I am taking an enjoying a year-long exploration of still life photography with some wonderful friends and the teacher is Kim Klassen, one of my favorite people ever. I have shared a few shots with you recently as I experiment with adding textures and words to photos. You can see some in my Flickr stream. Here’s another, just for fun:
I have been trying to invite stillness into my days for awhile now. It was even my word for last year! I am really good at getting things done but I am not so great at being still. I’m getting better at letting myself have a few moments of calm just to notice my surroundings or what I’m feeling inside, but I have a long way to go to be where I’d like to be with that. It is so easy to get busy going and doing, especially with a busy job or with kiddos around, and the days just fly past without me ever feeling or experiencing life.
In an e-mail to Kim about her course, I wrote:
“I promised myself that I would NOT sign up for another class, but when I watched your short video, tears came to my eyes. I must be doing way too much because I feel the need for stillness too. Of course I do recognize that yet another class is heading in the opposite direction! I’ve been unable to bring calm into my days with my own efforts so I’m thinking some externally imposed calm will help to give myself permission.”
And it sooooo has! Sweet, wonderful Kim replied:
“i don’t believe there’s a greater gift than quiet and calm…..in our days…. this world is far to crazy…. so my greatest intention for Be Still is that…. we all find a little peace in our life and art…..”
There is this pause that happens for me when I’m taking photos. It’s that moment before pressing the shutter when time seems to stand still. All of my senses are heightened and I am truly noticing even every sensation in my body. In those moments, I am so grateful for my life and feel privileged to be exactly where I am. It’s actually hard to put words to the feeling, but you probably know what I mean. Those moments make taking this class sort of a gift to myself because I am not one to sit still and meditate, but this is a form of that same idea.
Today, I’d like to show you the props I have been gathering for the photos (and because Mr. B asked me what I’m going to be doing with all these things). I won’t take offense if you aren’t as excited about this fun stuff as I am.
I bought these wood pallets for about $10 each from Zulily, a home and clothing site I am slightly addicted to checking every day. I’m using them as tabletops (like in the photo above) or as backgrounds.
I found this old ball jar at a vintage shop that Mr. B and I were exploring just for fun on one of our coffee dates.
For the rest of my prop finds I got on my birthday at Anthropologie and Sur La Table. It was such fun wandering around the stores by myself on a rainy day and selecting these. 🙂 
Everything fits together rather compactly and is stored in a closet (because little hands have already broken a tiny porcelain spoon) for when needed as inspiration strikes.
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