Lazy Jane

I had the privilege of working again with Madison, along with her fiancé Tristen. Madison and I worked together for the first time last year, a few weeks before I left for Madagascar. I had a blast taking her photos last year and just as much fun last week with her and Tristen. 

They are working on some new music together, and I can't wait to hear it! 

Thanks again Madison and Tristen, (aka Lazy Jane!) I look forward to hearing your music!

Youth of Madagascar

I had this idea for a while now, to write up a blog all about the young adults that I know and love from Madagascar. These young adults are amazing! I have known most of them here since they were very little. It's been amazing to see them grow into such amazing young people. Now you have the chance to get to know them a little bit through this blog!

Sahaza - 18

Sahaza is in her second year of studying English and Law, at the local University. 

She loves classic movies (we watched some while I was there). Her English is amazing (it was so much fun to communicate in English with her)! She is an amazing singer! She has a huge love for her family, and helping to take care of her three younger brothers. 

Instagram account: @tsanta_sahaza

Languages: Malagasy, French, English

I have known Sahaza since she was around 1 or so. This last trip though, we really connected more and were able to have some amazing, long talks, mostly in English. Talks about life, America, photography, music, movies, etc. 

Fitahiana - 16

Fita is a senior in high school. 

He is a great artist, drawing sketches (he drew two for me that I love). He enjoys photography. He has an amazing sense of clothing style! He is Sahaza's younger brother. 

Instagram account: @tony_yzl

Languages: Malagasy, French

I remember when Fita was just a baby. And as he grew up, he would always follow me around. He loved hanging out with me, and having me play outside with him and his cousins. I enjoyed so much this last time with Fita. We did a lot of photography together. It was great to work with him because he also threw in some great ideas for photos, and his style is really awesome!

Hasina - 17 

Hasina just recently finished his senior year of high school.

Languages: Malagasy, French

He loves art, especially photography. The day we met, in Sahaza and Fita's family countryside (Hasina is their cousin), he loved watching me take photos, and had all kinds of questions. I could tell he was eager to learn. 

Jenny - 17

Jenny just recently finished her senior year of high school. 

She has an amazing love for the Lord. She is leading the children's club that I started back in 2003, which she attended. She has a big heart for little kids. She hopes to study abroad one day. She also enjoys playing the guitar and singing. 

Instagram account: @jen_hye_12

Languages: Malagasy, French, English

It really encourages me and makes my heart happy with seeing Jenny leading the kids club. I started it back in 2003, and she and her siblings and cousins would attend it every week. Now she, with the help of others, are leading other kids in their neighborhood. She has such a big heart for others and loves serving. 

Miandritiana - 19

He's looking into schools abroad, to further his studies. 

He is great musician, singing and playing the guitar. Has an amazing love for his little brother, loving on him and helping to take care of him. He loves football (soccer) and playing it with his brother and cousins. 

Instagram: @miandritiana 

Languages: Malagasy, French

Ranto - 20

Ranto is in his third year of studying Law at the local University.

He loves music, and enjoys photography. He has an amazing sense of style and a great smile!

I remember when he was little, and he would come over to Jenny and Miandritiana's house (he's their cousin), playing and running around!

Karen - 17

Karen is in her senior year of high school.

Karen's English is amazing! She loves classic movies, and has a great eye for photography. She has an amazing heart and love for her country and the children. 

Instagram: @karen_andrianaivo

Languages: Malagasy, French, English

I remember when Karen would attend the children's club I held back in 2003. It's fun to see her grow up and to spend more time with her, talking about the things we love...Madagascar and photography!

Nancy - 17

Nancy is studying her first year of Law at the local University.

She is a great musician! She loves playing the guitar and drums, especially with her brother Princy. 

Languages: Malagasy, French

I remember Nancy when she was just a little thing. She always loved playing with her cousins and singing!

Princy - 22

He is in his 6th year of studying Medicine at the local University, to become a doctor.

He is a great musician, playing the guitar and singing! Ever since I knew him at a young age, he always loved learning. He has a big heart for other people. 

Instagram: @pricnyadolf

Languages: Malagasy, French

I remember when I first started living in Madagascar. Princy would come to my room and visit me. At the time I didn't know any Malagasy or French. He would come though, and start speaking French to me, talking about all kinds of things. He would be there for a long time, though I didn't really say much, he still loved hanging out. 

Kezia - 22

She is working right now as a recruitment officer at a company in Tana, called OMT (OutreMer Telecom). 

Languages: Malagasy, French, English

I was able to visit and hang out a couple times with Kezia this last time I was there. She wanted to hang out and practice her English.

