I never thought I could get so excited about hand bags…

We were commissioned by JayneMax and Brand Navigation to photograph the Fall ‘11 and Spring ‘12 designs for Jayne Dearborn, an inspiring entrepreneur who’s work has been seen on ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” as well as across the internet.

From Jayne’s website:

“Founder Jayne Dearborn started designing handbags for JayneMax since its inception in April 2006 (originally Designs by Jayne). She began creating handbags as a path to healing from the loss of her son, Max, at age 7 to leukemia. The blue butterfly is her symbol for Max and how she overcame tragedy to begin life again. Butterflies are the universal symbol of hope and blue is the color of healing. Launching Designs by Jayne, now JayneMax, allowed her to combine her love of art with her mission of helping others find their unique style and thrive.

In addition to designing and running her business, Jayne spends time volunteering at The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, as a facilitator helping other bereaved parents. She donates her handbags to fundraisers of organizations that help children fight cancer and that support grieving families. Jayne and her husband, Chris, have created a non-profit organization in Max’s memory to which a percentage of proceeds from all handbags sales are donated. Please visit www.bluebutterflycampaign.org for details.”

Jayne, beyond being an amazing designer, is a perfect example of how one can personally use their gifts and experiences to give back to their community.  Jayne has also given us an example of how we can purchase with purpose, to put meaning into the dollars we spend.  Please take a moment to visit Max’s Blue Butterfly Campaign…

Special thanks to Jayne, who will be launching her new website any day now (I’ll throw in a link here), Amara Bessa (stylist), Katie Tuma (hair and make-up), Kristin (our awesome model) and to my rockstar assistants Tiffany Lausen and Kari Swiridoff.  As always, special thanks to Brand Navigation for their amazing art direction.

Here are a few of our favorite images from our time here in Bend and in Portland, Oregon.

I’m both ashamed and excited to say, I finally have my first pair of Toms Shoes.

Ashamed because I’ve waited so long, excited because my new kicks helped changed the world.  How?

(Taken from the Toms website)

“In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.”

Look, if I’m going to be a walking billboard for some company, (and we all are) I want that company to stand for something I believe in.  I love what Toms stands for, One for One.   I buy a pair of shoes for me, and someone else in the world (far more deserving than I) gets a pair too, at no cost to them.  That’s rad.

I love companies who give back, who see the importance of bettering the world around them.  Companies who see that the bottom line isn’t just about happy stock holders, but asking, “have we all made a difference today?”

This upcoming holiday season (or any season for that matter), I encourage you to think about how you can purchase with purpose.  Here are some helpful links:

Toms Shoes

JayneMax Handbags

World Relief: Give A Gift

Jedidiah Clothing

World Changing Coffee

Here are some pics of my new world changin’ kicks…

I’ve know Matt for a while.  In fact, Matt and I have been through some difficult, hilarious and incredible times as we’ve traveled the world together.

Matthew is an amazingly gifted writer and creative and we’ve been blessed to work together on several projects.

I believe we were en route to the Congo, or perhaps in the Congo (maybe it was an airport?) when I said, “hey Matty, what about that Jenah girl?”

What about her indeed…

After a few solid games of  ”across the world phone scrabble,” they were engaged…  Pretty much like that.

To be completely non-linear, we’ll start with the “post wedding” shoot…

Jenah is a US National Team boxer and avid lover of photography.  She’s tough, buff and hilarious.  Jenah also has a cool coach who offered to set up the competition boxing ring, just about wherever we wanted to put it.  Epic#1.

I also wanted to team up with my BFF and creative partner Kevin Kubota for this shoot for a potential (top secret) upcoming project… Epic#2.

With a crew of amazing friends and collaborators we set out Smith Rock State Park (thank you Alycia for helping secure the permit) to assemble the fighting ring…

A few of our favorite things…

(Note 1:  The last image in this set was a “play” on a set-up Kevin had where he envisioned the “Knockout Bride” delivering a brutal blow to her groom, and loving it….)

