January 27th - Images of Ethiopia

Giving a Voice

On January 27th, I will finally have the opportunity to display my work of Ethiopia for everyone to see. This whole experience has been truly amazing. From trying to find ways to pay for my flight, to the amazing people I met while over there. Then, we came back and showcased my images to great acclaim. Our Calendar sales will help provide drinking water for thousands. Now the culmination of my vision and reason for going is about to happen. In a gallery in Cupertino, I will be displaying about 40 images on regular print, canvas gallery, and gallery wrap along with brief descriptions of my encounters with the royal people of Ethiopia.

Half of all profits will go towards Ethiopia. I was hoping to put all profits towards the cause, but I soon realized how much money this is going to take to pull of what needs to be done. The location will be posted later, but please put the 27th on your Calendar.

I feel called back for another trip, but this one will be different. I might be alone for several weeks and in hostile areas. I'm not really sure where I'll be going, but just that I need to go back, and that there is important work for me to document in Ethiopia. It frustrates me to learn of human rights violations, only to learn that what I just heard about has been happening for decades. It may be naive to believe that an image can start a movement and stop evil. However, it is not naive to believe we all have a purpose. To sit back and not use your gifts and talents to the betterment of others in irresponsible.

Candace + Steven = Awesomeness

I was so looking forward to this wedding. Candace has been so much fun to work with as we have prepared for her wedding and talked about her plans over countless cups of coffee. Steven was so easy going and supportive of everything his fiance wanted to do, it was just great to see. Though the wedding started late and there wasn't any time to take pictures before the sun set, they just went with everything. Then...the toasts. I hereby announce that Candace and Steven's wedding party are the most hilarious toasters....EVER. I don't think I have ever laughed at a wedding as much as I did at theirs.

Before the night was over, all of the guests set the standard for all weddings to come with their rendition of YMCA. Thanks Gina and Tony K DJ for keeping the music going all night and being so great to work with.

Thanks guys for an awesome wedding Candace and Steven! I'm over at my aunt's ranch in Santa Ynez, so here are a few rough drafts of their wedding

Candace and Steven 7-19-07

Wow, what an awesome couple! I had the pleasure to take Candace and Steven's engagement pictures on Friday. Engagement pictures are such an important time for me as a photographer to really get to know a couple before the big day. Candace and Steven are so easy going, easy to get a long with, and are natural models (Thanks for making it easy guys)! I cannot wait to be a part of their wedding day!

Photodocumentary - Ethiopia Part 1

Since we have come back from Ethiopia, I have truly been blessed that my images have encouraged and motivated others to give and help in Zeway, Ethiopia. Many people have asked me to give the stories behind the images I have posted. Though I truly believe that these images speak for themselves, this is my chance as a photographer to talk about the emotions I was feeling, what went into the picture, and to give further insight into the people that have touched our lives in a way that does not allow us to ever be the same.

Village Girl

This was the first village that we came to in our trip to Ethiopia. Worja Woshgula is a small community of a few hundred farmers, poor, stricken with poverty and inadequate food supplies, and needing medical attention for the children and elderly.

My first reaction to seeing the living conditions was of discomfort out of my abundance and overwhelming comfort as an American. Yes, I did have to repress my feelings of guilt and questions of unfairness. However, what I soon realized was that beyond their impoverished physical nature, they had a great abundance of wealth in their character. I believe the best way to describe the children of Worja Woshgula is "filled with joy." Crying and complaining was not of their disposition. They demonstrated no feelings of unfairness, loss, or inadequacy. They did not want nor need our pity, but desired our attention, love, and affection. In return, they gave us their hearts.

And then became the "photo frenzy." I would take pictures of the children, and once their image popped up on my LCD, I would show them their picture. For many children, this was the first time they had seen their face or a photograph. And what started as a cautious child having a very large camera pointed at them, soon turned into the largest smile and greatest laughter one could ever imagine. It was amazing using a gift of mine to bring joy to these children.

Children were jumping in front of my camera at almost every shot, making it difficult at times to document the projects we were trying to accomplish. However, after an hour, we were about to board this bus while a small village girl, matty hair, tattered clothes, and bare-footed tugged on my sleeve. The village children knew very little english, but there were a few words she put together that made me have to take her picture. "You....You...please....photo." This young girl, in all of her poverty and worldly iniquity, knew she was beautiful. Furthermore, I had a sense she knew she was helping her people.

