by Tracey Clark, guest photographer and founder of Shutter Sisters

The more I open my eyes to the visual language of the world, the more I discover. More peace, more compassion, more kindness, more togetherness, more beauty, more love.

I have considered myself “a photographer” (both in hobby and in career) for nearly 20 years. 20 years! And even still I know that with each photo I am learning, not only about photography as a medium but about the world around me and even more about myself.

I believe in everyday magic—in any and every capacity—so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise to me that beautiful things appear before my eyes everyday from seemingly out of nowhere. Inanimate objects display hopeful human gesture, heavenly light creeps in illuminating what is important, and tiny treasures that can so easily go overlooked gleam and glitter, begging to be noticed. The more I acknowledge the visual language of the Universe, the more is revealed to me. Even in the most unlikely places, at the most unexpected times love can appear.

I was finishing up a photo shoot yesterday and packed up my camera bag wearing a satisfied smile on my face, grateful for the opportunity to have a career doing what I truly love to do. I had the privilege of spending the afternoon capturing images of a local Buddhist Zen Monastery. It was an amazing experience. As I walked around quietly shooting all the details of the enchanting temple I watched each picture come to life, listened to each click of the shutter and heard my own rhythmic breath; inhale and exhale. As I walked back to my car still beaming from being in that creative and content place within the temple and within myself, right at my feet was yet another whisper of love. A small heart shaped leaf lay on the grass. I unpacked my camera and honored the moment. So unbelievably grateful for the gift I nodded, I hear you.

Tracey Clark is a photographer, writer, teacher, friend, sister, wife and mother. She is the proud founder of Shutter Sisters, the collaborative photo blog for women with a passion for photography. Tracey also teaches her daily photo-prompt e-class “Picture” series at Big Picture Scrapbooking where her next class Picture Summer starts on July 1^st.

She shares her thoughts and images at TraceyClark.com where you’ll also find inspiring stories from amazing women at her latest offering The I am Enough Collaborative. Tracey is honored to be featured here at Me Ra’s blog and is a huge fan of Me Ra’s work and goodness.