Write. Click. Scrapbook.

Use Your Stuff: the Tools Edition

Paper crimper. Lettering stencils. The thing with the long handle that was supposed to make it easy to punch through thick cardstock but instead broke my favorite flower punch. Punches, be they flowers or leaves or raindrops or snowflakes or that infamous cupid. Dry embossing stylus and stencils. 32 pair of decorative edge scissors. 127 different pens and markers, 18 of them green. One heat embossing gun. Circle cutters. Paint brushes. Rubber stamps and acrylic stamps and acrylic blocks. Four different paper trimmers I never could cut straight with. (One big one I can.) Innumerable pairs of scissors. A die cutting machine. 

And that's just off the top of my head, without digging for further proof of all the tools I've purchased over the past 15 years of scrapbooking.

The list of scrapbooking tools can start to feel impossibly long. And let's be honest: it's easy to get sucked into feeling like the next, newest thing is going to revolutionize the way you scrap—or at least make the process faster. Here's the thing, though, with tools: you have to find the one that works for you, and sometimes the process of finding it involves buying a lot of items that don't work. (If I'd just bought my big paper cutter to begin with! I could have paid for half of it with the other smaller ones I bought but didn't like. Sigh.) Tools pile up and get overlooked in the process.

Today's focus is on tools, specifically: stamps.

I think that stamps are a divisive subject. People either love them or hate them. The “hate” side comes down on complexity of use—it's hard to stamp the image exactly where you want it. There's uncertainty involved, as you're never really sure how the stamped image will look. Plus: you have to clean them when you're finished!

Despite all the drawbacks, I have a great affection for stamps. I'm hoping that today's suggestions will inspire you to pull out your bucket or box of stamps and use them (or get rid of a few).

Creative Energy
Spend 10-15 minutes browsing through an online catalogue. Here are some to try:

Close to My Heart
LawnFawn
Stampin' Up
Stamps at Scrapbook.com

Make a list of 5-6 stamps you love or think you'd use. What types of stamps are you drawn to? (My consistent favorites are alphabets, paisleys, and floral motifs.) Now, pull out the stamps you own and browse through them, looking for any similarities between what you wanted and what you own.

Since your stamps are already out, do one more thing. Flip through your stack of photos waiting to be scrapped and find three groupings you'd like to work with. Now, pair up those pictures with a stamp (or two). You don't necessarily have to use the stamp. Just think about its possibilities.

Now, the big question: which stamps could you get rid of and never miss? About a year ago, I went through every single stamp I own. I asked myself if, honestly, I would ever use that particular image on a layout. Some I'd used once or twice; some had never touched an ink pad. I kept the most versatile and neutral ones—those that passed the cupid test—and gave the rest of them to a friend who is an avid card maker. Here’s what’s left of the rubber stamps:

 
What surprised me about weeding my stamping stash is this: I use the ones I kept much more often than I did before. I think this is because I have few enough that I keep them out instead of tucked inside a box. They’re each cute enough to look at all the time—and because I see them, I use them. And I’ve never once thought of the stamps I didn’t keep and wished to have them back.

So! This is me, giving you permission to clean out the stamps you don’t need or use. I know this is hard because let’s face it: stamps are expensive! But, you might just find yourself using the ones you keep more often, which means at least you’re getting your money’s worth out of those ones.

Smart Shopping
Make sure you don’t buy stamps you won’t use by asking yourself:

• How will I use this?
• Do I already own something similar?
• Will I be able to use this on more than one or two layouts?
• Does this stamp wow me enough to overcome the negative aspects of stamping?

 Organizing your Stamps
The thing I love about acrylic stamps is they’re so much easier to store! I keep mine in a leather box; within the box they’re grouped into letter stamps (my biggest indulgence) and images (I don’t have many stamps that don’t have some sort of word). On my scrapping desk, I keep my three favorite date stamps, always stuck onto an acrylic block, so I can easily stamp a date with almost zero effort.

Use Your Stuff Tips
Here are some ways to overcome the negative aspects of stamping:

• Acrylic stamps need a cushion, so place your paper or cardstock on top of a mouse pad, then stamp. The resulting image will be much sharper. Celeste taught me this and my stamped images improved vastly once I tried it.
• Solve the cleaning problem by leaving it until you’re completely finished with your layout. Get out your largest acrylic block and use it as a temporary storage; as you finish with each stamp, stick it on that big block. Then clean them all at once by spritzing them with a stamp cleaner and then pressing onto a cloth.
• I never bother cleaning stamps I’ve used with Stayzon ink. Once it’s dry, it’s nearly impossible to clean off. If that ink won’t come off with stamping cleaner, it’s not going to come off onto another ink pad. Why bother?
• When you’re stamping a long title or phrase with rubber stamps, line them all up in alphabetical order at the top of your work space. (I put mine on the window sill behind my desk.) As you stamp each letter, pull it from its spot, stamp, then put it back. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can stamp even something long with this technique.
• Rather than stamping directly onto your layout, stamp on some other paper or cardstock, then cut it out and stick it on your layout. This is far less stressful because if you mess up, you can just start over.
• Embrace the messiness of stamping. You might never stamp a perfect image and, you know? So what? By its nature, stamping invites messiness. Work that quality into your layout and you might find you love the slightly-shabby feel it evokes.

