Living the Story

Posted by Piper & filed under Africa, Blog, inspiration, passion, travel.

I believe the more compelling images come when you live the stories you are trying to tell and that more than the photograph is the experience. I am often asked how I gain access to the people I photograph. I often hear the comments “it looks like they really enjoyed having their photo taken.”

My answer is a simple one, I participate in the peoples lives whose story I am trying to tell, not to get the photograph but to experience life and the world we live in. The camera is really a great excuse to hop on plane and discover a world so different than my own. If the out come is powerful and emotional images then that is a bonus. Although extraordinarily difficult at times I try my best not to be tied to the outcome in fear I will miss the experience. The other part to that is I also get my subjects to participate in my story. I often hand them my camera’s (my guides think I am crazy handing over my expensive gear), having them hold my speed lights or reflector’s and allowing them to experience the creative processes. When they discover how fun it is to create photographs they understand why I am so excited to take their photographs.

Too many times photographers stand on the sidelines photographing from a far because they are unsure how to interact with people so different from them. But really we are all the same…. We all have dreams, needs, hope, fear, love, and all the other human emotions that bind us together. Before you pull out your camera, be curious, ask questions, share stories about your life and culture and soon you will make new friends in faraway places and you will gain a more powerful vision of what you want to capture.

Stirring a pot of Ugali at the Mwambiti secondary school in Kenya. Ugali,  a porridge made from maize, is one of the staple foods in AFrica because it is filling and inexpensive to make.

I spent serval days in the hot African sun with the rangers in East Tsavo, Kenya. I helped to take down snares that the poachers had put up and document the tragedies that we were unable to stop. Understand this situation make photographing these animals in the wild even more special.

Participating in the ceremonial painting at the bull jumping ceremony, a boys  passage to manhood. Hamar tribe, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Letting my new friends get involved with the creative process and experience the passion of creating photographs.

Giving Back; making a difference.

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog.

I believe that great change can happen by one person who has been emotionally touched by a personal experience and people act with passion when they are emotionally and physically involved. Such is the case with an extraordinary man and photographer, John Rowe. I met John Rowe many years ago during a photo tour in Wyoming photographing horses in the snow. Last year our lives touched again when I was in the Omo Valley at a bull jumping ceremony.  I had joined some of the Hamer women grinding grain under a hand made canopy. I asked one of the guides if he could help interpret for me so I could communicate with the women. A Kara boy by the name of Gele stepped in to help. Just before moving on I handed my business card to one of the Hamer women whom I had befriended and Gele ask if I knew John Rowe….yes, it is a small world. Both John and I had similar business cards silhouetting our subjects up on a ridge; his was of the Kara in the Omo and mine was of camels in India.  Gele explained to me that John Rowe had sponsored his education, which explained why his English was so good! I knew that John had made several trips to the Omo but I was unaware of the wonderful organization that he co-founded called Omo Child. Upon returning to the United States I contacted John by email and we soon discovered how much we both shared in our love for this area and the tribes living there.

Omo Child is an amazing foundation that John co-founded with a member of the Kara tribe. The organization is set up to help save Mingi children. A Mingi child is one whom is born with a curse. These infants/children are either left alone in the bush without food and water or are placed under house arrest and are not allowed to have food or water. This means certain death for the child if they are not rescued. Lale Labuko, the other founder, was born into the Kara Tribe in the Omo River Valley in Southwest Ethiopia. He was one of the first of his tribe to receive a formal education. This opportunity led Lale to realize the critical importance of ending the tribal ritual of Mingi. He believes he can best help his tribe through education and developing humanitarian support to overcome their many hardships.