(Note 2:  A few of these images have an interesting crop, recognize it?  2.35:1 is the aspect ratio you’re used to seeing in the theater…  Super easy to do in Lightroom)

Like cigars? Pipes?  It wasn’t supposed to be the overall theme from Matt and Jenah’s Esession, but by the time we were finished the studio had a good deal of smoke in it, and we walked away with some fun images…

A few of our favorite…

And, the wedding…  I can honestly say, I don’t think I’ve seen two people smile so much in one day.  Beautiful people, hearts and details all in one place.  Truly a celebration of family and friends.

A few of our favorite things…

The beginning…

I recently was blessed with another birthday.

Just before my birthday I found out I was turning 35, rather than 34.  That’s a whole different story.

My incredible wife, together with my amazing friends chipped in and got me something I’ve never had before, in all of my 34, ah-35 years… A custom belt buckle, designed by local artist Stuart Breidenstein.

Stuart, with some direction from Lauren and friends, took an image of a tree from our website to use for inspiration.  I love trees.  Not just because they help us breath, make pretty noises in the Summer and give homes to little birdies, the meaning goes a bit deeper, down to the roots.

I look at the tree as as a symbol of inspiration, where each person is a branch attached to the collective trunk.  When we use our God given gifts, it naturally inspires others to seek out their own gifts and use them, becoming their own branch on the tree.   I call this the “Inspirations Effect.” The cool thing about the branches is that there really is no end to the growth that can take place and each branch has the ability to become as large as the trunk.

This buckle is my new daily reminder for me to remember to use my gifts to change the world and (hopefully) inspire others to do the same…  So, if you see me around town and I’m looking down toward my, well, mid section…I’m just checkin’ out my new buckle.

Also, with the Christmas giving season approaching, hit up Stuart for some custom designed jewelry.  His work is off the chart epical… Visit him on Facebook too…

Thanks to my better three quarters, Lauren and dear friends for this precious gift…

UPDATE 8.24

Some recent information from World Relief, who is working in the Turkana area of Nothern Kenya (which is receiving lttle to no attention during this crisis.)

*Your $200 donation can feed approximately 10 people in this region for ONE MONTH.
*A one time delivery of a meal for a child is only .24 cents…

As a photographer, how can you help?  This is how I’m doing it, you may find a way that works better for you.

*How many sessions would you like to donate and at what price?  Use Facebook, Twitter, even a PSA from your local radio or TV station to get participants to contact you for more information.  (be sure to let them know when the sessions are all booked)
*Have the participants donate the amount you’ve established to the World Relief Website.
*In the “Comments” section of the donation form, have the participant type “Photography Donation.”
*Once the participant has emailed you confirmation of their donation, you can book their session.

For those wishing to donate, please don’t hesitate to do so here.

You can follow World Relief’s media team and our good friend Marianne Bach’s images on the WR blog…

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I received a phone call from a dear friend yesterday who works closely with World Relief, an amazing organization we’ve worked with in countries such as Sudan, Burundi and the DRC (Congo.)

My friend was calling to ask if I was able to leave this Sunday to document the crisis taking place  in the horn of Africa right now, more specifically, the work that World Relief is doing on the ground to aid in the disaster.

World Relief is well known in the NGO circle as a leader in disaster response and their presence in this particular area of Africa has been felt for years–so much so that a few of the larger, more well known NGO’s we’re all aware of are giving funds to World Relief to aid in their work.

Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I had to tell my friend  I was unable to go on the trip.  I felt a bit useless at the time, then realized (thanks to a post from a fellow photographer on Facebook) there was something I could still do to help…

Enter social media: “The next person who donates $200 to World Relief’s disaster response work in Africa gets a photo session with me.”  BAM, two immediate bites.  I accepted the second friends offer as well and once I receive their donation receipts will be scheduling two shoots.