Kezia and her brothers would come to the children's club that I had started, when they were younger. 

The photo above was taken back in 2005, of Sahaza, Jenny and Fitahiana. I love this photo of them, and their adorable smiles! 

I first met these young adults back when they were babies and toddlers back in 1999. I love how we have been able to keep in touch and still have a good relationship. Since I moved back to the states, we have still been in touch often, more now than before. And I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend with all of them during my last trip. And I look forward to the day I get to hang out with them again. 

Misaotra betsaka ianaoreo t@ ny fotoana isika! Tena mahafinaritra be ianareo rehetra sady cool be! Tiako be ianaoreo!

the little princess.

I thought it was time to have a photo session with this adorable little one. I am always taking photos of her two big brothers, but now it was her time!

This little one is the most precious, adorable, loving and sweet girl. Form the first time I met her, she put her arms out for me to pick her up, and she gave me a big hug.

I asked her, 'why are you eating your hair?'. She replied, "because it tastes good". 

"The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words" -Elliot Erwitt

Sweet child, you have the best smile ever!

Of course we had to change into a few different outfits, getting shots inside and outside as well. 

The portrait above is of course my favorite of all the photos. I love her look here in the window light. I'm not sure what she was looking at, but I love it!

the nomad.

So I had this idea for a while now, for this personal project with E. And honestly, in the end, it came out a bit different than the idea I first had, but I'm totally happy with the outcome!

An idea first came to me while watching a movie, I saw this type of tent set up, kind of old and torn. I jotted down the ideas in my head at the time and added more ideas over time. Once I saw the final outcome of the photos, the way the photos are, with this 'tent' and my amazing model....to me, if gave off that nomad feel to them. 

A nomad is one who travels from place to place, maybe even living in a tent or something outdoors. That is just how I feel these photos give, that nomad feeling. 

There have been many times where I felt like a nomad, as I traveled the world. I know I spent a lot of time in Madagascar, but even over there, I was traveling around at times...sleeping on church floors, in tents, on the floor of bamboo huts, wherever we could find a place.

I know I have said it time and time again, but I seriously LOVE working with E! He's the coolest kid in town! I'm seriously thankful for him and his family, and so happy I can document his life as well as his siblings from time to time. And I hope they will continue to let me document their lives for a long, long time!

And he has the coolest hair!! I've always loved his hair!!

"But if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?                                  And if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like you've been here before?" - Pompae by Bastille

growing up.

Yesterday I spent some time photography this kid. He had been helping me with my classic portrait shots, but I wanted to do some other photos with him this week. I wanted to experiment with a few things, lighting, movement, etc. 

I've pretty much seen this kid grow up right before my eyes. I've know him since he was around 2 or 3 years old, and I can't believe he's already 11 now! He's one amazing kid!

These shots, I wanted to have my camera in slow shutter, to see the movement when he flipped his hair around. This kid has some awesome hair!

I think this last shot was his favorite of the day! He loves painting! I told him to think of anything he wanted to paint and go for it!

"Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it". Julia Child

the lost boy.

I recently did some photos with this awesome kid! I had some things I wanted to experiment with, and had the idea to turn him into a 'lost boy'. 

I love hanging out with this kid!

In this shot above, I held a small crystal up to the lens, once focused on my subject. That is how I got the bit of a cloudy look in the corner. 

In the shot below, I had some foil on the right side of my subject, to see what type of reflection I would get. 

The photo above (and below), I held a prism near the top and side of the lens, to see what type of reflection I would get. The photo above is my favorite!

This kid loves singing the song 'Lost Boy' by the artist, Ruth B. As I was taking these last shots, he started singing the lyrics. 

"I am a lost boy from Neverland

Usually hanging out with Peter Pan

And when we're bored we play in the woods

Always on the run from Captain Hook 

"Run, run, lost boy," they say to me,

"Away from all the reality."

Neverland is home to lost boys like me

And lost boys like me are free..."  (Lost Boy by Ruth B)

 

Rock Island

Last week when we ventured out to find Rock Island, we didn't think it was going to be a full day with adventure entailed. Even though we were exhausted, it was worth it!

When we got to the park, we weren't really sure where to head first, or where to find the large waterfall, Twin Falls. Our first destination brought us near the view pictured above. 

We hiked a couple of miles, though we were hoping to get down to the water, there was no path. 

Since we were determined to get to the bigger waterfalls, we drove to another parking area to see what we could find. 

The second spot brought us to this amazing view! There was a pathway to get to the water but it was pretty steep and rugged. Some of us weren't sure if we would be able to make it down there, and get back up afterwards. 

