Los Reyes de Albuquerque Documentary

A 5-minute preview of the Los Reyes de Albuquerque documentary, made in collaboration with independent radio producer, Paul Ingles.

Los Reyes de ABQ. Documentary – 5 Minutes from StoryPortrait Media on Vimeo.

The longer, 22-minute version can be seen HERE

This project was made possible with a major grant from the New Mexico Humanities Council. Additional support from the KUNM Independent Producers Fund.

Los Reyes de Albuquerque y La Familia Martinez

Again this year, I've had the pleasure and honor to collaborate with radio producer Paul Ingles on a public radio and online documentary. (Our previous project together was Jazz of Enchantment). This project tells the story of one of the most long-lived and influential traditional New Mexican Hispanic musical groups in the state, Los Reyes de Albuquerque y La Familia Martinez.


Tune in this coming week to KUNM (89.9) at 7:50 am and 5:50 pm from Monday 11/30 through Thursday, 12/3 and Sunday, 12/6 at 11 am to hear the seven-part radio series about the rich life and distinctly New Mexican music of Los Reyes de Albuquerque.

Also, I invite you to a special concert and event at the Outpost Performance Space this coming Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 pm. There will be a screening of a 22-minute multimedia piece showcasing photos and video from the documentary, a Q & A with Roberto Martinez, founder of Los Reyes de Albuquerque and Enrique Lamadrid, the humanities scholar from the project, and of course, music by Los Reyes. For more information on the Outpost Event visit: www.outpostspace.org/node/705

If you miss these events, the entire project will be archived online at: www.losreyesstory.org
The complete radio series and multimedia piece will be posted the week of December 7th.

The documentary was supported by a grant from the New Mexico Humanities Council.

Veteran's Day – Remembering

In honor of Veteran's Day, I'd like to re-post a StoryPortrait that shares the behind the scenes look at the book, Saluting America's WWI Heroes, by Jeffrey Lowdermilk. This book is the result of Jeff's personal journey to retrace the footsteps of George A. Carlson, Jeff's grandfather, who was fighting in France at the time of the Armistice.

By connecting deeply with his own past, Jeff connects us with the footsteps of many soldiers and ideals of the past; the past that is all too present.

Saluting America's WWI Heroes from StoryPortrait Media on Vimeo.

The Pinehurst Inn

This summer, I traveled to Bayfield, Wisconsin, a sweet town on the southern shore of Lake Superior – the gateway to the Apostle Islands, to produce a StoryPortrait for an amazing Bed & Breakfast run by Nancy and Steve Sandstrom.

Nancy and Steve are a dynamic couple, juggling fruit salads and french toast, with deeper missions and goals. A main priority for them is offering a setting where people can relax. What a concept! It's bigger than you think. They realize the importance of relaxing; taking the time to reconnect with oneself, each other, and taking the time to listen, to breathe, to come to life again. Another mission is an environmental/ sustainability mission; living on this earth as lightly as possible.

Please take time to learn about the Pinehurst Inn and Nancy and Steve in their following StoryPortrait's!

The Pinehurst Inn StoryPortrait

The Pinehurst Inn _ Part I of II from StoryPortrait Media on Vimeo.

The Heart & Soul of the Pinehurst Inn

The Heart & Soul of the Pinehurst Inn – Part II of II from StoryPortrait Media on Vimeo.

Now, experience the Pinehurst Inn and Bayfield, WI for yourself – make a reservation at the Pinehurst Inn!

Santa Fe Living Treasures

The Santa Fe Living Treasures, an all-volunteer group that I am thrilled to be part of, will honor four more elders in the Santa Fe community today, October 18th.

Jack Loeffler, Zenia Victor, Gaylon Duke and Amarante Romero have creatively and passionately contributed to the lives of others through their service, their life work, their ideas.

Zenia Victor & Gaylon Duke love traveling the world.

In 2000, they started the Bali Art Project, with the mission of giving young people who wouldn't likely have the opportunity to travel, the opportunity. This experience of travel, culture, art, history, religion, community, changes lives.

Jack Loeffler, an adventurer, an environmental activist, a musician, an aural historian, folklorist, anthropologist, sound engineer, radio producer, is a legend.

He has a huge smile, a huge heart and is devoted to the land, and all its inhabitants. When he received the Governor's Award for Excellence in 2008, they called him a national treasure.

Amarante Romero is an old-time Santa Fean. He knows this place, its history, its hardship and the power one person can play in community. He gave credit to families who couldn't pay at the store he ran. He dug wells for those without clean drinking water. He was a voice in the public sphere for water conservation and environmental protection.

Visit the Santa Fe Living Treasures Website for more information.

Santa Fe Living Treasures Website is ONLINE

I just redesigned the Santa Fe Living Treasures website and would like to share it!

Please visit: www.sflivingtreasures.org to learn more about the Santa Fe Living Treasures, how to nominate a treasure in Santa Fe, or how to start a Living Treasures program in your community!

Special thanks to Hope Kiah of Santa Fe Web Design for the programming help!

Being New Mexican

Last week I was able to take an environmental portraiture workshop at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops with Jonathan Torgovnik. Jonathan is an incredible photographer; compassionate, creative, aware, generous. If you are not familiar with his work, please take the time to watch Intended Consequences and visit his website, Jonathan Torgovnik Photography

A workshop week is never what you expect. You arrive with expectations and your list of needs and the week goes quickly. On Friday, inevitably you realize, or start to realize, what you got out of the week, is not what you expected, but typically what you needed.






The subtle lessons of the week for me: Get back to the heart of inquiry. Find the story. Commit to the moment. And, a big reminder, personal projects are essential.

So, a simple idea came to me, one that I've thought about since moving to New Mexico almost ten years ago. What does it mean to be New Mexican? No matter how long I reside here, I am from Virginia, not New Mexico. So, what does that mean? How do people from New Mexico understand the place, the land, the culture to the depth of it being part of their identity? My inquiry: Place and Identity in New Mexico, "Being New Mexican". I met three amazing individuals this week who shared their story and definition with me. Please email me with names and contact information of people who might like to share their story of Being New Mexican.

Portraits at Beneficial Farm

They weren't expecting to see me walk into field on a rainy Thursday afternoon, but Kim, Ann and Matthew were gracious to let a random photographer observe and take a few pictures.

Beneficial Farm is biodynamic farm located on an incredible piece of land on Glorieta Mesa, southeast of Santa Fe. It's an amazing place to spend an afternoon. For the people who live and work there it is a beautiful way of life. Thank you for sharing!

Again, as a photographer, you have to find subjects, you have to keep practicing.

Summer and Kurt Engagement

What a pleasure to get to know Summer and Kurt. We met at the Tea House on Canyon Road and then headed up to Aspen Vista in the Santa Fe National Forest for an engagement portrait session. What can I say about them? They are so natural, so lovely in love. You all make me smile! Their wedding is a few weeks away. Documenting their day will be a wonderful honor.

Kim and Chris

It's wedding season! Thanks so much Kim and Chris for opportunity to capture your beauty, your connection! Congratulations!

Stephanie and Evan – Tulum, Mexico

What a trip! Unbelievable. Stephanie and Evan you all know how to create memories! The color, the climate, the character, it all came together through your style, your families, your friends, your sense of place. Congratulations on pulling your Mexican Getaway Wedding off! An honor to witness and photograph.