Gratitude

Jadibuti slum, Kathmandu, Nepal

This is what it looks like when a grandmother of students from Koseli School expresses her gratitude to the woman who followed the quiet voice in her heart to create the school, Renu Shah Bagaria. As I process images and thoughts from our Lens on Life experience in Nepal to share with you, this moment reminds me that it's not enough to hear that voice. You have to let it guide you down crooked paths, over rough terrain, up steep inclines, through darkness, and into a light so bright it nearly consumes you.

The Art of iPhoneography

We didn't expect to find a camel that day. The secret behind the magic of this moment was made possible by two iPhones. Spontaneous image opportunities most often occur when your serious camera is zipped up in the camera bag... at home. And while I can't provide quantitative statistics to support this statement, I do know that the increasing majority of my favorite documentary images have been produced by my iPhone simply because it is always with me.

My latest book, The Art of iPhoneography: A Guide to Mobile Creativity just started shipping from Amazon this week. While I'm holding my breath, check out the book website and by all means, please buy the book. Anxiously awaiting your feedback.

Lens on Life: A Non-Profit With Much to Give

If you would have tugged me to your side and whispered that I might travel to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nepal and be blessed to document incredible wealth found in the poorest conditions a little more than two years ago, I wouldn't have believed you. I would have been intoxicated by the idea and curious about the flutter in my heart, but no, I wouldn't have believed you.

But it happened. Winning the Name Your Dream Assignment photography competition with Jen in May 2009 and having the opportunity to execute our Picture Hope assignment forever changed me in very profound ways. It stretched, cracked, blessed, opened, flattened, and pushed me to look at my life through a different lens. And it inspired me to create Lens on Life with support from these special people.

Lens on Life is a non-profit organization with a mission to reveal and illuminate a visual voice for the unseen, particularly children living in impoverished conditions around the world. Our first program is scheduled to launch in April with students from Koseli School in Kathmandu, Nepal. Jen and I are excited to return Nepal to teach the art of iPhoneography to these kids. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video to learn about our students, join the Lens on Life Founders Circle to share the experience with us, and put your old iPhone to good use by donating it to our camera bag for the students. Grateful to you and your support.

Cross-posted on Shutter Sisters

Patience is Required

Mother Durga Augi waits patiently as her 15-day-old newborn receives photo therapy for 2-3 days to treat jaundice at Seti Zonal Hospital in Kailali District in the far west region of Nepal. This photo thereapy machine is one of three at the hospital purchased with funds provided by CARE. At this moment, the hospital had four cases of jaundice in the Neonatal Ward.

Fascination or Fear

Atlanta Zoo zoologist introduces the resident Boa constrictor to a group of third graders. See more images from my Connect | Disconnect image series in progress.