I wanted to take minute to thank you all for being so understanding of the announcement in the previous post and I also wanted to address some questions that came up.
First though, I really, absolutely, honestly and completely appreciate the responses to the closing of the second chapter of Silly Girls. When Megan and I started doing this in a more organised way it wasn't actually the beginning of "Silly Girls", Megan had been doing it for years with her family and I had been doing it for years in the form of dressing up for themed youth dances with my friends. It was in 2008 that it was given a name, a mission statement, and a kind of structure. You can see all the photos from that period here.
I feel like everyone who has joined in since the beginning to the last year or so gets what we were originally doing - the purpose behind it etc. Newer people joining in are probably wondering why instead of passing the torch, so to speak I'm disbanding Silly Girls as they know it. For me, this isn't something that can be passed on. The way it's been organised up until now is the essence of me. It doesn't make sense to give that to someone else when we have the opportunity to embrace the evolution of the group and have fun with the ability to change. Or maybe it is just selfishness.
There are groups still planning on doing regular photo shoots, when I have time I'll even post and set a challenge for anyone who wants to join in. With graduating school and becoming pregnant I feel really rubbish for not joining in as much as I used to. This takes the pressure off of me too and hopefully will help me get my zest back to join in without beating myself up about disappearing for the last year.
Here is how I see Silly Girls continuing:
* Each active group can make their own facebook group to post their own images on. - I highly encourage this. You'll be able to chat with your group about ideas and post inspiration pictures on your own page in an organised way - with all of us in one group we can't really do that.
* You can choose your own themes or look to other groups and join in their themes - Network, inspire and create together. Also, if you are a professional photographer it could be more exposure for you to link your photography business page to your Silly Girls... just a thought.
* The Silly Girls United facebook page can still be used as a hub - you can post your links and announcements there and everyone following will still see you. I'll continue posting there too and will look forward to commenting on all the pictures posted in your groups. I'll "like" your page so it shows up on the Silly Girls United sidebar and everyone can follow you too...
* Say you go home for the holidays and decide to do a spur of the moment photo shoot with old friends (maybe something super simple like setting up a photobooth) - you can post those pictures any time you like in your own group AND encourage your friend to start her own (complete with facebook group?). Breaking up like this could help create more groups and we always love seeing new groups!
* You'll be admin of your own group and have more control over posting what you want, when you want under your own group name. You won't have to wait for me to make you admin etc.
I hope this all makes sense and everyone can still be excited about the SHEnanigans. It'll be a new year, a new start...
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Important announcement:
Girls,
After much thought and consideration I've made the decision to end Silly Girls United/SHEnanigans at the end of this year. I mentioned it before and was met with pleas not to do such a thing. I had decided to keep it going based on that reaction alone. The more I thought about it the more it didn't feel like the right decision to make. I've gone back and forth on it...
Silly Girls started small; two friends in Rexburg, Idaho needing to get out of the house. Spur of the moment themes with a couple of friends turned into regular, planned events with more and more girls joining in - and needing it. It's been amazing to watch the whole thing grow and mature into what it is now even though it was never intended to be this way.
The spirit of Silly Girls has always been to nurture confidence, creativity, and friendship. We're at a point now where we have a record number of girls joining in regularly and over 600 followers on facebook, it's amazing! I want to end our SHEnanigans whilst we're at a peak, whilst inspiration and friendships are going strong. A new year means new goals, changes. This is a hard change for me to announce and I know it's not going to be welcomed. The experiences have all been good and they still can be. Those of you who have joined in with the shenanigans so far can continue the tradition if you'd like to - you know what to do. Upload your pictures to your blogs and post your link on the Silly Girls United wall. There will not be a year of themes posted for 2012.
It's been amazing. I've loved it. Thank you all for helping make Silly Girls into what it is. Let's make the most of the remainder of the year!
Keep spreading the silly,
---Laura
After much thought and consideration I've made the decision to end Silly Girls United/SHEnanigans at the end of this year. I mentioned it before and was met with pleas not to do such a thing. I had decided to keep it going based on that reaction alone. The more I thought about it the more it didn't feel like the right decision to make. I've gone back and forth on it...
