Last week I returned from a 9 day trip to Ecuador. I spent time in Quito, Otavalo, Sosote, and Crucita documenting three amazing artisan families that collaborate with The Andean Collection out of NYC. We did interviews, portraits, and a couple fashion shoots. The focus was to create marketing content for The AC in order to help boost sales which in turn will help reduce poverty and send kids to school. More to come soon. http://www.theandeancollection.blogspot.com/
I photographed Kara+Rob's engagement photos last Saturday in Golden Gate Park. I just relaxed and hung back as they just kept laughing together. The giddy couple are getting married on June 12th 2010 in Sacramento and after spending the afternoon together I am very excited to be there documenting their wedding day.
I first met Frank 8 years ago when I was 19. I saw student after students creating the most amazing black+white prints down in the darkroom at school. They would come out of the darkroom and look at their test print in the light and then head into the adjacent classroom with a questions marks in their expression. A few minutes later they would emerge with a smile on their face and confidence in their step as they strode back into the darkroom. The unifying factor in all those smiles and great prints was Frank Espada, the advanced black and white teacher. I took his class the following semester and not only did he teach me how to print the right way but he guided and nurtured me to grow as a well rounded photographer and human being. I am not the only one who has a story like this as Frank has touched the lives of many of his students over the years. We all say, "THANK YOU FRANK!!" Please check out some of his pure and inspiring imagery at: http://www.frankespada.com/