As we were enjoying the beauty here, we met up with Park Ranger and asked where to get to the Twin Falls. 

Getting here to the Twin Falls wasn't that hard to find, thankfully, and was easy to access. We had to walked down and around some large rocks, but it wasn't too far to get the falls. 

We didn't stay a long time here at the Twin Falls, as it was already late in the afternoon by the time we found it. But we spent enough time to vast in God's beauty and take some nice photos. 

Though it would be fun to go back here again, not sure if that will ever happen, with it being so far away...but you never know!

If you are in the area though, it's worth it to go at least one time!

The coffee man in black and white

I recently did some photos with my brother Charley, who in my eyes, is a coffee genius!!

He's been roasting his own coffee for a while now and it's amazing! I love the smell of that stuff, well, and the taste!

My little brother is one amazing guy and I love taking photos and working together with him!

If you are ever in need of some amazing roasted coffee, check out his page on FB and shoot him a message....Coastal Coffee Roasters. 

Thanks for letting me photograph you bro!

Vonn in Iowa.

As you see from the first picture here (above), this kid is a lot of fun to be around. He is hilarious, cute and will keep you on your toes!

Just like his older brother, he's a natural in front of the camera. I loved having this time with him and capture these moments. 

This kid has so many facial expressions and Iove each and every one of them!

This kids loves wearing costumes! He has this Top Gun costume as well as a Spiderman one. I was able to grab a few shots as 'Maverick'!

Love you Vonn! I'm so glad we could play and laugh and have fun together! Miss you!

Hayes in Iowa.

I had a lot of fun making time to take some shots of this growing kid! 

Oh how I had missed taking photos of Hayes. With them living next to me before, I would have the chance to take photos of him often. Now with not seeing him as much, I made sure I took the opportunity and make time to hang out with him. 

This kid is growing up so fast! I hadn't seen him in around 9 months and he had really changed. 

He is seriously a natural in front of that camera, that's for sure! And I love his blue eyes!

Often, when I would take photos of him, he would talk to me, tell me stories, ask me questions... 

Hayes, thanks for hanging with me while I was in town. Thanks for the stories, laughs and love. 

The Lost Captain.

Yet again, I got to work with this awesome kid!! Since last wee,k I've been working on some personal projects with him as well as his older brother. 

It was a bit of an adventure getting to this location for this photo session. I knew I wanted to shoot in the creek, where there was an area of rocks near the water edge. But, to get to those rocks, the water was past my ankles. I was about to go and find another path to the rocks with J and his brother forged their way across the creek, making a rock path for me to walk across. These boys are awesome!!

"Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It's the glory of the sea that has turned my head." Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island

"My meaning simply is, that whenever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest." - Charles Dickens, David Cooperfield 

The Young Cadet

I have done any photography work with this kid in at least over a year. I was glad to have some time with him yesterday to do this session. I hope to do more in the near future, this kid is amazing to work with and is so much fun!

"Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them" - Elliot Erwitt

"Most of my photos are grounded in people. I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person's face" - Steve McCurry

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

"Creativity is a state of mind brought about by creating."

the last session.

The last couple of days of being in Madagascar I took some more photos for Sahaza and two of her three brothers, Fita and Manovo. They wanted to have as many photos as they could, and I love taking photos and hanging out with them!

I loved the times hanging out with Sahaza and speaking English. The last time I had time with her, she was little. This time, we were able to share similar interests, laugh, joke, talk about future goals and dreams. 

Fita is one amazing guy, with lots of awesome style! Fita is also an amazing artist! He has a great talent of sketching and drawing photos, especially portraits of people. I asked him before I left if he could sketch a picture for me. He gave me two, one of a lady and one of Johnny Depp. 

Manovo is one bright and funny kid! I remember when I was living in Madagascar full time, playing with Manovo and carrying him around. I can't do that anymore, but it's great to have conversations with this kid. He's got a big heart and is great to be around!

the color green...part 2

The last weekend of February I was able to go to the countryside again with my friends. I loved visiting the area so much back in January, I told them if I get the chance again, I will definitely go again! I love going on countryside adventures!

Manovo and Mihary in the rice fields.

We left in the morning and went straight to church. After church, some of the kids and I walked down to the rice fields to walk around, explore and get some photos. 

My friends church in the countryside.

Manovo

Mihary jumping across the fields.

The boys loved jumping back and forth for the rice fields to the large rocks we were standing on. Though Mihary (in above photo), lost his balance and flew into the muddy rice fields a couple of times. 

Manovo jumping across the fields.

My friends and all their family.

