Lesson # 2... Give the candy out AFTER the photo shoot

My Father use to say "You learn something every day." Today I learned a good lesson, Wait till the end of the photo shoot to give out the candy. It was a good day actually and I has a degree of success with Buzz Lightyear. I like a few of them, but I did learn without that BRIBE, your nothing. Don't give out the candy folks... till after your done. Another lesson I learned today is that 4 is a young age to expect any real direction for a shoot. Im going to try to  go a bit older.

Maybe, Sorta, Kinda...

I think I might be getting closer to something, not positive but maybe...

I realized today an important part of composing an image is a cooperative model.

It is very difficult to photograph a small child that thinks they are spiderman when they are saving the universe. They wont stop to allow a picture! I think I might need an actual model. Or at least a kid that will sit still.

Thoughts on Residency 3

This cold January in Boston proved to be a very productive residency for me. I had worked on a project all semester photographing Nannies and the children they care for. I had simultaneously worked on a few assemblage pieces based on a domestic theme of mothering. My critiques were very helpful this semester with most agreeing the Nanny work was not as successful as I would have liked it to be. The general consensus was it needed to tell much more of a story. I had to let go of “ the decisive moment” and take charge of the image outcome. I needed to “direct” each frame spend more time setting up the shot, allow for time to light properly and ask my subjects to turn, stand and participate more in an arranged moment I create. This hopefully will allow me to infuse my voice into the images more, something missing form many of the photographic pieces I brought with me. Throughout the residency my body of work constantly divided people’s attention. They were very eager to comment on my photos but many were drawn to the colors, and personal statement of my quilt piece I created out of my daughter’s clothes. Ultimately, Oscar Palacio clearly summarized where my art needs to go, by reinforcing the idea to bring my genuine “self” that is so apparent in the quilt into my photography. 

I had critiques with Kate Philbrick, Linc Cornell, Keith MacLelland, Judith Barry, Constanze Ruhm, Oliver Wasow, Stuart Steck, Rocky Haggard and Michael Finnegan.

Museum and gallery visits included Barbara Kracow gallery, with Laurel Sparks class, where we met artist Bill Thompson. The MFA as well as the Isabella Gardner. The Multi Media piece Empyrean, by artist Cliff Evans was in a word “mind blowing”. I was deeply moved and inspired by the use of imagery and multi media in an altar form. 



My focus for next semester will be to produce two photos of children / people dressed in costume. 
 The idea of the alter ego, and dressing up is one that intrigues me. I will be doing a great deal of sketching and preparation for each image. Lighting tests, test shots and location scouting will be an important part of the picture making process. I look forward to this semester with a clear focus and strong set of guidelines.

Books Recommended:

The Presentation of Self in Everyday life 

Masculine Masquerade

Decoding Advertising



Photographers to look at: 

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Cindy Sherman

Larry Sultan

Sally Mann

Timothy Greenfield Sanders

Charlie White

Fruits / Japanese school kids

Barbara Norfleet

Judy Dater

Nan Goldin

Robins & Bescher

Robert Frank

Tina Barney

First Draft, Artist Statement:

Me holding on to my mother.

I began photographing during my adolescence when my pictures often spoke for me. I used my camera as a tool to communicate ideas and thoughts that were difficult to write or talk about. Taking pictures and working in the dark room provided much needed peace and solace during my high school years. Over time I have continued to photograph images that will allow me to examine human relationships, family and children. The joy and wonder I feel while photographing is like no other feeling I have ever felt. I always have a camera with me, like a devoted friend.

I look for opportunities with my subjects where they don’t realize there is a camera present, that moment where the camera disappears. And they feel comfortable enough to reveal themselves. I have taken to using a 1950’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye flash camera, with 120 film. I find that when I bring this camera out of my bag my subjects relax and do not feel as if I am aiming an ominous black digital camera at them. It usually makes for a very relaxed and fun shoot.

My current work explores Nanny’s and the children they care for. Initially I began to examine the employee as the “Other Mother”. However soon after my first shoot the strong bond and attachment between these nannies and the children became more obvious and important to the study. While exploring these relationships I am also attempting to define my own role as mother. I am currently faced with a life change, where my daughter has begun college and the examination of maternal bonds has challenged me to reflect inward on my identity.