Category: creating a story

Why we have to get those pictures off our computers!!!

One of the greatest technological advancements and pure gifts in my generation is digital photography.  Because it is accessible to everyone and allows us to document our lives and the lives of our families in an affordable and easy way.

Here’s the thing though.  We take pictures.  If you’re like me, you take a LOT of pictures.  And then what happens?  They sit.  On our phones.  On our card readers.  On our computer.

And how crappy would it be if this gem just stayed on my computer where no one could see it and enjoy?!

I am guilty of this as much as anyone.  But that’s changing.  Right now.  And forever.

Because truly, the photographs I take are among the most cherished things I have.  Right up there with my husband, my kids, my boat, and my bed.  🙂  If there was only one material thing I could keep in this world, it would be my pictures.  Because my pictures are the story of my life.  Of my family’s life.  It’s what we do.  It’s who we are.

But my husband and kids have probably only seen about 7% of the pictures I’ve taken.  Because they’re sitting on my computer.  That my kids aren’t allowed to touch for fear of death.  Or a broken leg.  (I’m kidding.  You can read here how he scored that cute little cast)

This is the year I have committed to stop thinking about things and start doing things. Starting with the things that are most important.  Like photographs.  And how to get all four of my kids to sleep through the night.  Sigh.

So join me in this quest to get the pictures OFF the computer and OUT where they can make a difference!

Click here for STEP 1.

“Reality is my problem”

I am in no way a Russell Brand fan.  But this article is an honest look into the mind of an addict.  Honest and haunting.  Well written.  Thoughtful.  And painful.

If you know someone who is an addict, and even more, if you love someone who is an addict (Brother, Sister, Wife, Husband, Father, Son, Daughter, etc.), you “get” this.  You understand this world.

“Drugs and alcohol are not my problem, reality is my problem, drugs and alcohol are my solution.”
REALITY is my problem. Addicts are merely people in pain. People trying to dull the pain for whatever reason. People who chose a pretty damaging coping mechanism to deal with their pain. OR, people with mental illness who don’t have any resources but to “self-medicate”.
But they’re just like everyone else. Trying to navigate their way through life.

“I cannot accurately convey to you the efficiency of heroin in neutralising pain. It transforms a tight, white fist into a gentle, brown wave. From my first inhalation 15 years ago, it fumigated my private hell and lay me down in its hazy pastures and a bathroom floor in Hackney embraced me like a womb.”

The truth is, reality is ALL of our problems. And we all have different ways of coping. Some people use drugs and alcohol to dull the pain. Some people use food. I see no difference in the addictions (which will probably get me in trouble with some people). One chooses drugs, one chooses food. Both can lead to some pretty awful consequences including death.

Yet the drug addict (or alcoholic) is often seen as “bad” or “scum” or “worthless” while the food addict may be seen as “lazy” “un-disciplined” or have a “lack of self-control”.

The truth is, both groups are just trying to dull pain.

The part that stuck out to me the most:

“It is difficult to feel sympathy for these people. It is difficult to regard some bawdy drunk and see them as sick and powerless. It is difficult to suffer the selfishness of a drug addict who will lie to you and steal from you and forgive them and offer them help. Can there be any other disease that renders its victims so unappealing?…..my belief that if you regard alcoholics and drug addicts not as bad people but as sick people then we can help them to get better. By we, I mean other people who have the same problem but have found a way to live drug-and-alcohol-free lives.”

Alcoholics/Addicts are NOT bad people. They’re sick people. They have worth. God loves them, just as much as he loves anyone. That is truth.

“If you regard alcoholics and drug addicts not as bad people but as sick people then we can help them to get better”

Well said, Russell. Well said.

 

Humans of New York.

A friend of mine told me about this Instagram feed she was following.  @humansofny
Said it was a “must follow”.  So I checked it out.

She was right.  It’s a must follow.  I’ve spent an hour the past two nights scrolling through all the photos and reading the snippets of their stories.  It’s fascinating.  Captivating.   Inspiring.  Sometimes sad.  Sometimes makes me laugh.

But the bottom line, it further emphasizes we ALL have a story to tell.  And we’re all connected.  We all belong to each other.  And we’re similar in more ways than we’re different.

Some examples:

“What’s your biggest remaining goal in life?”
“Honestly, I just want to keep on. I’ve got a job with The City, and it’s hard to do much better than that. I’ve got a pension. I’ve got benefits. And there’s no better job security. You’ve got to fire yourself if you work for The City. You have to do wrong. If I work at that store across the street, they can tell me they don’t need my services anymore. The City can’t do that.”


“I pretty much only read fantasy because I’ve had more than enough of reality.”

“I wanted to be in the FBI, but then I found out that first you have to be a police officer for four years. And I don’t think I want to do that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m literally five feet tall. If I tried to arrest someone, they’d think they were being pranked.”


“I’ve got a whole stack of books in my cart. Most of them are advance copies. I know a place where they get thrown out.”
“How many books have you read?”
“Thousands.”
“So why are you homeless?”
“I’ve tried to work a job a bunch of times. But then I get sad, and then I get high, and things fall apart.”


