Saturday, February 19, 2011

smile report


I pitched an idea to my friend Paul about doing some kind of photography project together.  He was willing to play along even though I was very vague about what it would be.  I had some ideas rolling around in my head but nothing I was able to articulate.  All I knew is it would involve both of us taking photographs.

The first assignment was simple.  Photograph something that makes you smile. So we both went out and did just that.  His first email contained his photo and a description of why he took it and what it was that made him smile.  Throughout the week more smile reports arrived in my email box.  Each time I received a smile report from Paul, I smiled myself.

The wheels inside my head began to turn with each "smile report" I received.  What if instead of changing the topic weekly we kept it the same ~ photographing something that made us smile.  Showing how two people, with two totally differently lives, living in different areas are stopping to appreciate that unexpected moment that made us smile.

I shared the idea with Paul and he was up for it, which made me smile.  So this little idea of mine seemed to find its form and has shaped up to be the "smile report" ~ a random dose of moments caught on film that made each of us smile.


Here is the first installment of the smile report in our own words:
                             what made me smile                                                                         what made Paul smile

Jennifer:  "Painting is fun for me.  A way to just let get and allow the brush to do the talking.  On Saturday I pulled out my paints, covered my table in newspaper, and began. This moment brought a smile to my face."

Paul:  "It's discovering a photo I didn't know existed until I came upon it.  The goose at the frozen pond at JFK airport.  I'd just gotten off the subway A train and I wondered if anything was happening on the pond and lo and behold there was the lone bird seeking a small opening in the surface.  It made me happy."


** What has made you smile today? **

10 comments:

aprilmariecole.blogspot.com said...

So sweet... so simple.
Love the smile report!

Kolleen said...

ooooooh how i dig the "smile report"

awesome idea!!!!!

today...my two littles seeing hail for the first time! the sand was covered in it making it look like a blanket of snow with the ocean as its backdrop. pretty cool and totally smile worthy!!!

oxoxo
k

ps...your smile in your pic made me smile!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love that idea.

Happy Mama (Lisa Gonzalez) said...

LOVE this idea :)So cool. What a fun way to share.

My sister made me smile today. I'm so thankful for her.

Elizabeth Halt said...

What a fun way to connect with someone during the day. Love this idea.

Your smile is a very happy smile!

Today, the sun made me smile. Also a fabulous new orange striped collar for the pup (it looks very good on him). Also Vahlrona hot chocolate. Also a photo that makes me very happy (lens flare + a fire escape). Also more .. but that's a good list for now. :)

kelly barton said...

what made me smile today....

1. watching gabe and his buddys come back as college joes to cheer on there underclassman pals.

2. the new yarn in my cart

3. you.smiling.here

beth said...

what made me smile today.....

1. being with my hubby on a drive in the country

2. watching my furry baby get better from a tummy-ache

3. seeing my son so proud of himself on a project at work

what didn't make me smile today....

1. the annoying sales people at sephora....arrghhh

Donna Wynn (Yogiknitgirl) said...

What made me smile today . . .
reading your post and seeing your picture
spending time with my n laws today in North Carolina
laughing with family
seeing the most incredible moon in the sky tonight
returning home to virginia beach, opening my door
and knowing I was home
Love this post my friend
Donna

Gloria King said...

Dear Jen'
So happy to see you wearing the scarf.. What made me smile today was standing in front of the elephants with my kids at the zoo while it was pouring rain...People ran for shelter but we just stood there with our north face jackets taking it all in...that made me smile...love you my amazing poetic princess

rachel awes said...

what a fun-inspired photography idea w/paul!
my own smile report..i just got up, so i'll reflect on yesterday..
get this! my hubby giving me a manicure!
xox