After lunch time, we all went out walking and exploring the area. We walked up and down hills, through peanut fields, and through rice fields. We had a lot of fun and the beauty around me was amazing. 

My friends sweet parents in the countryside.

This (photo above) is my friends family house in the countryside. They also have a store, as you see in the photo above (the window to the right), where they sells snacks and other little things. 

Take by Fita's cousin, Hasina.

The teens had fun either taking my iPhone or my camera at times to get photos of each other. This photo above was taken with my camera by Fita's cousin Hasina. 

Fita's cousin Hasina.

I might have mentioned this before, but I love the sibling relationship between Sahaza and her brother Fita. To me, they are like best friends, which they probably are. I can see how much they love each other and how close they are. 

Sahaza full of smiles!

Manovo chilling in the bus before we left.

Thank you so much Lalaina and family for letting me come along with you guys both weekends. I had so much fun!

One memory that I will never forget, though it wasn't the best...I was bit by some type of small insect, similar to a bee. It was the most painful bite ever, and had to take off my pants for a minute, to make sure the singer wasn't somewhere in my jeans. It eventually was swollen, itchy and theres still a scar on my leg from the bite. 

Ambohitriniandriana...beautiful countryside...part 2.

So here's part 2 of this latest blog!! I hope you all enjoyed part 1!

While there, I did a bit of exploring around the area. I didn't have to go too far to see so many cool places! The rice fields, which are all over, were incredible!! This was one just down from the school. The photo above is my favorite! I love the bright green fields and the awesome clouds. 

I went those these rice fields two days in row. One, because they are so amazing, and two, because I wanted to bring a different camera each time. Both times the two women were working in the fields. And the second day, their daughters were there as well. The younger of the two talked to me almost the whole time I was there. They both attend the school and remembered me. 

Sometimes it's good to change your point of view when you are looking at things! When I showed my friends this photo, they thought it was coolest thing and had never seen the rice fields at that angle. 

Faly is shucking beans that they have harvested. He said they have been growing these beans for years. He also shared with me that he has been blessing those in the village with these beans, have been planting them all around. He hopes that in the coming years, everyone in the village will have access to these beans to enjoy!

By the second or third day of visiting the school, whenever the kids were out on recess, I could hear my name being said all around me, wanting photos with their friends, with their classmates. 

I love black and white photos, and I love black and white photos of kids laughing and smiling! These girls were so funny...I think I took close to 10 photos of them, in different poses. I took one and they said, another, another! This one was my favorite of them all!

These students were learning to play basketball during their recess. Some of the were really good. Later on, in the afternoon, some of jr high students were out playing and I joined in. I hadn't played basketball in years, but it was a lot of fun. As you see in the photo above, many of the kids played barefoot. The ground was pretty dusty. I had never played basketball barefoot before, just soccer. As I was playing, just in my flip flops, they kept flying off. I ended up tossing them off and it was a lot easier!

Of course the kids were playing soccer at every recess! They really good at this game! And very creative as well, as you see the ball is made up of plastic bags tied all together into a ball. 

I love being able to capture pure joy and laughter through my photos!!

This girl pictured above, she became my little buddy that week. From the first day she would call out my name, she would run up to me and give me a big hug each time we met. She would want me to take her photos, especially when she was eating something! When I left I had to make sure I said goodbye to her. I gave her a big hug! Her Mom (who’s a teacher at the school), asked her if she was going to miss me…she nodded yes. She was really the sweetest little thing!

"You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you" - John Bunyan

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can"  - Charles Wesley

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive"  - H. Thurman

Thank you again Faly and Clara for letting me come and spend 8 amazing days with you and your family!! 

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Ambohitriniandriana...beautiful countryside...part 1.

I spent 8 days in this countryside, visiting some old friends. I've known Faly and Clara and their family for over 16 years now. I have been to their countryside multiple times, but they were always for a short visit. This time, I wanted to stay a bit longer, spend more time with them and the ministry they have going on. 

As you can see, in the photos, it was a beautiful area, lots of green!! Just during those 8 days I was able to do many things, bless them and those around them. I attended and photographed a wedding, explored the countryside, shared my personal testimony, visited the private school there in the village, shared about American and my family to a couple of classes, and taught about American history to the 12 grade class of the school, 

Pictured above is the private school. My friends helped open this school back in 2004. It's preschool age up to 12th grade. Almost every morning I would walk down the hill and visit the kids when they were out at recess. Some afternoons I would hang out with them as well, and play basketball. 

