Inspire Me Monday: Ken Heyman

I put together an inspiration board of some of Ken Heyman's work that I loved, and I realized that I hadn't really explained the inspiration for inspiration Monday. I started doing inspiration folders in grad school. I had a professor who created little books of inspiration that he carried around to inspire him.  At some point in grad school I started putting all of those photos I love in a screen saver folder, my screen saver changes ever so often and I get to inspired on a regular basis.  I have gotten more questions about the photos on my screensaver than I can count. I love having certain photos up in my office to remind me that it only takes me in the right place at the right time to do something beautiful. Having so many people comment on the photos made me realize that others are equally inspired, if not equally motivated to go out and find inspiration. So this is how Inspire Me Monday began.

If you guys read my Monday blog last Monday then you probably saw this  weeks inspiration coming, but I needed to do a separate inspiration board on Ken Haymen. I highly recommend you watch some interviews of Ken on Mark Bussell's blog. Ken has some unbelievable stories and shot some of the most famous people of his era.

In the interview Ken talked about how he photographed relationships, and that was the very basis for his photography. What a powerful statement, and fantastic honor. To be able to photograph relationships, and that emotional connection that individuals can give or receive.

After my experiences this year, I can truly say that I am inspired by the sheer capacity of humanity. It astounds me what each individual can endure, withstand, and be capable of. Even in the very worst of circumstances, the touch of a hand can express what words cannot say. A hot meal and conversation can put a stitch in the rips of a heart, and wrapping your arms around allows you to hold each other up. That is what humanity is about, life, death, and tragedy have nothing on love.

I am so amazed by people, by what each individual can endure, withstand, and be capable of. We each have the unique opportunity to effect those around us. And so today I am dually inspired by the humanity of Ken's work and the capacity of humanity.

Finding Beauty in the Depths....

Does the phoenix rise from the ashes?

Is there beauty in death?

Life eternal…

Or only hell on earth?

Is it self sacrifice…

To fall from the tree

In hopes another…

Grows up in your place

Or is that only masochism?

Does rebirth lie dormant?

Does circumstance forced its existence?

Or does the power to reinvent….

Lie only within the individual

 © Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

Inspire Me Monday: Margaret Mead

This week I stumbled upon a jewel of an interview, and am currently floating along on a cloud of inspiration. I don't know if any of you believe in fate, but it all came together in a way that can only be described as kismet. On Friday, I was researching non-profits in Zambia and came across one called Mamma Cash, on one of the side panels was the following quote:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

Honestly, I have never heard of Margaret Mead but I loved the philosophy behind the words. The truth is that I truly believe that individuals can make changes, and that change is started by tiny ripples and not by crashing waves. I posted the quote on my facebook page and didn't think a thing about it.

Then later that night as I was reading my blogs I came across the following article on New York Times The Lens: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/learning-photography-from-margaret-mead/

I was stunned, Margaret Mead is a photographer? Research ensued. It turns out that Margaret Mead is an famed anthropologist (I'm ok with admitting my own ignorance) and Ken Heyman was a former student and then a photographer who traveled with her, together they created two books Family in 1965, and World Enough in 1975.

I sat entranced by videos put together by Mark Bussell as Ken Heyman described his experiences with Margaret Mead, Andy Warhol, Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, and more.   I was even more entranced by his photography (which might call for another blog altogether). I instantly jumped on Amazon and purchased Family by Margaret Mead, Coming of Age in Somoa by Margaret Mead,  and The Trashing of Margaret Mead by Paul Shankman. I was absolutely enthralled by Margaret Mead's story in a way I have not been since I read Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits by Linda Gordon. Yes it's true, I have yet another woman crush.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I believe we were meant to be friends, and meant to run into each other in this round about fashion. It was only a matter of time even though she passed away in 1978 and I am alive and kicking. Inspiration is not bound by time or death, and I cannot wait to get to know Mrs. Mead better.

Being Selfless

Some of you know that my brother Ian and his wife Priscella decided to become foster parents this year, they went through a rigorous class and approval process in Arizona. The stork visited them in April and brought them two little bundles of joy, Sebastion (3) and Claudia (6 months). It's not my story to tell so I won't get into the details behind what led to their arrival, however I have say that I believe being a foster parent is truly the definition of being selfless. To invest your entire heart and life into two little people without ever knowing what tomorrow will bring is the description of modern day heros.

I was thrilled to be home to celebrate Claudia's 1st birthday which was celebrated in style at Meemaw's house. We stripped her down to her diaper, put her on the counter, and let her have her way with her cake. She was alittle slow to get started (cake is a messy business you know) but by the end of 5 minutes we had the makings of a major chocaholic in the works. I was thrilled to be home and share this special moment with her and her family. Ian and Priscella, I am so proud to call you my brother and sister.

Living in the Moment

My wonderful husband bought me the Nikkor, 105 macro lens for my 28th birthday. I received while visiting my 92 year old grandfather and shot this portrait of him one morning while we sat in his kitchen watching the price is right.

I readily admit that I often feel frustrated by being the "designated" family photography, but in this case I felt honored to shoot this portrait prior to my departure to Zambia. It made me think that perhaps I should take this holiday season to document the pleasures of family perhaps even jump into the unknown and do some audio work as I just got a recorder. As ready as I am to get on with the next adventure, I have to remind myself to settle, breath, and simply enjoy the moment.

 © Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

Inspire Me Monday: Half the Sky

While on my travels I've been catching up on some reading,  I am currently hooked on a book called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn who won the pulitzer price.  In the book they lay out an agendo for the world's women focusing on three particular abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence, including honor killings and mass rape; and maternal mortality which still needlessly claims one woman a minute.

This book has blown me away, not because it address issues affecting women around the world, but perhaps I am enjoying it so much because the number one solution offered is education! Women around the world are viewed as second class citizens, they are less valued than the men in their communities. The complexities of these situations are not lost on the authors and they acknowledge that both men and women buy in the cultural viewpoint that women should be less valued, but there are amazing individuals out there who are making a difference by their sheer will. I challenge you to read it and be inspired!

Inspire Me Monday: The Girl Effect

So I have been a total slacker on my blog for the last two weeks, my only excuse is that I have traveled through 12 states, 2183 miles, and 38 hours of drive time. It has been an adventure and I have got to see some of my all time favorite people and places. I am almost done with this road trip but will be traveling to Arizona where I will spend a month at home with my family, helping my aunt who is recovering from surgery and  hopefully getting to experiment with some of my new audio gear!

Anyhow this Monday, I am feeling especially inspired by women. I feel so blessed by all of the women in my world. I attribute this to the fact that I got to see some of my all time favorite ladies on this trip. Here is a special shot out to: Carrie, Leah, Ashley, Leighanne, Nicole, Judy Deaton, Linda Stricklin, Judy Daniel, and Linda Washington. The truth is my life is more enriched be being touched by these woman, but when I was thinking about this I kept coming back to this video I saw a few weeks back called The Girl Effect.

Women are affecting the world in a big way, and when organizations help women they help more than individuals, they help families and communities. 

http://www.girleffect.org/share/the-big-picture/the-girl-effect-ticking-clock?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4ccb211d52baebbe,0

It is so worth watching and thinking about the big world picture of how women affect the world. I hope you are inspired fema-nazi style by the power of women. I know that I am!