"A True Story" my work up at The Vermont Photo Space Gallery

This image is from the story I did on St. Stans Church in North Adams, MA and the vigilers that are determined to keep the church open.
This image is from the Mexico/US border when I went down there to do a story on Enrique Morones and The Border Angels.

Two images of mine were selected for the Vermont Photo Space Gallery "A True Story" exhibit! Legendary Documentary photographer Peter Turnley was the Juror. I'm honored that out of the hundreds of submissions made, Peter chose TWO of mine. Above are the shots that will be in the show. Exhibit Opens on 4/5/11 with a Reception on 4/12/11 starting at 5PM followed by a talk by our juror, Peter Turnley beginning at 6:30PM "Moments of the Human Condition-1972-Present"

Casa Jackson Malnutrition Clinic

Today I spent the day at the Casa Jackson emergency recovery center for Malnourished children run by the God's Child Project. A workshop student is doing his project on the facility so I accompanied him there. This was by far the most difficult subject I've covered while in Guatemala. Some for the children are severely malnourished and the staff and volunteers do an amazing job caring for these children, rehabilitating them back to health. The God's Child project is always in need of Volunteers or Donations to help in their cause. For more information on how you can help take a look at the links below.
http://www.ana.org.gt/
http://www.gcpvolunteers.org/
http://casajackson.org/

Life in the Alotenango Dump

A special note regarding the image above, These are the hands of a young child no older than ten that works in the dump alongside his family.






This morning I accompanied two of the workshop students on a trip to the Alotenango dump which acts as Antigua's main dump. There are quite a few families that live and work on the grounds, they spend their time sifting through the garbage in search of valuables such as plastics and metals to later sell. I'll tell you as I told the students on our way back from the dump, for a growing photographer photographing such a scene, this was a maturing assignment and subject matter. Watching and photographing this woman with two children, one of which is tied onto her back, searching through the dump for plastic bottles is simply moving. It's difficult not to be affected by your subject matter and their surrounding enviroment but you must for the moment, put those those feelings aside and work on telling the story.

Malnutrition Clinic for children

Yesterday I spent the day with a workshop student photographing a Malnutrition Clinic for children an hour outside of Antigua. It was an astonishing place to be and photograph. The clinic is made up of children from the surrounding area whose parents can't afford to feed. The children are sent to the clinic and cared for by the employees and the parents to come visit weekly. This Clinic has a strong story to share. On march 16th globalgiving.org will match 30% of any donation you make to the Casa Jackson Malnutrition Clinic. ( These images are from a different Malnutrition clinic that is also run by the Gods Child Project.) You can go to www.globalgiving.org/projects/support-malnourished-infants-in-guatemala to make a donation tomorrow or anytime. Thanks in advance!!

A trip to the Orphange

Yesterday we took a trip with the photo students to an Orphanage run by the God's Child Project. We shared great moments with the kids and employees.

Shoe Shine

A young child gives a show shine in Antigua Center.

Antigua, Guatemala

Our workshop has moved on here after some time in the big city. A beautiful ancient city, Antigua was the capital of Guatemala from the 1540's through the 1770's. My first impression photographing in this town was about how difficult it was to take an image that didn't look too touristy as we were maneuvering between the street vendors that hassle each gringo along the way. We split up into smaller groups of 2-4 each and explored the area hitting the local market where to can find nearly everything and anything for sale. After being out photographing from morning till dusk, with minor breaks throughout the day for some great coffee and Coca-Cola with real sugar of course, we gather in a local restaurant for dinner and cerveza to critique our days works. The critques so far have been lasting nealry 3 hours, well into the night. Then we wake up the next day and begin the cycle again. A photographers dream, here are my shots from today. Enjoy.

More street scenes from Guatemala City

A street performer plays with fire

This is a florist right outside the main cemetery in the center of town.

More pictures to come soon!

I'm having a tough time connecting to the internet here in Antigua.

Day 2 in Guatemala, The local Market

A variety of portraits from a walk through the local market in Guatemala City this afternoon.