That last one got to me.  For so many reasons.

You can follow them on instagram or Facebook.  Or check out the website at  www.humansofny.com

Or buy the book with some of the pictures and stories featured in it.  You can get that on Amazon here:

What a brilliant project idea!  I actually have had a somewhat similar project idea in the works in my brain for years now.  Hoping one day it will become reality.  But right now I’m in the business of saving lives of little human people.  🙂  And I’m happy to be in that season of my life.

Go check it out!  Be prepared to stay there awhile.

Tell My Story Photography Classes

This is NOT your average photography class.  It’s not just about the camera and what all those words mean: aperture, exposure, ISO, composition, shutter speed.  

Though we’ll learn a lot about how the camera works and how to take better “technical” photos, the heart of this class is focused on the WHY behind the picture taking.  Because as long as you have a why, you’ll figure out the how.  That’s what makes this class different than any other photography class out there.

It’s about the people and relationships we’re taking pictures of.   How we can grow closer to and more in tune with our children (and spouse) through the gift of photography.

How we can be more intentional mothers using photography.  

How we can use photography and displaying photographs to tell a better family “story”.

And how we can help our children learn who they’ve always been and give them a sense of love and belonging in a world where we all desperately need to feel that.

And we’ll have fun!  And laugh.  A lot.  I promise.

The first portion of the class will be completed online where you can work at your own pace and learn the elements of taking “technically” better photographs.  Then we’ll use that foundation of knowledge in an interactive, hands on class where you will learn how to be in control of your camera and get consistently better photos.  You will be able to practice what you learned in the online portion of the class with direct access to me for help.

Then we’ll tie it all together and discuss how to get emotionally better photographs.  And how the gift of photography can help us be better parents and create an intentional family story.
Don’t just take my word for it.  Hear it from people who have already attended the class:

“I’ve had my camera for almost 3 years now and still have never learned how to use any manual setting. I either had “no time” and/or it was too overwhelming to try and find a class that would help me without talking over my head. Lindsay takes beautiful pictures so I was so excited to hear what she has to say–about picture-taking in general. She told us not only about tips for taking better pictures, but WHY we should be taking pictures in the first place. She also taught us the basics of the manual settings–SO HELPFUL. The setting was relaxed and it was all in one day. I loved it. I truly believe that picture taking is THE BEST INVESTMENT…I really needed to learn more so that I can practice and end up taking better and better pictures so that my kids can remember their childhoods with better clarity. THANK YOU LINDSAY! I recommend this class to everyone!”  Jacqui

“I learned so much from taking the “tell my story” class. Lindsay was very thorough in the way she explained parts of the camera and different concepts. It was also great to have her teach as we completed the “practical” portion of the class. The class changed the way that I take pictures and even the way that I view photography. I have such a greater appreciation now. I would highly recommend taking this class!”  April

“This photography class taught me so much more than how to take my camera out of auto (so excited that I now know how to use manual mode.)  Lindsay was awesome, she taught the importance of catching those everyday moments that tell the STORY of my life!  I am awful at journaling.  I am now committing myself to break out my camera and capturing the happy, the sad, and the everyday things that make up my STORY and my families STORY!!”  Natalie

“This class gave me time to think about why I take the pictures I take and am I taking enough of the pictures that matter to me and my family.  I learned some great tools to help me do that and I now feel more inspired than ever to take more and better photos of our lives–photos that tell a story about who we are and not what we want others to think we are.  Thank you for letting me be a part of this.”  Shara

“I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to participate and be a part of the class yesterday. It was such a day well spent. You are passionate about what you do and why you do it and I left inspired in ways I did not anticipate. “  Kim

“I’ve had my camera for a while now.  It’s a nice camera and sometimes I get really awesome pictures.  But sometimes I don’t.  Now I understand how to control my camera so I consistently get the pictures I want.  I loved the “live” shoot we did so I could practice what we had learned and have you there to answer all my questions.  I also really liked the section of the class where we talked about why the pictures are so important and how we can use photographs to really tell the stories of our children’s lives.  Finally I understand what all those photography terms mean and what all the dials on my camera do, and I am excited to practice so I can consistently tell the story I want to tell with my pictures.”  Brittany

“I look at the way I take pictures and the day to day things in my life in a whole new way!  I’m so excited for this new approach to my photography and life!  Thank you”   Sarah

“I wanted to tell you thank you for the photography class! I have been playing/practicing (ALL IN MANUAL) and I think I at least know which numbers mean what, and how to adjust! I think it will take me a lot more practice and maybe a new AUTO FOCUS lens for christmas:). I actually really loved the first half of the class about WHY to take pictures and how to tell my kids stories better. I am determined to start looking for the mundane things that I know I’ll miss.  Thanks again…

you’re a good teacher!”   Kamie




**Class sizes are small so each person gets individual attention and help with their camera settings as well as plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions.** 




*Sign up with a friend and you each get $20 off.  E-mail me directly to sign up with a friend.*


Any questions–Email me:  [email protected]


{Design for the Tell My Story banner done by the ridiculously talented Meredith Carty.  You can find her here.}
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