Tara Clark Photography

2011-11-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

I'm in the midst of holiday card design. Crazy to think that our mailboxes will soon be receiving beautiful cards from all over the globe. So I am going to be brief with this posting as this family is also due for a card design. Getting a family of four kids all in one place is definitely a challenge but it is one that I always look forward to and these kids are really wonderful. They stepped out of the car and were giving me hugs before we even started. Such a nice way to start.
I loved that they had lots of hugs for each other too!

2011-11-23T16:28:00.001-08:00

How is it that tomorrow is Thanksgiving? Lots to do but I am looking forward to spending a few days with family and friends. Today while I was getting coffee at our local Starbucks (yes, hate me but I love Starbucks...I always tell myself I am supporting local business since they started here so many years ago), & my favorite, friendly barista said he was working tomorrow. I asked if he was going to get any Thanksgiving celebrations in and he said yes and went onto explain that he was looking forward to the family tradition of jumping rope after dinner. So random, but I love it! He said he started it a few years back, family members moaned and groaned about the idea but then they ended up having so much fun and it has stuck. How fun is that tradition??!!

I am so excited to share these next images for many reasons. I will share just a few here. I photographed the oldest of the 3 kids when he was an infant, over 10 yrs ago. I was living in Phoenix and would return to Seattle for weddings. I didn't do much portrait work at the time and was excited for the opportunity. I clearly remember the sitting, meeting his great parents and loving little Charlie. Fast forward to last year and I learned that this same couple has "bought" my sitting that I had donated to Zubin's Wish, a wonderful foundation that everyone should support. When I learned of their connection to Zubin's Wish I couldn't wait to photograph them again but it didn't happen for another year and we were so close to postponing due to rain. But we crossed our fingers and meet up at Baker Beach where I had one of the most enjoyable sittings of the year. It was so fun to meet Charlie so many years later. And his sisters were incredible too. I started shooting almost immediately when they emerged from their car. The youngest stepped right up and we just started rolling (the first 4 images below were taken right at the start). Giggles and smiles came w/in seconds and lasted all the way through. I was shocked to learn that just 10 minutes before I met them their parents thought the wheels were going to fall off and the sitting would be a bust. They were so complimentary throughout the shoot and then both of them sent me emails expressing their gratitude for our time together. It really touched me that they both took the time to send a message. And what I loved the most is that as their second said that evening, "....and one of the best parts about taking the pictures is that I got to hug Charlie and he never let's me hug him..."
I really do love getting to photograph families and this family in particular really was a highlight of my year. I hope that they love these pictures as much as they enjoyed our time together.

2011-11-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

I was almost positive the rain was going to force us to postpone this next family sitting. Even as I stepped out of the car I was unsure of how far we would get. The sky was grey, the light was fading and I have to admit I am so glad I did not follow my initial instinct to reschedule because I had so much fun with these kids. Running, jumping and climbing trees filled the hour and it was topped off with lots of beautiful moments. I think I am making a habit of over sharing images here but I have decided I am just going to go w/ it and not torture myself in trying to narrow down to just a few favorites. I am adding more of their mom. She has attended a workshop of mine so I am guessing she is the family photographer and may not be in too many family pictures. So I am going to highlight her here. I think she deserves it.

2011-11-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

I first photographed this next little character for his preschool pictures in the spring. His personality jumps right off the image & is infectious and I was looking forward to seeing him again and meeting his little sister. He did not disappoint. He is full of life and his sister is right there with him. I had so much fun moving throughout the house and then chasing him down outside. The parents were a little worn out but I told them I would MUCH rather have spirited kids than boring, sluggish ones. When kids are having fun their true spirits shine and I think you will see that these kids are full of life.
The sitting was a gift from their grandparents. My most favorite thing to do is to connect with people and I have to say talking with their grandmother on the phone a few weeks back was a highlight for me. We have never met but I could just tell by our conversation that she is a wonderful woman & it made my day to get the opportunity to talk with her. Lynn, I hope you love seeing these images. I know your gift will be cherished for years to come.
I just love this first image. The two of them together was very fleeting but it only takes a few moments to capture how much they love each other. And the last image makes me laugh too, he really wanted to take pictures and I let him take a few with my camera of his sister with her parents and there were a few keepers in the mix.

2011-11-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

Today is Veteran's Day. I have never personally met a US soldier who has fought in war but this week I was reminded how lucky I am that there are men and women who fought for our freedom and continue to fight to protect us. On Tuesday, I was interviewing a gentleman for my new project and he lost 4 siblings to a war that was eventually won and his and all his countrymen received freedom. Half his family was lost in the fight for freedom. How fortunate we all are to have our freedom and today I am thankful and will honor those who have made it possible.

This post is important to me for another reason. I was so excited and felt so lucky to get to photograph this family. I have known Holly for a handful of years, we never spent much time together but we just clicked. I loved every minute I would get to spend with her. Lots of laughs were a guarantee. She is one smart cookie that lives life w/o pretense which is always so refreshing and inspiring. I have gotten to spend more time with her this year and my year has been better for it. I LOVED photographing her family. The kids could not have been cuter (as you will see from the endless number of beautiful images...and there are even more than these) & full of life. Because I think the world of her I am being a little more liberal with how many images I post. The family is on vacation and I hope they all huddle around a computer and cannot stop smiling with how stickin' beautiful they all are!!

2011-11-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

Looking at these fall pictures makes me wish we could stop time and enjoying them for months instead of weeks. I have gotten to photograph these kids before but this time I was excited that mom and dad were included. Their kids are really terrific and I so enjoyed seeing them all together. The laughter and love they share with each other is great to witness and hopefully these images will reflect it.

2011-11-07T15:08:00.001-08:00

We have been fighting rain here in the great NW and the cold is setting in but we have be blessed with some incredible days of sun and the leaves have been at their peak in color. It is breathtaking to move around the city and see endless stunning scenes. I am afraid next week it will all be over as the forecast is not looking promising.
It is always a very small window when true fall leaves can be photographed and I was so excited to photograph this next family on a picture perfect day that was flanked by rain. This little park I think is one of the best in the city for fall leaves (and the tunnel is pretty cool). The leaves always turn a little earlier than the rest of the city. It seems like no one knows about this park but it is in the heart of the city and it is a gem.
I had so much fun with this family, they have become good friends our my family and I am excited to give them pictures that I know they will cherish forever. If everyone lived like this family the world would be a much happier place! Once again I am going a bit over the top w/ the number of images posted but I just cannot get enough of them and the brilliant fall colors!

2011-11-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

I am guessing this next little guy's mom must be thinking I didn't get much of anything of him given my delay in posting. But I am excited that she may be completely surprised that is not the reason for the delay. I am in the constant state of craziness given the season and finding time to blog always gets pushed to the back of the priority line. Which is sad because one of my favorite parts of my job is getting to share images with my clients.
Again, I apologize for the overload of images (which is especially pathetic this time since there really is just one subject) but I think they all really capture how the sitting went. This little guy was on the go as you will see from all the walking pictures. Initially he really didn't want much to do with me. I LOVE the picture of him walking away w/ his hands behind his back...such on old soul! The shoot was all about him leading and we followed. And it ended with some puddle stomping which I was so happy that his mom was chill enough to roll with it. He wasn't up for any pictures with mom and grandma but I was able to capture a few that show the love that they have for him. I think you will be able to see how of a character this little one was and I LOVED every minute of it.

2011-10-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

As I was driving to this next sitting I have to admit that I was a little unsure of how it would go. And it had nothing to do with the family because I love them. But it was because I have photographed them quite a few times in the past 3 or 4 years that I was a little worried that I would struggle getting spontaneous, full of life pictures. But as soon as the camera started clicking the worry subsided and fun ensued. I loved every minute running around with these kids. We were on the go from the very start and I loved that they loved hanging out with me. They are such nice, respectful kids and when you talk with their parents it is easy to see why the kids are the way they are. Such a solid, humble, thoughtful family who really love each other. And I love them!!

2011-10-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a new project that I am so excited about and looking forward to sharing with the public. I wish I could share some details now because this next family for me makes me think that there is so much importance to one of the messages of my project. But I will have to be cryptic and hopefully it will stir some interest in you to check back in the next month to see if I have let the cat out of the bag about the project.
Anyway, I LOVED photographing this family. Their mom is the reason why I came to know them. She attended one of my workshops a few years ago and as she was on the walkway heading away from my home I asked her a question that lead to an incredible 45 minute conversation that left me feeling SO psyched about having done the workshop because if I hadn't I would never have met Tanmeet. We have met up a few times since then and every time I just think about how incredible life is that a random passing could lead me to knowing and really connecting with such a woman. The list is lengthy when it comes to describing what I love about her and I know if I was to make an attempt at trying to describe them all I could never do it justice so you will just have to take my word on it. I finally had the opportunity to briefly meet her husband at a fundraising event they were hosting for their foundation Zubin's Wish. In the few minutes I spent talking with him I realized he was probably just as great as she was & I couldn't wait to meet their kids. So it finally happened a few weeks back and as you will see they are a beautiful family inside and out!! Tanmeet, my friendship with you is such a gift and I hope these can feel like a gift right back at you. You are a wonderful woman!!

2011-10-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

This family has an exciting year ahead of them. When their mom called she said they are in the process of relocating to North Carolina. I think many people approach big moves with apprehension, sadness of leaving friends, the familiar and a fear of the unknown but I am a believer that change, big or small, can bring amazing things to our lives that we never would have experienced without enduring the challenge of settling into the unknown. I will be sad not to have the opportunity to photograph them every fall but I feel so fortunate that I have gotten to spend a few great hours getting to know them over the last few years. They seem to be a very grounded family that love and laugh together and I am positive they will rise up to the challenges that this year will bring and once settled into their new home so many people will be lucky to get the opportunity to meet them!
We met at Gas Works thinking a few pictures w/ the Seattle skyline would be perfect for their last sitting here. We had fun wandering the grounds and I absolutely LOVED when the girls broke into a skip with their dad. I have to admit I did not expect it and loved it so much I had them do another round. When they told me they skip on all the trips they go on I thought it was so perfect that they just happened to skip this time w/ the space needle in the background (definitely not planned).

2011-10-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

I am now fulling realizing the more overwhelmed with work the more images I end up sharing here. I just cannot find a way to narrow efficiently so I just share more. I had not met this family before they arrived for the sitting but as soon and I found out their son shared my son's name I knew I would like them. I always wanted an older brother so it was fun seeing these two together. I am sharing a few series of pictures because they make me laugh. And I love the embraces the kids share with their mom (dad got lots of love too but I just LOVE the ones with mom). I hope they do too!

2011-10-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

I have photographed this family 3 years running and how they have changed in that time! I often think there is no way I could have more than just 2 kids. I know chaos would be a constant. But watching this family of 4 little ones work together makes me think I could be missing out on something special. Although they are a larger family than when I first met them the calm and happiness that they emit has also increased. AMAZING! It seems like the newest addition is a perfect fit. I have to be honest, driving to this sitting I thought I may be meeting my match and it could be a tough one. But I drove away thinking how much fun the sitting was and how I was so wrong in my initial assumption. I could have spent all day photographing this family. Really such a great morning! Thank you Kimrick and John for giving me the opportunity to photograph your beautiful family!

2011-10-05T16:21:00.001-07:00

Another sitting, another group of images I couldn't narrow down to just a few. This is another family that I have had the pleasure of photographing a few times over the years. One image from their first shoot has always stayed in my head as a favorite of mine. So I just went looking back to see if I could find it and found a post from 2006 . The last black and white image in the post...still makes me smile. I hope these images will do the same for this family. Lots of loves and laughs shared by all.

2011-09-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

Where does time go? This is what was running through my head when these kids emerged from their car. I first photographed their parents when the first was about to arrive. I have been fortunate to document the changes they have experienced every year and now their oldest just entered kindergarten and their youngest is running to keep up with her brothers. Incredible. The parents are old pros when it comes to my photography sittings. Things never go quite according to plan but they trust me enough to know that something great may come of our time together. I think this sitting had them a little exhausted w/ 3 kids now on the run but I loved every minute of it. And I hope they will feel like their frazzled nerves were worth it when they see these pictures.

