Posted on June 15, 2009 | 31 Comments
Last week when I was having an off day, I twittered that I would spend this weekend shooting for myself. It was a benign enough statement. It is something that a lot of photographers don’t have the time to do that much of…BUT, it is also super important. Because, as a photographer, you are not just a technician…you are also an artist. And, to keep that artist alive you need to take risks and shoot things you don’t usually shoot. Think outside the box…you need to do this to grow…and it is hard to do it when you are working. So, I take risks when I shoot and edit my own personal images. AND, I hadn’t done that in awhile. Soooooo…when I twittered that I was going to shoot for myself, my friend, Tara, twittered that she wanted to do it, too. AND, she added–how about a challenge??? Well, when I have an off day, I try to remind myself of all the things I have to be grateful for. This is a wonderful excercise in keeping you focused on the positive and will usually help me out of a funk. Sooo…I created the ‘Gratitude Challenge’. 5 images that express gratitude. That’s what I said.
Well, I’m a rule breaker. So, there are more than 5 images. It’s my challenge, I can do what I want 
I had all these incredibly deep thoughts about what I was grateful for…and I was going to try and create images that captured that….but in the end, it all seemed…well, insincere. AND, my work is nothing if not SINCERE. What I decided to do was take my tweets about what I was grateful for and turn them into something. Because, in the end, the little things that happen everyday that bring you joy add up to a lot..So…here it is…if you want to see what I twittered go here: http://twitter.com/shortandsweet IF you are another photographer who agreed to play along, PLEASE POST THE LINK TO YOUR GRATITUDE BLOG POST IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. I would love to see what you created. If you are not a photographer but you want to leave a comment about what you are grateful for I would also be more than pleased. Enjoy!
When I told Jack that I was going to shoot him(sounds bad I know, but it’s what I said), he said–you haven’t done that in ages mom! He was eager to do it. And, when I slowed down enough to think about what I wanted to capture about my own kids, it helped remind me about what to photograph for my clients. In the end, I became grateful for this project. And, for all the lovely tweets, emails, message board comments…and now, hopefully, blog posts that people left me saying how eager they were to join in the gratitude parade. I know that reading all the things we all have to be grateful for will lift me through the week. Thank you all.
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[...] spent most of the weekend thinking about it, which has been a fabulous process in itself (thankyou Dana!), and here are my top five. 1. PARIS ~ I am so grateful for being able to LIVE LE DREAM in this [...]
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[...] 15, 2009 by accentphoto A couple days ago, a photographer friend from Calgary, Canada (Dana of Short and Sweet Photography) sent us an announcement about her Gratitude Project. Basically, for any of us who enjoy what we do [...]
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[...] over at Short & Sweet Photography recently Twittered about spending a day taking photos for herself. As photographers, when [...]
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[...] started between fellow photographers, Dana and Tara, and it caught on quick! The idea was that we photographers would shoot for ourselves, [...]
Thanks so much for the challenge! We should try it monthly (or bi-monthly!) I love the things you’re thankful for and that first image is absolutely priceless! What a capture! Here is mine: http://jchaney.com/blog/?p=587
Really beautiful images Dana! Gorgeous little kids. Thanks for the challenge! It was fun to stop and reflect on the many things I am grateful for. Here are mine- http://www.jewelimge.ca/blog Thanks again!
That was fun Dana…thanks:)
Here’s mine- http://www.kimmcmillan.typepad.com
here’s mine, dana…
http://www.ginamaxinephotography.com/?p=455
This is so great Dana… when I read the challenge my brain went into overload. Trying to find these elaborate things I am grateful for. But really it comes down to the simple things in life that are taken for granted everyday. The marker on your beautiful daughters face, one day that won’t be there anymore. Thanks for opening my eyes…
Love the post Dana … Thanks so much for the inspiration. Here’s my post on gratitude… http://tinyurl.com/lszcbo
Dana and Tara, thank you for the challenge this weekend! Here is the link to my post http://totshots.typepad.com/.
Love the challenge, Dana. I haven’t ventured into the world of Twitter. I’m bummed that I missed it, not that I couldn’t do it a few days later, right? What do the rules say about that? LOL Your images are so sweet and sincere!! Beautiful work!!
I’m over from tara’s blog…lovely images! Just had to comment on how stinkin’ adorable your kiddos are!
Thank you for starting this, Dana! Such a refreshing change of pace. And I really enjoyed doing mine! Here it is: http://accentphoto.wordpress.com
Yay! This is so fun Dana . . . I just spent naptime shooting for me:o) I’ll post back soon. We should definitely do this regularly. perspective! Thanks for inviting us to play! Allison
Thank you Dana and Tara for starting this Gratitude Challenge/Post. What a lot of fun, I needed this and would love to continue.
Here’s mine: http://kathicookphoto.com/blog/
I loved this, even if I almost didn’t get to it! Thanks dana!
http://www.rebeccamurphyphotoblog.com/
simply….lovely lovely.
Fantastic and beautiful and LOVE.
Dana, thank you for this challenge. It was wonderful and I think we should have a challenge once a month!! I love your images- most beautiful.
My post is up- http://www.rachelclarephoto.com/blog
It’s been a fun filled day reading everyone’s posts. I posted at the top earlier today and couldn’t even spell my name right. Here is a link that works! Thanks again Dana. (and Tara!) http://www.jewelimage.ca/blog/
hahahaha Julie…I wondered why the link wasn’t working. apparently, I can’t spell either
under the wire!!! couldn’t miss it . . . here are my offerings, no matter how short and sweet! awwwww . . . thanks everyone for the links – loved it. http://jennydrakephotography.blogspot.com/2009/06/gratitude-project.html
I just found your blog through Tara’s blog. Bummer, I would have loved to participate! Can you do it again? Like weekly/bi-weekly/monthly?!? Pleeeaassee?!?! lol
Tara and I have decided to do it once a month. Mid-month. We’ll announce it on twitter. I’d like to promise to blog about it before hand, but all I can promise is that I will do my best to announce it on my blog when it happens. Following us on twitter is probably the best bet.
thank you …thank you…thank you so much for doing this! what an amazing idea! i love that it has helped me to reflect on those simple moments that make my life so amazing! i love that it has made me feel like i know you all over again, that kind, friendly girl from “through the tot lot”. i love that i get to read about your gorgeous kiddos and laugh and cry ouloud as i totally get EVERYTHING you are saying. i love that it makes me want to say all of those wonderful things to my kids too. isn’t being a mama the best thing EVER! nothing compares. the “bestest”! so, what am i grateful for? i am so very grateful that you inspire me, more than you know. thank you so much for that old friend.
Rachel
Fabulous post Dana! I had a lot of fun with it. Thank you!
oh, I just loved reading everyone’s! Thanks Dana for the continued inspiration!!! It was fun. Finally got my post up!
http://phrecklenosephotography.com/blog/
dana, hope it’s not too late to participate in this challenge! thanks for the creative idea: i loved doing it!
here’s mine: http://www.pobkephotography.com/blog/?p=1331
I am so excited to see this. I have been in a funk lately myself and this might just be the way to get out of it. I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your wonderful images!!!!
I’m a little late but here is mine!
http://anextendedvacation.blogspot.com/