Use Your Stuff Daily Challenge: Tools

Use an alphabet stamp and one other stamped shape, a non-border punch, and a pen on your layout.

Kelly Jeppson made this layout using the challenge as a starting point:

 
No alphabet stamps, but that is OK because the challenge helped her use things she doesn't usually use, which is the entire point of this exercise anyway!

Here's Lisa's take on the challenge:

 

(I totally WANT those shoes!) Lisa stamped her title and the camera image, used a pen to write the date, and punched the butterfly.

Here's mine:
 
I stamped the title quote (which is a rough interpretation of a Shel Silverstein poem) and then outlined the letters with a brown pen. The messy dots and the heart are both stamps, and I used a punch for the date.

Since I had nearly no scraps left from that piece of Basic Grey patterned paper, I used a different color scheme for the card:

 
(on the inside it reads "me: amazed!")

Tell us: how do you feel about stamping? Share your layout if you make one!

Use Your Stuff: Alphas

I have a confession: I’ve a teeny, tiny obsession with letter stickers. Sure—chipboard letters are enticing. There’s the flexibility of cutting letters with my Silhouette, or stamping them, or even drawing them on my own. There’s also something to be said for rub-on letters, which are my second-favorite. But when it comes right down to it, my most-favorite, go-to-every-time title (and subtitle and sometimes even journaling) product is letter stickers. They are fast, versatile, and simple. In fact, I think I buy more letter stickers than any other scrapping supply—even patterned paper!

I'm certain you have your favorite lettering supply or technique, too. Alphas are such an essential part of a layout. Today's focus is on all those fabulous letters.

Creative Energy
Yesterday you thought about how you use your supplies. Today, think about your shopping habits. Working with your three favorite colors, try to find the last ten or so lettering supplies that you’ve purchased. Make a list: type, color, brand. Put a checkmark next to the ones you’ve already used. 

Now, within the generic “lettering supply” term, try to get a little bit more specific. What shape of font is your favorite? What size, texture, or mood feels most like you? To answer this question, pull an album off of your shelf (something other than the layouts you looked at yesterday) and flip through it. Pay attention to only the way you made letters. You could even keep a tally, if you want.

Is there a contrast between the lettering supplies you purchase and the ones you really use? That’s a sign: your purchases aren’t as useful as they could be. Try to analyze what draws you to purchase things versus use them. I’ll hold myself up as an example: it’s easy for me to get swept up in the "this is brand new and I have to have it right now" feeling. But when I look at what I really use, I can see two basic categories, script type and very simple types (either serif or sans) of alphabet stickers. I hardly ever use cute types, even if I love them in the scrapbook store. Knowing that, when I’m shopping I can more easily see if my I have to have this right now feeling is based on the excitement of something new or the recognition of something I’ll actually use.

Find the list you made yesterday—the one about your patterned paper preferences. Take a few minutes to analyze the difference between what you buy and what you use, focusing on your favorite lettering supply. Now add to your list—what lettering supply do you use most consistently? What style? Which supplies do you buy but not use consistently? Write this on your list.

Take a deep breath. Pick out three or four alphabet supplies you probably won’t use and put them into your discard box.

Smart Shopping
If I go to the scrapbook store simply because I find myself near one with a half hour or so to burn, it is easy for me to spend too much on stuff I’m likely not to use. Here are a few ways I control my spending when I'm browsing (instead of shopping for something specific, which we'll talk about later in the week):

1. I don’t put anything in my basket until I’ve looked at everything in the store. Once it’s in my basket, it feels like it’s mine, so it’s harder to say no to.
2. Before I put it in my basket, I think about how I would actually use the item. If I can only think of one way, I generally don’t buy it.
3. I give it the Cupid Test. Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I fell in love with a cupid-shaped punch. I adored it! Until I got it home, used it on a layout—a Valentine’s day spread—and then realized: yeah, when else will I use this? If something is so specific to a theme or a holiday that its versatility is lost, it fails my Cupid Test.
4. Bending the rules is allowed! I give myself some leeway so I don’t start to feel frustrated. Especially if something I want is on sale, I let myself indulge on one or two items.
5. If I discover an alphabet sticker that will work on several layouts, I buy two sheets. This alleviates some of my alphabet sticker anxiety. 

