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Apr
18
2012

Tracey’s Birthday Giveaway Time!

Hooray! So it’s my birthday in a couple of weeks and I couldn’t think of anything that I wanted, so instead I want to giveaway a few film cameras 🙂

With digital photography being so popular these days, it’s easy to bypass film photography altogether – but you’re missing out! Film photography has always been a fun hobby of mine, especially with toy cameras. You’ll always come back from the photo shop (an actual bricks & mortar place where film is developed, not the software on your computer LOL) with a stack of great photographs.

My favorite cameras have been the Holga, Diana and Lomo LCA – which is why I have them in store at Stitch Baby + Kids. I prefer 35mm so it’s that much easier to get the film developed but polaroid is also another love of mine.

lca_sunkistblue

3 Tips for Using Film
1. Chase the light! For flash free photographs, make sure you have sufficient lighting. Even with a high ISO film (1600), you might find that your photos are still dark because toy cameras often don’t have light metering or offer manual settings.
2. Go on an adventure! Pick a day where you know there’ll be things to photograph, and go out with your camera to explore.
3. If it’s your first time, don’t fret if your photos don’t turn out the first time. Part of film photography is technique and experience.

On with the giveaway details! I have 4 film cameras to giveaway – 1 x Holga 135, 1 x Black Slim Devil, 1 x White Slim Angel, and 1 x Diana Mini F+. Each camera will come with 5 rolls of 35mm colour film so you can get started straight away 🙂

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below, telling me why you want to try film photography or why you love film photography. Remember to leave a valid email address so I can contact you.

For extra entries – use the hashtag #traceysbirthday on Twitter or Instagram to spread the word about the giveway. Blog about the giveaway or film photography and post your link below.

There will be 4 winners – if you have a camera preference, include that in your comment also. Giveaway is open to all readers, and will close midnight Sunday 29 April 2012. Winners will be drawn at random and notified by email. Winners must respond within 3 days, otherwise their spot will be redrawn.

Whether you’ve tried film photography or before, I know you’ll have fun with these cameras 🙂 Good luck and spread the word!

Apr
16
2012

Making It Happen

I love Danielle LaPorte.

I have her Fire Starter Sessions ebook printed & bound, and it’s a great motivator! My favourite quote from the video is do what you say you’re going to do. I’m guilty of it – where you have a dream but don’t dare to entertain the fact you could achieve it. And you keep it secret because you fear you’ll fail. Do what you say you’re going to do. Do it.

Even from the smaller things like yes I’m going to save an extra $50 this week, or I’m going to register my business details or get 3 quotes by Friday. Don’t make excuses anymore, it doesn’t get us anywhere we want to be.

Do what you say you’re going to do.

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Apr
10
2012

self realisation

i wonder how many of us need to hear that.

“you’re okay”
“you are enough”

you’re okay is becoming a kind of new mantra for me. i’ve spent the last year in a fog, and i’m trying to figure out alot of things. my weight? you know, i don’t look so bad. i may have a few extra kilo’s but i still look cute darnit. my career? i have alot of things inside of me that will come out in all due time. my parenting skills? no one ever said it’d be easy, but i try my best every single minute of the day.

i wonder how many people need to give themselves a break, too. that the stress & tears are not worth the result if the result is built with stress & tears. there has to be a better way to live our lives without giving a part of ourselves away like that. our confidence, our love for life.

i’m purposefully pulling away from a few things, to make room for projects i’m excited about. i want to go back into taking more photos (not with my phone) and i want to make my life as simple but as directed as possible.

i want to show myself that just being me, and no one else, is enough.