Hope & Change

It seems like I’ve written some iteration of this post here over the years. I guess I’m still trying to figure it out.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my photography, or shall I say photography in general. Specifically how and where to share my photos. I’m all for social media, I met some of the coolest people whom I call dear friends over a decade ago on Flickr.

All this to say I’m changing my posting habits and hope to be using this space…my space (dad joke) a whole lot more.

To hope and change. Peace.

Chase The Light 2019

This year I’ve submitted images to a few local galleries and contests simply for the experience. If selected to show my work that’s the cherry on top. This is the first year I’ve contributed to the Photographic Center Northwest’s fundraiser Chase the Light, formerly known as Long Shot. Chase the Light is a 48 hour photo shoot taking place over June 8th - 9th to raise money for the Photographic Center Northwest. I’ve taken a few classes at the center and it’s sort of become my second home and my photographic community, find your tribe right?

These images were made on a round trip ferry sailing from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. What’s really cool is that one of these images will be selected to be shown at the Chase the Light exhibit taking place on June 15th. I’ll keep you posted.

Focus on the Story 2019

Every year I try to attend a workshop or dedicate a few consecutive days exclusively to photography. Last week, I was in Washington, DC where I attended Focus on the Story . All I can say is wow. I left the conference inspired just wanting to make stories with my camera, especially around my family.

Ruddy Roye onstage dropping knowledge with Ibarionex Perello.

What I really enjoyed about this conference was just like it’s name “Focus on the Story” did just that…focused on the story. There was no talk of gear, f-stops or megapixels, just photo makers talking about storytelling. What attracted me to this conference was the diversity of speakers, check ‘em out. If you’d let history tell it, only middle aged white dudes picked up the camera. It was so refreshing to hear diverse perspectives on what motivated these photographers to chose what stories to tell and how.

Patrick Brown discussing his project “No Place on Earth,” documenting the plight of the Rohingya.

The highlights for me were Ruddy Roye and Gulnara Samoilova both sharing deeply personal stories about how the camera became a companion rather then just a tool. As a fairly new father myself they really resonated with me because Ruddy spoke about the importance of being a father to his two boys and Gulnara talked about how she suffered a miscarriage days after 9/11 when she fell after running from the towers as they were coming down…camera in hand. Both were deeply moving talks where my eyes welled up more than once as their photos were projected on screen and the passion of their voices offering a narrative as if they were in a confessional. Thank you Ruddy and Gulnara for sharing. These two talks alone were worth the price of admission in my book.

Lucian Perkins formerly of the Washington Post discussing his favorite photo series over the years and how technology is changing visual story

It was surreal to see Ibarionex Perello moderating panels and sitting in the audience. I’ve been listening to his podcast The Candid Frame forever. I love his thoughtful analysis on photography and he really has a passion for education.

Ibarionex Perello moderates a panel on Mental Health - Behind and in front of the camera. Panelist included Ruddy Roye, Sheila Pree Bright and Michael McCoy.

Will I be attending Focus on the Story next year? Ya’ damn right, it’s already on my calendar.

Stay shootin’

Three days worth of notes for a lifetime of inspiration.