Organizing Lettering Supplies
Nearly every layout has some sort of lettering on it, so keeping these supplies organized is useful. What are your favorites? Keep them close to your workspace. The alphabet stickers I use the most are white, black, green, and blue; I keep these in a basket on the shelf above my desk.  The others are all organized by color, so if I need some yellow alphabet stickers, I have to move across the room, but if I need white ones, they’re within reaching distance.

I keep all my raw and white chipboard letters in their own drawer. These are the ones I’m most likely to alter somehow, so I also keep my white and black paint in that drawer. (I like painting the vertical edge of chipboard either black or white, no matter how else I might alter it.)

Rub-on letters are the only products I keep in their packaging. I’ve had too many rub-on malfunctions happen to not store them like this! (It’s always that one last E you really, really need that was accidentally rubbed onto the inside of your storage container, isn’t it?) I also store these by color.

Use Your Stuff Tip
Breaking into a brand-new sheet of letter stickers always gives me a bit of anxiety. There’s that little part of me that worries “what if these would work better on a different layout?” or “maybe this layout isn’t the place for these letters?” I get over this fear by keeping in mind a couple of things:

1. This is not the only “perfect” letter sticker (or rub on or ribbon or whatever I’m having anxiety about using). After scrapping for 15 years, I’ve seen a ton of new releases and learned this essential truth: there will always be something new. In six more months there’ll be a whole new batch of product I love just as much as this one. Saving it for the “perfect” layout is the perfect way to ensure it never gets used.
2. If the word, phrase, or title I’m using the stickers for is very long, I make sure I have enough of each letter before I start peeling off stickers. I usually jot down what I’m spelling onto whatever small scrap of paper is close by; I put tally marks next to the letters I need more than one of. This also helps me to see the words—so I don’t spell anything wrong!
3. I also mix letter stickers quite often. Breaking into two new sheets, or using an old one with a new one, alleviates the anxiety. Plus it makes for a more visually-interesting title!
4. I remind myself often that, in the end, all that really matters about a layout is that I matched a story with a picture. Everything else—even those perfect letter stickers—is just icing.

Use Your Stuff Daily Challenge: Letter Stickers

Create a layout that mixes and matches letter from a black sheet of stickers, a white sheet, and one other color, each from a different manufacturer; find one of your oldest non-letter stickers and use it your layout too.

Here’s Jody Dent-Pruk's take on the challenge. I adore the simplicity of the design combined with the pop of energy the title makes:

 

Our other Jody, Jody Wenke, also took the sticker challenge. I love the detail in that last “O”!

 

Here’s my take on the challenge:

 

Note how we each used a small themed sticker to add detail to our layouts. Somehow along the line, stickers got a bad rap, but I think they’re perfect for adding pop to a layout. The one I used is ancient; I know I bought it before 2003 because that’s when the store I purchased it from went out of business.

Here’s the card I made with my left-over supplies:

 
The seashells are the back side of that green dot patterned paper. It felt too girly for the layout, but perfect for the card!

So, share: what's your favorite lettering supply?

Use Your Stuff!

 
Welcome to the second day of spring! It’s cold here in Utah, but yesterday one of my daffodils bloomed, so I’ll take that as a sign that it will eventually warm up. My name’s Amy Sorensen, and I’ll be your Write Click Scrapbook hostess this week. 

Before I get to this week’s topic, I need to share just a little bit of my scrapbooking philosophy with you:

1. Parts of your creativity get tied up in the products that you buy. You know that feeling when you’re in a scrapbook store (or at an online scrapbooking site, however you shop) and you find it, the piece of patterned paper or length of ribbon or sheet of rub-ons that you absolutely love and must have without further delay? Your mind hops around with excitement over just how you’ll use it. Then you bring it home and carefully file it away—and it gets lost in the enormous amount of other similarly-loved product. I think that absolutely-loved, must-have-now supply keeps a hold of that creative excitement you first felt; I think it stays there, with that product, until you use it or give it to someone else.
2. Too much product hampers your creativity. Quick: look at your stack of green patterned papers. How many choices do you have? Once you reach a certain amount (and I’m not sure what that is, to be honest), your creative energy is drained by considering potential choices. Having too many options becomes overwhelming instead of inspiring. (If you want to read more about this idea, you can do that here.)  

Those two scrapbooking philosophies bring us to this week’s focus here at Write Click Scrapbook: using your stuff. The goal is to energize your scrapping creativity by shuffling through your supplies— moving some of them out of your scrapping space altogether (donate them to someone else) or out of your various bins, drawers, and scrapping cupboards and onto layouts.  Every day there’ll be a creative energy exercise; these will ultimately help you use your supplies more and shop smarter. I’ll give you an organization tip (because if you can’t find the supply you’ve got in mind, you can’t use it). Plus there’s a daily challenge that relates to that day’s product focus. I hope you’ll play along! 