 

John Rowe and Lale Labuko

On my last trip to the Omo John had arranged for me to stay with Lale Labuko’s family in Dus Village and visit the Omo Child home where they are caring for 35 children. But first, I was to travel down the very remote east side of the river bushing camping for eight days. Our fist stop was in Kibish, home of the Suri tribe. We would then continue on to visit the Bumi tribe (also known as the Nyangatom Tribe) before arriving in Omorate home of the Daasanach where we would cross the river by canoe and begin heading towards Kara land. When we arrived at the Bumi we felt it was a little hostile and decided to push on to Omorate two days early. We pulled into Omorate just after sundown and I went to sit along the river while negations took place and camp was set up. While I was sitting peacefully in awe of such a place a man was coming up from the river where he had just taken an evening bath. He stopped and greeted me, “Hello, how are you, where are you from?” When I told him I lived in southern California, he ask me “Do you know John Rowe?” What an incredible moment that I would be sitting along this river two days early and meet Silbo who was a tribal brother of Lale Labuko and who would over the next three days tell me all about the true traditions of the Kara tribe, Mingi, the Omo child foundation, and how much John Rowe had helped the Kara people.

It is such a gift to see how one man with a passion can give so much and bring great change. Throughout my travels in Africa I have visited many projects, organizations, schools and orphanages but none have been like visiting the Omo Child home. The home in Jinka is completely run by members of the Kara tribe making a better future for their own people. When I arrived in the front yard there were hanging lines full of clean clothes for the children. The home was organized, clean and there were plenty of toys for the children, whom all seemed very happy and very loved by the devoted nannies that take care of them. Soon the older children arrived home from school and I was able to spend some time with them and see what a difference an education will make in their lives. I was again reminded how little it takes to make a huge difference in someone else’s life.

 

 

Photography has given me so much, greatly enriching my life, and has helped shape the way I view the world. Over the years of sharing my imagery and stories I have been asked  “how can I help to make a difference” or “I would like to help but I am never sure if I give money to an organization if it is really going to help the cause.”  I now have the opportunity to help give back and I am putting up a new page on my blog; Giving Back. Here I will highlight a few organizations that I have worked with or have visited their project and also know them personally. Omo Child will be the fist and one of the very few organizations that I will be highlighting. The work that they are doing is extremely important especially with all the changes happening in the Omo Valley and with the building of the Gibe III dam due to be complete in 2013. This organization is very special to me and relies only on donations. To find out more about Omo Child, read their story, and lend some help, please visit omochild.org.

 

10 Must do’s for a successful remote photographic expedition

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog, Tips and information, travel.

I have been busy preparing for my series of classes at Calumet…. Travel and editorial series….if you are in L.A. the first class is this saturday,  April 28 and will be jam packed with information, you can view the details here

For those of you that are not in L.A. or are unable to attend I thought I would share with you my top 10 must do’s for a successful remote photographic expedition…..

 

1. Do your research. Taking an international trip to an exotic location, especially if you are going solo, can be a large investment. Whether you choose to go solo or join a group you need to take proper time to do your research. There are many area’s that I have researched for well over a year prior to committing to the expedition. When is the best time to go, are there events or festivals at certain times of the year, is it the rainy/dry season, how does that effect the roads and the environment that you are shooting in, how far are the accommodations from the subject you are photographing? Take the proper time to ask all the important questions and learn all the details to maximize your photographic opportunities.

2.Find the right guide. YOUR GUID WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOUR TRIP This is critical so either team up with someone who has been there or do your research. Search for guides on google, in travel and photography forums,  and through sites like flicker. Try to get to know your guide by email first. Once in the country meet for tea or coffee and test their knowledge and experience. Have they worked with photographers before? How flexible are they and can they take you to where you want to go and get you there on time? Do you feel safe with this person, can you trust them with your life? Take time to negotiate a price with them, in most cultures this is part of the relationship building process.

3. Know your outcome. Just going to enjoy taking photographs would be ideal but, if you are doing this professionally then you need to manage your expectations by knowing in advance what your expected outcome is. Are you taking stock travel shots, editorial, fine art, or all three? Create a shot list in advance so that you can check from time to time to make sure you are covering everything. Include the simple basics such as Vertical, horizontal, cover, wide angle…. this is to help you, not hinder you. When you get to an exotic location the excitement and adrenalin are rushing and you don’t want to come and home and say – why didn’t I shoot more verticals, cover shots, opening shoots, food,  etc.

