how to have a fun vacation (solo parent edition)

relax.

no, really. relax.

beware of pool slides. my flat butt still hasn't fully recovered.

leave electronic devices and video games at home. I did regret this at times and banged my head on the steering wheel on multiple occasions. but there were also moments when I could see delirious joy shining through in my sons' eyes. and we played a mean game of Monopoly.

remember, the preteen attitude probably didn't get the vacation memo.

a personal project

in the fall of 2011, I started a small workgroup with ten fourth graders from Sean and Will's school to help them engage with the world in new ways and realize that they can make a difference. the kids grew passionately concerned about the global water crisis and soon partnered with Sarswati Peace School in Arupokhari, Nepal, selling handmade greeting cards, organizing a tombola and giving up birthday gifts to raise funds and help provide the students and local community with safe drinking water.

a few weeks later, I developed an idea for a photo collaboration with the students from Sarswati Peace School where children in France and Nepal would capture and share images from their daily lives following six simple prompts: what I eat, animals, my school, where I sleep, where I shop and where I live. 

at first, it seemed fairly easy. but it turned out to be much harder than I had expected. and I spent many days sitting on my living-room floor sorting through hundreds of photos wishing I had done things differently. but then I would look at the kids and remember their boundless enthusiasm as they all leaped at the chance to do something for others. and that helped me keep going. the project was sponsored by French non-profit organization Secours Populaire Français and eventually raised more than $6.500, bringing clean water to the 200 students of Sarswati Peace School and to the local community of 300+ people.

the photos were recently on exhibit at École Élémentaire Paris in Boulogne, France.

you can see them here.

"all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast"

Télescope 5, rue villedo 75001 Paris

the mandatory "gazing into the ocean" Polaroid shot

more "gazing into the ocean" Polaroid shots: the stalker and the dreamer, end of summer, anything, Deauville, Djerba, Tunisia and Saint-Malo.

how to have a fun vacation (Atlantic coast edition)

always keep the Polaroid camera with you. and shoot like it was the very first time.

wear sun cream all the time no matter the unpredictable, changeable, and sometimes wet weather.

take full advantage of dedicated bike lanes and paths, even if your butt says otherwise.

schedule a do-nothing day (you'll thank me later).

drive to La Tremblade, take a seat at La Bonne Renommée and try éclades de moules.

into the sea

lessons from the field

if you're traveling to a foreign country, learn a few basic words and sentences before you leave (hopefully, there's an app for that).

always educate yourself about the country's history and culture.

invest in good walking shoes.

when in the field, introduce yourself first. forget the camera. connect with people. listen to what they have to say.

put names to faces. write them down if you need to.

recognize your own cultural biases and assumptions. let go of all preconceived ideas.

focus on the story.

be willing and able to push yourself beyond your everyday comfort zone. you'll discover what you're capable of, what you're passionate about and who you truly are.

when in doubt, take in all the information you can gather. and then go with what your heart feels most strongly.

be open. be curious. be kind.

Ken Burns: on Story

An Invocation for Beginnings

The National Press Photographers Association: Code of Ethics

Haiti

last month I traveled to Haiti with French non-profit organization Secours Populaire Français to document the re-opening of two primary schools in Les Palmes and Delatte and visit two local health facilities that were devastated by the 2010 earthquake.

and though I've had to learn how to navigate daily life without electricity or running water. though I worried my immune system would eventually fail me. though I wish my camera better served and empowered those in front of the lens. and I felt frustrated at times by the arrogance and deficiencies of international aid agencies. I've never been more grateful, inspired, nor had more conviction about what I was doing.

more photos here.

the best moments in our lives

"the best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times... the best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile."

- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow

you're 10!

10 things I love about Sean and Will:

they are avid readers. like, total bookworms.

they always laugh before they tell a joke or a funny story.

they both gave up birthday presents to raise funds and bring clean water to Sarswati Peace School in Nepal.

when they're apart they always call each other on the phone before bed.

they love superheroes almost as much as I do.

they can transform any situation into fun play with a handful of glass marbles or a paper ball.

they still leave notes for Santa and the Tooth Fairy.

I can drop everything, grab my camera and shoot. and it's the most normal thing in the world.

they're the kind of friends who let you eat the last french fry and hold your bag while you tie your shoes.

they believe ice cream makes life better.

I love you my crazy little monkeys.

Happy Birthday!