Today’s topic: patterned paper

Creative Energy Exercise
Flip through the last 15 or so layouts you’ve made. (If you’re anything like me, they’re still sitting in a pile, waiting to be stuck into albums.) Pay attention: how do you use patterned paper? What prints, patterns, and colors are most common? How did you use the papers—the entire sheet as a background? Cut or punched into strips, squares, circles, or other shapes? Layered on top of or below other things? As a background for something else like a photo, title, or journaling? Is there a brand you used more often than others, or a brand you buy often but didn’t find on your recent layouts? What patterned-paper techniques are your favorites? Make a quick list of how you’ve used paper lately.

When I did this with my last 19 layouts (the ones waiting for an album to call home), I discovered something surprising: 12 of those have patterned paper for a background. Before doing this exercise, I would have told you that I rarely use patterned paper as a background. The manufacturer I used the most was Fancy Pants and the technique I used most often was cutting my paper into layers. I also back a lot of my titles—made with solid-colored letters—with patterned paper. 

Once you’ve made your list, grab one container of patterned paper—one that isn’t your largest or favorite. Sit somewhere you can spread out. Keep in mind the list you just made, which gives you a great idea of papers you do use, break your pile up into two: keep and discard. As you make these piles, try to keep in mind what you’ve just figured out: what patterned paper do you NOT use? It might be a specific brand or it might be a pattern. For example, in the store I am drawn to checkered patterns, but when I’m actually scrapping, they almost never “feel” right. I use organic shapes and stripes more. Depending on the size of your stash, try to put 5-10 sheets into your discard pile. Put your discards into some sort of box and keep it handy—you’ll use it throughout the week.  Add that category to your list: patterns you don’t use. 

Smart Shopping
The list you created in the creative energy exercise gives you an idea of what supplies you shouldn’t buy more of. Take it with you when you visit a scrapbooking store so that you don’t forget. For example: I tend to buy a lot of one manufacturer’s paper—but I really don’t use it all that often. When I go into a scrapbook store armed with that knowledge, I can admire that manufacturer’s paper without buying much, because I know the likelihood of me actually using it is small. 

Organization
How do you organize your pattern paper? I used to keep mine organized by manufacturer, because I wanted to keep like things together. Then I reorganized by color. I keep all of, say, my purple patterned papers in one drawer, and all of my purple embellishments (letter stickers, rub-ons, and other stuff) in the drawer above it. When I did this, I discovered that my pages became a bit more visually appealing. Color organization helps me to see more potential in my scrapbooking supplies because now, it’s not a Basic Grey patterned paper, or a Christmas-themed one. It’s just a piece of red pattern. An added bonus: it’s really easy to clean up after making a layout.

This brings up a question, though: those pesky double-sided papers. Nearly every manufacturer makes them now. Which color do I organize by, the back or the front? For me, I nearly always organize by the back side, but that’s because I am nearly always drawn to the back sides of papers. They’re usually more subtle or with a smaller print, and that fits my design approach much better than a large print does. (It also means the backs of my layouts are usually gorgeous!)

 Does the way you organize your patterned papers work for you, or do you spend lots of scrapping time just looking through your stuff? How could you change your organization so it works better for you?

 Use Your Stuff Tip
Before I put away the supplies I used for a layout, I make a card with them. It really only takes about five minutes to craft a card, but only if your stuff is already out. If you use the left-over bits from your layout, they’re already color-coordinated so you don’t have to search for anything. You might not even have to cut anything, if you’re lucky! I make thematic cards if the layout I made also had a theme (so, obviously, a birthday card with a birthday layout) or more generic cards if the layout didn’t have a theme. With just a few minutes, you simultaneously use more supplies and ensure yourself an ever-ready pile of cards.

Just to prove that this is the simplest way to make cards, I’m including a card each day, along with the daily challenge. I used these sketches from Kim Hughes’s site to help me with the card designs. 

Use Your Stuff Daily Challenge: Patterned Paper

 Pull out your drawer/file/box/bucket that holds your least-favorite color of patterned paper. Riffle through the entire pile, just to remind yourself of what you have. Pull the bottom three sheets. Use at least one of these on a layout. Put the sheets you don't use on the top of your pile, so you'll see them the next time you pull out that container.

The way that supplies stack up in their containers (older stuff on the bottom) can become a sort of archeological dig—you move backward through your own shopping experiences. Don’t let the age of a supply deter you from using it, though. If you still love it, put it to use and release that stored creative energy!

