Expecting

Darcy is one of the most gorgeous, authentic, exuberant women I know here in Santa Fe. I'm honored to have the opportunity to be working with her and her husband Michael to document the emotion, process and experience of becoming a parent. Here is a small segment from the upcoming piece. The baby will be here in the New Year! Stay tuned!

Design with Nature Web Site LIVE!

I have had the fortune to work with an incredibly talented and inspired landscape architect in Santa Fe for the last couple of years as a photographer and graphic/ web designer. Donna Bone and the Design with Nature team produce natural masterpieces. A garden emerges – in what was once usually an empty space – from a feeling, an intuition, a client's desires, a knowledge of NM soil's and plant selection, and an architectural influence. These spaces, collages of color and texture, enrich and deepen the human experience. Join with me in celebrating the launch of the new Design with Nature ltd co web site!

Listening is an Act of Love

On December 3, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now interviewed David Isay, founder of StoryCorps – Democracy Now:StoryCorps about the largest oral history project in the United States and the recent publication of the book, Listening is an Act of Love. Since 2003, 30,000 people have shared their stories, typically originating from family members entering a StoryCorps booth and interviewing one another. Diverse tales emerge that allow a deeper understanding of those we think we know. Each CD is archived in the American Folklife Museum and a collection of the stories have been published in this new book. If you don't know of the StoryCorps project, investigate, be inspired and consider sharing your story or interviewing a loved one. If you need tips on questions to ask, the StoryCorps web site is a fabulous resource.

Hunter Family Photos

I don't think there is a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon then walking around in Santa Fe with Mella, Jonathan and Sasha!

Peace Talks Radio 2007

Every month, Peace Talks Radio airs a new episode and theme on peacemaking and conflict resolution that's relevant to daily life. The segments come in the form of personal stories from individuals, who have chosen the path of outreach and activism. What each offer is an example and an awareness that at school, in the workplace, in personal relationships and in community, we have the opportunity to engage in nonviolent communication. On Friday, December 7th, Peace Talks hosted their annual fund raising appreciation party and celebrated their year of work. Check it out!

Please consider visiting the Good Radio Shows web site and finding out if a local station in your town airs the segment, if not, request a scheduling!

Thanksgiving!

I am blessed with so many amazing friends (and now they're multiplying with incredible kids)!! I spent my day of Thanksgiving with Katie, Jim, Owen and Ella; a fabulous family and the most delectable dinner hosts. It's always great to be with them and their smiles and laughter, playfulness and creativity. They embody a soulful abundance and the most hospitable warmth...that I tried to capture through the lens. Before the perfect golden turkey and maple pumpkin pie went in the oven, we spent some time in the studio for a few quick portraits.

I hope your Thanksgiving was full and festive. As the holiday season continues, remember to make note of life's details. Maybe it's a recipe, an object, a face or a family portrait. All become part of your journey, your story to be remembered.

Listen!

The annual conference of the Association of Personal Historians was held in Franklin, TN, November 8 – 11, 2007. It was an amazing weekend of speakers, workshops, music and conversation focused around the theme of storytelling; specifically the importance of listening to personal stories and preserving those stories for future generations.

It's hard to put into words the fullness and richness of the experience. For now, please listen to the tune Jane Baxter, owner of Roots and Branches Productions and our conference host and organizer, wrote. In my opinion the inspired song reflects the real, raw, root passion and spirit of the APH community – a community I'm honored to be a part of.

I thank everyone at the conference for reminding me of the essential role of storytellers. Simply, storytellers keep history alive. Sharing stories is fundamental to understanding one another and understanding ourselves. Whether you tell a story to heal or to teach, it's important to tell it. Your experience, your perception is unique to the world and you never know who you will effect by giving. The other side of telling of course, is to listen – with attention and presence; a larger challenge at times. By joining the APH community, I link forces with others who share my values and commitment, on a personal and professional level, to become a better storyteller and an active, open listener. And, wow, the weekend was a testament that in the act of listening, you receive.