4. Get organized. Don’t spend all your time frantically searching for  stuff and miss out on photo opps. Organize your photo bag so everything has a place/pocket and always put it back in the same place. However that does not always happen so decided on ONE convenient go-to place in your photo bag, side duffle pouch, a separate bag, an area that can be with you everyday and when you are in too much of a hurry throw it in there but then put it back where it goes before heading off for sleep. For  Items/Accessories  that are not going into your photo bag, categorize them and put them in separate bags. I have different color bags; one holds chargers, one holds audio, one holds cell and internet accessories… I think you get the picture…. I always know were everything is right when I need it.

5. Back  up and Back it up.  Have a back up workflow and stick to it. Download in the evening, lunch, twice a day, whatever works best for you, but do it consistently the same way/time everyday. Make a minimum of two copies and three if possible. Keep one copy on you and one copy in a separate bag or with your guide, just like off site storage. When flying keep one copy on  you and one under the belly.  If something were to happen and a bag is stolen then you would have another copy somewhere else. Bring back up batteries, camera body, card reader and the likes.

6. Slow Down. When you arrive in the big city, if possible, drive to your remote location and use the time to slow down, decompress from modern life, let go of your preconceived idea’s, and get into the rhythm of the culture and place. Plan to arrive at midday when the light is harsh, leave the camera in the car and just wonder about getting a sense of place. If you are photographing people take the time to meet them, have tea, show interest in them and their lifestyle.

7. Participate You will create more compelling images when you experience what you are photographing. If you are going to an event or festival put down the camera, participate, experience the moment and then photograph the experience. If you are photographing indigenous cultures, sit and have a meal with them, immerse yourself into their lives and culture and your images will be more powerful because of the connection you have with your subject.

8 Work the Light. Use different light sources to create an extraordinary photograph of an extraordinary subject or place. Use reflectors to bounce golden light or diffusers to soften shadows. Use fill flash or even better take that flash off camera. Try underexposing the background and using off camera flash with jells to light your subject for a very dramatic image. Paint with light, even in a remote location. Photographers tend to want to pack light and leave these type accessory items behind, but these are exactly the items that can add drama to your images and make your travel images stand out from the crowd.

9 Look. Don’t forget to look behind you as that maybe where the best shot is. When photographing people I have deliberately set up shots against the light anticipating the behavior that may occur behind me and then I turn around and grabbed a great natural moment. Lie on the ground and shoot up, climb a tree and shoot down, change your perspective and change the outcome.

10  Remember, more than a photograph is the experience. A great photo does not have to be new, it has to be you; your vision and your experience.

 

 

Putting yourself out there

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog, inspiration.

It is really important to take advantage of having what is called “Face time” with the top experts in the industry and I want to really encourage all of you to take that step and put yourself out there.

The Palm Spring photo Festival happens once a year (they also team up with PDN in NY in the Fall) and they bring in the industries top editors, book publisher, and agents to review photographers work.  I had looked into this event prior to my departure to Africa but time constraints seem to make it fall off my list again this year. Let me mention that it is only a two hour drive from my home.  However, I arrived home from Africa about two weeks earlier than planned and received an email about the festival. I checked the schedule and there were still some great time slots open of people whom I wanted to review my work, however I had to walk in with a professional book of printed work. So, I quickly called my printer and said if I bring in images by Thursday/ Friday next week can you print up the images and have them ready by Monday, as my first review was Tuesday afternoon. He was willing to do whatever it took. A big reason why it is important to build a great team of people that you know you can rely on. I also follow a lot of photographers’ blogs and knew that Andy Biggs had a video post on portfolios (here is the link) so I watched it and ordered some books from Moab for second day delivery. I then went to work while having the worst cold/flue and slaved away at the computer 12-15 hours a day over the next week. This is tough even when you feel great and I am sure I look like the guy in the picture on previous post.

It was great to attend the event and catch up with people I had not seen in a year or more. Another great reason to attend photography events is to network and stay in touch with people in the industry. I have spent so much time in front of my computer, when I am not in Africa, that I felt like I was at a big party. The reviews went really well and I hope to share some news in the next month or so. I recently released my April news letter with a lot of exciting announcements so if you have not subscribed to receive my newsletters here is the link to the latest issue.

