In one of the most amazing things to stumble upon in NYC, I saw a couple getting their wedding photos taken on the Brooklyn Bridge. I LOVE the Brooklyn Bridge, and getting to witness, not the wedding, not the photos, but the tiny looks of excitement and happiness between each recorded moment, was incredibly beautiful.
This week, while sorting through my photos to choose some for an exhibit, I came across this photo that I took in 2012. I have never before shared it, spoke about it, posted it, or put it up anywhere, because I was never quite sure how to explain it, or how it made me feel. I took this photo in the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, LA. I was driving cross country, and a dear friend and New Orleans resident took me on a full tour of the city. While there, I learned about the city’s rich history, culture, and met some amazing people. I was also shown the absolute destruction still left over from Hurricane Katrina, seven years after the fact. Seven. Years. As we travelled from the wealthy communities (mostly initially less damaged, or more quickly rebuilt) into the Lower Ninth Ward, it became immediately clear how deep the classism and racism ran in New Orleans. The poorest areas were the ones that had been the most damaged, were in the most need of attention, and yet had received the least aid. In the midst of a beautiful city full of wonderful people, there was (and is) enormous social injustice, and I was shocked. Above, is a photo of a house we passed, one of many, that was completely abandoned and destroyed. Many of the houses had been completely swept off of their foundations, leaving behind only a footprint. In the end, I did choose to include the photo in my exhibit, and chose to share it here, along with a few thoughts. As always, thanks for reading.
Here is one of my favorite shots (and favorite animals!) in my portrait series of animals in captivity. On one hand, we have a gorgeous elephant full out SMILING, in the most bashful manner. On the other hand, why is she stuck in a tiny wooden paddock? Bittersweet.
To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if this picture makes me incredibly happy or incredibly sad. I think that really, it’s a bit of both. This week, I was lucky enough to visit The Bronx Zoo, and their AMAZING array of animals, including this super adorable baby gorilla. The Bronx Zoo does an amazing job of creating proper habitats for their animals, many of whom are endangered species, who could certainly use a protected environment in which to thrive and grow. However, there is something fundamentally sad about seeing an animal behind bars or glass. Particularly when the animal is as intelligent and as human as the gorillas, who I spent a lot of time watching. There will be many more animal portraits to come, but I couldn’t wait to post this particular picture. The little baby gorilla saw the kids that were touring the exhibit, came RUNNING down to them, and placed his hand right up to where their hands were waiting on the glass. I was lucky enough to have my camera at the ready so that I could catch this fleeting connection (which, I should add, thrilled the baby gorilla almost as much as it did the children!).
