i photograph from a place of everyday. i write from that same place as well. it’s just what i’m driven to do (like many of you, too.) there is nothing quite like “the moment” that begs to be documented, scribbled upon, filtered, and scanned. if we shed light on our everyday, we shed light on one another. because here we are, each in our own worlds (cubicles, states, countries, bubbles of existence) doing the same thing each and every day. our point is to connect. this is the human way.
creativity comes at the most unexpected times, doesn’t it? i try not to question it for fear of the muse fluttering away with a bag full of ideas. this photo below was me, quite literally, in one of the messiest points of my life. in the face of a hurricane, i happened to be writing for a deadline that was to become Elevate the Everyday for Tracey Clark. it also happened to be the dark hole that was August 2011. everyone needs a dark hole, it’s the only way for us to appreciate the light. funny, how life comes full circle one year later. and the words that were spilled at this time, still very much represent who i am and why i do the things i do. i am honored to see them in print, alongside so many other touching stories.
it’s an honor to be a contributor to this amazing book. Tracey really has a way with words. Teaching and speaking from the heart of the matter, she has a beauty about her that really resonates for so many of us. it’s not just a book about photography; but one of motherhood, sisterhood, womanhood and all the things that bring us together. she gathered around her some pretty fine women, mothers, photographers. many of whom are mentors of mine. it’s humbling, really, to find myself in these pages.
if you don’t already own a copy of your own, now’s your chance. i’m so happy to have a giveaway because i know the woman who receives this book is truly getting a gift. so, please leave a comment here on this blog post anytime this week (from friday 8/17 – thursday 8/23) and i will announce the winner next friday August 24th.
the people at paper coterie are putting together a great collection of quotes from some of the Elevate the Everyday contributors. you can find mine here too! if you are so inclined, pop over to get your free download!
Such true words…it is definitely my goal to capture the ‘everyday’ in every day. Thanks for the chance.
This moment is all that we really have. To live the everydayness and for the here and now. It is a beautiful way to live.
Thank you so much for this beautiful opportunity. My everyday life is begging for light and attention.
I try to live every day true and make my photos reflect that.
I would love this book-thanks for the opportunity!
oh my, i think i ought to get my hands on a copy of this book. (and wow! how things have shifted in one year.)
I can’t wait to give this a read. I feel like especially now with an 8 month old, I find myself reaching out to my “sisters” to help show the way. Being present with my little one is what I’m striving for and documenting my everyday helps.
so wonderful! looks like a really great book.
i never knew how much documentation both in words and in pictures would help me to live right now and to be grateful for right now. elevate the everyday is such a great title for this book…. joining in has really been fun and has kept me grateful for each day. thanks for a chance on the book!!
I would love a copy of Elevate the Everyday. I’ll have to buy a copy if I don’t win!
I can`t wait to read your story in the book. If I don`t win I absolutely have to buy myself a copy.
so happy to see your spirit shine through your words every day. would love to win this treasury. and, um, could you please deliver it in person, i have a really big hug i would love to wrap around you.
How exciting! I would love to win a copy of the book!
Delight in life (and light!) xo
Hope to read this soon. Thanks for the opportunity.
ooh, have been wanting to order this book. what a lovely giveaway…thanks for the chance to play along!
Such a fun opportunity to get the chance to win this book, hope my entry is dogeared (not sure if I spelt that right) so I can win.
Lovely giveaway, thank you!
Great giveaway! I love her other book, so I know this one is going to be just as good.
lovely and inspiring words.
Thanks for doing this. I would love a copy.
what an amazing giveaway…thank you for this opportunity and all that you do!
I already bought the book, but I’d love to win another to give to my sister. It is so fantastic. Thank you Meredith!
Looks like a great book! Thank you for the chance to win it!
Love the inspiration! Thank you for the chance.
You are truly inspirational and so full of heart. Thank you xxx
i feel such a connection to the band of women at Shutter Sisters, and I admire their collective photos and words – thanks for the chance to win a copy of Tracey’s new book – it’ll be a wonderful surprise to the winner!
all of you shutter sisters are so inspiring…and even if i don’t win – this book will be purchased!
I have heard so many great things about this book. As a woman who loves to take photos and will soon be a mama, I really must get my hands on this book soon!!
I have been looking at this book on the Shutter Sisters site for a few weeks now and it looks absolutely gorgeous. I am always in awe of the photos I see from my Shutter Sisters contacts and would love to learn more. I only wish I had joined Flickr and met you all a long time ago, when my 2 were younger. But I’m happy with learning all I can now. : ) I so have to have this book, so it is on my list anyway.
PS. Shutter Sisters seriously rock.
PPS. I registered on Kristin’s site too. Am I allowed to do that or am I really really naughty.
I love how the everyday is getting elevated. I’d love a copy of Tracey’s book. Thank you for sharing yourself in your photos and your words. xo
It is the everyday where we live and breathe that the magic of life and memories truly occur. I love that there is such a large community of women sharing in the beauty of these moments and holding them up with wonder to the world for all that they are and represent to all of us! Thank you for the gift of this book and the opportunity to win a copy.
Oh I would love it if this book chose me to be it’s owner. What a gift. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
So happy to find the picture on Flickr with a link here. What perfect timing. I started a blog photo book club for “Expressive Photography”(http://sanderwood.blogspot.com/) and completed one post and then found out I was pregnant! I put my camera down and postponed my blog for 18 mos (well except for my iPhone) and am now ready to get snapping again! This will be the perfect book to re-connect me and my camera as I travel down the challenging, joyous, and ever changing road of motherhood.
so glad i stopped by this a.m. what a great reminder this book would be to “elevate” something, everyday. there is always something worth celebrating, and i try to make it a habit to notice that, but sometimes i forget…:)
you talk about a dark hole and for those of us who have seen the bottom of that hole, we are all the more thankful for the light that always comes. today, august 17th is that day for me, one that reminds me of the darkness and makes me thankful that my family, that i am glimpsing the light again after major loss. thank you for sharing your journey with us. thank you for reminding us that there is light. elevate, its a good word. a word of hope don’t you think?
i so need to be reminded of the extraordinary in the ordinary of my “everyday”. Thank you for the chance to win! Love your blog
So glad to have found your blog. Thanks for the chance to win, what I am sure is a great book for my collection.
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