In scrapbooking, as in life, red is my least-favorite color. So that’s the drawer I pulled out. Then I found a photo that would work with the paper—in this case, it’s a picture of my daughter, Haley, sitting on the stairs on Christmas morning. Since I’ve already told the story of that experience, I told a completely different one. The bottom paper in my red drawer was this flocked-flower one from We R Memory Keepers:

 

Since Celeste makes a lot of digital layouts, she didn't literally dig through a bin of patterned paper, but she did push herself to use a color she doesn't use very often:

 

Lisa also took the challenge. She discovered that she loved these forgotten papers:

 

For today's card, I printed the word “happy” three times at the same time I printed my layout's journaling. Then I just inked the edges of things, stamped the white card (this floral stamp is one of my favorite and most-used stamps), cut out the flower from the last little scrap of paper I had, and assembled:

 
If you take the challenge, make sure to share your layout somewhere—leave a link to your blog on the comments, or put it in the Write. Click. Scrapbook. flickr group. Or, share what you learned with the creative energy exercise. See you tomorrow!

 

Stopping Time

 
photo by Elizabeth Dillow

Guest Series: Photo Philosophy {Katrina Kennedy}

Welcome to our special guest series, Photo Philosophy! We know how important photos are to scrapbookers, bloggers, and memory keepers of all types—and while technical know-how is important, we believe that good photography begins with what you believe about your camera and its possibilities. We've invited five incredible photographers to share their own personal photography philosophies with you this week, in hopes that you'll consider your own philosophy. More meaningful images begin with knowing what you want from your camera. Today, please welcome Katrina Kennedy! Enjoy!

I am an accidental photographer. I’ve always had a camera. I’ve always documented the world around me. I’ve used a Kodak 110 and a Canon5D, along with many others.

I never intended to be a photographer. I was just documenting life for myself. For the thrill of capturing the moment. After losing a dear family member to cancer, my husband and I were compelled to do something, anything, in her honor. We connected with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training in 2002. While training first for a marathon and then Olympic Distance Triathlons, I began taking photos in exchange for donations. I stalked the sidelines of events, looking for the perfect shot. Every dollar donated helped heal Dot’s absence.

When my son was born five and a half years ago my photography changed. I was no longer shooting fast moving bodies, outside in bright sun. The ritual of regular shooting improved my technique, but a new little life left me hunting for more photography information. I read each word of Bryan Peterson’s book Understanding Exposure repeatedly, finding something new each time. I poured over galleries and books, filling an insatiable hunger for information to capture this little person’s life before it slipped by me.

And then I found myself on a bus in Florida sitting next to Debbie Hodge. She asked, “have you ever thought about teaching others?”  I knew it was what I wanted to do. More than anything. The perfect way to give back to the world, empowering others to capture their memories through photography.

image © Katrina Kennedy

I believe my photography is about connection. Connecting to my life and my subject in an intimate way. I see my subjects differently through my lens, but I also see them differently in the moments before I put the lens to my eye.  Something about the subject moves me, makes me think differently. I am changed through the connection. And sometimes it’s just a snapshot.

image © Katrina Kennedy

I believe photography is as unique to each of us as the color of our eyes and the blueprint of our souls.  Something hums in my brain as I balance the triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. It wasn’t always so easy, but some analytical switch I’ve denied was tripped that feels so right. It balances the artistic craving to frame and compose in a creative way. It feeds the yin and yang of my being.

image © Katrina Kennedy

I believe my photography provides a wider view of the world. I seek events and colors and moments with my family we might otherwise miss. I get out of my house and out of my comfort zone to discover photos and memories we’ve not experienced before. And sometimes I leave the camera at home, using only the lens of my eyes to see the world.

image © Katrina Kennedy

I believe my photography is simple and complex. It moves as my moods change. Some days I need to be stabilized with a tripod and shoot at my longest focal lengths. Others I need the flexibility and freedom of my 50mm lens or the lens of my phone.

image © Katrina Kennedy

I believe that in seeing the world through my lens, I am changing the world. Ever so slightly. I crave stopping the moment. I crave gathering up the details to look back upon some other day. It is an act of preservation and an act of acknowledgement. Acknowledging the beauty that is my life and all who surround me.

Above all my photography is real. Simple. Everyday. Mine.

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Katrina Kennedy is a photographer, teacher, author, and a mom. She is passionate about documenting the everyday moments of her life. Katrina has helped hundreds of people improve their photography skills in her online classes at GetItScrapped and through her tutorials and eBooks. She has taken a picture every day since February 2008, missing a photo on only one day. She still suspects that photo was misplaced somewhere! When not behind the camera, Katrina works as a corporate trainer where she is given the opportunity to help people identify ways to improve their lives.

 

 

 
Want to learn more with Katrina?

Learn The Very Basics, a self-paced class with personalized forum support from Katrina.

Her class Your Life: Through The Lens kicks off March 22^nd.

She is teaching Action Photography at the True Scrap three-day virtual conference.

Katrina recently launched CaptureYour365— a community for ideas, support, and inspiration for your 365 project.

And be sure to visit Katrina's blog, About a Boy!

