an Announcement

Today I am writing to give you the good news that although Picture This is hanging up it's hat, Thursday's Themes will continue at their new warm and cozy blog home, The Land of Ka a la Stacy Campbell-Kraft. YAY!

I am passing the Theme torch as Stacy will be beginning them over at her place soon. Be sure to pop over there next Saturday for the theme to shoot for and then, come the following Thursday you can comment on her post with a link to your image.

But, for today, let's end with a bang as I host our theme for one more week...somehow the word CHANGE feels appropriate. See you on Thursday for the last Thursday's Theme here at Picture This. Sniff sniff.

CHANGE is in the air. I can feel it.

Oh Happy Day!

Remember the theme when I shared this little tidbit? Or when I posted this photo at Mother May I? Well, it seems I'm not the only one talking about JOY and the incredibly lovely lady behind it. These jerseys are creating a stir and now, today ...drumroll please...the website is up and officially open for business--just in time for holiday gift giving. What could be more perfect than spreading the message of JOY (or humility, courage or compassion) this season?

Can you guess who the lucky photographer was for the site shots? And does anyone happen to recognize the adorable little girl who is so very courageous? Hee hee hee.

The site is as delightful as the jerseys themselves so pop over and mill about. And be sure to pick up a shirt for your little messenger of JOY and help spread the word.

More Babblings about JOY here!

Picture Perfect

Well, if nothing else, I have my holiday card all figured out this year. It’s an all time record. In prior years, I’ve barely had an idea in tact by mid December let alone an entire card done. Just to really drive it home, I even had the time to order one from Snapfish as a proof before I ordered the load. OK, so maybe that’s a little like cheating because it’s soooooo easy to order prefab cards, but I’m calling it a triumph anyway).  Even my husband is astonished. And the irony is that in getting the photo, I broke all of my own rules.

It was the day after Thanksgiving, a lazy, do nothing day—the kind of day we don’t come upon very often. Perhaps that was why the kids were bouncing off the walls and I was a tad cranky. Go figure. You finally get a day to chill and you find yourself in a stinky mood for no reason at all. I hate hormones. Anyway, sometime in the late afternoon I called out, “OK girls, get in your fancy red white outfits. We’re taking our Christmas card pictures.” Was I out of my mind? I know you are bound to get jack squat from the kids when you declare that these photos would be the card photos. Duh. But, for some reason, I didn’t care. I was crabby as were the kids and I guess I just figured why not just go with that?

The agony only lasted about 20 minutes. Me barking orders like, “you’d better smile normally or you are both so busted” and that kind of thing. I got lots of eye rolls from the 10 year old and unruly antics from the 4 year old. Of course. What did I expect? But still, I was still impatient and demanding and they kept pretending to cooperate. Kind of. And then my camera froze up and well, that was the end of that. A blessing in disguise. My kids were relieved. But, all was not lost. I knew out of the handful I took that day there was bound to be something. It only takes one.

As I look upon my lovely card now, I can’t help but laugh and wonder if anyone would believe me if I told them that I was actually yelling at my kids when I got such perfectly joyful shot? Why wouldn’t they? Anyone with kids knows how terribly disconcerting it can be to attempt to get “the shot” that will be the one single visual symbol of our family for the entire year. The picture that we put forth to show off our kids, meeting loved ones with sweet smiles and best wishes for holidays filled with happiness.

I’m sure most of you choose to do the same; send a photo of the children or of the whole family if you’re brave enough on or in a card. And I’ll also put money down on the fact that you’ll also be including photos in many of your holiday gifts. If you’re like me, you will find one way or another to squeeze in another photo of the kids. Thank God the Grandparents appreciate it.

If you’re looking at giving photo gifts, I offer a few quick tips to making sure the photo you choose is the right one and if it’s not, how to make it fit the gift bill.

Crop in. When it comes to giving the gift of childrens pix in a gift of some kind there’s no such thing as getting too close. I know, it might sound strange but if you give your mother a snaptote bag with a really tight shot of her grandchild, you’ll have a hit for sure. Talk about your brag bag.

Go artsy. On the polar end of the close crop, consider a photo gift that includes more of a landscape shot. The shots where the focus is more on wide open spaces than your child can prove to be perfect images to choose for gifts. Picture a field of tall wind blown grasses with a little figure of a toddler in the distance. It makes for a more artsy option for those people on your list that love the kids but might like something a little more subtle.

Change it. If you’ve got a color shot, make it more timeless by using your editing tools to switch it to black and white. Black and white can turn many images into classics. The timeless, artsy quality can make photo jewelry instant treasures.

Tilt it. If you have a standard portrait and you want to add a little interest, put a little slant to it and tilt the image a bit. We’re so used to seeing images perfectly framed straight, when you add a little something different your image will really stand apart and make for a dynamic choicet.

Tweak it. Try manipulating your favorite shot with simple photo editing software. Polarize it, Andy Warhol it, give it glowing highlights or a texture. Or play with the variety of borders there are out there. Add color, add text, add your own unique twist. It’s super fun to explore your options and see what fits and what your recipient will fall in love with.

You inspired yet? Better get online and order your photo gifts now. And what perfect timing...Kristen is full of good ideas!

An Interview Without Internet

OK, I officially have no internet which is totally debilitating for me (I know you all know how that can be). I'm at my favorite photo lab in the whole wide world...they took pity on me and let me use their wifi for awhile today. Bless them. I just wanted to put up a little something because I am excited to mention that Maile of Daily Relish interviewed me for her other blog. I am delighted to hold the title of "rockstar". Who knew?

I'm blushing. Thanks Maile!

Mele Kalikimaka Monday

Yesterday was my daughter's annual grand holiday hula extravaganza. What a spectacle! Although I have to admit, as I am making these costumes I am often swearing I'll never do it again (yes, all moms must make the costumes for their kids and it's been almost 3 years for me now) when I see the girls all dolled up in their Hawaiian best I change my tune and am reminded that it's worth every stitch.

Not a bad shot for a point and shoot camera huh? My Digital Canon Rebel is on the blink (not good) and I must say, I actually felt a tad bit liberated to only have a tiny camera to deal with. It just reminds me that although it's super fun to have a fancy camera, it can be just a nice sometimes to use a trusty point and shoot. And, for the record (and as a testament to my fine little HP number) this is posted straight from the camera. No edit at all. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Did your Best Shot Monday get you in the holiday spirit?