It’s been more than four years since my very first post on the original Mortal Muses site. I was one of the original group of muses who met online via flickr and Big Picture Classes and our own individual blogs and were invited to participate.
In that post , which featured an image shot with a disposable waterproof camera (and then layered with a texture), I encouraged my fellow photographers to get out and play with a different way of shooting images. “Forget (for an hour or two) all the settings on your hard-earned DSLR. Drag out your old film camera, or buy a cheap disposable, or hunt down a Polaroid, and focus on the feeling, the impression, you want to create.”
Since that post in August of 2010, life – and my photography – has evolved. My teenagers have turned into twenty-somethings and are finding their own paths in life in homes of their own. I’ve found love and am also making a new home in a beautiful new place with a wonderful man.
And since that post, I have tried to take my own photographic advice. I’ve experimented and played with different ways of shooting. I’ve tried to catch the light in new ways. I purchased new lenses for my DLSR, and discovered the joys of iPhoneography. I bought a vintage film camera at a local thrift shop and explored its possibilities. I read the posts on Mortal Muses, encouraging us to shoot film, try apps, and experiment with editing techniques. I’ve learned so much, and have so many things I still want to learn.
With the inspiration of the Muses, I gained the confidence to exhibit my work locally, to share my knowledge of photography with others, to teach a class in iPhoneography, and to grow into my craft in new ways.
The thing that has remained constant throughout the last four years has been the community of women (and a handful of intrepid men) who contributed to and followed the Muses. We stay connected on Instagram and Facebook, tumblr and flickr. We’ve met each other in person at meetups across the country and around the world (I’m hoping to connect with Kirstin in London in the spring!), and followed each other‘s lives through our photographs – images of daily life, marriages, births, new business ventures, travels, silliness, sorrow and more. Through our photographs, we’ve opened our hearts and shared our essential selves.
In the spirit of my first post, I encourage you to play; to follow each path that opens before you; to explore both the light and the dark; and to relish every moment.
Thank you for sharing your words with us today Lucy! We are thrilled to have you back one least time. You can find Lucy online at http://lucyloomis.tumblr.com/, on Instagram as lucyloomis, and on flickr as lucy.loomis.
Oh Lucy I really LOVE this. All of these images are soooo beautiful, deserved of a feature, gallery showing all of it.
Never stop playing. Amen sister.
Thank you for this, Lucy!
Beautiful, Lucy! I always loved seeing your calm lovely photos here. That photo of the beach ball on the water is perfection.
Oh Lucy, this is a fabulous post! I love and resonate with all of it. Thank you for sharing with us in this space of Mortal Muses one last time.
Lucy, I adore this post. It really sums up the spirit of MM. Thank you. x
love how this final post took you back to your first. Thank you for this space for as long as it lasted. Looking forward to all of your new adventures.
Well said, Lucy. Lovely words of encouragement and photos. Exactly what MM has been all about. xo
Lucy I love reading about all your changes and progresses over the past few years. I’m so glad that I met you through MM and that you keep on playing!
Lucy, thank you for this. Beautiful.
I loved being on that wild ride with you the first year of the Muses, and have followed you and been inspired by your artistry since then, Lucy. Can’t wait to someday hug you in person – it will happen!