Guest Series: Photo Philosophy {Erin Cobb}

Welcome to our special guest series, Photo Philosophy! We know how important photos are to scrapbookers, bloggers, and memory keepers of all types—and while technical know-how is important, we believe that good photography begins with what you believe about your camera and its possibilities. We've invited five incredible photographers to share their own personal photography philosophies with you this week, in hopes that you'll consider your own philosophy. More meaningful images begin with knowing what you want from your camera. Today, please welcome Erin Cobb! Enjoy!

To this day, I consider the Canon Powershot to be a gateway drug. That is, if photography is an addiction, which to me it totally is.
 
Back in 2005 that trusty little Powershot led to the Rebel which led to the 5d which led to the 5d Mark ii. And a booming portrait photography business for 4 years and counting. But the thing that led me down the path to Erin Cobb Photography, and the thing that still buoys my creative soul to this day, is the pursuit of capturing the beauty in my own life. Sometimes it glistens and sparkles and shines so brightly that capturing it feels like the easiest crime. I cherish those moments, those images. I do. But when challenged to find the beauty in dishes and diapers and daily motherhood drudgery, that is where my heart sings. When the beautiful is a child's sticky face or a bedroom that hasn't seen a vaccum this month or a pair of overtired children who refuse to nap for the third day in a row, my creativity is challenged and pushed. The images captured in those moments are the ones that stay with me. They tell my story. They help me remember the nitty gritty of this life we have together. This dirty, tired, sticky, dusty, beautiful life that I love.
 
Therefore, I believe....images © Erin Cobb

That beautiful moments are all around us. They may not seem beautiful in the right now but I guarantee they will look amazing through the lens of 20 years from now. (Coincidentally, this is also my daily mantra about my 30 year old thighs.) Taking time to photograph the seemingly insignificant moments has blessed me beyond measure over the years. The images I have of my loved ones doing literally nothing are the ones that I wouldn't trade for the world. Easter morning in our best dresses? No thanks. My child's chubby fingers rolling a marble down a chute? Please sir may I have another.

images © Erin Cobb

That the images I take are gifts to myself. It's hard to imagine but I know there will come a day when digging couscous out of the carpet will be a distant memory. If even a memory at all. And hearing "check on me in 10 minutes!" hollered out from the bedroom down the hall will be a thing of the past. I may not know it today, but I'll want to remember those things. Each of those tiny drops of water will one day make up the overflowing ocean of my life. If I can find a way to document them, they'll be with me forever. If I don't, I won't even remember that I forgot.

images © Erin Cobb
 
That light and angles cast beauty on the simplest things. Watching the way light falls on my children's faces often tells me when to grab my camera. Sometimes it has nothing to do with what they're doing and everything to do with where they're doing it. The way window light plays in a room energizes me like nothing else. Getting low to the ground and photographing my children absorbed in their own world instantly gives me an insight into their experience that I never get unless I'm looking through the lens. Light and angles can instantly transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

images © Erin Cobb

That I'll never regret taking the shot. But I will regret not taking it. Digital is easy. File storage is cheap. Running through the house at break-neck speed and lunging for my camera burns me a few extra calories if nothing else. There's just no good reason to not take the shot. But there are a million and one reasons to take it. Take the shot. Any shot.

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Erin Cobb is a mother, blogger, photographer, and expert baby swaddler. If she were to hold a world record it would be for number of cookies eaten in a single sitting. Or number of minutes it takes to get comfy in bed at night. Erin makes her home in Huntsville, Alabama with her two children—Sarah (5) and Ephraim (3)—and her husband Brent (age not released). Her portrait photography business is centered in Huntsville but Erin regularly travels throughout the United States for commissioned portrait sessions. Erin's most recent project is her Clean Color Workflow Video Tutorial which gives users (of Photoshop and Elements alike) two comprehensive hours of Erin's editing workflow from beginning to end.

Want to learn more with Erin? 

Don't miss her family blog about everyday life in the Cobb household, The Pigbear.

Check out Erin Cobb Photography.

Connect with Erin on Facebook.

Learn about Erin's workflow with her exclusive two hour video, Clean Color. Thinking about purchasing Clean Color? Enter writeclickscrapbook as your discount code and the full Photoshop version will cost $100 (regularly $129) and the Photoshop Elements version will cost $79 (regularly $99). Offer is good through Friday, March 25, 2011!

and the giveaways go to . . .

What a week we are having!! Kelly, we can't thank you enough. Not only are you generous enough to have shared your photography and philosophy, but you have also made two of our readers very very happy today!

Our lucky numbers today belong to

Carmen and Damon, please email us at writeclickscrapbook at gmail dot com before midnight Saturday to claim your lucky numbers!

And for those you want the book but didn't get it, if you are going to buy it, please click on that button right there to the right. We can promise that scrapbooking is more fun when you love your photos. If the luck of the Irish missed you, then take matters into your own hands and click that button and order one for yourself. You will be glad you did!!

