Saturday, October 30, 2010

inspired connections


I feel overwhelmed with the abundant generosity and kindness swirling around the interwebs these days.  I have made so many connections online in various forums in these past few months I feel so blessed - I can't even begin to explain it. The ladies you see here everyday on this blog for instance - sharing their lives with you - we have never even met each other (outside of Kat and Suki's day in Paris) - in real life. And every day I am so inspired by their love for sharing and passion for photography and learning. Perhaps you don't find that as fascinating as I do - but it really blows my skirt up! I feel so connected with each of them and I have never made eye contact with any of them. Ten years ago this would have never happened. Facebook wasn't invented. GAASP!  Five years ago there was no flickr!  How would we have found each other?!?

Two years ago I found myself meandering uninspired though a photography group on facebook. That was until I came across this image. Something about it really jumped out at me. I decided I had to send this person a message telling them I was really amazed with their work. So I sent the message and she promptly replied. She was warm and sparkly, I was immediately smitten. She invited me to join the group and share my work. The photo I am sharing here was one I made for a weekly challenge in that group and was later published in two different magazines. This was the push for me to pursue what I loved, for me. The rest would just have to follow.

Next month I get to meet her - the beautiful Macarena, and I am so very excited. I hope I don't say something stupid. Who am I kidding I am totally going to say something stupid but thing is, I think she'll like me anyway.

see you soon muser peeps!
Michel of wishful thinking

'ironclad'
'ironclad' by maki fotos

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Oh yay! I love give-aways!!!! I am so excited to give away a 5x7 archival print of your choice from my blog - I may or may not toss a little snail mail surprise in there too.

Don't forget to check out all the other nine days of giveaways both here and on the More Musing page.

31 comments:

blue elephant photography said...

great story on your post, that's awesome with your photo being posted on magazine, i love it. and i love the featured photo it is different :) i am greatly inspired by the 9 muses for sure and jamie of lyrical journey and all my blogger friends. they definitely are talented and very nice :) i wish i could meet all of you!

aclamp said...

oh michele i loooove that diner! i try to go there everytime i'm up :)

remember, you are an amazing, inspiring & talented lasy whom i can't wait to meet!

i love the image you chose. so much texture!

Jan said...

Your photo is amazing! I love it!!!
and how cool is that, published twice? I'd die :)

The second photo? LOVE!
total texturefest.
and I want those stairs :)

Chelsea said...

Both photos are stunning and so beautiful in totally different ways! Your story of wandering down that path of finding the photo and being inspired is exactly how I found all these groups. I was browsing the lone flickr group I belonged to and came across the Shutter Sisters Project 365 and was so intrigued by the idea of the project. Then it brought me to other participants, other groups, blogs, websites etc. etc. and it was like uncovering a whole new world!

Rosie Grey said...

I do so agree with Chelsea - I took about the same way to get here! Those photos are fantastic!

helena said...

no wonder that photo has been published it is fabulous. I love how the internet provides connections we would never make in our physical space

Suki said...

What a great story Michel! I hope you have a wonderful first time meeting her. I just will say it is like meeting a stranger in the first minutes, but you know all about her, so it quickly becomes very much like two old freinds meeting!

elflyn said...

Simply amazing photo, the texture is wonderful!

Marie Rush said...

I can see why it has been published---simply urban beauty!

urban muser said...

i love your story behind that photo. great images.

knitalatte said...

Inspiration aplenty in both of these photos. I am captivated by the image in the diner photo. It really draws the viewer in. Thanks for sharing the story and wishing you much success and joy on your journey.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I really love the story of how the nine of you got together! And that photo that you picked is wonderful.. So cool that you guys are going to finally meet!

Rachel Spinuzzi said...

I too love the community I've found on flickr. It surprised me how warm and encouraging people can be. The variety of beauty and art are also a balm to my soul.

Thank you all for adding your inspiration and passions and inviting us to join the fun.

Rachel Spin

Meghan said...

That iron photo is beautiful!!

Holly { Soupatraveler } said...

wonderful post michel, and i totally agree! hard to believe that i only started actively shooting and posting on flickr last winter, not even a year ago and I've made so many wonderful friends, including you! you are definitely an inspiration to me and i'm always thrilled when you comment on my work. thank you for being you, : D

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

The diner shot is quite inspiring. I do love black and whites. But the warm colors of the stairs is great too. You can feel almost feel all the texture of that rust!

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

I am madly in love with this post! Great job. xo Tam

GailO said...

Wonderful photo and wonderful post! As an amateur, without the computer I never would have found the inspiration to improve or instructions for experiments with photography. Every day I still discover more and more...

Jessica Stier said...

You completely summed up my feelings about the internet. I love it. I love meeting people online and developing friendships and sharing knowledge and learning. Wonderful!!!

Stephanie said...

Such a lovely photo! For all the negativity social networking sites get, they do bring ppl together in many ways. :)

Kathy said...

Brilliant photo, Michel. I need to know how it was taken--double exposure? And a lovely post--it's funny how a wide open (potentially scary) place like the internet can become a safe haven.

Jan said...

Wonderful Post! Thank you for sharing. It is a story we all can relate to... I love my computer because all my friends are in it!

Terry's Girl said...

you have inspired me beyond words since the day we met. xo

Jamie said...

I too am in awe of the connections I've made online and the daily encouragement and inspiration they bring!

Emma said...

The potential for new connections really is mind-boggling!

And I love those iron steps.

Cristina said...

I know what you mean...I discovered this network about two weeks ago and already, it has changed my life!

mosey (kim) said...

Right back at you, babe.

Kirstin said...

Such sweet words. How to make a large world so small. Have fun with your friend...I know you will both love every second!

AnnGeeDee said...

I just love the second shot. Those stairs are just screaming to be photographed. Nicely done!

rachel june* said...

wow that inspired me! great photos!

Macarena / Maki Fotos said...

thank you so much Michel! I can't wait to meet you and I know I will like you because you are YOU :)... you continue to inspire me since the day we 'met' in ways you can't imagine.

thank you to all who commented on my photo of the stairs!!! I truly appreciate it and feel so honored to be featured alongside miss Feist

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