Seven years ago, Yorke Nelson’s wife was diagnosed with dementia. Thereafter, he became the primary caregiver until she passed away in the summer of 2013. With the hope of helping others who might face the same transition, Yorke opened his home to AARP and me so his story could be shared. AARP published the feature in November.
Friends and family, meet Harrison Paul. Harrison Paul, one day you will learn who we all are. On August 8th, 2013, my brother and his lovely wife welcomed their first child into this world…and thus the first grandson and nephew. Therefore, with feet supporting a 7-lb, 12-ounce body, Harrison Paul has big shoes to fill. It also means that HP will receive an abundance of love and attention from grandparents and relatives. Some of that fondness came in the form of a road trip by my parents and me. Shortly after Harrison was born, we drove to Chicago from Baltimore in order to meet our family’s newest addition. We felt pure excitement as we were introduced to this beautiful bundle of joy. It is a pleasure to introduce him to you.
The Prix de la Photographie is one of Europe’s most prestigious photography competitions. Each year, the organization receives thousands of entries from around the globe. The 2013 Prix de la Photographie recently announced the results. I was ecstatic to learn that my imagery from a project in Mozambique was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Editorial Category. To capture the imagery, I had traveled to Mozambique with VOX United (a non-profit organization based in Michigan). With the assistance of their team, I was able to gain access to remote villages and focus my camera on pertinent issues regarding water well installation, its effect on the community and accessibility to clean water. The portfolio that received the award is below.
National Geographic Expeditions recently granted me a trip to the Galapagos Islands to enjoy its splendor and photograph its beauty. This prize came after an image that I had made in Cuba was recognized as the grand-prize winner in National Geographic Expeditions’ annual photo contest. The journey to The Galapagos took me through Ecuador on my way to the illustrious landscape that Darwin deeply explored almost 200 years ago.
The journey, made mostly by sea on an exploratory vessel, was a photography expedition; therefore, many activities focused on cameras and thus offered the 98 passengers an opportunity to learn the craft. In addition to a Senior Photo Editor from National Geographic Magazine, several of the 74 crew members were photo instructors certified by the National Geographic Society. Collectively, they shared knowledge with fellow travelers by conducting daily workshops, performing portfolio critiques and providing hands-on training.
On the first day of the journey, the photo instructors learned of my contest victory. They invited me to address the passengers regarding my experiences with previous National Geographic Expeditions. By having the crew introduce me, it allowed me to connect with other passengers, share our passions for photography and travel, as well as learn from each other. And during the process, I enjoyed the wondrous surroundings and capture imagery during the expedition. Thank you National Geographic and its amazing staff that made my journey a beautiful reality.