All my reviewers were terrific except one whom I had been warned could be tough, so I was prepared. At that review when I opened my book a comment was made that it is almost impossible for a fine art travel photographer to make the leap to assignment photography because travel photographers photograph what they want and have a hard time delivering a product for a client. I smiled and informed her that the photographs she had been looking at had been set up and that I my strength was to create striking imagery that looked natural. She then made the comment “that is even worse as the photographs did not tell her anything”. I sat and smiled as I saw her looking at the below two photographs which I felt clearly told the exact story that I was trying to convey to the viewer.  This is why it is important to shoot what you love and create your vision. What it also told me is that since she did not know that the photographs were set up then I accomplished exactly what I had set out to do as a photographer. This in turn gave me a Sense of pride rather than to feel put down about my work.

Tribe overlooking the river

 

 

When I am in the field I am usually wearing several hats trying to balance great travel photographs, editorial images, and my own vision. It would be wonderful to travel to a distant land and simply photograph for myself but when traveling as a professional photographer you also have to create images for the market you are shooting for.  My goal is to try to capture the best photographs naturally but the reality is things happen when they happen and not always in the best light or shooting angle. In the first image above I witnessed that every morning the warriors gathered for coffee made by one of the women in the village. Since I was staying in the village and in trying to keep the photograph as natural as possible I asked if the next morning they could make the coffee on the ridge over looking the Omo river. This way I captured what was happening naturally but in the best light and with an amazing background. In the second photograph, I had arranged to do some portrait photography of the Suri tribe down by the river and I took this photograph from a distance while they were painting themselves for the portraits. So although neither photograph was taken by simply walking by at the right time and capturing a moment as I stumbled upon it, they were both taken naturally as the moment was happening while the tribes were doing what they do naturally in their daily lives. It is a fine line, and balance to create these type images.  I explained this to my reviewer and she then seemed to understand my ability to create a product and in the end I think she was quite impressed.

What is important to remember it that it is your review and it is an opportunity to sit with a very experienced professional that you may not otherwise have the chance to and also have 20-30 minutes of their time one on one.  My goal in a review is to go in with three to five questions that I really want answers to. I mean how often do you get to sit with some one from a major publication one and one and ask them any question that you want…  how do I , or may I have XXX contact information, would this ever fit your platform…. If they like my work and it leads to something, even better. But, my main goal is to leave with a lot of knowledge, answers,  and direction.

Love to hear what you think.

Good Luck

 

It changed my life

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog.

There really are no words to describe the journey that has taken place in my life since a professional camera accidentally landed in my hands in the winter of 2004. It was then that I decided to take my trip of a lifetime to Africa, a place I had longed to go since as long as I can remember. In the mail arrived the package of details for the safari that I was about to embark on and in that packet was a list of what to bring; recommended was a 300ML lens……

I fell in love with Africa the moment my feet touched it’s rich red soil and a journey started. I fell in love with the culture, people, the wildlife that roamed so free, and photography. My life was forever changed. I had traveled internationally for years in my fashion career but now with the passport of a camera in hand I had the gift that made me seek out all the experiences that the world had to offer.  This simple act of signing up for a trip to a place I had always longed to go changed my life and started me on a path of adventure, the unknown and great risk…. one that has given me many stories for the rocking chair.

Now almost 8 years later from that first safari I am having a major exhibit of my wildlife photography at G2 Gallery in Venice beach California and the best part is that the gallery is donating the proceeds of the show to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which many of you know as the Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi Kenya. The opening night is on Saturday, May 19, 2012 and you are all invited. Below is an invitation to the opening night. I had the amazing opportunity to be part of the team in experiencing and photographing the vets of this organization while darting and then helping to fix the wound of a hurt Elephant in September of 2010. Here is a link to the blog post where I wrote about the experience. If you are not able to physically attend the opening night or the exhibit my hope is that my work might inspire you to adopt and elephant to support their incredible work in helping save these amazing animals. Here is a link to their site.

I have recently created a newsletter to inform friends, family, photographers and those of you who are just curious, of exhibits, classes, tours and events that are happening with my photography and journey.  Here is a link to my latest announcements. I am creating the newsletters when there are new items to announce or updates to events already announced. If you would like to receive my newsletter by email please subscribe here. Please know that your email address is protected and I take great care to insure this list is not shared in any way!!