Silly Girls started small; two friends in Rexburg, Idaho needing to get out of the house. Spur of the moment themes with a couple of friends turned into regular, planned events with more and more girls joining in - and needing it. It's been amazing to watch the whole thing grow and mature into what it is now even though it was never intended to be this way.
The spirit of Silly Girls has always been to nurture confidence, creativity, and friendship. We're at a point now where we have a record number of girls joining in regularly and over 600 followers on facebook, it's amazing! I want to end our SHEnanigans whilst we're at a peak, whilst inspiration and friendships are going strong. A new year means new goals, changes. This is a hard change for me to announce and I know it's not going to be welcomed. The experiences have all been good and they still can be. Those of you who have joined in with the shenanigans so far can continue the tradition if you'd like to - you know what to do. Upload your pictures to your blogs and post your link on the Silly Girls United wall. There will not be a year of themes posted for 2012.
It's been amazing. I've loved it. Thank you all for helping make Silly Girls into what it is. Let's make the most of the remainder of the year!
Keep spreading the silly,
---Laura
Friday, April 29, 2011
The new upload strategy!
Facebook recently changed how their groups work, which has made it easier for us to organise Admin and uploading etc.
Here's how it works now:
1. Leave a comment on the Silly Girls United page saying you have something to upload.
2. I'll add you as admin.
3. Before you upload anything click on the "Edit Page" button at the top right hand corner and select "Your Settings" at the top of the list on the left.
4. Uncheck "Posting Preferences" - this allows you to stay as admin and upload and post under your own name rather than "Silly Girls United".
To upload the pics after this:
1. Click "photos" on the left, under the profile pic.
2. Click the "+ upload photos" button at the top right
3. Select the pics you want to upload and follow through until it gives you the option to add album info.
4. Fill up your album and if you want to tag the people in it go ahead.
Here's how it works now:
1. Leave a comment on the Silly Girls United page saying you have something to upload.
2. I'll add you as admin.
3. Before you upload anything click on the "Edit Page" button at the top right hand corner and select "Your Settings" at the top of the list on the left.
4. Uncheck "Posting Preferences" - this allows you to stay as admin and upload and post under your own name rather than "Silly Girls United".
To upload the pics after this:
1. Click "photos" on the left, under the profile pic.
2. Click the "+ upload photos" button at the top right
3. Select the pics you want to upload and follow through until it gives you the option to add album info.
4. Fill up your album and if you want to tag the people in it go ahead.
Monday, January 31, 2011
"I need a group."
There's lot of girls out there waiting for groups and hoping for friends to express an interest. I wish I could help but apparently I just don't know enough people to make all this happen! I don't need to prove it - have you seen how often I do photo shoots alone?
Here's how I feel about this...
People are shy. People also like to have fun. If you go ahead and do a shoot alone, once your friends see they'll want to join in too. It might take a while but you'll start adding group members and the fun will grow. Until then you have an opportunity to become more comfortable in front of the camera by yourself. It's actually a great opportunity because when girls do join your group they'll look to you for direction and encouragement.
Make the most of it. Have fun and take great pictures. You'll entice your friends into your group and they'll wonder why they didn't join in sooner!
Being in a group by yourself isn't so bad. That's why we started our random Self Portrait Friday.
Here's how I feel about this...
People are shy. People also like to have fun. If you go ahead and do a shoot alone, once your friends see they'll want to join in too. It might take a while but you'll start adding group members and the fun will grow. Until then you have an opportunity to become more comfortable in front of the camera by yourself. It's actually a great opportunity because when girls do join your group they'll look to you for direction and encouragement.
Make the most of it. Have fun and take great pictures. You'll entice your friends into your group and they'll wonder why they didn't join in sooner!