$400.00 raised in a few moments.  While it will take more than a few moments to book, shoot, edit and deliver their images, I’m more than okay with that.  Using our gifts to change the world is time well spent.

More inquiries followed.  I’m thinking of trying to organize something on a larger scale now… What if photographers from across the US, perhaps the World,  donated 1, 2, or 3 sittings through September?  What if World Relief had the funds to do what it’s called to do?

Two quick thoughts:

“Do they really need the money, will it get to where it needs to go?” I’ve been on the ground with this organization in some of the most dangerous, desperate areas of the world.  I’ve talked with the men and women who risk their lives for their fellow countrymen–they’re willing to do the hard work but many times are unable to accomplish all that they can because of lack of funding.  We do our part, they’ll do theirs, trust me.

“Our economy sucks right now and you expect me to donate three sessions this month??” Yes, things are rough right now for a lot of people.  However, let’s put this in perspective:  You still have water to drink, food to eat and whether you’re renting, buying, or caught up in a short sale, you have a roof over your head.  You haven’t walked 50 miles after just delivering a baby to find food (true story) and if you really needed medical attention, all you have to do is call–and someone answers.

People are calling, can we answer?  You and your clients can donate here at the World Relief Website…

Rock on, and remember, we’re all on the front lines…

We love taking our brides out a few days before the wedding, assuming they are willing to take a small risk with their dress…

Not only is this fun for the bride, in that they get to wear their gown twice (for the same wedding of course), but it builds what we like to call a “shooting relationship” with them.

The more time I can spend with them before the wedding, the more comfortable they’ll be on their wedding day.  It’s all about trust and coffee…

Below, a few of our favorite things…

Weddings, for the most part, are filled with love and passion.  After the vows are said, on occasion I’m left wondering, “uh oh,” and on other occasions I’m left with a renewed sense of what it is to be in love, to be married and to begin to share life together.

Our time with Dean and Cassie was one of those times where I left completely filled, rather than drained.  I can’t pretend I know how to see into one’s heart, but if the eyes are a window to the soul (and perhaps the heart and soul are connected) then I’m left with no doubt that Dean and Cassie were meant for each other.

To know that your gifts and personality align so perfectly with your spouse is a gift in and of itself.  Speaking of alignment, I’ve never seen a bride align a piece of cake into her groom’s face with such ferocity… I had a feeling it was coming.

On a side note, in looking through the images from the day, I’m very proud of my second shooter and friend Tiffany Lausen who saw and captured this wedding in a beautiful way…

God bless the Goossen family as they begin this new season of life…  Here are a few of our favorite things…

I love it when a bride lets nothing get in the way of her happiness on her wedding day.  Makaila was one of those brides.  Despite cooler than normal temperatures and a few downpours, including one during the ceremony, love “reigned” supreme.

Please enjoy just a few of our favorite things from our time with Justin and Makaila…

Thank you all who gave to help the young women at Villa Esperanza.  While we fell a little short of our goal, we’re thankful for those who gave to further the work that’s being done on behalf of the girls rescued from La Chureca.  I want to thank my dear friend Kevin Kubota for his help in raising awareness.  It’s not to late to be involved, to change a life.  Here are some parting images from our time in Nicaragua, collecting media for Forward Edge International.

When dwelt upon, regret can be a destructive, paralyzing emotion.  When one can move past their regret, it can also be a powerful educational process.

In the past, my most focused moments happen while in thought and prayer on an airplane, or during a documentary/humanitarian trip when I’m thrust from routine to reaction.  It’s amazing to me the clarity that comes when I’m detached from my safety bubble, often having just experienced a part of the world trying to overcome poverty, oppression, the list goes on.

As if clarity was the bait, regret likes to sneak into my thoughts and during those moments, I’m confronted with a choice:  Dwell and stall, or learn and regain forward motion.

While our time in Managua and Puerto Cabezas was truly blessed and successful, I do have one regret.