Stay tuned! We have a new mystery philosophizer up shortly!

give.away.day. featuring WILLETTE DESIGNS, LLC

We're feeling awfully lucky to have so many beautiful photographs featured in one place this week! (And we're not done yet—two more photographers will be joining us to share their photo philosophies with us before our series ends!)

Are you ready to take the next step in your own photography? We want your photos to be as wonderful as you hope they'll be as you're clicking the shutter, because there's nothing like meaningful images to inspire you to sit down and scrapbook the stories and feelings wrapped up in them. That's why for this special St. Patrick's Day edition of

we are so excited that Momma Irish herself, Kelly Willette, is offering two readers the opportunity to receive her eBook Finding the Joy (a $75 value)!

Kelly is happy to share how she "found the joy" in photographing her children in this downloadable eBook! Here's the scoop:

This “classroom in a book” is an interactive PDF with links to videos, tutorials, lessons, shot lists and more! The book follows the same six-week lessons as the popular online class. You'll find six chapters of inspiration, ideas, tutorials and assignments to help encourage you to take the most awesome photos of your kiddos EVER! Read what previous class participants are saying about Finding the Joy.

Who: Anyone who would like to capture their children (or grandchildren) or ANY children for that matter.  Any skill level will find inspiration….from beginners with a point and shoot camera to a professional photographer who has “lost the joy” in photographing his or her own children.

What: This is a 50+ page, 6-chapter eBook that you take at your own pace. This is a stress-free “journey.”  It is all about finding the joy in capturing your kiddos….not about deadlines! The eBook is an interactive PDF file that has links to online video tutorials for Photoshop, Elements and camera techniques, shot lists, how to’s, ideas and photo inspiration.
 
Where: Anywhere! It's an instant download so you can read it on your laptop, iPad or computer, or you can print out and follow along on your printed sheets.

Why: Because you NEED to capture your own children’s childhood. It goes by so fast. Make this the time of documenting your children with your camera! And because I’m going to help you find the joy in photographing your own children.

Image © Kelly Willette

Let's take a look at this photograph posted yesterday again and agree: this is a woman who knows how to find joy in children. : )

Comments will remain open until 8:00 pm PST. Two lucky numbers will be selected at random and posted tomorrow. Please remember it is your responsibility to claim your lucky number before midnight Saturday. May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Guest Series: Photo Philosophy {Kelly Willette}

Welcome to our special guest series, Photo Philosophy! We know how important photos are to scrapbookers, bloggers, and memory keepers of all types—and while technical know-how is important, we believe that good photography begins with what you believe about your camera and its possibilities. We've invited five incredible photographers to share their own personal photography philosophies with you this week, in hopes that you'll consider your own philosophy. More meaningful images begin with knowing what you want from your camera. Today, please welcome Kelly Willette! Enjoy!

My journey as a photographer started with a horrific studio portrait session with my son (who was then 12 months) at a chain studio (which I still LOVE)….my husband couldn’t stand to see me get so stressed out over the studio photos, so he snuck out that evening and bought me my first digital SLR camera as a surprise gift….under the condition that I learn how to use it and that I don’t freak out over imperfect studio photos anymore. That was nearly 7 years ago. I spent two years mastering the camera…..learning how to shoot in manual, what lenses were best for how I wanted to photograph, how to find the light, etc. That camera was the BEST material gift I have ever received.
 
I eventually began photographing for friends who loved my photos of my son, then I ran a successful photography business and began teaching other photographers how to run successful business. Then I had baby number two last year.  I have put my business of photographing for others on hold—and have returned to photographing my own kiddos exclusively.  It really is funny how life does come full circle. Though I LOVED photographing for others, I really LOVE photographing my own children – capturing them in photos (and I LOVE having the time to scrapbook again!).

I believe that finding the light is key to getting powerful photos. When in your own home, be sure to try to find the good pockets of light!  Here is a video tutorial if you would like to see me “in action” explaining how to find the light inside your home. The password to view the video is: shiny

joy of love: indoor light from kelly willette on Vimeo.

And here is an image tutorial on indoor lighting!

images © Kelly Willette

I believe that sometimes you should take a close up photos and other times you should take several steps back and get the shot. Sometimes when you capture your environment around your subject the photo tells an entirely different story.





images © Kelly Willette

I believe that the details are just as important as the overall scene.  Get in close to remove distracting elements from your photos.

images © Kelly Willette

I believe that everyday, unposed, unplanned photos sometimes make the best photos. I will always treasure the everyday photos of my family.

images © Kelly Willette
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Kelly McMahon Willette is a life-long resident of Norfolk, Virginia where she lives with her husband, two kids (Max and Flossie), wild Australian shepherd dog and senior citizen cat. She affectionately refers to her home as the Willette “gong show.”  She runs Willette Designs, a photography business that offers on-line photography classes for parents and photographers; her popular (free!) Joy of Love classe has helped scores of women consider the emotional and technical aspects of photography in new ways. She also makes a mean beef stew, still knows all the words to the Beastie Boy’s song Paul Revere, and is adjusting to being the master of multi-tasking since having her second child.

