31 December 2009

an epic week

Help me, Rhonda.

I do believe my head has detached and is floating somewhere in the thick layer of clouds covering the greater Seattle area.

If you've been reading here this week, you know this has been an epic week for me in regards to photography. Something I've been less explicit about is just how much I've been wishing and praying for some clarity about the role of photography in my life. There have been a lot of tears and prayers and outbursts of frustration over the last several months where this issue is concerned. Do I have any talent, or do I just really like it?

Last week, I explicitly asked for a miracle. All I wanted to know was whether or not I should give up on dreaming about what might be possible for me with photography. Because I have been dreaming. I dream a lot. I needed clarity of some sort.

Let's recap the week, shall we?

On Monday, I learned that I had been featured in Flickr Explore, which features 0.005% of the photos uploaded to Flickr on a given day. This post does a good job of explaining what it is and how they determine which photos are on that list (while not giving away any big secrets).

on the frozen green {explored}
Woo hoo!! My very first foray into Explore (uploaded December 27)!!
This one topped out at #4


I learned over the course of this week that two more photos had made it into Explore. That makes three photos. In one week.

hummingbird {explored}
This one (uploaded December 23) topped out at #230

and ...

in my heart, i want spider's webs {explored}
This one (uploaded December 29) topped out at #403

This is where you can picture me falling out of a chair and hitting the floor with a very loud thud.

But I'm not done. Not hardly.

This morning I learned I was featured on the portion of Shutter Sisters website known as "The Daily Click" which features submissions they receive from their pool on Flickr.

OH. MY. GOSH.

shutter sisters feature
Click on the photo to go to the Shutter Sisters page

But I'm still not done.

About 10:30 this morning, I got a message on my Facebook page from my friend Betsy. Hey, I think one of your pics is on Pioneer Woman's site. Did you know that?

Um, no. Pioneer Woman?? As in ... Pioneer Woman??

Choke. Gasp. Flutter. I was totally geeking out. Pioneer Woman's site is HUGE.

Thud.

My hands starting shaking. Yep, that's me alright. Those are my ornaments, my socks, and my silver ribbon. For crying out loud, that's my living room floor!!

pioneer woman feature
Click on the photo to go to the Pioneer Woman/Photography page
Click here to see the original photo.

I do believe I got my miracle, times five. I have no idea what will happen with any of this, but I feel like I've received an answer, or sorts. Even if I don't quite know what to do with it.

Now, if you will pardon me, I need to go and find my head. Hopefully it hasn't gotten too far.

* * * * *

UPDATE 12:50 PM: No doubt thanks to the Pioneer Woman feature, my elfish socks photo has also made it to Explore for December 21 uploads. 4 times in one week!!

My creation

19 comments:

  1. Woot! It was only a matter of time that your amazing work would trickle out. Congrats and Happy 2010! Here's to more AWESOME photos!

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  2. Awesome! I'm so happy for you! How good is God that he would give you such a clear confirmation! He is SO good!! You are definitely talented enough to make a go of your photography. You can do it!!!

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  3. Oh my goodness, Kirsten. I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps all up and down my arms and legs. Even though I watched these things unfold with you this week, both here and on your Twitter feed, it wasn't until you laid it all out chronologically that I captured the magnitude of the successive events happening in one finite week.

    Not to mention your prayer for a miracle.

    WHOA-DADDY.

    God is doing something marvelous and mysterious here. I can't wait to see what it is.

    PS: Earlier today, as I was doing some mish-mash things around the house, I started thinking about you and your photographs ... particularly how you began taking photographs and sharing them on your blog in what seems like WAAAY back in the day at this point. I remember how responsive our little community was to your photography back then, how remarkable your eye for beauty and detail was even then, even as you pushed your little HP digital to the max of its productivity. I shook my head at that memory, and smiled. Look at how far that part of your story has come.

    Love you. xoxo

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  4. Congrats, Kirsten!

    God seems to know that your photos bring such joy to other people (myself included!)

    Keep your head in the sky and your heart in God's hands. :)

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  5. And I'm crying tears of joy for you! Seriously.
    Hugs to you when you come down from floating up there in shock happy land.

    deb

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  6. Oh, YES!! This seems as it should be, like things are finally getting made right in the world, somehow. I don't know where this is taking you, but I'm SO excited. Go, Kirsten, go!!

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  7. "Do I have any talent, or do I just really like it?"

    Um...the rest of us had that question answered a long time ago. Congratulations!!! (Although I remain entirely un-surprised by all your successes this week.) ;)

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  8. To everything everyone else has said, I can only add another WOO-HOO (and and even bigger PRAISE GOD for answered prayer).

    You are amazing.

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  9. Kirsten, this is amazing! God definitely answered your prayer for a miracle. And, lest there still be any confusion. . . YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TALENT. I absolutely love your photos and always look forward to seeing the latest posts.

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  10. Thank you all SO MUCH for your kind comments. I am humbled and honored beyond words. It still amazes me that God condescends to be this good to His children. Amazing.

    I hope now that I can take some time to catch my breath and ask Him what He wants next. :o)

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  11. Hey, Kristen. I found your blog through a comment you left on Donald Miller's. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your photographs! Congratulations on all your success; I look forward to seeing how this next year unfolds for you.

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  12. SUPER congrats! How fun! God has such fun plans for you! Your pictures are beautiful.

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  13. You rock! Seriously - how exciting! I am thrilled for you - Pioneer Woman - amazing! Your photos are stunning. Happy New Year or what? God is very good!

    Blessings to you from Wenatchee!

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  14. @Rachel
    Welcome!! Thanks for coming to visit from Don's blog. Thank you also for the kind comments about my photos. I always love hearing when my pics resonate with others. It helps me love what I do even more. :o)

    @Just Me
    Welcome to you as well!! Thanks for stopping by. I think you're right -- God is up to something with me here. :o)

    @travelmom
    Thank you so much!! I agree -- God is *VERY* good!! It does indeed make for quite the happy new year. And happy new year to you and your family is well!!

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  15. kirsten... you definitely have the talent. your pictures evoke an ethereal, dreamy quality.... so your dreaminess contributes to your talent. i LOVE your pics, and wish i had more time to delve into the world of photography. i think we view the world through a similar lens, so i GET your photos and they are very profound.

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  16. @bluemountainmama
    I think that's about one of the best things I've ever heard -- it is the compliment to crown all compliments, really. I'm so glad they resonate with you, sweet soul. Now if only I could come there and take some pics of where you live ...

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  17. As if we're surprised.
    Your photos are almost as lovely as you, dear.

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  18. Just visiting through some mutual friends--Homemaker's Heart and Talk at the Table. Lovely photography, and huge congrats on the confirmation you have been getting from God! He's obviously given you a gift--thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.

    Blessings on the journey!

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  19. @Heather
    Well thank you, my dear. After so many months of traversing the wilds of Flickr anonymously, I had feared it would remain that way.

    Again, grazie.

    @lindsay
    Welcome, Lindsay!! I'm so glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind thoughts -- I do look forward to where God will take me!!

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