My Personal Art Director

As mentioned in my last post, I have a very 'involved' Siamese cat - also referred to as the Egotist Art Director.

You know those types, interjects constantly, can't let an opportunity go by without stepping in.

It never fails, during my more casual shoots, my 'art director' steps in to critique a models pose or proper lighting.

Maybe it's a stray hair that is out of place.....

But most importantly, my Art Director likes to loosen up and relax the client.

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A few soothing strokes and suddenly an unexpected smile appears!

It certainly does wonders for anyone with camera shyness.

Thanks girl!

Interject all you want.

I can always count on you.

Captured

Some portraits have more of an impact to the creator than others.

Maybe it's knowing the subject more intimately
or
maybe it is a moment that is captured that says so much about the person being photographed.

And maybe, it's the silly Siamese cat that tries to work her way into almost all studio sessions!

(What a ham).

Most likely, it is the combination of a silly cat and a genuine smile!

Whatever the reason, these portraits I never tire of.


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Road to Resurrection

Resurrection

The act of rising from the dead or returning to life.

The state of one who has returned to life.

Spiritual understanding.

Revival - Renewal - Resurgence.

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Along Came A Spider

A project I will be working on this Fall is a collaborated effort incorporating my photographs with another's autobiographical memoir.

It is a powerful story of a young woman's fight to survive, overcome and prevail.

Images accompanying the book will be from a series of portraits I've taken interweaving the visual imagery with excerpts from the memoir.

This piece titled "Along Came a Spider" is a teaser or just one example of the author's many stories and images behind the stories.

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Excerpt - The therapist sat there in shock as I lifted the spider up in my hands, opened the window, and put him outside.

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She replied, "You're right, who am I to decide. Funny how you jumped to save that spider, but you won't raise an eyebrow for yourself. Are you sure you like yourself? Are you sure you like yourself as much as you say? Are you willing to save yourself?"

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"It's too late." I replied.

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"I've already been smashed."

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Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time,
In a land far, far away,
There lived a beautiful Princess….

Sound familiar?
Yes, the innocent bedtime stories passed down from one generation to another brain washing little boys and girls and teaching the lessons of life.

But what are they teaching?

That women are especially desirable when they are passive?

They are either passive victims, decorative figures, or must die in order to be loved?

If they resist these roles, they are punished or portrayed as evil or mad?

And that girls still cannot help themselves out of trouble without being rescued by a Prince?

And let’s not forget the evil step-mother, sisters, witch, or some other evil female figure. You can almost be certain that the bad guys are….bad girls.

Young girls are still valued for their beauty while older women are represented as witches!

In recent years Disney has tried to create stories with more positive role models for girls, but at a closer look, these stories still portray a repetition of the old themes – beautiful unnaturally thin girls are rewarded by the love of a prince they barely know. But they still live happily ever after……………….?

Or do they???

Princess Bubble is about a princess who is confused by the message found in traditional fairy tales that she must find her Prince Charming in order to live “happily ever after.” In the story, she is a college grad who travels the world as an airline attendant, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Then, several of her friends get married and her mother tells her it is time for her to find her Prince. She signs up on http://www.findyourprince.com/, interviews her married friends and goes on several dates, but she isn’t happy. Finally, with a little help from her Fairy God Mother, she discovers that she doesn’t need to find a prince to be happy. She already is happy!

Statistics –

The 3 most common disorders in young girls are low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders.

In 2003, breast implants rose from 3,827 to 11,326 in girls under age 18.

Girls age 12 – 19 spent over $8 million on cosmetics in 2005.

Excepts taken from http://www.princessbubble.com/ – Take a Look!

Are you waiting to be rescued????

Never let the hand you hold, hold you down.

Interpret your story.

The beauty and appeal I have with photography is primarily being a story teller.

Story telling through art is what attracts us all to visual imagery – whether it is a painting, film, drawing, or yes even a photograph.

To hear how viewers interpret an image and the story they see as they look, study, and feel what is presented to them, fascinates me.

In my ongoing series of “trash the dress” sessions, I was enchanted by this environmental, interpretive scene.

I’m captivated by the story I tell through my camera. However, it is MY story.

I would like to present these images to you as the viewer to interpret YOUR story.

What do you see when you look at these compositions?

How do you feel?

Can you see a story?

A beginning?

A middle?

Or an End ?????

A Summer Snowfall

On my recent trip to Rome Italy this week, I read about an Event that took place on August 5th about the legendary “August Snowfall”. I happen to be there on Wends. August 5th.

I was intrigued.

According to legend on 5 August, 358, the Virgin Mary appeared to both Pope Liberius and a Roman pratician named John in a dream, commanding them to build a church on the spot where in the morning they would find a patch of snow.

That very night, in the heat of summer, snow fell upon the Esquiline hill!

The next morning Liberius drew up the plans and john had the church built at his own expense. (This church was built but is long gone).

However, the legend has for centuries been associated with Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral (also known as Santa Maria della Neve Saint Mary of the Snow).
This chapel, built in the 17th century, is the setting for the annual celebration of the summer snowfall.


The legend of this miraculous event is commemorated in a pontifical mass, and scattered with white flower petals.

Many gather for the mass honoring Santa Maria and the miracle of the saints.

That same evening, a crowd gathers in the piazza to admire the artificial snowflakes that are shot out from above!

A Day in Delhi

Delhi – the capital of India for a thousand years and the heart of Northern India.

The experience of just simply being in Delhi is what one remembers, as opposed to seeing any one sight.

If you do need an agenda for your trip, you will find an array of monuments, parks, gardens, markets, hotels, clubs, pubs, discotheques, food and festivals.

A visit to Old Delhi is a heightened alert for all of one’s senses. The sights, sounds, and smells are like no other and what visitors are mesmerized by.

Narrow lanes, congested alleyways and mysterious passages ways make up the experience of this ancient city.

Spaghetti like wires and such overhead “barely” keep the water and electricity flowing. But among this chaos, some sort of organization prevails as seen through my cycle rickshaw.

It is an amalgam of past and present. Fascinating religions (Hinduism making up 82% and 11% Muslim), variety of language (more than 200), historic monuments, Sari clad women on the back of motorcycles and a growing trend in modern technology make up the scene presented to the visitor.

The shopping in Delhi can be quite additive. Bargaining a must, with the process being part of the excitement in acquiring you’re 'meant to be' possessions.

Traditional Indian handicrafts, beautiful vibrant fabrics, silver jewelry, flowing sari’s, and ethnic garments are some of the treasures encountered as you make your way through the shops and maze of stalls.

Varied cultural and spiritual customs abound throughout the country.

Himalayan brass singing bowls are used in sacred sound practices and aide in meditation.

Yes, it is just simply the experience of being in Delhi that is most memorable.

Namaste