While visiting La Chureca, Managua’s dwindling city within the dump, we were escorted through various areas by the incredible field staff from Forward Edge International.  In particular, a native Nicaraguan woman named Gloria, who has spent her last 8 years nurturing relationships with those in dump and helping many girls to escape to the haven of Villa Esperanza, “Village of Hope.”

Gloria, who is a true inspiration, was doing her best to find interviews for us, while also having to make sure that our being there didn’t jeopardize the work she’d been doing, compromise the dignity of the people or create a safety concern.  (Word travels quickly in La Chureca and although we traveled light, we still had thousands of dollars worth of gear with us–a target for those wishing only to survive.)

At one particular stop, Gloria ushered us inside the gate of a courtyard area that seemed to serve a few different “houses.”  To get inside the gate, one had to step over a man laying drunk in a puddle leftover from the mornings heavy rain.  For me, this was one of the most visually difficult things to see while in La Chureca.

It’s easy to judge in a situation like this.  This man could be working trying to better his situation, rather than turning to the bottle to hide his pain.  Rather than lay in the mud and water, he could surely be doing something productive.  It appeared he was dwelling, no forward motion in sight.  In all of our infinite first world wisdom, myself specifically, one thing was forgotten as he was mentally shamed.  He’s human.

This man wasn’t their to be on display, I wasn’t in attendance at a theme park or circus and no authority had been given (nor ever will be) for me to judge any man.  A life.  Drunken, muddy and in pain.  My regret?

Without hesitation and with desire to “maximize” the time at La Chureca to get the next interview, I photographed him, and passed by his muddy, wet body.  I didn’t acknowledge his life.   A simple hand on the shoulder, prayer or smile, to briefly share his pain so he would know (even if he didn’t remember) for that one moment, he wasn’t alone.

Now, I am left with a visual reminder, etched in my memory forever.  No matter the circumstance, life is meant to be recognized.  Yet again, I’m reminded that we were intended to be relational, to use words, touch and our time to bless others.

As a photographer, I’m reminded that the most powerful moments in my life haven’t been with the camera raised, but rather when it’s lowered, in order that I might use my eyes to see, ears to hear and hand to touch.  This is my reminder…

I’m convinced you can change the world, seconds after you read this.

In the past few days I’ve seen lives who were rescued, nurtured and transformed.  The work being done here at Villa Esperanza by Forward Edge International and its team is nothing short of miraculous.

You can be a part of this transformation.  23 girls are currently housed at the Villa, 7 are in need of sponsorship to remain.

How you can help…  I’m asking roughly 80 of my friends and family to stand up for these beautiful young women and give $30 a month, (13 of you together can sponsor one girl at $390 per month.)

Why, you ask, does it cost so much compared to other programs?  Beyond receiving a school uniform and the opportunity to attend school, they’re getting housed in a safe compound where they are fed well, mentored, encouraged, tutored, and counseled because of their time at the dump, La Chureca.  For many of the girls, the staff here serve as positive parental role models, something many were lacking where they once lived.

The reality is, if these girls return to the dump, they may end up end up prostituiting (some at the demand of their parents), pregnant at a very young age, addicted to glue sniffing or perhaps like some girls before them, dead from HIV/AIDS.

Writing a check to change the world isn’t one of my top few suggestions, to say the least.  However, there are situations and circumstances where people can genuinely be changed because of a kind donor’s heart.  I very much believe this is one of those situations.

Here is an opportunity to completely change the course of history for one life.

I’m convinced you can be a light.

80 people @ $30 per month.  7 girls.

Please visit Forward Edge International here…

Select: Villa Esperanza, then meet the life you’ve changed forever.

It’s the rainy season in Nicaragua.  ”Rainy season” doesn’t do justice to the torrential downpour that happened roughly 95% of today.

The other 5% of the day we got to hang out with Casa Uno.  Up until fairly recently, these girls all lived in the landfill known as La Chureca.  Thanks to the work of Forward Edge, they’re in a safe environment.  These girls can smile.