Hope to see you opening night!

CHOICES- Stuff or Experiences…..

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog, inspiration, passion, risk.

Our American culture, now spreading world wide, makes it challenging to make the choice between “Stuff” and “Experiences”.  My main computer has been down since my return from my most recent journey through eastern Africa and I cannot yet transfer the huge amount of files that need to be edited. So, I have been taking care of the all the other daunting task that need my attention. One of the hardest parts of this journey is the huge amounts of time that can be required of me sitting in front of my computer….I am a very social person so I find this type of isolation challenging.  One of my favorite people recently sent me this……..

 

I am lucky that my home base is in southern California where the weather is generally nice year round (actually it has been unusually cold for months this winter..ugh) so I can grab my laptop, hop on my bike, ride down to the beach and relocate my office to have an ocean view for a few hours. But, for the times I am trapped in my loft at my computer I listen to such things from TED talks, photography podcast, inspirational speakers and the likes, to keep from going mad!! One message that kept coming up this past week was experiences vs stuff and having the courage to make the choice, or rather that is my interpretation.  Unfortunately having courage does not mean being fearless and it is that fear that stops people from taking the risk to do what it is they really want to do.

I listen to Amy Purdy, a world champion female adaptive snowboarder, ask the question “If you were the author, what would your story be.” I listen to Scott Bourne, a professional photographer,  talk about the layer who always wanted to be a cake baker but instead did what he thought he could not what he truly desired to do… and state “that is a life wasted”. I listen to, David Hoffman, a documentary film maker,   talk about how he lost everything in a fire including a lot of his still and film footage… this really resonated as we all know that stuff can be gone in a moment, but memories last a lifetime.  Then I went for a walk down to the marina where I took this photograph with my iphone of all these boats and yachts just sitting in their slips.

I assumed most of the owners are at work and I then wondered how many of these boats sit here over ninety percent of the time? Giving up such things that took so much time and effort to acquire is hard, this I understand perfectly. As I share my journey of transition I wish I could tell these choices are easy and don’t sweat it, but I cannot.

My choice to pursue my passion has not come without a price, how big or small has yet to be determined, but so far I am making it happen so that means it is possible for you to make it happen.  It would be dishonest to say that at times I pass by stores and don’t long for the freedom I use to have to just go in and buy whatever I wanted….more stuff… a new leather couch or the latest and greatest patio furniture would be fabulous. But, if I have to make the choice between stuff and experiences… what I can tell you for certain…is no one thing has ever made me more excited, feel more alive, or made me more happy than when I am on Safari in Africa, whether it is wildlife or cultural. AND no one fear is greater than the fear of getting to an age where I look back and realize I did not have the courage to make the sacrifice to live the life I really wanted…and now it is too late……….

Here is the image made with my iphone with the view I had while writing this post…….

 

I encourage you to make those hard choice to pursue what really fills your soul….

Below are the links to the stories of

Amy Purdy

Scott Bourne interview- scroll down to Episode #13

David Hoffman story 

 

 

E-Newsletter Announcement.

Posted by Piper & filed under Africa, Blog, Wild life.

It’s hard to believe that I will be back in the US in three weeks. I left the US with the unrealistic expectations that I would be able to post and share some stories along the way, but it has been non-stop since I touched down in Ethiopia on Feb 2. I did not have the internet access I had hoped for in the Omo (not a bad thing) and when I arrived back into Addis there was a city wide power outage that effect the internet! I then went on to Arusha, Tanzania to meet my group for our Safari in Tanzania and Rwanda. I am excited to share that it was wildly successful and we were all just too busy having too much fun for me to get a chance to post anything!! I said good –bye to my wonderful group in the Nairobi airport on the evening of March 4th and I am now staying with a friend in the Karen area of Nairobi for a few days before continuing on to Mali in West Africa. I am trying to catch up, fit in my meetings about my next three safari’s and spend sometime with old friends. I leave for Mali day after tomorrow and I have not yet started doing an initial edit of the images I created in the past month!! I will start to share the images and stories through this blog when I arrive in the US.