2011-09-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

So I am not big on props but I always love when favorite items make their way into my sittings. I always tell clients that a shoot with me is just capturing a moment in time so never to worry too much about what clothes to put everyone in, just pick favorite outfits that will remind them of their little ones at a particular age. And favorite items do the same thing. They often add to images instead of detracting like "staged" props.
These two boys were a little unsure about the person w/ the big black cameras. But when the trucks came out we quickly found a big hill of dirt and they quickly forgot how strange I looked. It was SOOOO great! When these boys smile you can't help but to smile back.

2011-09-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

A few days leading up to this next sitting emails went back and forth about rescheduling because I had advised the mom months ago that if they were going to do family pictures just once this year that the best time would be when their baby girl was able to sit up on her own. So we schedule a sitting for months away as the date neared she had yet to reach the sitting up milestone. Finding another date that works for everyone is always a little difficult and the husband (like many rational men do) just said let's keep the original date and it is okay that she may not be sitting up. Well we are all so glad we went w/ his input because their daughter surprised us all and sat up unassisted for the first time and as we all laughed and clapped in amazement I was able to capture it on film. I had so much fun with this family. Their son already has swagger that I fell in love with. The first 3 images were from very early on in the shoot and he was just adorable with his sister and then he was so thrilled about her sitting up and that he may have been just the right helper in the great achievement. Again, my lack of time leaves me w/ the inability to tightly edit my most favorite shots from the sitting. So get ready for another image dump but hopefully you will see why it was impossible to quickly narrow. Looking through these makes me realize how lucky I am to do what I do...I had such a great time meeting this couple and their beautiful kids!

2011-09-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have been photographing a lot of new families lately and since one of my favorite things is meeting and learning about new people it has been lots of fun. This next family was so great. Easy going, fun loving and full of energy. They also hail from Oregon so they MUST be good peeps.

2011-09-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

I think you will easily see from these images that the time I spent with this family was full of laughs, fun, running and jumping. Craziness for sure but I tried to assure the parents that I was LOVING every minute. I would take crazy spontaneity any day over the mundane, serene sitting. It really was so much fun. I think the kids could have spent the entire sitting just in their rooms jumping on beds. The smiles, kisses and laughter...ugh it was so good!!
There are so many images that I love from this shoot I wish I could share them all. And the last few are not technically the best because of the lighting but I just had to share them to illustrate that jumping continued throughout and the parents were so great to just roll with it. I know the kids had fun and just look how beautiful they are!! Here is just a large sampling...

2011-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

I am finding a constant theme to my posts lately...time flying by too quickly and constantly feeling behind. Going into the last quarter of the year I think this is a state of being that I need to get used to for a while. The weather has been phenomenal and I hope we see a beautiful Indian summer here in the great NW. But w/ the quick change of temp today I now start thinking about the onset of bad weather and juggling of rescheduling shoots to accommodate it all. If you are considering fall pictures at all please contact me asap as my calendar is quickly filling. And I don't want you to be the one I have to tell that I am fully booked. That is never fun.
What is fun are the next two families. The first is a neighbor that realized last year, after our first sitting together, how great it is to capture your family before they head off to all corners of the world. With her oldest finished w/ college and heading off to India today (I wish I could be in her luggage!) and her son off to another year of college out of state she realized she wanted to do another sitting. I always tell people it is never too late to start and this family is a great example. While we were shooting I found out they were celebrating their 25th anniversary the following week. I hope my family can look so great when I hit that milestone!
And the next family is one that I have gotten to photograph annually for several years running now. It is so fun to talk with the kids about what they did this summer and actually really have great conversations with them instead of a couple word replies. But it leaves me mind boggled that time has passed so quickly since I met them the first time when they were so much younger. The one constant with these kids is that they have always been so polite and easy to work with...their mom and dad are definitely doing something right!

2011-08-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

You will see from all the images I am sharing that this family was incredibly easy to photograph. Ugh...the kids...so beautiful! And then there was a special dress request change that included beads...who doesn't love purple beads and a little tulle. And check out the love these siblings have for each other. LOVE IT!!

2011-08-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

This family just relocated from New York arriving in time to enjoy the beautiful August days we are having and fortunate to miss Hurricane Irene. They moved in just a few doors down from me and so I completely enjoyed getting an opportunity to spend time with them and document this time in their lives. A new home in a new state would be exciting enough but these were taken just days before the oldest headed off for her even newer home as she is now a freshman in college. This dynamic threesome was so fun to photograph and I hope they cherish these images for years to come and look back on them fondly as the moment in time that their lives took an amazing turn that lead to many great events and memories! Welcome to Seattle!!

2011-08-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

If you asked these boys what the highlight of their photo sitting would be I am sure it had nothing to do with me. I just can't compete with a giant green recycle truck coming by and honking at them or with the chance to push a button and open and close an automatic gate. No contest there. But they at least they rewarded me with a few very quick moments of together time that were priceless.

2011-08-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

The goal of this next shoot was really to photograph little Keira who somehow is already one...where does time go? I met her at the park where her brother had a morning camp so I couldn't help myself from photographing him too. I am sharing individual pictures of them that made me laugh when looked at side by side. The first two have similar angles and big smiles, the next two have a similar look as they share something important about each, she can be serious and LOVES her blanket and he is the big 3 and the last two again are similar is look. CUTE KIDS!!

2011-08-23T10:17:00.001-07:00

For me there are always early signs that fall is just around the corner. Waking up in the morning and finding the sky a little darker and my shooting schedule getting busier and busier. The last quarter of the year is always my craziest time of year for work so I have been doing my best to rest up before the madness hits.
A few ago I had the pleasure of doing two senior portrait sittings for two special people. I was touched when the mother of the first, my cousin who lives in Illinois, contacted me saying her daughter wanted me to take her senior pictures. I may have met Miranda when she was came up to about my knees but she really didn't know me and I was honored that I was the one she wanted to capture her as she enters her last year of school. She is a great girl who is proud of the work she has done with FFA (Future Farmers of America), she hopes to be a veterinary one day & she is as beautiful dressed down as she is dressed up!
The second senior I photographed was a boy, Max, who I met two years ago. It was great to see him again & hear about future plans that include starting his last year of high school & his family moving to a new home that will allow him to swim every day of the year which is his favorite activity. The first image of Max is one of my favorites from my first shoot with him.
Here's to the senior class of 2012!! (I am going to pretend typing that doesn't make me feel really old!)

2011-08-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a week off the grid in Canada canoeing and backpacking with our boys. I feel lucky to have gotten the time away with my family surrounding by stunning beauty and solitude. And now it is back to work...
This next sitting was a great change from my Seattle scenes. This mom had scoped out a few spots on Whidbey that would be fun for her family and her best friend's girls. The spots were filled with lots of color and great textures. The girls had fun running around together exploring the hidden jewels of an old farmhouse and barn.

2011-08-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

I am VERY excited to share these next images just so this mom and dad can see them. I know they left thinking the trip to Whidbey may have been a complete waste of their time. Their boys are at wildcard ages, nine months and 2 which can make things tough on parents. But I reassured them that I do not get bothered at all when things don't go according to plan, it is so much easier for me because they aren't my kids and that kids are just being kids and I can still capture how cute they are. So Amanda & Ben, I hope you are smiling when you see these. Your boys did a great job and I hope you love them!

2011-08-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

August arrived and it feels like the summer weather has finally made it too...thank goodness!! And it was just in time for my weekend sittings out on Whidbey Island. When I arrived at the first family's home the girls were a little unsure about getting their pictures taken. But as I walked outside to explore with them they quickly shook off their apprehension and we had a great time running on the beach together. They even managed to stick with me to drive a short distance down the road to a little spot I had spied earlier. The fence line provided the perfect shady spot to finish up a great morning.

2011-07-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

How is summer half way over???? I have been in and out of town and trying to stay on top of work and battle the rain to find times to shoot. It really has been crazy weather this summer and I think all Seattlites may loose their minds this winter with so little sun to fill us up.
This next family stuck it out through drizzling rain and I am so glad they did. We had fun exploring around Seward Park before a real downpour set in. There are lots of great pictures of the kids but I wanted to share a few of the girls that I think capture their quiet, thoughtful sides. Such a beautiful family!

2011-07-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

With the weather being so hit and miss in June we felt like we hit the jackpot with a nice afternoon for this family sitting. And I thought mom hit it right with her clothing coordination for everyone. I am not a fan of everyone wearing the same single color or kids in the exact same outfit (unless it is over the top adorable & full of color) but I know putting together complimentary clothes for a family can be overwhelming. Especially when you have five kids to outfit. I was very impressed. And then the kids knocked me out with their behavior. Such nice kids. It all made for a great afternoon!

2011-07-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a short start of the summer vacation with my family and am trying my best to get back in the swing of work. A little tough when the sun finally seems to have arrived for the summer here in Seattle.
Before I left I sent out my annual "newletter" and thought I should share a few pages of it here just in case you are not on my mailing list.

In the mailing I announced something new I am offering this year. Whidbey Island sittings. I am excited to photograph families in such a beautiful location that feels like it is so far away, but it is just a short, fun trip to the island from Seattle. So if you are looking for a great day trip topped off by capturing your family with stunning backdrops you may want to check your calendar and see if you can join me. See the dates listed below.

DSLR Workshop Dates Announced!!

2011-06-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

I continue to receive many inquiries about when my next workshop will be and each time I felt terrible that I did not have a date on the calendar. It has been almost a year since my last workshop, it is difficult finding the time to squeeze them in but I have finally gotten around to identifying two summer dates that are free. This could be a great Father's Day gift.

Many ask me what level the workshop is targeted for and I can honestly say that it is great for the very novice (just bought their first dslr last week) to the very knowledgeable hobbiest. If you love taking pictures and you want to learn how to take stronger images instead of images that look like they came from a point and shoot this workshop is for you. If you have taken pictures forever and wonder how to take pictures that will look like mine this workshop is for you.

There are two dates, July 28th starting at 5:45pm & August 6th at 9:30am.
Here is a little info on what I cover:
-the camera...I will discuss key settings and functions that will improve your ability to capture your kids. I will not be covering every function of the camera and what they do so it is not a "how to use your new camera" workshop but you will definitely get a much better understanding of how to use your cameras best features.
-the lens...I will make a few recommendations on lenses and how to get the most out of them. Lenses are really the key to improving your standard pictures so this is great information to learn.
-f-stop/shutter speed/ISO...this is where photography gets confusing for most people. I will help you understand the correlation between these and how to use them to improve your ability to take great pictures. I promise the light bulbs will go on and you will be so excited to finally understand it all.
-taking the picture...use of light, angles, etc.
-post-processing...key tips to bump your image up in Adobe Elements or Photoshop.
-image/file management...ways to ensure that you don't turn your computer into the old photo shoe box.
-vendors/software...there are great products/vendors/software out there.
And more!!!
Dinner/lunch is included. Please call or email me to reserve a seat for $265.

2011-06-13T09:27:00.001-07:00

These next girls are a part of a family that may be one of my most photographed families. Their mom is amazing about documenting each of her 4 children annually and I appreciate that many times she chooses to focus on them individually instead of trying to capture them all at once. I think it gives each child their own time to feel special. This shoot was to celebrate the oldest the week of her 1st communion and the youngest turning two. The girls were so easy and fun to be with.

2011-06-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

I recently got to photograph one of my most favorite little girls with her family. And before I started writing this post I did a search on my blog to look back at some of our earlier shoots together and sat in amazement of how much time has past and how much I LOVED looking over the pictures we had done. I started photographing Lily when she was about to turn one. Lily has the most acute form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) & the challenges she and her family face daily are inconceivable but they are so inspiring because they do it all with so much grace & it is so apparent that Lily is flourishing & despite her limitations she is fully of life, love and happiness. I think she could give us all a few lessons about what is important in our daily lives! If you want to see more from the past just enter Lily into the search box & I promise she will bring more smiles to your world.
And just as I cannot say enough about Lily, I cannot say enough about her parents. Really wonderful people! I was shock to find Lily was wearing a ring I gave her a few years back, Jen, you amaze me and it touched me to my core! And reminds me that I need to continue to give more every day!
Again I couldn't narrow down very well and I am using the excuse that since Father's Day is just around the corner I wanted to add a few that I loved w/ Lily & her dad. I just love the look she is giving him in the first picture, then the kiss & his adoring look he gives to her. And then there are Lily's adorable twin siblings. Who on their own are almost too cute for words but then you add the love that is shared between them...this is one great family and I really feel so fortunate to have met them so many years ago. Really, how lucky am I??