As I raised my camera to take her picture, she stepped back towards an aged fence, valiant in its struggle against time and gravity, and she began to pose herself . The sun, in perfect timing as if meeting some divine appointment, broke through the clouds and illuminated the side of her face. It was as if God himself was reaching out and touching her face

For what was a few seconds of time in a divine appointment in our lives will always stay with me. As I lowered my camera, she gave me the most precious smile of thanks. Soon, we were boarding the bus and leaving the children of Worja Woshgula for the day. However, I cannot wait to meet these children again.

The children of Ethiopia will probably never see these photos printed or put to use. But I think in their minds, something much more important was going on in the photographs. In a land that has been forgotten by the world; a land filled with orphans that, because of the loss of their father, legally do not exist; withina land of famine, death, and disease, these children know they will never be forgotten. They know that people understand who they are, and that they have a sense of purpose. With every photograph, they had a both a cry of "do not forget me," and a shout of triumph "I will be remembered."

I will never forget these children.

Ethiopia Part 2

I have been back for almost a week, and yet I feel as far away from home as I have ever been. Everyone I have ever talked to who has been to Africa spends their life trying to get back there. Recent geneticists have traced the human lineage back to a specific part of Africa, hence the term "We are all African." I believe all of us are just trying to get back home.

Here are more images of our trip. I just finished talking to a few owners of Starbucks, and they may be willing to help out
Hanging out with the children at Zwai medical clinic. I have never seen a better group of well behaved children. In 2 weeks, we never saw a single child cry.

An older sister turns on the water so her younger sister can drink

A young man d etermined to come to America. He followed us for 4 straight days.

A young child carrying an Ethiopian hoe in the middle of the city

A 114 year old woman in Wojula

Orphans at such a young age, she is now responsible for her younger sister. The eyes of hope in a small child at Genet church.

Back from Ethiopia

Well we're back from Ethiopia. Every one I talk to has asked the same, very valid question..."What was it like?" I am still trying to find words to describe the people, places, and experiences we encountered, but I cannot find a way to talk about my emotions of the trip. There is so much poverty, starvation, and uneeded death because of an accident of longitude and lattitude and an uncaring government. I cannot help but think it could be me over there, and one of them over here living the "high life."

Though I cannot find a way to get people to understand my experiences in Ethiopia, I can communicate the need through pictures. The people are majestic, royal, and the most polite group of people I have ever met. Out of their poverty, they gave me everything.

I write this sleep deprived, with a terrible stomach bug that has me 20 pounds lighter than when I left, and contemplating what my role is in helping these people.

Our last night in Zeway, they threw a party for us.
Out of their great poverty, they gave us everything. They slaughtered a goat for us, and made an incredible dinner (it made us sick, but so did everything we ate). Afterwards, we all sang and danced around the campfire. Truly a generous people.
School children sitting in desks we just donated. Before this, they sat on a dirt floor.
A muslim girl at one of the village schools.
There are school with children but a lack of teachers. All the children desire to go to school, but many have to drop out to feed their families or they have become orphans to AIDS.
The feet of a 4 year old school boy. Many children walk over 4 miles a day to school - school without text books, black boards, or pencils.
Building a house for a crippled woman.
A high school student at one of the local schools.
A Dutch nursery came in and built a greenhouse on an ethiopian cemetary. They promised to build a hospital if the town would move their dead. They built their greenhouse but refuse to build a hospital. Meanwhile, they are making millions while the town lacks medical care.
A church member playing a new keyboard we bought them.
A young girl during Worship.
Children have nothing except their faith - which sustains them.
A small girl walks her family's fields. This field is green just because they an irrigation pump. Many farmers rely on the rain, which will bring food or starvation.
A young farmer girl.

A small village boy. The spots on his head are Tinea, a form of fungus that most small boys have. It clears up by the age of 14.
A small girl walks miles a day just to fetch water that will not make her family sick.

A candy bar and soccer ball are his only posessions as he waits for medical care.
A broken down ambulance at the low medical clinic in Zeway.
Sick child waiting for medical care.
A newborn baby getting wrapped.
Above: A mother for a second time and her baby.

A starving village boy.
An AIDS mother spends time at the clinic each week educating women about AIDS, motherhood, and how to live with the virus.
A young girl at the clinic.