Simplicity. Peace. Beauty.
That’s what I see when I look at this image. A brief moment in time captured, expressing something wonderful.
I also see a landscape. And I scratch my head quizzically, wondering, “When did I become a landscape photographer?”
The answer whispered to me: When you stopped telling yourself you weren’t one.
Oh, yeah.
When I threw out the rules for my photography and starting to follow what brought me joy. When I let myself have fun and play again. When I threw out the need for perfection and pixels and began to create with a terrible, low-resolution iPod Touch camera.
When I stopped defining myself.
That’s when I became a landscape photographer. And a painter. And whatever I feel like being today. Tomorrow it will probably be something different.
Because you know what? None of the labels matter. It’s just me and my art. Approaching each day as it comes, with openness and joy.
Well. If that doesn’t conclude my transformation of the last few months, I’m not sure what would. From the fear of change in October to the emergence of November to this acceptance that arrived in December. Completely unplanned, somehow my monthly Photo-Heart Connections tracks this dramatic transition to a new approach to my art. As I worked on my “eighteen months” project I was a bit shocked to discover that I hadn’t picked up my dSLR at all between October 22nd and December 14th, when I went out for my night shoot. I mean, I knew I hadn’t picked up my “big” camera for a while, but there was something about seeing it right there in Lightroom that was a bit shocking. And you know what? I didn’t care. Because I’m having so much fun with all of this! I’m going with it.
This month concludes the first year of the Photo-Heart Connection. It’s been an amazing practice! I’ve gained so much from it, as well as the community of people who have joined me this year. The guests posts from the last week have shared some amazing stories of connection, and I am truly honored to be able to play host to such a wonderful community of artists. I’m excited to continue for 2013. Who knows what will emerge?
To celebrate a new year of the Photo-Heart Connection, I’ve created a new button that better expresses my feelings about the whole practice. You can copy the code from the sidebar here.
And as a second part of the New Year celebration, I am going to give away a small matted print of this image, entitled “Windblown,” to one of the participants in this month’s Photo-Heart Connection. All you have to do to enter is to participate! So, what is your Photo-Heart Connection this month?
Hello Kat, I enjoyed reading your posting for concerning your photo-heart connection. Lovely landscapes with windswept tree silhouettes!
I’m having problems with your new button though, after two tries, I have two funny little boxes on my blog, but no link back here.
I would like to use your new button, but it doesn’t copy and paste like the other one did.
Thank you for your advice!
I have been furiously trying to fix it, but there is something weird going on with the code when pasted into the post! The code is working correctly when you copy it from the side bar here. Let me konw if that solves the problem!
Kat,
I am having issues linking up as well. I’ve tried everything I could think of including recopying the code for the button. If you could let me know when you get it worked out I’ll share my link.
I think we’re all guilty of getting caught up in labels and sometimes they end up restricting us. I love that you’ve seen a change in your subject matter, change that signifies growth. Love that image and your new button is great too. Happy New Year, may it be filled with love, light and creativity.
Thank you Kathryn! I love that: “Filled with love, light and creativity.” The same to you!
What a beautiful photograph and thoughts to go along with it. I’ve decided to join along with you this year. My first post is scheduled for Thursday, and I will link up then. Thanks for this wonderful idea.
Rinda
Yay! I’m so glad to have you joining in, Rinda. I look forward to seeing your post!
What a great connection Kat…”.when you stopped telling yourself you weren’t one.” Isn’t that the truth, we all tell ourselves what we are or are not and it’s so limiting. And you are so right about labels, what does matter is what is, what we are being right now.
It was a pretty amazing discovery Kim. Here I’ve been trying to describe who and what I am, and none of it matters but “what is, what we are being right now” as you so beautifully put it!
Oh, this is definitely a lesson I need to learn again and again. That I am more than just one thing – that any limits are ones I have imposed upon myself.
It’s funny Brenda, just this week I found I was starting to put limits on my new work. I’m going to have to be extra vigilant to make sure I don’t!!