Father's Day Surprise

2011-05-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

This next mom is really on the ball and I need to take a lesson or two from her. I recently photographed her oldest during school pictures & she called me soon after to arrange a sitting in hopes to give her husband a gift of images for Father's Day. She has managed to keep it under wraps (& I got her permission to post here so just in case you know the dad of these beautiful boys keep your lips zipped until late June) & we met yesterday coming up with what would be the best gift for him & she decided to go w/ 2 square canvases. I am so excited for her to share the surprise with him & then get to enjoy the gift every day after as she walks past the wall they will hang on.
We started at their house & I immediately fell in love with the family as their home was fill w/ color & to-die-for design & art. I learned that mom founded Thrive Art School which I a friend had recently told me had incredible camps for kids and her daughter LOVED it, so that at least explained how the color palette was so spot on for her home...I wish I had that designer/creative gene for decor! Anyway, as soon as I met her youngest son I fell in love again...the first image was taken w/in seconds of seeing him, you would have fell in love too I am sure!!
We had fun around the house and then headed to the neighborhood park. The oldest was not up for many shots w/ his brother but as soon as his toy dog came out I realized who was number one in his life...the dog that trails him. I loved capturing with him as you will see by how many pictures I am sharing of the dog. But it is such a cute moment in time of his life which I'm sure will pass in just a few months. These boys are just too cute!!
And I had to add the last 3 images. They may not be the best photographically but I LOVE them in combination. The sweetness of the giving and the smiles that both boys had following.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. And in the midst of all the fun you hopefully will be having do not forget to remember all the wonderful men, women & children who have touched your life and left a great print on your heart & of those you have not met but gave their life in hopes that yours can remain free and continue to get better.

2011-05-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

These family's have had to wait longer than most of my clients given the workload of school pictures and the volume of families from El Paso. And when I finally was able to work on them it brought back thoughts of how much I enjoyed photographing them and seeing how much the cousins loved being together. There are many states that separate these families but they have managed to maintain amazing bonds.

2011-05-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

The mom of this next little guy has been anxiously, but patiently awaiting her first peak at what I was able to capture from their sitting. They were my last family in El Paso so I know the wait has been long but hopefully seeing these pictures will make it worth while. This was my first time photographing this family and I had so much fun with them. Their little guy was so easy going & I could have photographed him all day. Look at all the smiles he gave me. And I love the one of him sneaking away from mom and dad. I love the adventurers & I hope to see how this one grows and changes in the future!

2011-05-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Another great family that I have been lucky to document as they have grown and changed. You will see that these kids are as beautiful as can be but what you don't know is that they have personalities (and manners) that even exceed their looks. Dad was sick the morning of the shoot but hopefully he will get to enjoy these for Father's Day that is just around the corner.
And I decided to start with a different image than usual. All boy and I LOVE it!!

2011-05-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

More and more I am finding myself amazed at how long I have photographed some of my clients and I think back to when I first meet them. On my recent trip to El Paso I returned to the back yard where I first photographed this family and I remembered their youngest was just learning to ride a tricycle...and now look at him. I really commend my clients who document their family annually. I know it is not easy to gather your family & get everyone excited about having their pictures taken or set aside funds a sitting but I have learned throughout the years from families who shared with me their regret for not make photography a priority when their kids were young it is something that can never be recreated. It makes me happy that many of my clients will not face that dilemma when their kids are grown and gone. It is so fun for me to see the changes over the years & I hope each family will look at the images for decades to come and they will continue to smile at their beautiful family.
The first two images are for this mom. A little late for Mother's Day but she deserves the love you can see in these two pictures because I know how hard she works to document her beautiful family. I hope these make it all worth her efforts!

2011-05-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

As many of my followers know I LOVE boys. But I think most parents who bring them for a sitting are not sure how it will go. I love them because they are always full of energy & on the go. A parents' nightmare for a photography sitting but my dream. I think my photography is better when I am challenged, this is why I could never do studio work. Getting kids to sit still & look "pretty" would get tiresome. Kids on the go is so much more fun. A ways into the sitting I am sure the parents had given up hope for a full family picture as the kids had their own ideas of what they wanted to do in the open field. But I didn't loose hope & sure enough the boys came around and gave me great smiles with both mom & dad. These two boys are stunners & so much fun. They were on the go and full of laughs and that is why I am starting with the first image because it is my favorite because it is more rare to see these two w/o smiles. I love the thoughtfulness you can see in them in the first two images. I think inside and out these two are incredible!

2011-05-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

I always look forward to photographing this next little girl. I have photographed her more than any other individual and I would think I would tire of it but thanks to her mom's vision and creativity I always leave each sitting with a big smile on my face. Grace has fallen in love with ballet so I met her at the ballet studio. And what I'm about to say is not because they are my #1 fans, REALLY!! I was completely BLOWN away by how incredible she was. She celebrated her 6th birthday the week I was in town & I think she moved like she was 5 years older. She got to try on toe shoes for the first time but she didn't just try them on, she moved across the floor like she had been dancing in them forever. And then there was her sense of musicality, she really moved to the music, not just doing steps she had learned. I was amazed!! And I hope she loves seeing her first ballet pictures.

2011-05-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

****Warning...lots of images from one family below...

I am buried with work & need to continue blogging & I realized as I started to narrow down images from this next family that I was spending way too much time trying to narrow to my most favorites so I decided to stop wasting time & just post. And I think it is appropriate that this family gets to benefit from my indecision because yesterday was Mother's Day and this mom deserves to be celebrated all week long and more. It has been a few years that I have photographed her with her family. She made sure I didn't miss capturing them as they grew & changed but she remained behind the scenes. For the past 2.5 yrs she has been in the fight for her life & in January finished her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Have you ever met anyone who has had spinal tap chemo treatments? I had never heard of it. Well Amanda had numerous rounds and that is just the tip of the iceberg of all she has been through. She has AMAZED me over the time I have known her. And it was the highlight of my El Paso trip to get to finally photograph her again with her family. I had so much fun with them & you will see why it was so hard to choose.
Happy Mother's Day Amanda!!

2011-05-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Next week I am celebrating a birthday and decided for the occasion I am going to come up w/ a list of 12 things I have never done before & each month of the big year I am going to do one of them (and I am recruiting great women friends to join me in my firsts if they haven't done it either). And today I am excited because I am celebrating a first. It arrived in my mailbox a few hours ago. For years I have had people telling me to try and publish some of my work. I have never had time or knowledge of how to do that. But right before I left for our S. Africa trip I contacted my college alumni magazine letting them know that I had images of Sudan that they may be interested in printing in celebration of the upcoming separation. They liked that work but were really interested in my return trip to my Peace Corps site as this year Peace Corps is celebrating its 50th anniversary & my alma mater is in the top 10 for the number of graduates who joined the PC. I wrote a little piece about my return to my PC site & they ran the story and then I was surprised that they chose an image for the cover. So I am starting the year of firsts off today. Hoping for many more! If you have some great ideas for "firsts" send them my way & maybe I can do more than 12.
Also, if you are visiting my blog for the first time because of the Arches article and you would like to see image & read more about my travels enter Lesotho, South Africa &/or Laos into the search field (blog tag organization is not my forte).
And here is a look at the cover...

2011-05-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago I returned to El Paso. For the first time in years I was blessed with almost perfect weather which was such a nice surprise. Usually I am fighting high winds, high heat or swarms of mosquitoes. It was such a refreshing change. I met my first family at my favorite El Paso spot and they were brave enough to follow me over barbed wire and out onto train tracks. These are great kids that are excited to welcome a new sibling into their brood this year. What a lucky baby it is to join this crew.

2011-05-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is already May. Last year I jumped off the cliff and did the Giving Every Day in May. It was an incredible month & I so wish I had the bandwidth to do it again this year. But I am buried in work and the amount of work GEDIM requires would drive me into the ground this year. Hopefully I will be able to do something similar in the future.
A few weeks back I photographed another BEAUTIFUL senior. I kept thinking to myself as I was working that I was amazed by her beauty and she has the brains, personality & athletic ability that even surpass her looks. She is off to California for college and I am sure she is going to blow doors off everything she does!

2011-04-18T10:56:00.001-07:00

I am back from my quick trip to Texas to photograph some great families (and enjoy a little sunshine & heat...this NW weather is really getting ridiculous this year!!) & have have some anxious parents waiting to finally see their little one's class picture. This are the last preschool picture I will be posting this year, I have another school I photographed recently but I am sure viewing these pictures is getting a little repetitious for you non-preschool parent readers.
Spring break for my oldest is this week so I am heading out of town again (this time against my will as I have so much work on my plate I would actually prefer to spend the week at my desk), hopefully when we return spring will finally have arrived in Seattle!
And now let me share the last of the bright, smiling faces of these adorable kids.

2011-04-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Still more classes remain...you would think I may get tired of photographing them (you are probably tired of seeing them all), but I really don't. I couldn't do lots of schools but I still really love the challenge trying to figure out the hook that will open up the brilliant personalities in each and every little one. People would be surprised to find out that I am not one that LOVES to hang out with other peoples' kids. I LOVE my boys but really do not know how teachers do what they do all day long. Such an incredibly hard job, that I am thankful that they have the gifts to take on the challenge. But I will say there is something very strange that happens when I have a camera in my hand or in front of my face. I find that I really do love every child in front of me and I love finding out little tidbits that make them tick. The camera is like a little telescope for me and I am thankful that it allows me to open up and see that all kids are really amazing.
With twins that are in these classes I try and photograph them together. And I am seriously flabergasted at how many twins there are these days. So much fun! I wanted to share a couple pictures from one set of twins. They were A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E together!!

2011-04-12T12:29:00.001-07:00

I am still working away at preschool pictures(I took on a second school of even younger kids with even more kids so it has been busy), but I wanted to share a few senior pictures I did a few weeks back of my nephew who was visiting from Hawaii. I can't believe he will be graduating next month. It was fun spending the time with him and I am amazed at what a great guy he is. I look forward to watching where life takes him in the years to come.

2011-04-07T00:19:00.001-07:00

Not surprisingly the weather deteriorated as the week of class pictures wore and I found myself working double time to win the little ones over before a downpour set in. What is going on with this spring weather. At least on this morning we didn't get the hail that seems to be a daily occurrence lately. These kids were troopers soldiering through the cold morning. Are you getting tired of seeing the red chair yet? I always love seeing how the kids will sit down. I don't give them any instructions & tell them they can move it any which way and sit however they choose. I am always amazed at the smiles that emerge when they are given the freedom to do whatever they want.

2011-04-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

Still inundated with class pictures with many more to be posted but before I share the next class this next little girl needs to be in the spotlight. As I was finishing up the last of her classes images I realized somehow I missed adding her adorable picture in the last post. I think it was meant to be because she deserves a little solo spotlight for how cute she is!!

2011-04-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

As I continued the week of school pictures the ages got younger and younger and I always wonder if I will hit a bump in the road connecting w/ a certain age. These beautiful kids are four and five and they all look like little professionals...no bumps here. The first image is not what a parent would think is the perfect school picture but it is a favorite of mine and I couldn't not share it.

2011-03-30T16:38:00.001-07:00

I just can't share one class from the preschool so in the coming weeks you will be seeing lots of them! I am starting and ending this next class with my favorite preschooler, Oscar. He was not given any special instructions of what to wear but of course he had to pull out his finest attire (sans the bow tie that he lost in S. Africa). These kids all did amazingly well given that it was FREEZING out. They are off to kindergarten next year...oh the places they will go!!

2011-03-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Many of you are probably wondering if I am still actually working in Seattle. The first quarter of the year is always quiet for me and I try and take advantage of the that time w/ travel and family but it is time to get back to work and my camera got back into action last week when I started school pictures. I think this is my fourth year doing pictures for this preschool. I always look forward to the challenge of working with little ones for just a few minutes each and seeing if I can get them to open up. Here is the first class. They are four and five years old, full of spunk and life and oh so adorable!