Being in a group by yourself isn't so bad. That's why we started our random Self Portrait Friday.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Silly Girls Photography v Silly Girls United
It's true. We have 2 facebook pages and it's confusing BUT there is a point to the chaos and here it is:
Silly Girls Photography: in the albums on this page you'll find all the old SHEnanigans of Megan and I. It's where we discuss upcoming themes, finding new girls to join groups, post pictures that inspire us, etc. Basically everything. There's no rhyme nor reason to the posting here. Just how we like it.
Silly Girls United: this is where we upload our albums for themed photoshoots and our random Friday headshots and leave comments on the pictures. I try to keep the wall of Silly Girls United tidied up.
At some point anyone who takes pictures as part of Silly Girls has had to ask, "How do I upload my pictures to the group page?" The answer and explanation to that is this:
In order to create an album and upload your pictures you need to have admin rights. To get admin rights I have to give you them, which isn't a problem. Leave me a message on Silly Girls Photography/my wall/text me/email me and I'll get it sorted as soon as I can.
Badda-bing-badda-boom!
Really, the first time is the most confusing and the fun outweighs the chaos.
Right now we have a sporadic Friday head shot theme going: FROST. Come join in! It goes until no-one does it anymore. No rules, do whatever you like.
Silly Girls Photography: in the albums on this page you'll find all the old SHEnanigans of Megan and I. It's where we discuss upcoming themes, finding new girls to join groups, post pictures that inspire us, etc. Basically everything. There's no rhyme nor reason to the posting here. Just how we like it.
Silly Girls United: this is where we upload our albums for themed photoshoots and our random Friday headshots and leave comments on the pictures. I try to keep the wall of Silly Girls United tidied up.
At some point anyone who takes pictures as part of Silly Girls has had to ask, "How do I upload my pictures to the group page?" The answer and explanation to that is this:
In order to create an album and upload your pictures you need to have admin rights. To get admin rights I have to give you them, which isn't a problem. Leave me a message on Silly Girls Photography/my wall/text me/email me and I'll get it sorted as soon as I can.
Badda-bing-badda-boom!
Really, the first time is the most confusing and the fun outweighs the chaos.
Right now we have a sporadic Friday head shot theme going: FROST. Come join in! It goes until no-one does it anymore. No rules, do whatever you like.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year!
Since SHEnanigans expanded and invited every girl in the world to join in with our monthly, themed photo shoots 6 months ago there have been 50 albums uploaded to our Silly Girls United facebook page. FIFTY!
We've covered themes such as, movie genres, stripes and polka dots, pretty/scary, day of the dead, awkward family photos and 12 days of Christmas. We have our list of themes ready for 2011 which can be found here.
We've also had girls who have joined in write blog post to give us a pep talk, tips on how to work as a group, how to take a self portrait, how to take better pictures, how to make your makeup fierce... You are what makes this group work. I love the willingness to get involved you've all shown!
Let's give more people the chance to get involved! Let's blitz the blogging world with our photos, links and stories and encourage all woman of all ages, everywhere to join in! Tell your friends, invite them! Tell your sisters, show them!
We have groups in Oregon, Utah, California and Washington joining in regularly. There are girls in Idaho, Virginia, and Hawaii who want to start/expand their groups. I just know there are more girls all over the place who are nervous to get started and are waiting until they're asked to join in because they're not convinced they have what it takes. You DO have what it takes! Come and join in!
There's a reason you don't see any ugly/too fat/shy/etc pictures posted and it isn't because we're models. It's because none of us, including you are ugly, too fat, too shy, not talented etc. It isn't a competition, it's just for fun. Come try it and you'll see!
The theme for January is Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes.
Upload day is February 1st and 2nd.
We've covered themes such as, movie genres, stripes and polka dots, pretty/scary, day of the dead, awkward family photos and 12 days of Christmas. We have our list of themes ready for 2011 which can be found here.
We've also had girls who have joined in write blog post to give us a pep talk, tips on how to work as a group, how to take a self portrait, how to take better pictures, how to make your makeup fierce... You are what makes this group work. I love the willingness to get involved you've all shown!
