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.
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