2011-03-21T15:20:00.001-07:00

I am back...we landed last week but it seems to take me a little while to get my feet back underneath me and re-enter my reality of work. We had an incredible trip covering the northwest area of South Africa & into Lesotho. On the world map it doesn't look like much but we did LOTS of driving, covering over 2,500 miles. Everyone has assumed I must have tons of pictures but surprisingly I did not take many at all. I didn't realize that I actually needed a vacation from my camera too. And this trip really was about being with my family and watching our boys get to experience the third world and wildlife for the first time. The best part of our trip was just being with my family for 3 weeks. I feel so lucky to have gotten the time and then to be in such beautiful places.
The biggest highlight for me was getting to watch the boys meet & play with kids that they couldn't communicate with but still have unforgettable experiences with. Cooper was fearless looking for ways to connect. He grabbed rocks & taught boys tic tac toe and then went on to make up a totally new game that kept everyone enthralled and laughing. It was so great. The other big highlight was getting back to our villages and seeing a few old friends. I am sharing lots of pictures here and you will see a series of images that show my husband's close friend running up to him when he heard we were in the village. We had not had anyway to notify them of our visit so it was a complete surprise. Their reunion was incredible to witness. The embraces & smiles were endless. And I have just one of me w/ some of my old neighbors as I shared pictures from the past with them from over 15 yrs ago. They couldn't believe we returned and remembered them...how could we ever forget??!! We traveled to the high school to find my neighbors daughter who was in her last year there. I was so thrilled to learn that she had made it through school.
Lesotho is such a beautiful, remote, rugged country that has remained, for the most part, unchanged over the past 15 years, still one of the poorest countries in the world. The best description of what it is like is what I envision the wild west being like. I wish everyone could visit Lesotho!

2011-02-20T22:13:00.000-08:00

I feel so lucky to say that we are heading back to Lesotho & South Africa tomorrow. And I really cannot believe by the end of the week we will be back in the villages we left 15 years ago. I am excited to see the people we lived with for 2 years & to share with them that we got married & now have 2 little boys. I hope to be able to share pictures on Facebook during our travels so track me down there.

So my youngest somehow has become a serious dapper dresser. It is pretty cute and when we are out he constantly stops people in their tracks to check out his get up & compliments soon follow. So on Friday I got a call from a close friend who was at a local consignment store telling me I had to get there because there was a size 5 tux on the rack. When I told Oscar he got so excited and we had to go. The tux fit him perfectly and he wore it out of the store & all weekend. He looks like a little James Bond, it really is too much! So I had to share his new look before I go. Here is special agent Oscar...

2011-02-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

Before I write anything more I must recognize the exciting news that has taken place in S. Sudan. It is official that the south will become receive their independence in July. Such incredible news and now we need to keep all eyes on Sudan to ensure that the north does not start a genocide in the months and years to come.
This image stirs many things w/in me and I think it is appropriate to share just this one for today...I will not give my narrative and perhaps it will signify something different for you.

I have decided that instead of feeling guilty about not blogging regularly in the past few months (and the month ahead) I just need to embrace my reality that this is my hibernation time (the image for me also translates to my life here). The first quarter of the year is always a quiet time in terms of shoots but for me it is busy closing up my previous year, preparing my books for the IRS (this has to be the most awful part of my job & takes way too long) and thinking about what may be ahead for me. So I am no longer going to worry about my pause on here. Please just continue to check back and I promise to continue to share images and thoughts.
In less than 2 weeks I am going to be having the time of my life as my husband and I are taking our boys to South Africa & Lesotho. We will be returning to the villages we lived in from '94-'96. It will be crazy to return & there is no way to send advanced warning of our visit so we will roll into the mtn villages & I am sure surprise a few people. I am looking forward to sharing this part of our life w/ our boys & for them to see such a different way of life. And to get to spend 3 wks w/ just my family, I feel very lucky, for sure! I have been thinking about our return to our villages for years & I cannot believe it will be happening in 2 wks!!

2011-01-21T14:46:00.001-08:00

I'm still here...but somehow the last thing on my mind is to blog. It kind of kills me because I am now so much more happy with my images and I have really enjoyed sharing them with people but for some reason I am not finding words enough to share all my thoughts. So bare w/ me and keep checking back.
I hosted a "Sharing about S. Sudan" night on Wednesday and the turnout and interest in seeing my images and hearing some of the stories behind them really touched me. And receiving so much positive feedback following the night is motivating me to try and find more ways to do it again. It was really, really wonderful. Thank you to everyone for attending and for those who are interested in attending a future even just let send me an email.

Before I share more Sudan images I wanted to give an update on little Georgia if you haven't been following along on her mom's amazing blog that is documenting their journey. Wednesday was an even bigger day for her...she had her bone marrow transplant. She continues to be the strongest little one year old you will ever meet. Please think of her today and send positive thoughts their way! And give your little ones an extra big hug for Georgia today!

Now more from S. Sudan. All of these images were taken in the little town I stayed in, Torit. Somehow I was talked said yes to getting in the cattle corral & a local took my picture. Those cows have such big horns, it never got old watching them walk by.

2011-01-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

The historic referendum in Southern Sudan is just 2 days away. I wish I could be there to document the incredible day and the aftermath that will hopefully result in a the building of a peaceful country. There is major concern that the north will not allow the succession to happen peacefully & genocide or a civil war may break out. Please follow what is happening in the news, even though we are on the other side of the world our support can make a difference. Follow this link to show your support.

If you have read my posts that I wrote while in Sudan you may remember that I wrote about running out to the road when I heard chanting/marching going by and could see the top of a flag leading the way. It was an amazing scene & I was over the moon w/ the one minute I got to film them as they marched by. Then I decided to follow them to see where they were marching and then the next 4 hours played out to an unforgettable setting. I found myself as the center of a rally that started building w/ traditional dancers and then the area became packed w/ locals as the Governor of the State of Equatoria drive up & a handful of rousing speeches commenced followed by more dancing until the sun went down. I still can't believe I stumbled upon such an amazing event. This country deserves their freedom!
Here are a few images from that day and hopefully I can get a few videos up later.

2011-01-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

I have been asked repeatedly where I stayed (accommodation-wise) while in S. Sudan so I thought before I shared more images I would share a few less than exciting ones that at least can give a little insight(all taken w/ my point & shoot). The first 3 are of my room from afar, up close and inside. Then there is the view from my room, followed by the "facilities" (3 doors on left are the shower, 3 on right are the toilets) with the single spigot in front of the doors for brushing teeth & washing face/clothes. Next is the nicest of the toilets, the other two doors were just drop holes. Then the last 3 are of the local "restaurant" cooking area. They served roasted or deep fried chicken & meat (probably cow or goat), bread and a bean dish. The roasted chicken was pretty tasty.

2011-01-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

I think I am finally starting to settle back in and actually get excited to share pictures. Yesterday I forced myself to plan an low-key event to share about my travels & images I took. The event is on January 19th, if you would like to join me please send me an email. Getting the event on the calendar and starting work to design a coffee table album for the Ujenzi Charitable Trust is forcing me to start looking back through my images this morning so it is time to start sharing more. After I left the market I walked through the alleyways and enjoyed so many beautiful children along the way. There is a part of me that is hesitant to share these images because I think they may come across as just another picture of kids from Africa, but I do love looking back at these ones and they make me smile so if nothing else hopefully they will make you smile and think a little.

2010-12-21T22:35:00.000-08:00

I have heard from many people wondering how I am doing or worried that I made it home safely since I have been completely quiet here. I feel bad for my complete lack of posts since leaving Sudan. It was not something I expected to happen but last week I found myself in an overwhelming fog. I was hit hard w/ jet lag, a nasty cold, major back issues & then just being back to my reality was the trumper. It was so great to get back home to my family & friends as well as the comforts of life but I didn't expect to have such a horrible feeling of disconnect w/ everything that I had just experienced. I have lived in the 3rd world & since then traveled to many corners of the world so these feelings shocked me. I have had a really difficult time trying to wrap my mind around the feelings & just couldn't figure out why I wasn't sooooo excited to start sharing all the images. It has now been 9 days since I have been home & even today I still couldn't understand why my motivation isn't there. But tonight it hit me. I am definitely a person who lives in the moment. I look forward to what is ahead of me but not w/ great expectations & I have never been one to relish in the past. Coming away from a trip where everyday was completely incredible in small & big ways I find myself in a spot where I really wish I could convey all that I experienced & am left looking at images that I don't think even scratch the surface. I have never had that feeling. I have looked at the images a handful of times & I am left empty. I want them to be so much more, to tell the incredible stories I learned of the strength, beauty & resilience of the people I met but they are just images...ugh, I wish I had words to better explain. When I think of my images from my last big trip to Laos my feelings are so different. I LOVE the images, I don't want anything more from them. I so wish I could have that settled feeling about this trip. I think I am struggling with knowing there is so much going on in S. Sudan right now & that the future of this region of the world is so tenuous. Seriously, I have sat at my keyboard for too many minutes now unable to find the words. All I know is that this trip has impacted me to my core, I don't want to forget this part of the world, I want to do more, I am not sure what form that will take but I cannot just be done, walk away with a file full of images. So my days have been spent with my little brain spinning about what I can do from here. I will for sure continue to work w/ Ujenzi & MGH and hopefully my lack of clarity will disappear with time. (Okay...this is crazy but I just re-read what I wrote & now sit w/ tears streaming down my face...this is not at all like me & I think my head might pop off from trying to figure it out & not be sad every time I think about all the people I met & their state of life...makes my stomach turn!)

So for now, I must force myself to start sharing what I did capture & hope that it is enough for now. If you are reading this I would love to receive any thoughts, feedback you have. I have never been one to ask for emails or comments about my images but I would be so grateful to hear your thoughts.
These were taken during my first visit to the local market.

Leaving Southern Sudan

2010-12-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

After a very long & bumpy ride from Torit to Juba we arrived to find we did not have a place to sleep. We were all exhausted and very dirty from the dusty trip, not a fun way to arrive. After a few hrs we moved to a hotel...picture rundown trailer park style motel. Not pretty but they had ac which buoyed our moods. We were looking forward to a nice, solid shower but found only a trickle from the shower head. The day ended w/ the hilarious scenes of trying to sponge bath in w/ just a few inches of water in a basin. It was not pretty but at least the top layer of grime was removed & we were able to laugh our way through it.
I woke early this morning unable to fall back asleep. My head is spinning with so many different thoughts, I am thinking it might pop off soon! I am very excited that I will start my journey home today & be seeing my family on Saturday. I am sure I will be jumping out of my skin w/ excitement when I see them at the airport. This has been the longest I have been away from family since I lived in Lesotho. I am sitting here on my tiny little plank bed, underneath the mosquito net thinking about all the people who have made this trip possible. I could not have done it without having the incredible (and understanding) support of my husband & parents. They really have given me an unforgettable gift. And to my friends & family who provided childcare & extra hands, it made being away that much smoother! And finally to my assistant, Nikki Casey, who did a great job addressing my work issues while I was away, I could not have been away w/o your assistance, thank you!
And then my head is spinning w/ thoughts of what I have seen, S. Sudan's current state & the excitement I have to get home and work through all my images.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been in S. Sudan during a historical time for the people. The two weeks we were here registrating for the referendum was taking place. People were returning to their home counties from all over this country and outside it. Registration ended Weds. and now they wait until January 9th. The referendum is monumental for the people of S. Sudan. They must receive their independence in order to have any hope of peace in their country. The doctor I am rooming with made a comment last night that it is so strange to think that we get to leave today and in the next few months this area could break out into another war. That is so hard to wrap my mind around. The Sudanese have been through 50+ yrs of war. They are incredibly resiliant and hopeful that this referendum will bring them the peace they have been struggling for years to find. It will be an atrocity if the country falls back into war. If independence is acheived they still have a very long road ahead but at least it will give them a place to start from. Please follow the events of Sudan in the weeks and months to come!
Finally my last thoughts I have had the past few days are in regards to fear. It has been driven home to me on this trip that it is so important not to let fear control your decisions. Prior to my trip, so many people told me I was crazy for wanting to travel to S. Sudan. It was not safe, it was a horrible place, how could I go to such a place and leave my family behind??? It went on and on. I appreciated the concern but felt that I needed to follow my instinct that it was the right thing for me to do and that I would be safe. I would travel with caution but not let this fear divert me. A few days after arriving in Torit I was laying in bed wondering if maybe I should stay in the town and not venture out. Maybe it was a stupid thing to do, maybe I should be afraid...and as I lay there those thoughts overtook me and I started thinking about the what ifs and what the heck was I really doing in Sudan. But I woke in the morning deciding I needed to get out and I couldn't let the unknown be scary to me. And as I traveled w/ caution I found that it was necessary to get out of Torit. So I will stop the rambling here. I am thankful for all the support and concern I received leading up to this trip. It does mean so much that so many care for my safety & well being. But I think it is so important to share here that we all must try hard not to let fear dominate our decision making because we can never move forward and learn if we stay grounded in fear!! I have learned and seen so much during my time here, it has been a trip of a lifetime. And I am so excited to get home and give big hugs and kisses to my family!!
Thank you for following me through this adventure and stay tuned...pictures will be coming soon!