In Santa Fe: Lightroom and Photoshop for Photographers

I've been teaching digital imaging workshops at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops for the last six years and this week an Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom class in Santa Fe, NM marks the last class on the calendar for me. That's right. I'm taking a year off to focus on my personal history and portraiture business. But, this week, like others before, has been a blast! Guiding 12 talented and creative photographers through the process of organizing, editing, enhancing and printing images with the goal of sharing and presenting those images is a thrill. I know, the group shot doesn't quite show the excitement we've been experiencing because it was taken outside. The fun has been happening inside; in the dark, in the digital lab. Don't worry we'll get back outside soon to find the muse.

Apples! Recipes?

Fall is my favorite season. The cooler days, the smell in the air, the glowing colors radiating from the changing leaves is so energizing!! And, the season is filled with nostalgia... which this weekend, came in the flavor of apples! You see, as the landscape changes, so does my culinary palette. My craving for fresh, crisp salads and cool fruit shifts to oatmeal in the morning and warm soups, usually with sesonal squash and other fall veggies, in the evening.

Yesterday, I was out for a drive along the lovely and scenic St. Croix trail, a road that follows the St. Croix river, and although I wasn't certain I'd find an orchard, my eyes were searching for a U-Pick sign. And, when I saw one, I turned in and found myself amongst gorgeous reds, yellow and green varieties of plump, juicy, ripe apples at Pleasant Valley Orchard. The task– fill the bag with Haralsons, the red hearty cooking apple recommended for pies, sauces, and other baking treats. Yup, I was going to try to recreate the applesauce I grew up with.

And, after the bag was filled and I'd had my glass of apple cider and was heading home, I called my Granny on the phone... to say hi and to get that special recipe. I missed her. She called back and I was out of range. She called again and I was fighting city traffic. By the time I was back home, relaxed, ready for a conversation it was too late. But, I cored and peeled the apples anyway, and decided to follow the basic suggestions from a random cookbook; water, cinnamon, sugar, cook. And this morning when I woke up to the slow cooker warming the batch, I dipped my spoon in, took the first bite and wish I had gotten Granny on the phone. Because it wasn't the same. It didn't suit or satisfy the craving.

I guess the craving wasn't just for apples and applesauce, but for the sweet memory of childhood. The days I spent in my grandparents house, on their farm, in their kitchen and in their care. It wasn't good enough to pull ANY recipe from a book, I needed THAT recipe... and I didn't have it. But, luckily, I bought more apples then I needed... so today I will call her again, WRITE DOWN the recipe and try again.

Just in case

you haven't read, Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, borrow it from a friend and spend an evening with Mitch and Morrie. I've seen the book on the shelves or in most instances the moment you walk into a book store, for years, but it took a friend to suggest the obvious, that I actually read it! And, so I did.

And, so you journey into another's life and consider the lessons he's learned... and of course you can't help but reflect on your own. And, you laugh and you cry and you carry on, somewhat different.

Morrie has many lines to quote, but the one I think about in relation to my work life is: "The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." I feel really blessed to have found a career that is a passion, a love and personal pursuit. Both photography and documenting personal histories allow me to connect with people in a deep, meaningful way and provide them with a product of their story that can live on for generations.

The book, in addition to being a sweet read, is a perfect example of what I hope to do with people; sit down, listen, question and record their experience, their beliefs around Fear, Aging, Marriage, Family, Culture and basically the meaning of life.

On Newsstands: The Santa Fean

I haven't seen the October/ November issue of the Santa Fean yet, but I hear the article on Design with Nature, landscape architects extraordinaire, is out! So, pick up your copy! Thanks to Natalie Baca, art director at the Santa Fean, for a great layout of all of the images.

Joy and Rob

I was able to take some happy snaps of Joy preparing to wed in Milwaukee last weekend. I always love the details, elegance and surprise a wedding day brings. Congrats Joy and Rob!

Welcome!

Finally! A new web site with new direction and energy! Thanks for stopping by. After a bit of time off to travel up to St. Paul, MN for the Fall colors, I am ready to start working again. The update: in addition to portraits and weddings, I am expanding the photo business to include audio which will enrich the portraits and deepen the story with personal narration from YOU and your family. So, check out the web site, send your feedback and suggestions and consider investing in a memorable gift; an artistic capturing of family legacy (or at least tell your friends to)!