Go Where You've Never Been
Monday, March 9, 2009 at 12:00AM 
I’ll admit, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was extremely excited. Last Friday I was invited with a handful of bloggers (by my friend and previous business partner James Harris) to go behind the scenes and shoot a live, sold-out performance of a circus in Atlanta, but not a typical circus. This was the UniverSoul Circus, a sixteen-year-old circus comprised of 60 performers from all over the world including Ethiopia, China, Russia, Gabon, Guinea, South Africa, Trinidad, Colombia, Brazil, and Dominican Republic. A circus primarily marketed to African American audiences in thirty cities throughout the United States.
Simply put… it’s a circus with serious soul. And despite the fact that I technically don’t fit the target market, I was blown away by the performers, laughed out loud throughout the show, danced in my seat, sang with the audience, and left with some of the most interesting images I’ve ever shot. The energy under that tent was electric and the whole experience reminded me that it's good to go where you've never been.
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universoul circus in People
Reader Comments (7)
This is absolutely beautiful!!! I would LOVE to see more of your photos from the UniverSoul Circus!
i needed this little gentle shove. thank you... i'm expecting the unexpected as i set out to places that i have never been.
What a wonderful reminder that there are entire worlds of beauty and awe, just waiting to be documented, if only we have the courage to step out of our daily path. Your photos are amazing!
Looks like a really awesome show. I live in Atlanta and wish I had known about it. I don't fit in to their target audience either but wouldn't let that get in the way. Your shot is awesome. Did you have to use a tripod or monopod with that lighting? Off to search for the rest of your photos.
wow. you are right, sometimes we need to push ourselves past our normal boundaries. i am guilty of not doing it nearly enough. amazing shot!
you have such a gift! i wish my photography blog had such amazing photos =)
Thanks so much. I appreciate you being here.