Sudan Day??

2010-12-08T01:30:00.000-08:00

As the days have flown by all of us are finding ourselves more & more tired. I think it is due to a number of things. We are all up early to get to work, our diets are consisting mostly of breads w/ a more “normal”/nutritious meal at dinner, we find ourselves working late into the night & then our energy is further sapped by the heat. But it is easy to push on as we know our stay is finite. I often find myself wondering if I could live in this environment forever & how lucky am I that I get the option to fly away! The things that we find tiresome or dirty (all sizes of bugs & flies, dust & dirt everywhere, drop latrines & cement enclosed showers, the list can go on and on) are things that are common place for the Sudanese and we are not really experiencing their true hardships like carrying loads of water, wood, goods to sell, materials to construct a home (the list is endless) on our heads, we are not cooking over an open fire, we are not washing our laundry by hand, we are not spending all day in the market hoping to earn a few pounds…on and on and on…I can only imagine their level of tiredness when their day comes to a close but so often instead of complete quietness at the end of the day we hear the pounding of drums, singing, lots of social carrying on until all hours of the night.
This is a very small view of the life of a Sudanese. But can you imagine that daily life constantly being interrupted by the death of a family member or friend? Death is a constant reality here. And I am not trying at all to be dramatic w/ this post, just trying to give you a sense of the reality. Let me tell you about the deaths I have learned of that have taken place in my short time here. The day I went to the University (my first full day in-country) I was told some medical students would not be able to come meet me as their friend (a student at the college of education) had been hit by a car the night before and died. A young, bright life quickly erased. Then we come to Torit. There are 11 participants in the training and just in the last 5 days 3 of them have lost a relative. One man’s sister delivered a stillborn baby, one woman’s cousin’s 12 yr old son drowned & just today another woman came to tell us she could not stay as her brother-in-law died yesterday in a car accident. He left 6 children. Death is always present here. And just because it is happening more often does not mean they have become desensitized to it, tears still flow, death is always painful. And I get to fly away on Friday…how lucky are we??!! Please know that I write not to proselytize but just to continue to give you an idea of my experience here.
Last night our tiredness was buoyed. We had a completely magical night. I am not one to use fruffy words like magical but I cannot find another word that would better describe it. Our evening plan has always been to eat & work either at the hotel or nearby at a “restaurant” near where we stay, but yesterday we wanted to celebrate a birthday of one of project lead. Executing a surprise party in S. Sudan proved to be challenging & very humorous. We had heard of a great spot to watch the sunset so two of us ran around for an hour in the afternoon gathering dinner (chicken w/ tomatoes in a bag & beans in a bag), drinks, a little cake (picture a 1/8-sized banana bread loaf that doesn’t taste like anything but cooked dark flour), a taxi ride to get to the location. It was all falling into place as we rushed around. I left to get the chicken, my counterpart finishing a shower was to find the car & we would go. The one restaurant we eat at said they were out of chicken…uh oh…but they then said that across the street I could find chicken, “the same” I asked, “yes, the same” they laughed. Run across the road, whew, they did in fact have chicken and beans. My partner finds me and we head back to the taxi only to find him w/ his hood up & a dead battery….of course it is dead!! Taxis are hard to come by here but we are told we can go by motorcycle....not an option w/ all we have in tow but also not allowed by the project. So we get out to help little boys who have gathered to push start the car, we are back in business. As we head down the road we come upon a herd of cattle heading home, our driver decides to detour around instead of wait for an opening. We went at least 5 minutes out of our way for cows. We finally arrive to a Catholic Mission, our spot for the sunset but the sun in buried behind a thick blanket of clouds. My counterpart is worried that the surprise is going to be a bust because we have no sun to watch. I figure that regardless of the sun the extent we had gone through would be surprise enough and I’m sure much appreciated by the birthday girl. We walk about a ½ mile across the mission grounds to find an old church that has been bombed out. It was beautiful. We hang the one tacky red streamer we found at the shop and wait. Just as the birthday girl and our other colleagues approach the red sun emerges from the clouds. She is so surprised by the setting and the party. We sit amongst the ruins and watch the sun go down. I have walked around ruins that were centuries old, it was hard to believe that these had been bombed less than 30 yrs ago. A sad reminder to the post-war country we are in and the pain and anguish all the citizens have lived through.
We could not bring ourselves to leave. We sat under the stars, listening to music from a computer. I would wander off to another part of the building to sit away from the conversation, look up at the stars, the building & trees silhouetted by the blue sky & listen to the drumming and signing coming from the village nearby. It was 9pm here and I thought about what my husband and boys would be doing at home, still just 10 in the morning. I pictured both Oscar & Cooper in their respective classes, my husband hopefully getting a few hours of R&R (I have forgotten to mention he has been Super Dad while I am away, the tree is up and decorated, gingerbread houses made, lots of great things the boys have gotten to do all because of him) and here I sat under the stars, on the ledge of ruins in Southern Sudan. It was quite a moment. That is all I can say.
It was so much fun to relax, laugh & enjoy an incredible experience with new friends. We were renewed this morning to finish strong and well. The workshop closes today and we will depart for Juba in the morning. It is hard to believe I have just 2 days left here but it is also hard to believe that I get to be home w/ my family in just 3.5 days!! I can’t wait!

2010-12-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

So I lost connection all day & finally getting a window to cut & paste what I wrote earlier. I also thought I may be able to post pictures but not possible.
Sitting here in the training hall after lunch. Hot as usual, looking
forward to an evening cold shower. Decided to go back to the market
this morning and explore further. Always a bombardment of visual
stimuli there. Now when I walk I see at least one person who I have
met before which is nice. Abdalah was near the mkt this morning, I
met him the other day when I sat on the rocks near the market. I
talked w/ him briefly before moving on. Some of the market
highlights: thin, muscular men, sweating bullets as they unloaded
huge sacks of ?? into a storage area. They were thrilled to get their
picture taken. Then I found the fish section. Larger pieces were
dried in thinner long pieces and then kind of braided into bigger
clumps. Then there were little smoked fish and a few larger ones. Of
course, none of it looked at all appetizing! Then I passed the
vegetable section which consist of cabbage, tomatoes, okra, red onions
& random greens, next came the grain & bean area. Then fried ball
like donuts, some sort of condensed mixture the old men selling it
said it was tobacco?? To me it looked like a greener mixture of dung,
mud & straw...would love to know what it was made of. There were
women selling flour that was swarming w/ bees. I asked if the bees
stung and they all infatically nodded yes, but none of them acted
alarmed at all as they worked right in the middle of it or the little
kids just off to the side. I got close and didn't get stung. I guess
the bees are too focused on the flour to think about stinging a
person?? Continuing on I came to bags of what looked like white chalk
chunks but it was dried potatoes that would later be ground into
flour. In the same area were fresh potatoes. Finally I came to the
shoes, clothes & other accessories area. It was time to turn back
around and retrace my steps. Close to the buzzing bees Abdalah found
me and pointed to the right so I followed. It hadn't dawned on me
that I hadn't seen the meat area but it quickly became apparent that
there was a whole other row. You can see every part from the mouth to
the hooves, insides & out, on the tables. There were about 15 buthery
stalls.
Abdalah continued to give me Arabic lessons as we walked. When we
returned to the rock sitting spot I was quickly surrounded by curious
onlookers (all men) who were very enthusiastic to help me w/ my Arabic
so I pulled out my notebook and filled a page w/ translations. My
horrible pronunciations brought immediate laughs so I would keep
trying until I got a collective ahhhh or nod.
Abdalah walked w/ me back to just across from our compound and was
telling me he wanted to buy me a drink (all this in Arabic and
gestures). I kindly said no thank you but he insisted, that it was
his brother's shop just across from where we stay. So I accepted and
he was disappointed that I wanted water instead of a Coke. So he got
me two. Being bought a drink instead of being asked to pay for
someone's drink was such a nice change! (I had pulled out my pictures
of the boys and a family picture during the language tutoring so all
are clear that I have a husband and kids at home). It was just a nice
gesture!!

Sudan Day 9

2010-12-05T11:50:00.001-08:00

• So I feel like I w/ what I am sharing I may think rainbows are flying out of my a**, but omg I am at the end of yet another PHENOMENAL day!! Really thought it would be a quiet one, staying in to do video interviews w/ a few of the wkshop participants. Even after the first 1 I was on cloud 9. If I had written a script it would never have been better than this woman spoke about the state of maternal & infant care in the villages, her overwhelming, genuine excitement w/ this program training & confidence that it will translate to saving lives in the villages. I am 100% sure she wasn't just trying to say the right things. Her enthusiasm will hopefully spur support from donors!
Then early in the afternoon I decide to join the others at the Torit Hotel (more like a rundown motel) to work. The hotel has electricity during the day w/ a bonus of overhead fans. On the way I see a pair or women walking my direction and one is fully draped in an incredibly vibrant red wrap, head to toe. I just cannot let her pass by w/o taking a picture it was so dramatic. So I approach them & get their consent to take a few. I thought to myself that if I have reached the extent of my image capturing for the day it has been another great day & I would be content.
But while working, I heard men chanting & marching by the entrance of the hotel. I saw a flag go by & knew they were marching for the referendum. I was bummed I missed them. Luck would have it that 20 minutes later I heard them on their way back. I quickly grabbed my camera & sprinted out the door. It was such a cool scene. Men in white referendum shirts were singing while being lead by the S. Sudanese flag. I snapped a few pictures, raised my fist to them, they sang & cheered louder, I ran ahead, snapped more, ran further ahead again & did a little video. It was so great & I was about to return to the hotel when I decided maybe I should follow them. They marched to the grounds where the soccer games had been played, a HUGE open area. There were 3 big open sided tent like things filled w/ lots of plastic chairs set up, something was going to be going on here but I had no idea what yet. So I figured I would watch and wait. The men marched around & then another group of young men came w/ drums. Some were painted & had small head dresses. Oh this is getting good, I thought to myself. Then I thought how crazy that once again I found myself getting to witness another incredible scene. Then a group of women came out of nowhere in traditional beaded dress & joined in the dancing, even better. After a while I think I had better run back & grab my long lens camera because this was just too good. I take off running & I am sure that was a strange sight for everyone else…look at that white girl taking off!!!
When I return the scene just keeps going & more & more people are joining in. I decide to take a seat in one of the chairs & just take it all in (in the shade, so nice!) There are men & women jumping all over the place wielding spears. One older woman draped in a lavender wrap starts coming towards me as she brandishes her spear. She is having fun w/ me & I can’t believe this is happening to me!! Incredible! There are now groups forming everywhere and in the distance there is a group of men covered in red dirt, long feathers coming off the top of their heads, carrying spears & long wooden cylinders while jumping up & down around a guy playing a drum & another who is blowing through a gynormous cattle horn horn . I decide I need to get a closer look at these guys so I walk out to the group. I move around the group for awhile & then out of now where streams of Land Cruisers pour into the area, armed soldiers jump out & then someone who is obviously very prominent emerges from one of the cruisers. I now realize the chairs have all been packed with distinguished looking people (a handful I recognize from the King’s funeral). The man, tightly guarded by soldiers starts making a processional around a huge area shaking hands of the mobs of people. I somehow find myself directly in front of him quickly moving backwards while he moves forward. I am snapping away, this is CRAAAZZZZZYYY!!! Then a 3 hour rally takes place. Having relinquished my seat I am not left to stand in the sun at the front of the crowd. Should have put sunscreen on, but oh well, this is worth it. I am in the middle of a major Southern Sudanese referendum rally, OH MY GOSH life is ridiculous about now! There were many speeches that ended w/ an hour plus speech from this man they referred to as “Your Excellency”. Then the man, his entourage, other prominent parliamentary members are all whisked off leaving behind them more dancing. Did I really get to see all that today??!!! I haven’t had a chance to look at the back of my camera to see what I managed to capture, I can’t wait to look.
So you would think that would be the close of my great day, but no….the week leading up to this trip so many people asked me what I was going to be doing or what I expected. I told them I had no idea (I really had NO idea) but I just felt it would be a great trip, but if the photography side ended up a bust I knew that I was sure to meet one or two great new people and that would be enough. And when I say great it had nothing to do w/ what they did or “who” they were it was just that I knew I would enjoy meeting new people. So tonight I realized that not only the photography side has been unforgettable but I have met great people. And it goes along w/ my belief that even if on paper someone is different than me I probably can find something in common with them to connect with. So I want to share the last part of my day because I kind of feel like it is just as special as the photography. It is something I need to keep reminding myself to push past when I am at home in my comfort zone.
I have really loved connecting w/ two women here & I want to give you their “on paper” backgrounds:
The first is a 23 yr old, 2009 Wellsely (I’m so dumb I can’t even spell this East Coast all girls school). You would think we would have nothing in common but we definitely connect & I am amazed at the head on her shoulders & feel lucky to crossed paths with her. The second is a devout (but not overt) Pentacostal, non-drinker, OB/GYN doctor from Boston. I could have assumed these are 3 things I do not have anything in common w/…religious, no fun, too smart east coaster, call it a day & not try to get to know her. At home I wonder if I would have. We have enjoyed long conversations w/ each other, she is such a great woman & tonight we both laughed that & conquered that it is ESSENTIAL to always get out of your comfort zone, try and connect w/ others even when you think they are so different than yourself because usually you find just the opposite & maybe you can learn something from each other. We sat at the roadside grill until the kicked us out. Such a great end to another mind-blowing day!!

