A year in photos: July – December

This year I’ve written more than I’ve photographed, but with two books to finish and edit and a new course to run, I knew this would be the case. Still, when I don’t take photos for a while I feel out of sorts. Instagram has helped to keep my levels topped up, but I’m ending the year with less photographs taken than the previous four years. Next year I want to change this. If 2011 was all about going inward and crafting words then 2012 will be about going outwards and reconnecting with the world through my lens. More on that in my Word of the Year post…

August

September

October

November

December

A year in photos: January – June

One of the best parts of having a blog is the archives. In April I’ll have been blogging for six years and it’s so wonderful to be able to look back through the archives and see how I’ve changed and evolved. And not just personally — as a photographer I really appreciate being able to see the progression of my eye and style too. Mind you, the last few years haven’t evolved too radically as I’ve settled into my love of squares, both from Polaroids and lately from my iPhone too. It doesn’t surprise me that I’ve shot more photos with my phone than any of my other cameras this year. It’s always with me. It’s easy to download to my computer. It was my constant companion while writing the book — taking little Instagram breaks during the day kept me sane. Plus it’s fast, and considering 90% of my photos in 2011 were of my nephew, you need to be fast!

Inspired by Elizabeth and Shari, here’s my first photographic peek back through 2011.

And here are my photo reviews from 2010 :: 2009 :: 2007

February

March

April

May

June

My Photography Manifesto

There’s a camera out there for everyone. And, like babies, all cameras are beautiful!

The more you practice the more your eye will improve. Fact.

We can be inspired by others and imitate their style as we learn, but it’s our own style that will give us the most satisfaction. Give it time and you will find it.

Slow down. Take a breath. Look again.

Pay attention to the in-between moments.

Remember to lie on the floor and stand on chairs once in a while.

Play with digital and film. iPhones and Hasselblads. Canon and Nikon. Try everything to decide which translates your eye best.

Learn a few rules so you know how to break them.

Take a photograph everyday, even if it’s just your lunch. Especially if it’s your lunch. Shoot it every day for a month and see what happens.

The camera is only a tool; it’s your eye that really matters.

* * * * *

Tomorrow is the last day of the first session of Photo Meditations and I am sitting here feeling really rather in love with my course. And it’s making me laugh — I never thought I could ever create a course that I’d love more than Unravelling, but this five week foray into heart-centered photography has me all a-fluster :) I’ve loved pouring myself into this course every day for the last month and I don’t want to stop (I’m not kidding — i’m currently sketching out a sequel). It’s a photography course but, holy cats, it is so much more than that. It’s about connecting with the world, cultivating mindfulness, and being brave. It’s about tapping into the artist inside and giving her a voice through your images. It’s about shooting from the heart. I’ve just updated the course page with a slideshow, a week-by-week outline and some testimonials from peeps in the autumn class, so if you’re considering signing up for the January class (registration opens this Sunday) do check it out.

Okay, that last paragraph is more gushy than I would normal write here but I just ate my dinner and it was the first food I have been able to taste in over SIX DAYS, so i’m on a getting-better high. Happy December, everyone! x