I am excited to announce I am working on my first e-newsletter. Separate from my blog that contains stories, idea’s, and photography, the newsletter will contain information such as new tours, workshops, events, gallery shows, classes I am teaching and the likes. If you would like to receive a copy of my newsletter by email you can subscribe in the sidebar to the right of this post. At this time I will only be sending e-newsletters when there is news or updates to events already listed.

I have randomly selected just a few images from the past month in Eastern Africa as a preview of what is to come. I also look forward to catching up with my friends and family in the states when I return.

There we lots of babies

 

Lots of rare sightings

Striped Hyena with pup

Lions in trees

Lots of action

Lots of Big Cats

Lots of Gorilla’s

 

And more tribes

 

 

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

Posted by Piper & filed under Blog.

I am excited to invite you to my exhibit “WILD ON EARTH” at the G2 gallery. The exhibit runs May 15, 2012 – June 16, 2012. The opening reception is May 19, 2012,  6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Please RSVP with the gallery for Opening night as space is limited

http://www.theg2gallery.com/exhibits/wild_on_earth/index.html

The G2 Gallery believes in the union between environmental causes and the power of photographic art to change the world. They share this passion with the world’s best photographers, who use their camera as a tool to inspire conservation by showcasing some of the world’s most celebrated nature and wildlife photographers and donating the proceeds to environmental charities. The gallery has hosted past exhibits by Art Wolfe, Tom Mangelsen, Ansel Adams,  Jack Dykinga, Robert Glenn Ketchum, and Justitn Black.

Don’t miss out on any new announcements of events, new photo tours, teaching events, or other important news by signing up to receive my newsletter by email. In the side bar to the right is an area for you to easily sign up to receive this letter.

Driving through Africa

Posted by Piper & filed under Africa, Blog, passion, travel.

The below post was written on my drive to the Omo Valley. I had the unrealistic expectations that I could blog along the way. This was my third trip to the Omo Valley in 13 months and over 15 trips to Africa, yet is was the most challenging journey I have ever had, yet it was also the greatest experience in Africa yet… again I say that is the magic of Africa… it always delivers and tops itself.. or maybe that is my extreme love and passion for the continent, people and wildlife….. Although this was written weeks ago now as I now sit at a beautiful lodge in Tanzania awaiting my group to arrive tomorrow, I still want to share these thoughts with you.  I have so many new wonderful stories of this past 16 days in the Omo and although I will not share them in sequence,  the order that they happened, I look forward to sharing the stories and photographs as I continue my travels in Africa over the next 6+ weeks……

Sat Feb 4

Driving through the beauty of the hills of Ethiopia scattered with thatched roofed huts I am deeply filled with gratitude in having the courage to take risks and experience the things that enrich my life. We pass through little towns where the quaint thatch roofs are being replaced with new metal ones, modern and less expensive. It is on these long drives through Africa, a place that fills my soul, where I am at peace. It would be hard not to be when surrounded by such beauty in a place where life, though more physically hard perhaps, is simple and enjoyable.  This is changing as the modern world pushes it way through to these raw places. Tarmac roads are under construction, cell towers are popping up, motorbikes are seen more and trucks are bringing in the trinkets of desire which only money can buy.  The world is changing so quickly I wish I could push a button and selfishly stop it for just another decade so I can still get to all those wonderful untouched places before the innocence is lost. But I am also glad to see these changes making the local peoples lives better.  My wish is for everyone to experience these extraordinary places that can change your thoughts and change your life.

Many times we look back in life and say I wish I would have known that now…. Well I can look back at my old life in the fast track of the Fashion world 60 hrs a week but very success and realize I was missing the whole point of life. Having an adventure, experiencing something extraordinary, meeting fascinating new people whose lives are so different than your own, and really living your life. As I say often these days…. creating stories for the rocking chair. This does not come without a price and extreme sacrifice but later in life when I am sitting on the porch with a cold one looking back on life, it is not the grind of a career I will be fondly thinking of but of the many drives on dirt roads I drove through Africa and all the extraordinary people I met that enriched my experience in Life.

Join me sometime, I promise it is not a regret you will have.

Comments are open and I would love to hear from you.