 

Want to learn more with Willette?

Visit Willette Designs, LLC.

Connect with Willette Designs on Facebook.

Watch for her upcoming Joytography™ guides in July 2011 (Joytography: A Collaborative Inpsiration Guide for Hobbyists, Professionals, & Designers).

Purchase her much anticipated Finding the Joy™ photography eBook and maybe mark give.away.day. on your calendar tomorrow. Hint hint.

And finally, what better way to celebrate March than signing up for Willette's free Joy of Luck class?  It starts tonight so don't delay! 

Guest Series: Photo Philosophy {Tracey Clark}

Welcome to our special guest series, Photo Philosophy! We know how important photos are to scrapbookers, bloggers, and memory keepers of all types—and while technical know-how is important, we believe that good photography begins with what you believe about your camera and its possibilities. We've invited five incredible photographers to share their own personal photography philosophies with you this week, in hopes that you'll consider your own philosophy. More meaningful images begin with knowing what you want from your camera. Today, please welcome Tracey Clark! Enjoy!

I am delighted to be here at Write. Click. Scrapbook. for this very unique series. Usually people ask me to share tips and tricks on how to take better photos so being asked about my photo philosophy was such a surprise, I was thrilled to be able to share my thoughts on a topic near and dear to my heart.

I began my photography career as an artist first. I used photography in my artwork during my last year of college which is where my love affair with photography began. Because I had only taken one photography class, I concentrated more on the art of photography (composing a shot, capturing emotion, etc) rather than the technical part of it. It became a trial and error process for me as I learn more effectively “doing it” rather than learning about it through books or instruction. I’ll admit that it can take longer with that approach but by actually doing it, it seeps into your being. It becomes intuitive. It’s not just numbers on paper or settings on a camera.

Right out of college I got a job working with a well-established, very experienced photographer and I continued my "learn as I go" approach. He offered up little technical tid-bits over the years and I slowly not only improved my work but I learned all the technical info I needed. It was a very organic, natural way of acquiring what I needed to consistently shoot the kinds of images I loved. The rest is history.

image © Tracey Clark

All that said, one of my photo philosophies is that you can absolutely learn as you go. Take it slow and steady.  Play, have fun and don’t worry if you’re getting awesome shots on “Auto” mode. There’s no shame in auto mode! But, you also don’t have to fear the dials and settings. You can take it one step at a time and slowly learn the ins-and-outs of your camera at your own pace. Don’t be intimidated.

image © Tracey Clark

I also believe that if you love the photo you shot, that’s all that matters. Learn how to stand by your own images, be proud of the photos you’re taking and don’t apologize that it’s “not the best photo technically." Who cares? All that matters is that it’s a shot you treasure. It’s your art, your expression, your story.  And it is important.

image © Tracey Clark

I know that happy accidents are a gift. I have learned more about photography by experimenting and trying the methods of shooting they say don’t work. Break the rules of photography. Push the boundaries. Think outside the box. Sometimes the results you stumble upon will be better than what you had planned on doing. Feel your way as you shoot. It’s the best way to learn.

image © Tracey Clark

And lastly, my most favorite photo philosophy is also my philosophy for life: perspective is everything. I believe from photography to daily life and everything in between,  it’s all in the way you look at it. A shift in perspective, a reframing, an angle change can make all the difference from better appreciating your life to taking better pictures. Challenge yourself to see the beauty, the wonder, and the gift that your life really is and use your camera to celebrate it!

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Tracey Clark is a photographer, writer, mother and the founder of Shutter Sisters, the online collaborative photo blog for women who love taking pictures. With a photography career spanning nearly 20 years, Tracey brings her experience and enthusiasm to everything she does; from shooting to writing to speaking and teaching. She currently leads the popular Picture Series at Big Picture Classes with her current offering being Picture Inspiration: 52 Weeks of Photocentric Creativity and Community. And her new book, which she co-authored with her fellow Sisters, Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From the Heart was recently released by Focal Press and is available now. Discover more at www.traceyclark.com.

 

Want to learn more with Tracey?

Check out the upcoming Camp Shutter Sisters, an incredible retreat and workshop at The Historic Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Beach, California

Get ready for spring by treating yourself to Tracey's self-paced class, Picture Spring at Big Picture Classes.

Be inspired every week with Tracey's year-long class Picture Inspiration: 52 Weeks of Photocentric Creativity and Communty at Big Picture Classes.

Catch all the latest updates with The Shutter Sisters on Facebook.