The Most Influential Blogs of 2012

True for me and these fine bloggers

The Most Influential Blogs of 2012 is my tribute to some of the finest work on the web done by caring curators of quality and passion. These individuals and their work gives me cause to pause on my birthday today to celebrate along with them because of what their influence means to my work. For those of you looking to find truth in advertising, look no further than these fantastic sites.

Photo by Mike Fiveson

Honest Blogger of the Year  Mike Fiveson: Mike’s Look at Life - If Mike does not post something I get worried. Prolific in his posts and deliberate in his commentary, Mike is one of my blogging heroes. I found Mike early this year and his no-nonsense no gimmicks or tricks approach to photography, travel, and life are constant reminders of how to live well on this planet. Mike responds to comments timely and always with wit and charm. This is a blog about being alive and what it means to see beauty in that life everyday. Most of all Mike has become my friend and someone I cherish and respect.

Photo by Barbara Bamber

Poet Foodie of the Year Barbara Bamber: Just a Smidgen - Barbara is easily the kindest person I have never met in person. When my work was in its doldrums and I was not feeling up to the task, she found me and engaged me in the most supportive dialog I truly needed. Now, add to that the sheer fact that this woman can cook, write, and blog like nobody’s business and you have a real recipe for success. I would imagine that 2013 will be the year that The Smidge goes big time! Jump on this very happy bandwagon and thank you Barabara for making many of my days.

Susie’s Fine Work (Photo by Susie Lindau)

Connecting Blogger of the Year Susie Lindau: Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride - If there is a single person who may have rescued my blog from a death sentence it is Susie Lindau. Known for her irreverent humor, dance videos, and the wildly successful Use Me and Abuse Me days, Susie is one of the most original bloggers on the net and one of the most connecting. Susie wants her readers to succeed as much as she wants to succeed herself. She curates her work and inspires others to do the same. Susie and I met in Colorado and she has even more energy than her blog suggests. Susie’s Wild Ride has a real chance to become syndicated in my opinion and I would not be surprised to see Susie hosting her own Wild Ride Live show sometime soon. If you do not know this blog, you should.

Photo by Sam Krisch

Photographer of the Year Sam Krisch: Just Tango On - Sam is a special person to me as his work with iPhone photography has inspired my developing plan for the future. Sam’s writing in his blog which details his travels is excellent and his photography on his website I linked to his name is truly spectacular. I am rarely moved to simply run out and find someone but when I saw his work in the Denver photography show that Juliet entered I knew I had seen something unique and gloriously spectacular. I owe Sam for inspiring me to keep learning this craft and continue to let my voice come through in my work. Sam’s work will be coming to a museum near you in 2013. I urge you all to meet him on the web before then.

Photo by George Weaver

Most Influential Blogger of the Year – (Here it is folks, the big one). My award of the year goes to……. George Weaver: She Kept a Parrot - Known as Granny by those of us that love her, George is easily the most influential blogger for this aspiring author. Granny pulls no punches, hides no opinions, and will not hesitate to tell me if something I am doing is bullshit. Granny and I have a familial relationship without having ever met and there is a reason for this: her work. From her stories of local heroes in her town to the edgy, gritty photographs she gleans from rusty scrap yards George constructs stories of real life that LIFE magazine only hoped to deliver its heyday. If you want to read words and experience images that will transform you and take your mundane and make it magic, follow George Weaver. She has expanded to include the stark and beautiful photo site The Fuzzy Photo so although technically retired she is one of the hardest working women in the blog biz. I have such fondness and love for George and I am not alone. I have never seen so many awards and accolades heaped on anyone and all of them utterly earned by her prodigious efforts in the field of photography, writing, and friendship. Big Love to you dear friend and congrats on influencing the hell out of me!

There you have it and Happy Birthday to Me!

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