Now if only I wasn't sweating at 11pm!! Africa hot never gets any easier!

Morning in Torit!

2010-12-04T02:55:00.000-08:00

It was a short night & when I woke I needed to head straight to the outhouse. I’m sure you can imagine how I felt when I found all 3 locked on the outside. It was not good. 2 of the 5 of us have been hit w/ stomach problems in the last few days so when you find you do not have access to facilities…it was not good. I walked back to my room trying to talk my stomach off the cliff. It was just getting to be light out so I waited, finally I decided to head to breakfast (our breakfasts consist of bread, butter, tea & Nescafe, thankfully one of the drs travels w/ peanut butter!) hoping something would open soon. I sat eating trying to talk myself into venturing out to catch the morning light. You may be surprised to read this from me but I will try & explain. Taking pictures in this environment is not as easy as walking out the door & snapping away. I am very cautious to make sure I do not offend anyone or make them feel like I am entitled to take pictures w/o their agreement. I have been working on learning a few greetings & words in both Arabic & Lotoka. It can be very exhausting constantly being watched & trying to bridge the language and random white person gap. But I find if I put myself out there I am usually met w/ a smile & that opens the door. As soon as I make my attempt to speak giggles & twittering usually follow.
But this morning I just wasn’t sure I had the energy to get out there, but I had an ongoing internal dialogue w/ myself & managed to take the steps in the right direction. I never have a destination so I started walking the “alley ways” back off the main road. Trying to find the right time to break into an introduction always takes observation & patience. I walked passed a butcher, thank goodness they thoroughly cook their meat, is all I can say! Snapped a few and walked on. A few minutes later I approached little children as they stood in the entrance of their compound gawking and giggling at me. I tried to talk & laugh w/ them & then I decided to invite myself into their compound & meet the adults who I saw sitting around, also staring at me. The hellos always go well, smiles, giggling, twittering all commence. And then they try to talk more to me and then I start treading water. But at least I am in. They ask me to sit. We use sign language & a few English words to continue to try and connect. And then I point to the women smearing just in front of their rondavels. I point to them, action that I would like to try and am met w/ more laughter and nodding w/ a gesture to try. For those of you not familiar w/ what smearing is, the women use a mixture of mud, dung & water to thinly spread around. It forms a very hard, “clean” area. They do it both inside & outside their homes. So I put my cameras down, knelt near the edge of the newly smeared area & the woman tossed the mud mixture my way & moved a bowl of dirty water near me & I got to it. The key to smearing is to keep the mixture moist as you spread (using the handy bowl of dirty water) and smooth it out until it is even w/ the drier area. Now, instead of being behind the camera I looked up and found a couple young men w/ their cell phone cameras out. We all had a laugh. I did an area & then gave my hands a good wash. The yg men then invited me to smoke their hukka…I laughed & politely passed. We sat a while longer & then it was time for me to head back for the start of the workshop. I said my goodbyes & left w/ my heart soaring & reminding me that I MUST push myself out of my comfort & tired zone. I feel like the reward of my effort continued after I left the compound. I came upon my first Sudanese wheelchair. A woman who I had seen sitting & moving around on her knees earlier was not in the alleyway in her chair. Picture a very old 3-wheeled hand-powered bicycle. Little boys had to help push her as the ground is so bumpy.
And the scenes kept unfolding as I neared my “home”. Three beautiful older women in colorful fabrics were walking by. One smoking a long wooden pipe. I said my hellos, giggles & twitters followed w/ a nod that I could photograph them. My heart was in the clouds!!! The woman w/ the pipe, her face showed that she was full of stories. Age lines, traditional scarification & her smile…ugh it was amazing! (I feel like I use the same descriptive constantly but there just are not enough words to describe these incredible people & scenes!). I could have stayed in the moment w/ these women for a few hours but instead I snapped just a few and we all continued on w/ our day. And just around the corner was my last reward. An elderly man who had obvious eyesight problems surrounded by colorful fabrics while seated behind a pedal powered sewing machine…seriously. I do not know how I am going to be able to wade through all these images when I return. Constant visual beauty set amongst such a very harsh environment. Still pinching myself!!

2010-12-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

I was not planning on using my blog for this trip but I since I now am unable to share images, I want to continue sharing some of my experiences while here and it cannot be conveyed in Facebook's 420 character limit. I will continue to post quick updates on FB as it is easier but will try my best & share here too.

Today was another unforgetable day but it was OVER THE TOP on crazy factor. I am still pinching myself now!

When my guide, Dickens (a “cousin” of the medical director who works in the Ministry of Regional Coordination, picked me up this morning he said we would go to the mountain village but then the driver would go back and I could go w/ him earlier or stay out as Dr. Augustine (the med dir) would be coming out to attend the last rights/funeral in the area. I said I would stay out since it sounded like we would be back by 5 or 6. During most of the first hour of the drive we talked about the current state of Sudanese affairs. I was just soaking it all in, so much to talk about it made for a quick ride. Then I saw women winnowing sorghum on giant rock area that had deep bowl like indentions. I asked to stop. Picture 5 older women bent over sweeping (African brooms, not the type we use) sorghum all over the rock w/ a big herd of goats behind them and then big boulders further off in the distance…incredible! But we had to push on. Then we passed a stream of women carrying wood & I again asked to stop. I ran back to where the women were resting in the shade of a big tree. It was SOOO hot & the loads they were carrying had to be so heavy and then the distance they had to go…it is way worse than the “I had to walk a mile to school through and uphill both ways”. Then we drove on, about 5 minutes later the driver said he did not have enough full to get all the way to the mtn village…okay, we will go back 10 minutes to the small trading area and see if they have any fuel. No fuel there, so Dickens sends the driver back to Torit w/o further discussion. So much for the mountain village. And now I have no idea what the day will bring, welcome to the African way. For all you Peace Corps peeps, remember in training they kept pounding into us the importance of being flexible, you all remember the African way and how a plan you think is really good goes in a completely different direction w/o notice.
So we sat down for a drink, which then became lunch because now I realize we are waiting for Dr. Augustine. Lunch was small, flatter little breads w/ a bowl of 2 big cubes of beef and a soup like sauce. Steered clear of the meat but thanked God for the bread!! Then we sat outside, and we sat…then I decided to get up at least and have a walk while we waited. I found a local “brewery” w/ a few men enjoying the fermented drink. Just 100 yds from there was the local butchery. Oh it was not pretty. There were a handful of smaller parts on a thin word platform drying or waiting to be bought?? Then on another table were the rib section and another big slab of meat near a hand scale. Then there were a handful of people enjoying some freshly roasted pieces over a small fire close to the meat source which my local guide so kindly lifted the hide up to show me the remaining innards & meat. Yes, be thankful while you are reading this for refrigeration & your local butcher!
At around 2pm, after another drink, Dickens tells me we are ready to go. I wonder where we are going since I have not seen the dr arrive. Maybe we have another ride?? No, instead we walk across the road, through the village and I realize we have arrived at the site of the funeral/last rights. We walk into a large open area w/ men seated in groups. We start making our rounds of saying hello (Mong, mong, mong, ogolo, mong, ogolo, mong, mong…a hand shake can go on for quite a long time, I saw one go on like this, back and forth for a good 2 minutes) to all the men and then we pull up chairs amongst the most prominent looking group. Dickens tells me one of the men is the former governor of the state of Eastern Equatoria, another is a member of the parliament, he goes around the circle of men like this and I start wondering who has died, so I ask. This was just any man, it was the KING of the Lotoka Tribe!! What??!!! Everyday just keeps getting more wild! It was a long catholic ceremony followed by 5 speeches and then as we were nearing 5:30 it ended but I knew we would not be on our way back. I was invited to eat w/ these men & then drink w/ these men…but fortunately I also got to leave the vip area and wonder amongst all the women sitting, eating & drinking. How did I get to be amongst this scene, is all I could think! We finally departed at 7:30 to start our return. One stop for one more beer…oh how I really wanted to get back to Torit as I knew my colleagues would be wondering what the heck happened to me! Fortunately they kept it to one beer and the driver was not drinking and I arrived safely home! I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have that experience in my very brief time here. Oh what a day!! And now I must sleep! Good night!

What am I doing in Sudan??

2010-11-29T23:09:00.000-08:00

I am finding that many people are wondering what brought me to Sudan & what exactly am I doing here. So here is a rundown...
In February I was getting very antsy with my work. I love my clients & taking pictures of families but I was needing a new challenge so I thought about doing something completely different as I know that in the future our family will be moving to live overseas for a few yrs. So I briefly looked into nursing school and masters in public health and found myself saying to a few friends that in 5-10 yrs I will be doing something internationally in photography (w/ no idea how I would get there). But then in May, I decided to challenge myself a different way and did the Giving Every Day in May fundraiser to benefit Soulumination. During that month and following I realized I needed to continue w/ my photography instead of looking elsewhere. It is truly my passion & I realized I can make a difference in peoples' lives so I had to continue on. Then randomly at my closing event in June to celebrate all the people who donated to Soul & hand over the funds raised a woman whose kids I had photographed for the fundraiser asked me if I would even want to travel internationally to photograph...she could have pushed me over w/ a feather. And then she went on to ask if I would be open to traveling to Sudan...I couldn't believe she said Sudan because I have been talking w/ my husband about Sudan since the late 90's. CRAZY how this world works!! We met in August to talk a little more about it and then in Sept. I met w/ Dr. Thomas Burke, who is heading this project and many others globally, while he was visiting Seattle on business. He is an ER doctor at Mass General in Boston and the director of the ER program at Harvard. We talked about me traveling to Sudan in March...I was so excited about the opportunity. And then in early Nov the dr asked if I could go in Dec. I initially said I could not do it due to my workload but then I realized I must try and make it happen. But just 3 weeks later, with the support of my family & some crazy work hours (and great clients) I am here. I am still having a hard time believing I am actually really here!
It is already an amazing trip that I have always dreamed about doing and I still have 10 days left here in Sudan. The group I am with, on behalf of the Sudan Ministry of Health & MGH(3 doctors & 1 support coordinator) are starting today w/ a training workshop to train midwives and nurses from the countryside how to train frontline village healthcare workers with the goal to provide better knowledge and tools to assist w/ maternal and infant healthcare. The infant and maternal mortality rate in S. Sudan is one of the worst in the world. The organization is also doing work w/ the Southern Sudan Medical College which is more than a bare bones status right now. Without the work that Dr. Burke and his group is doing w/ the University the students would have been without teachers for most of this year. I have been with this group for a very short time but can already tell how hard working and committed they are to this project. Their dedication is so obvious and I am hopeful their hard work will provide very positive results for women and children in S. Sudan. I am really honored to have the opportunity to see & document the work they are doing. I believe there are many unproductive development projects throughout the world and to see one that seems to be sustainable and is educating the local population instead of band-aiding their problems is so great!
The Sudanese are like no other people I have ever met. So resilient, optimistic, hardworking and stunningly beautiful. It seems that they are not looking for handouts but just a hand up. There is a monumental referendum taking place in January for people to vote to create an independent S. Sudan and separate from the north. It is a very crucial time and there is concern that civil war may break out which would be devastating to the southerners who have been through years and years of unimaginable hardship. Most have been displaced to camps in Kenya, Uganda,Ethiopia only recently returned in the last few years. They are educated and want to build their communities again. I think it is possible if they get their freedom and all remains peaceful. They so deserve it! If you have a chance go buy What is the What? by Dave Eggers. It is an incredible book that gives some insight to the plight of so many here. Even if you have never had an interest in Sudan or even Africa, the book is a great read and the timing is perfect to read it now so you will have an understanding of the importance of January's referendum.
I am hoping to continue to post images on Facebook when I have connection fast enough. Please email me or send a message to me via Facebook if you have any specific questions.