Let's give more people the chance to get involved! Let's blitz the blogging world with our photos, links and stories and encourage all woman of all ages, everywhere to join in! Tell your friends, invite them! Tell your sisters, show them!
We have groups in Oregon, Utah, California and Washington joining in regularly. There are girls in Idaho, Virginia, and Hawaii who want to start/expand their groups. I just know there are more girls all over the place who are nervous to get started and are waiting until they're asked to join in because they're not convinced they have what it takes. You DO have what it takes! Come and join in!
There's a reason you don't see any ugly/too fat/shy/etc pictures posted and it isn't because we're models. It's because none of us, including you are ugly, too fat, too shy, not talented etc. It isn't a competition, it's just for fun. Come try it and you'll see!
The theme for January is Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes.
Upload day is February 1st and 2nd.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
How to work as a group by LaTressa
Last months theme was "family Christmas cards". We got some pretty intense awkwardness and amazingness, that's for sure! I don't even have words for it. Go look for yourself.
The dream keeps coming true with each new group that joins in. Here are some tips from LaTressa on how the group she plays with plan their photoshoots.
People often ask "Where do you get all your ideas?!" Well, I'll give you a little insight into what goes on in the mind of this silly girl when preparing for a Silly Girls Photo shoot.
Before I even know what the month's theme is, I like to brainstorm with my group to get any suggestions for themes we'd like to do, costumes we'd like to dress up in, etc. One tip is to think back on your childhood... what kind of things did you like to pretend or dress up as? Did you love to make-believe you were a princess, an astronaut, a rock-star, an animal? Reconnect with your inner child and you will probably find it easy to come up with inspiration. So we start throwing ideas out there, and see how everyone reacts. If all seem excited by a particular idea, we add it to a list we keep in my phone notebook. So, once we've got our list of ideas we all think we'd enjoy seeing come to life, we save that until we find out what the theme is for the upcoming month is. If nothing immediatly pops into our heads as an idea for that theme, we go to our list and see if any of those ideas would fit in with the theme. Once we decide which direction we want to go in, we start letting our creativity take over, and it all sort of falls into place from there.
One thing we do to prepare for our shoot is go through our closets, our husband's closets, our mom's closets, wherever we can think to get clothing and accesories that will fit with our theme. Most of the time we find what we need and just have to put outfits together creativily with stuff we already own. But occasionally we will do a little thrift store/yard sale shopping, searching for that perfect piece that will complete our look. We have get together a couple weeks before our shoot, and bring all our clothes/jewelry/accessories/props together and share and swap stuff to make our outfits cohesive and coordinate our looks.
When it comes to putting an outfit(s) together for a specific style, we find it helpful to go to the internet and search images in that theme, we will copy those pics and share them with each other through texts or facebook messages. It helps the ideas flow and gets you in the right mood, and then we take those ideas we like and apply them, and add our own twist and flare to make it "ours."
The next step, once we've figured out our outfits and costumes, is to find a perfect location. We all brainstorm and suggest what we think might be a good backdrop for the occasion. If nothing comes immediately to mind, we each do a little looking around before we meet up for the shoot. I like to drive around town and keep my eyes open for any place that would make a good spot. I've found lots of great places just by doing "drive-by's".
So that is basically a step-by-step of our process of coming up with, and carrying out our ideas for Silly Girls Photo shoots. I find it a perfect outlet for my creativity, and enjoy stretching my artistic muscles to come up with new ideas and seeing them come to life. I think the most important part is to have FUN with the whole process!!! Don't be afriad of or concerned with what people will think, choose themes that get you excited and make you giggle. Sometimes you have to go outside your comfort zone, but that encourages growth, and makes for some great memories and interesting photos you can enjoy for years to come!
The dream keeps coming true with each new group that joins in. Here are some tips from LaTressa on how the group she plays with plan their photoshoots.
People often ask "Where do you get all your ideas?!" Well, I'll give you a little insight into what goes on in the mind of this silly girl when preparing for a Silly Girls Photo shoot.
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