Photography – Page 2 – Shelley Shockley's Views from Collinwood

Day 8 of 30 Days of Gratitude albeit a day late

I am grateful that I have this space to share what’s on my mind and that when I set a challenge I can alter the postings as needed.

Yesterday there was no way I could post after a very long and hectic day so I’m keeping my challenge by writing two posts.

Brittani Bo Baker graces the cover of the latest edition of Phenomenal Woman Magazine. (Photo by Shelley M. Shockley)

This first post is about Phenomenal Woman Magazine. I have the honor and pleasure of serving as the editor of this publication, and I hope that this post will prompt you to check it out. Click here to check it out. Thanks to this publication I can also count Photographer as a job, so I am able to practice two of my favorite passions.

1st Help-Portrait Cleveland a success!

I am so FULL right now! The joy and sense of accomplishment is overflowing. This past Saturday I had the pleasure of bringing a flash of hope to more than 75 individuals (representing about 20 families) through the Help-Portrait movement.

The bright smiles of youth were captured by Photographer Stephanie Briggs.

We gathered at the Cleveland Salvation Army’s Harbor Light facility in downtown Cleveland. Joined by five local photographers and a team of volunteers we set up mini-studios in the gymnasium and before we knew it, the eager subjects were packing in and patiently waiting for their turn to shine.

Unfortunately I did not get to experience a lot of the joy that went along with the process as I was buried behind a computer screen printing out photos. I have been reliving the experience vicariously through the words of my friends who gathered to assist with this day.

The accolades have been many, but the true determination of the success of the day is seen in the smiles and the shimmer of light that shines in the eyes of the recipients of these portraits.

Today and over the course of a few days I will share some of that beauty with you. Can’t wait until next year!

~Enjoy

Count Down to Help-Portrait Cleveland

Only nine days until the first Help-Portrait event will be held in Cleveland and I’m nervous! This has been my baby for a few months now and I am saying prayers that all will turn out well. Please send up a prayer or two.

The good news is that we are going to help out families at the City Mission’s Laura’s Home and the Salvation Army’s Zelma George Family Emergency Shelter. Isn’t that a blessing! I started out wondering if I would have anyone to shoot and now we have at least 70 families, representing about 200 people.

Donations have been slow to come, but my crew of volunteers have stepped up to the plate, many not only offering their time but also financial or in-kind donations!

Grateful to these ladies for restoring my faith in the Help-Portrait Cleveland project. Seat (l-r) Stephanie Briggs and Angela Townsend. Standing (l-r) Bele’ Wondwossen, Keshia Johnson and Angela Tucker.

So wish us well as we try to bring a little cheer into the lives of our neighbors – One Portrait At A Time! If you’re reading this and you live in the Cleveland area and would like to help us out, please let me know. We are still seeking donations for snacks, props, and photo holders!

~Enjoy

Fantastic Friday to begin 5 on Friday!

This has been a Fantastic Friday, and I’m so happy to join the ladies over at Reflection of You had decided to bring this link-up party back to life. They have added a new twist – no longer do you have to share just Facts, but you can share five of ANY little thing you want!

When I received the notice, my plan was to use this opportunity to catch up on some of the photos I have taken in recent weeks, but then my telephone starting ringing and I had to change things up a little.

So here are my 5 on Friday:

1. As I have mentioned here, and here I have been working on organizing a Help-Portrait event in Cleveland. Not a simple task I must say, but I decided to persevere and boy has it paid off! I now have three organizations really excited about taking part in this worthwhile project! The glee has to be tempered just a little because there are always challenges, but I am ever so grateful to the agencies that have shown some interest!

2. I have joined the annual Nanowrimo this year, and although I am behind schedule I am proud to say that I have officially completed 2200 words! That’s only a drop in the bucket, but that’s the furthest I have gotten in three years!

3. I am grateful to the City Mission, in particular, Laura’s Home for their interest in Help-Portrait Cleveland.

4. I am grateful to University Settlement for their interest in Help-Portrait Cleveland

5. I am also grateful to the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland for their interest in Help-Portrait Cleveland.

So, have a great weekend, and as always,

~Enjoy!

Thank you!

The joy and elation pictured above is what I felt over the last few weeks as I read the comments left on this space. The birthday wishes, and just the fact that you guys took time out of your daily routine to stop by and see what I was up to! Thank you so much.

You know as a creative soul I started this blogging journey as a way of keeping myself in the practice of writing on a regular basis. Life kept getting in the way and I would find a reason not to post. Not enough time, nothing to write or the idea I wanted to write about was time sensitive and on and on. My next goal was to showcase my photography. Once again life got in the way and the number of posts continued to diminish.

Throughout this process what I have found is that the process is made a lot easier when you develop a sense of community – a following. When visitors stop by and greet you and comment on your latest postings there is a sense of accomplishment. With that accomplishment comes elation and a reignited sense of purpose.

So thank you all for helping me reignite my purpose and for helping me develop a new community. I hope you will continue on this journey with me and offer your views both positive and not so, but always with a sense of encouragement attached.

I hope to hear from you soon, and I look forward to sharing more highlights of this journey with you.

Enjoy!