Happy and safe in Sudan

2010-11-29T19:16:00.001-08:00

I have been in Sudan for almost a week now. It has been an amazing trip so far and I am so thankful to have gotten this opportunity. I have limited access to the web and the connection is slow so I cannot post images here but if you find me on Facebook (not my business page, just Tara Clark) you can view some of the images I am taking along the way.

2010-11-23T00:23:00.000-08:00

It is after midnight and the snow has finally stopped. It has been a CRAZY day in Seattle, we received so much more snow than forecasted, it just wouldn't stop. The roads are covered w/ about 6" & I am hoping to be able to get to the airport for my flight just after noon. It looks like I will be hiking downtown to catch the new lightrail to the airport. Keeping fingers crossed that I make it but if not tomorrow I am sure I will get out soon. I am really having a hard time believing that I am going to be in Africa tomorrow. It has been 15 yrs since I have been there and I am beside myself with excitement and I cannot say how much I appreciate all the support I have received from everyone.

It is rare for me to have pictures of myself but today I figured I needed one to take with me of my boys. From snow one day to 90 degree weather the next. I think I am in for one amazing ride! And I cannot wait to share it with my favorites guys!
Hopefully I will have a chance or two to post here or on Facebook from the road. So check back! And enjoy this wonderful winter weather!

2010-11-22T15:28:00.001-08:00

I have been MIA here because for the past 2+ weeks I have been working day & night, literally...even weekends, because I am leaving for Sudan TOMORROW!! The timing of the trip couldn't really be worse as the last quarter of every year is always my busiest, most demanding time and then there is Thanksgiving that my family was planning on spending w/ my parents on the Oregon Coast...I feel so lucky to have all their support in making my trip a reality. I will write a little more on that later but I have been telling myself for wks that before I left I would share with you pictures I took of one amazing young man. But there is so much more than just pictures to share so buckle up for a long post.

In September, I was with my boys at the University St. Starbucks waiting in line. Oscar, my youngest, pointed out the super strong leg belonging to the guy in front of us. He mentioned it a second time and as I was leaning down to ask him if he wanted to ask the guy about his leg the guy turned around and opened himself up to questions. We talked briefly about how he lost his leg, a drunk driver hit him while he was standing next to his car. We talked a little about the driver who had 2 DUIs on his record and only received 2.5 yrs in jail. I was so impressed with this young man, I assumed the accident had happened years ago but I was shocked when he told me it had happened within the last year. And then I asked how long his recovery had taken...my jaw must have dropped to the floor when he said he had been bedridden until just 3 month ago. I just couldn't believe it because he carried himself with such strength. To have gone through what he had so recently and to be sharing his story so openly was almost incomprehensible to me and I just thought that he must be one amazing young man. I am not shy so I asked a few more questions and found out he had graduated from UW just last year w/ an aerospace (or maybe aeronautical) engineering degree but was unemployed given the current state of the economy jobs were scarce. I learned all this while in line and then we said our goodbyes and I got my coffee and snacks for the boys. We went outside & I talked more w/ my boys about what an incredible person we had just met. He inspired me and I just couldn't let it pass so I went in and got a coffee sleeve, jotted down my contact information and decided I was going to give it to him because I wanted to photograph him & maybe others who inspire me. But as we went to walk across the street he was with friends and I didn't want to impose so we walked on by. Then a half block later I just had to take one more look back and I saw he was walking our way all alone. So as he caught up I told him I wasn't a stalker and we exchanged names & I told him if he was ever up for it I would love to photograph him and learn more about him. He said there were some news articles that I could find online and I said I would look them up but I wanted to do more than just a news piece on him but that I completely understood if he never contacted me as I appeared to be a bit of a crazy lady (good thing my kids looked normal).
Anyway, I shared my story of meeting him with quite a few friends. I felt so lucky to have crossed paths with him that even if we never met again he made my day that day and inspired me for sure. I went home and read the news articles and learned that the accident was even worse than he had shared. His dad was also severely injured and the rehabilitation for both was extreme and the impact the accident had on his family was unimaginable. Jason had mentioned that he was unemployed, I learned from the article that he had just been interviewing before the accident and received a job offer but had been in a coma when the offer came.
I really expected he wouldn't think twice about contacting me so when I saw an email in my inbox from Jason Wong my heart skipped a beat! He was up for meeting again and letting me take his pictures. Then the weather turned bad and my workload was crazy. I just wasn't sure it was going to happen before the new year. And then there was a window in the forecast for a few days of sun so I emailed him to see if he was free, he was and he showed up on my doorstep a few days later.
And I just can't say enough about how lucky I feel that he was open enough to take me up on my offer. He arrived without any expectations and was up for just walking the neighborhood with me while I photographed and we talked. One of the first things I learned as we walked away from my house was that he had been interviewing in DC, LA & locally w/ Boeing, had received multiple job offers and was starting a new job the following week with Boeing. So exciting! He shared with me how you learn to walk with a prosthetic leg and after 2 hours on it how it takes so much strength and concentration to focus on walking. But he has only been walking on his new leg for 4 months...I'm sure most people would not be near as proficient as he is and he did confirm that his doctors & therapists have all been amazed with his progress, he is so far ahead of the curve. But I can tell that is just who Jason as always been. A very hard worker that does not let the words difficult or can't slow him down. When I asked Jason if he would crouch down for a few pictures he said sure and as he was about to get up he told me that was the first time he had tried that position with his leg. He made it look so easy and yet it was a first that I was lucky enough to get to see. There are other positives that have resulted from his tragic accident and I am sure his life could have taken a very different path but Jason continually makes a choice to put his head down and take things on as they come instead of turn away and play the victim card. I am sure friends and family will be reading this and I am sure I am barely scratching the surface of the Jason they know and love. I look forward to learning more about this amazing young man in the future. Meeting Jason Wong is on the top of my highlight list for 2010. Jason, thank you for being so amazing and sharing yourself with me. I hope you see these pictures and you can see what an amazing person you are because you embody something very special and I consider myself so lucky to have crossed paths with you that day in September!!
One note, this is how incredible he is at pictures, these are all straight out of the camera as I just haven't had time to work any. I don't think they need much work!
Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful fall day with fabulous kids. I know the 3 pictures of them altogether are similar but I love what is going on in each of them that I wanted to share them all. Their mom just ROCKED her first marathon in NYC...they must be so proud of her, way to go Shannon!!

2010-11-10T01:37:00.001-08:00

It is 1:30am & my head is SPINNING!! It started early this morning and has slowed some throughout the day but I think this is just going to be a state of being for a while. But it is ALL good because this afternoon I booked my flight that will be taking me to Sudan. I am over the moon with excitement!! It is really a place I have dreamed of visiting for so many years and I just cannot believe that I am actually going...in just TWO weeks. Yes, that is part of the head spin. The trip dates came earlier and are longer than what I was planning and my stomach was in knots all morning trying to figure out if I can make it work. Thanks to the incredibly understanding & support loved ones in my life (husband, mom & dad to be specific) I will now be away for almost 3 weeks...CRAZY!! It has been almost 15 yrs since I have been on the continent of Africa & that a return is 14 days away is boggling my mind!! And the work that needs to be completed between now and then is almost as mind boggling but I know it will get done!

Loved photographing this family w/ all the fall colors last week. Happy kids equal very happy photographer! And the bonus is that I get to reconnect w/ their great parents who are some of my favorite clients. Always great to catch up with them!

2010-11-08T14:12:00.001-08:00

Lots of work going on here...I just feel the time slipping away so I am keeping this very brief. It was fun chasing these boys around with the stunning fall colors providing the perfect backdrop...why doesn't autumn last longer and why isn't it drier so we can really enjoy the colors & crisp air? Wouldn't it be fun to have this stick around longer???

2010-11-05T14:39:00.001-07:00

It is late Friday & I am trying to keep my head from spinning off...so I am going to keep this short and you will see that I am too busy to narrow down my favorites. Decided it was going to take too much time & I think they are all worthy of being shared. So, short and sweet it is!! Have a wonderful weekend!

2010-11-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have always been a big believer that if you work hard, take risks that may result in failure and allow yourself to dream great things can happen. This year I feel like I am constantly being amazed at how true this is & today one of my big dreams became a reality & my head is spinning just a little.
I have always had a HUGE passion for 3rd world travel & documenting the amazing people who live there. Early this spring I said to more than a few people that in 5-10 yrs I would be doing international work. I had no idea how I was going to get there but I just knew I would get there some how, some way. Then Giving Every Day in May happened, I worked harder than I had in so long & that month impacted me in so many ways that I had not anticipated, it was truly special & it continually reminded me that it is essential to try new things, work hard & believe that you can achieve your goals. What I could never have imagined was that through my work that month a connection would be made that would open the door to work abroad. It is CRAZY how this world works! Today I found out that I will be traveling with an wonderful organization (I will share more about them in a future post) to Southern Sudan in December. I have talked about traveling to Sudan since the late 90's. And now I am going there to work in just 4 weeks!! It is mind boggling to me how it has all come together & I am just so thankful & over the moon excited!!

And now to another great connection I made from GEDIM. I photographed these little ones in May & I was excited they wanted to meet up at the EMP so I could photograph the whole family. Kids can't help but have tons of fun running around the EMP & I couldn't just pick a few so here are the handful that I really love.

2010-11-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

It is November 1st and I am fully booked for all holiday sittings. I really do not like saying no to anyone but this time I am going to have to hold the line. I have exciting plans in the works for December that I hope to share in the next few days and those plans going to force me to get all my work in order before my departure so if you missed me this year please make a note to contact me much earlier next year.

That leads to my next family who I know is excited to get a sneak peek. It was my first time photographing them and I really hope I get to do it again in the future because these kids' personalities are bursting out of them and it was so much fun. Check the little guy out...have I said before how much I LOVE hats?? He ROCKED his!

2010-11-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

It is November 1st...CRAZY...and in just one month I may be finding myself in a place I have dreamed about going for over 10 years. It all came up very quickly last week and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the stars align AND I can get all my work finished before I jump off. I am excited to share more about the specifics but am going to wait until I know it is a for sure.
In the meantime, work is crazy and I continue to get to photograph great families. These guys were full of energy which always results in lots of fun for me! Super cute!

2010-10-27T13:48:00.001-07:00

This next family was so much fun to work with. These girls were so full of life and love for their family. Lots of giggles that just make you laugh right along w/ them. This was their first time doing family photos and I hope they love all the images.

2010-10-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

The fall weather is here & I am starting to wonder if there will be anymore dry days to shoot ahead. But I guess I should be grateful for the incredible weather we had for most of October. We weren't sure weather would hold out for this shoot but were pleasantly surprised that it was a dry (although grey morning...the beautiful sunny days hadn't arrived yet). I last photographed this family when their oldest was on the verge of walking...now she has a brother & they are both on the run, laughing the whole way!