Hi Kat,
After a couple of teething problems (!), I just wanted to say how much I like the new photo-heart connection button with the soft branches on one side a little oval-shaped leaves blowing in the wind!
As for your words above: “none of the labels matter. It’s just me and my art. Approaching each day as it comes, with openness and joy.” Wonderful! Like one of those little oval-shaped leaves in the new button, you can do somersaults in the sky and be deliciously f-r-e-e !
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog!
I feel the same way about the new button image, there is a freedom in those leaves. As if they’ve escaped the tree and they are capering about with happiness. 🙂
Congrats on a year of PHC and thank you for bringing me along with you. Glad you are enjoying your new fascination with the ipad. One of my intentions is to begin using my new iphone for pics. I’m a bit scared of the likely addiction.
Landscape R YOU if you ask me.
Will gladly grab and use a new button when I check in for the January PHC.
Don’t be scared Susan! Dive in! It’s a blast.
Hello Kat, thank you for this wonderful project. I am joining with you this year and am looking forward to the freedom from labels that I hope it will bring me. My word for this year is Learn: Learn to stop saying ‘I can’t’ or ‘I am not…’ is one of my intentions! Happy New Year to you.
I am so glad to have you joining in Miriam! Welcome to the Photo-Heart Connection. I think you will find that this practice will help with your intentions this year.
Thank you so much for organizing and inspiring us , Kat — this has been a wonderful practice for me. Your openness about your own journey holds lessons for us all. Mille grazie!
Gina, your support and acceptance of who I am along my journey is part of what gives me the courage to share. Mille grazie a te!
Love this connection – openess and joy, yes! Am loving seeing all you mobile artistry here and on instagram – it really is beautiful.
Happy new year to you.
ps loving the new button.
Happy New Year to you too Becs! Here’s to a fun year of openness and joy for all of us. Glad you like the new button! Personally, it makes me smile each time I see it.
Kat, love your image; beautiful, interesting silhouettes! I’ve enjoyed Photo-Heart Connection this year and I’m so glad you’re going to continue it! It has made me slow down, study my images, and discover why certain ones appeal to me! Looking forward to 2013 with you!
Slowing down, reviewing images and understanding why they appeal is a recipe for certain growth in our photography Cathy. So glad to have you back for 2013!
Hi Kat,
This is such a coincidence but I had a similar experience with my photo this month.. I completely agree that labels don’t matter at all. It’s the journey that matters not the destination.
Congratulations on 1 year with Photo-Heart Connection. Here is to many many more 🙂
Gitanjali
Yes! When we label, we can easily dismiss things and miss those messages of the heart. Thank you for joining again in 2013!
I am a bit late this time. I am so happy we will continue with this practice throughout this year!
Love your photo and text, in particular this phrase: When I stopped defining myself…
You aren’t late, you are right on time I’d say! It’s lovely to have you along.
I’ve joined in a few times, but not as often as I would like, although I’ve often visited people who have – hoping that this year I’ll be able to join in more often.
I love your image, and the way you talk about your photography, about the art and the heart.
Twelve months ago I was so excited about Photo-Heart Connection….and then somehow I became over extended and would completely miss the deadlines….I have missed one year of “past” photo friends from Kat’s classes, to see how they have grown and matured in their photography. My loss. But I thought I could end better than I began, so posted, within one day of the deadline my favorite December picture.
I wish all of you, “happy camera days” and greater growth within your creative spirit. smiles: sharon
The great thing about the Photo-Heart Connection is there is no commitment. You can join in anytime, and when it works for you. Glad to have you this month!
I love your words, new button and photo’s, they are all great. Thanks for your comment.
Kat,
I am truly grateful for this opportunity that you have given us this past year and the coming year to continue our photo heart connection. I love how we can see the artistic side of the photo and the heart felt moments that they reflect. I also see that I need to use the new button for photo heart connection… and it sure does capture the heart of the connection as well. Wishing all of us a very meaningful journey as we share in 2013