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.