2010-10-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

The last time I photographed this next family I think I was about to move away from Seattle to the SW. That seems like forever ago and I was touched that they remembered me and were excited to have me photograph their girls so many years later. The girls have grown and changed so much but the parents still look exactly the same (seriously I was so surprised that I felt like it had just been a few yrs since I had seen them, they hadn't changed at all...they are doing something right!). My favorite image is actually of the two of them together. It is a simple picture but what I love about it is how at ease they were with each other and how happy they were to be together. Okay, their girls are pretty cute too!

2010-10-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Less than 2 weeks ago this family's world was turned upside down and has been shaken to their core. I am a believer in the power of positive thoughts and so I am sharing their story here hoping all of you can send them your positive thoughts and prayers during their journey to heal their beautiful daughter.

I met little Georgia in May as they came to donate to Soulumination. She put on quite a show for us. We were all so excited because these pictures were the first of her sitting up unsupported without toppling over. She is a stunning little girl that is full of so much life and after following her parents' blog these past few weeks, it is obvious that her shining spirit comes from their gusto for life and their love for her.

2010-10-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is the second time I have been lucky enough to photograph this family and throughout my time with them I was constantly reminded of when I was little with my sister. I was the youngest of two, a little rougher, tougher and sillier and my sister was more mature & smarter (only smarter because she was older, I am sure!). We laughed a lot together and then we pushed each others buttons. I enjoyed lots of laughter w/ these two and didn't get one glimpse of button pushing (must not happen with these two...I am sure of it, right Shirley). Great girls, great family, hopefully they will think these are great pictures!!

2010-10-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

I think it is fitting to bookend the El Paso shoots with Grace. We had a great time running throughout her house which is a photographer's dream to shoot in. It is so obvious where she gets her beauty from...

2010-10-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

My El Paso visit always signifies the start of my whirlwind fall season. I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I LOVE shooting so many great families, I LOVE shooting in the fall (except for the constant threat of rain), I love trying to meet the crazy challenge of a zillion balls in the air but I also dread the demand making sure I catch the balls before they come crashing down & bury me. I won't lie...it is never an easy time around my house the last quarter of the year & I promise myself next year I will handle it a little better. The jury is still out if this year is going to be any different than the past.

I share this because I am so sorry to say this next family experienced a little bit of a ball drop on my end. I sat at one location for a half hour wondering where they were...they sat at the location we had discussed for that same time frame. My stomach sunk when I realized my oversight. If you have been a longtime reader of this blog you know how much I cannot stand being 3 minutes late so imagine how I felt when I realized I had completely missed the shoot! I had another sitting scheduled to follow theirs so I said it would be best to reschedule but then we decided to take advantage of the BEAUTIFUL day and shoot for 20 minutes and then get back together for a full shoot. I LOVED meeting this family. I am sure I would have loved them regardless but their understanding was amazing and then their my brief shoot w/ them was even better! The love and laughter they share with each is so apparent. It was such a pleasure getting to meet them and photograph their family. I am so excited to share these pictures with them and I want to thank them for their patience with me and giving me the opportunity to capture the love that they share!

2010-10-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

This was my very last El Paso shoot before heading straight to the airport (but I will share one more EP sitting soon) & I have to admit I was pretty tired and hot heading into the shoot. But I knew it would be a fun one as I have gotten to photograph these gorgeous kids on numerous occasions. These kids are old pros and they and their mom are up for anything. This family always hosts me during my stay in EP and the night before we looked at a few clothes options because their mom said she wasn't sure what to go with. We put together a few outfits and knowing that it was going to be a colorful urban setting I was excited w/ the outfits. But I had NO IDEA how perfect they were going to be and w/in 10 minutes of starting to shoot I knew it was going to be my most favorite shoot of the trip. The kids were up for anything so we wandered through the alleyways of old town EP. As we turned a corner I spotted this stripped wall that was part of a bar/restaurant, I almost passed out because the kids' clothes couldn't have been more perfect for the setting. It was fenced off but I asked if they were up for jumping the fence. Then, I had them hop up onto the conveniently placed outdoor bar. Seriously, in all my years of shooting I haven't had a more kismet moment. Their mom & I needed to pinch ourselves, we couldn't believe we had stumbled upon this spot. She is so excited to see what I was able to capture. Here is just a sampling. There are so many more favorites so check out their gallery in my client proofing section (it will be up early next week).

Did you notice?

2010-10-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

I just realized I left one note out of the last post and it was something that makes me laugh. And I haven't received any emails about it so I am wondering if anyone noticed or thought it was weird that there is a 4th subject in the last image in the post. Just in time for Halloween. He wasn't supposed to be in the shot but 'tis the season.

2010-10-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

How is it already Thursday??!! My work days just fly by way too quickly. This time of year I wish we had a 7 day work week so at some point I would feel like I was making headway w/ the piles of work I have stacked up. But I guess instead of getting down I need to be thankful that I have a great job right now!! And here are some images that are why my job is so great.
I first photographed this family when they were just a family with two little girls. And then came along their third and he was an adorable little boy. It had been a few years since my last sitting with them and I was so excited to get to meet their twins and see if I could get any keepers of their expanded family. Another highlight of the shoot was that we were meeting in Old Town El Paso. A place I always love exploring and shooting in but rarely get families interested in the more urban setting.
It was a very hot morning but these kids were such troopers. Because I have pressed for time & could not sit too long narrowing down to my most favorites I decided to share a few more than usual. There are the "standard" all kids together shots and them alone (that I do love) but my favorites are the others. It may not be a keeper for them but I love the pout I got from one of the twins, the belly laugh from the oldest boy & the very deserving big hug for mom...she (and her husband, of course) is obviously a supermom!!

2010-10-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

I have been so lucky to photograph this family every year since I lived in El Paso. And I clearly remember my first conversation with their mom at a park and how I left thinking what a nice, strong, independent woman she seemed to be and that I really hoped I would get to spend more time with her. And I have that same feeling each time I get to see her during my visits to El Paso. I always look forward to seeing her & playing with her beautiful kids. As I sit here trying to find the right words for this post, there are two thoughts going through my mind, the first is that my initial thoughts of her were right on. All of those great traits and many other incredible ones shine through each time I see her. Her husband passed away unexpectedly two years ago and I know, many days, it must be so hard to keep going. And each year, family pictures without him is something most would shy away from but not her, she is so strong and amazing. This year, as we were mid-shoot & she was working so hard to corral her kids, we were in a little area and she asked if we could get a few pictures with the dragonfly pillow as dragonflies represent her husband. I'm sure she is another mom wondering if any great pictures came from that morning so I am excited to share these with her. I believe Marcus was with us that morning and I can't help but look at the last image and think that Marcus, Jr. is saying, "This one's for you dad!!"

2010-10-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

I know this next family is VERY anxious to get a peek at their pictures because their youngest wanted absolutely nothing to do with pictures the morning we met. I actually did snap a few of him before he realized what was going on and then it was all over. I pride myself in being able to always find the hook but I think I met my match that morning and he wore his poor parents (not to mention that it was 90 degrees which didn't help!). I had to post the first two pictures because they sum up his sentiments about my presence perfectly. His dimples did shine when he got a little love and tickles from his mom but that was it. But fortunately my schedule allowed me to meet up with them again later in the day and we managed to sneak in a few more photo ops with him. Some parents may think that this experience would be my nightmare but I actually love it. This is what all kids do & I love the challenge of figuring out how to have them let me into their world.

2010-10-07T21:31:00.001-07:00

As soon as I saw these two little guys climb out of their car I couldn't wait to start shooting. SERIOUSLY!! And if you believe it they had personalities that matched their incredible looks. I love this location for El Paso and just by chance this mom and dad had their wedding reception there 5 years ago. I hope I get a chance to photograph this family again because I absolutely feel in love with them!

2010-10-07T09:24:00.001-07:00

This family never ceases to amaze me with how beautiful they are! Seriously. If I had time I would look at the pictures of the two kids together all day long. I just love how you can tell that they love being together.

2010-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

You would think that I would have the fall season down pat after so many years of doing this but each year always brings new challenges & craziness & I again find myself trying to keep my head above water. If only my business was soley about taking pictures!! Life would be so much easier and all my clients would be so happy because they wouldn't have to wait the few wks it takes to get a sneak peek of their images. Oh how I wish I could be Genie (remember I Dream of Genie) not just for Halloween but every day and all it would take to get through my work would be a little head nod!
But at least I do have images to share with a few Texas families today. These kids are cousins. All so adorable!

2010-09-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

My fall visit to El Paso was so enjoyable this year. I didn't have to contend with high winds, thunderstorms or mosquitos which was such a relief. The one thing all my clients are waiting for is relief from the summer heat. It was over 90 degrees all weekend...HOTTTTTT! Always so fun catching up with everyone there. There are many anxious parents hoping to get a glimpse of their pictures from that weekend. I always post in the order that I shoot the families but this time I am starting with Grace who was the last of the day on my first day. It is her mom's little bonus as she has been a client of mine since Grace was just a belly bump. Each visit I get to photograph her a few times. I would think I would grow so tired of photographing one subject so frequently but every single shoot is always so much fun with Grace. And I always end up loving so many of the images. This first shoot was done on the grounds of my favorite restaurant in El Paso. Exploring all around, climbing and dancing kept us easily entertained.

2010-09-27T11:32:00.001-07:00

As soon as I walked into this little guy's home he greeted me w/ the biggest smile. My heart melted. He has got the best smile AND hair! I'm sure as soon as he gets walking he is going to be on the go non-stop & he will have people stopping in their tracks to check out how cute he is...really he is too much! Just look at him!

2010-09-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw these two little ones step out of their car I knew I was in for a great shoot. Check out their blond curls...seriously adorable. I am excited to share these w/ their parents because I think they are wondering if there were any great shots (a feeling I think many parents have following a shoot w/ young kids). These two were on the go for sure. The first picture was from the beginning of the shoot, he really wanted nothing to do w/ sitting still for a few snaps with his sister. I managed to get one quick picture in before he was off. But throughout the shoot I reassured his parents that I was loving their energy & not to worry. Give me energy any day over crying & shyness. Kids being happy being kids...it is the best! So much fun to capture!

2010-09-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

This next shoot almost didn't happen. This fall the weather has been completely schizophrenic and we came so close to giving into the rain but crazily the skies lightened and it ended up being perfect weather. It made my day because I always look forward to seeing these longtime clients of mine. The kids are full of energy and smiles.

2010-09-20T10:06:00.001-07:00

I flew in late last night after a really great (but VERY hot) work weekend in Texas a little tired & wishing I could sleep in a little this morning. Not a reality but I am sitting here so glad I didn't because I had such an incredible morning with my boys. Maybe I should go away more often. My day was made as soon as it got started. I was a few houses down from mine walking my dog towards the park when I turned to see my oldest sprinting down the sidewalk toward me with the biggest smile. He jumped up in my arms & layed the biggest hug on me...who needs sleep when you get that after a weekend away? I hope eveyone's week is starting off as great as mine!
Now I have to get to work. I photographed this family soon after my return to Seattle & it was so fun seeing them again. These kids are stunners! And I LOVE the Calvin shot I caught during a outfit change.

2010-09-16T01:04:00.000-07:00

So last week I got a new camera which I had for the wedding shoot. I thought I would try out its video capability which is new to me w/ a DSLR camera. Excuse the camera shake...need to work on that a little.

Check out this clip. Listen closely as they negotiate a kiss.

2010-09-16T00:54:00.000-07:00

So my youngest has always been a fashionista. He has loved wearing outfits he has created (from camo jeans skirts to full suits & ties) & he has been on the suit, "fancy", in his words, trend the past 5 months. I mentioned to he and his good neighbor friend Friday that we should do a little wedding shoot the next day. I didn't think it would fly because he is not one that is up for many pictures. But the next day he mentioned the shoot & then after we finished Dim Sum he had to get a stick on mustache from the vending machine. I called my good friend/neighbor to see if they wanted to do the shoot and five minutes later after we walked the block & these two were so into it. It was amazing to watch them together. Very serious. It was hilarious. So here are just a few pictures from the shoot. If you want to see more head to the client proofing section of my website and type in wedding for the password.