The photo above is my friend Faly teaching English grammar to some of the high school students. I took this photo during my first day that I arrived. I was coming out of the house and Faly was walking down to the school. He asked if I wanted to come along. I ended up sharing about myself, my family and my country, in English. 

My friends Faly and Clara's oldest daughter Mamy got married while I was there. It was great to attend my second wedding this trip! Malagasy weddings are usually long but full of excitement and fun!! Things got under way around 9:30am that morning and ended around 5:30pm. 

Me with the happy couple, Raj and Mamy!

One of the mornings I was there, I took some photos of the teachers, as well as each of the classes. In the photo above are most of the teachers in the school, there were a couple of them missing. The man in the front, and the woman to his left are my friends, Faly and Clara. 

The kids loved getting their photos taken!! I loved hanging with the preschool class, they were so much fun! I would be walking down the hill towards the school, some of them would see me coming and would shout my name and ask me to take their photos. Every time I took a photo they would have to look at it on my camera and they always burst out laughing! Having a camera with kids around equals a lot of fun and a lot of laughter!!

Here I am (above photo) hanging out with a few of the teachers, during the kids recess time. 

The teachers were aware I might be popping into their classroom to sneak a shot of the kids studying. The are used to having foreigners come and visit them. 

During lunch time, most of the kids go home during their break, but around 80-90 of the kids stay at school. They have a canteen that runs for the kids during the week, for those who don't have time to prepare lunch ahead of time, or they live further away. 

Once or twice a week, they also receive a dessert with their meal. Picture above, some of the older students are handing out fresh fruit to the kids. 

Pictured above is the open, covered area where the canteen is. They just hang out their during lunchtime, eating and talking! 

The kids have an area to play basketball as well as a field down below for playing soccer. You can see up in the distance the canteen from the outside. 

I have so many photos that I would love to share, but didn't want to make a huge blog, so I decide to make two different ones. 

Part 2 will be coming soon! Thanks for taking a look!

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the color green.

Sunday I spent the day in my friends countryside. We left in the morning to be able to get to church in time, as it took a bit over an hour to get there. My friends own a bus that usually runs daily, taking people to town and back. But on Sundays, they use the bus to go to church in their countryside. 

Sahaza hanging out on the bus.

Sisters, Sitraka and Tella.

Fita looking cool on the bus!

Brothers!!! Mihary (back), Fita, and Manovo

Their church in the countryside.

After church let out, me and few of the younger kids walked down to the rice fields that were close by. We took a bunch of photos and Manovo took some videos with my phone. 

It was so beautiful and green all around, I loved it!! I could just gaze at all the beauty around me for hours. 

Sitraka walking through the rice fields.

I love this photo above...the rice fields, the large open garden, the bright red dirt and the river running through. 

Sahaza down by the river.

Sahaza jumping for joy!

Manovo taking a ride on his grandpa's bike.

Later in the afternoon, some of us went on another walk up the hill a ways, and found more beauty around us!

Nothing more fun than dancing on the road in the countryside!

Love this shot of Fita riding his grandpa's bicycle!

Down by the river. Thanks Sahaza for taking this!

This shot below I think is my favorite shot I took, with my iPhone. It was in the afternoon, right before it started raining. Ten minutes later I started to rain a little bit. I was concerned because I had my camera with me and no protection from the rain with me at the time. We still had about a 5 minute walk back to the house. Thankfully we had the bicycle, so I jumped on that and raced back to the house before my camera got wet. 

If I get the chance again before I head home, I hope to get back here again and go on some more adventures and explore new areas of the countryside. 

Style and class.

The other day I had another photo session with Fitahiana. I'm glad he loves getting his photo taken as much as I love taking photos! He's a great model!!

This guy really has style and class, just like you see in his photos!!

"Don't give up because of what someone said. Use that motivation to push harder"

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world" - Robin Williams

"Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it" -Julia Child

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are" -Brene Brown

I also got a couple creative shots with Fita, or as what I call them, artsy fartsy!

"I try to avoid the ordinary" - Bill Murray

"Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art" -Ansel Adams

street photography

I went to town yesterday with my friends. I had been wanting to take some street photos but didn't want to bring my large camera. I ended up bringing a small point and shoot to get some shots. 

They may not be the best of quality, but I still think they speak a lot, especially in black and white. 

another day. another session.

I had fun yesterday with Fita again, taking a bunch of photos. I'm glad he is always open to the ideas that come to me. And he also has some of his own ideas as well. 

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are" - Brene Brown

"Don't think about what can happen in a month. Don't think about what can happen in a year. Just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be"

I LOVE this shot above!

He's seriously a natural in front of the camera!! 

Everything is going to OK!