More Than Kids

Mother of Bryan

Today is my mother's birthday.  It seems an appropriate way to end the month, a month that has been full of mothers.

Two weeks ago, my mother attended the Mother of an Angel event. It was the first time she had met all the mothers. I watched my own mother interact with the other mothers. I knew that the other mothers were complimenting me. Of all the compliments I received for the project, the comments from the mothers to my mother were the most cherished. I accomplished something.

I also noticed how easily my moved between conversations. Despite the situation, she was genuine and supportive. (If I have any social awkwardness, I can't blame her.)  

I saw her again last weekend when I took this photo. Somehow, I look surprised. 

 

Portfolio Review Project

NOTE: If I sent you here to answer the three questions, you might want to go here instead. Really. Stop reading.

I warned you.

This page will be updated continually. I have created three questions (some call it 8) that can be answered by advanced professional photographers and talented beginners. (some say these questions cannot be answered.) Most professionals already know how to market themselves and probably know their audience. Many younger photographers probably understand how to use new technology, but they have not found their voice or audience.

I want the three questions to be useful to every respondent, so that we can explore if the photography portfolio is still useful. Is the portfolio still the gold standard?

Last March, I created a Writers' Project. I interviewed writers and photographers and explored how people overcame writer's block.  I met many wonderful people; I learned about their writing strategies. I shared their work with others.

This year, I am creating a photo based project. I am going to ask photographers three basic questions:

1. How do you organize your portfolio? 

2. Has social media changed how you organize your portfolio? Do you have more than one portfolio? Do you create online albums or galleries? Are your galleries similar to portolios? 

3. Does your portfolio represent your unique style and vision, or do you feel there are better outlets for promotion? With all the socail media applications, how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd?

 

There are several reasons I want to ask these questions. First, I enjoy meeting people and sharing work. I also struggle with these questions, just as I struggled with writer's block. I know I will learn from the other photographers. The more I learn, the more I will be able to help others.

For several years, I have taught photo journalism students how to create, organize and market their photography portfolios. At least two times a year, Mark Murray and I teach at JEA National Conventions. In April, Jim McNay will join us. (Jim helped me create the session when I still worked at Brooks Institute.)

When Mark and I first taught the session, we instructed students about the importance of a clean matte board... much has changed in a short time.

The Mothers have entered the building

When I first started exploring the world of tattoos, I had a suspicious mind. I questioned people's motives for marking their body. I wondered if tattoo artists impersonated real artists, much like the Elvis impersonator outside of Jay's shop filming a commercial.

The more time I spend with Jay Esparza at Resistance Tattoo Gallery, the more I realize that most people receive tattoos for significant reasons. On Saturday, members of the Mothers of an Angel Friendship Network visited Jay's shop. These women mark their bodies to remember their children who have died. 

Mothers at Resistance Gallery - Images by bryan farley

At the end of the session, Jay's daughter visited. Jay returned to Fresno to be near his daughter; Jay had been a successful art director in the video game industry... not the typical image of tattoo life.

parable of boxes

Yesterday, I rushed over to church and grabbed the Sunday School parent newsletter.  It listed the lesson schedule, and in the introduction mentioned that "Winter is the season of parables." This year, boxes are the metaphor. We are teaching children to see that lessons can be gifts.  

I wonder if I can find the gifts in the busiest and shortest month of the year. 

Until I complete several unfinished blog posts, this post will remain at the top of my blog. 

Soon, I will unwrap February and catch up with my anniversary, my daughter's birthday, the Fresno Magazine Launch party, the upcoming Concert for Epilepsy and other activities.

Fresno Magazine and Mothers of Angels

Every month, Fresno Magazine publishes a magazine. Each month, Fresno Magazine hosts a "launch party."  For their February issue launch party, members from the Mother of an Angel Friendship Network attended because Fresno Magazine printed an article I wrote and photographed on page 29.

My mother attended the party; she met many of the mothers for the first time. I told my mother that these were the women she would get to know better if something happened to me. It was somehow reassuring.

Fresno Magazine Launch Party - Images by bryan farley

According to the Fresno Magazine website, "Fresno Magazine sells more copies and has more subscribers in the Central Valley than Time, Vogue, Martha Stewart and Oprah combined!"

The article would never have been printed without the support of Amy Wood Fienen, the Managing Editor, and The Publisher and Editor, Melanie Warner. When I approached the magazine, I did not realize that both women had a personal connection to the story. I am forever grateful for their contribution to this story.