Oct 28, 2010

Social art is good for the world



As I listen to Chase Jarvis give his keynote at PDN PhotoPlus Expo, I am inspired over and over. The energy is palpable even though I'm watching by myself in my pajamas over tea. As I read the twitter feed and see Chase ask questions from other folks around the world who are also glued to their screens, I feel connected. This is a beautiful thing. I am humbled and thrilled that my life path has twisted and turned so many times and brought me to my now, this moment. As Zack Arias says, it took him 15 years but he is finally in his element, finally where he is meant to be. Ditto. That's me. I feel like I'm part of a rebel club. "The career paths that we have been taught to follow no longer exist." Thank you for this reconfirmation in my choices. I am finally allowing myself to build my photography business, build my art, and share those pieces of me with the world. And they are not just pieces of me, because what I do is a collaboration. I too believe that is what it's all about - the sharing. As Chase says, it just feels good - "Being creative makes this world a better place."

Global warming, yes. But Chase notes that our global creativity is also plummeting, creating a different kind of crisis. So what do we do? Chase led a conversation with artists who also are breaking the mold: Jasmine Star, Joey Lawrence, Zack Arias, Rob Haggart, Vincent Laforet. Get better! Thank you each for sharing your struggles and hard work. I'm signing up to be fearless about putting myself out there, because leaping over those fears again and again is what got all of these artists to where they are today and where they are going tomorrow.

I will say it over and over, but I am so thrilled that I was in the right place at the right time and have the rare opportunity to be a chat host for Craig Swanson and Chase Jarvis' live worldwide creative classroom - creativeLIVE. Thank you Craig. Thank you Chase.

Democratization of creativity - it starts with you and me and the artist in everyone. Keep it going - get backwards, break the rules, flip whatever "IT" is on its head, wake up every morning and not just follow, but create your new path for the day. What are you sharing today?



Chase says "what is social art? i can't say exactly what it is, but i know it when i see it." Well, when i saw this video about photographer/social change artist JR, I can't think of any greater definition of social art. And what JR is creating and sharing is truly good for the world, one smile at a time.

Oct 18, 2010

More thrilling than pumpkin pie

Sure, I could make pumpkin pie anytime of year. But I LIVE for thanksgiving season pumpkin pie - it just tastes better. However, this thanksgiving season I am more thrilled about the next creativeLIVE weekend workshop. Mark your calendars for November 19-21, as celebrated children's photographer Tamara Lackey leads special 3-day worldwide workshop on the magic and art of child portrait photography.

Take a live, front-row seat with Tamara as she works with a wide range of kids. You'll watch as she works to put them at ease, gets them laughing, and coaxes out their natural personality for fun poses and great family portraits.

More importantly, you'll be part of an ongoing weekend conversation with fellow photographers arond the world about how to grow your own successful portrait photography business, while balancing personal and professional lives.

Professional photographers and moms looking to enhance your tricks of the trade - this workshop is for you. And it's FREE when streaming live.

What am I most grateful for this thanksgiving? That I will be participating in this event as a creativeLIVE chat host, representing all of you folks on the internet who are watching live and asking your questions to Tamara in person. This is the beauty of creativeLIVE - everyone is connected in the virtual global classroom.

But wait, there's more. As with their other big weekend photography workshops, creativeLIVE has set aside 6 seats for photographers from around the world to join Tamara in-person for this workshop in the creativeLIVE studios.

Watch the short video here from Tamara describing how to enter:

1. Record a 60-second video saying why you want to join Tamara in Seattle.
2. Post that video to YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
3. Tweet a link to @creativeLIVE and include the hashtag #TamaraLackey.

That's it. The deadline is October 27th - but the sooner, the better.

From the comfort of your own home, sign up now for a life-changing workshop: http://creativelive.com/courses/tamara_lackey/ and spread the word.

Read Tamara's blog post: 3-day creativelive workshop ... seattle, anyone?
For more on creativeLIVE: http://creativelive.com/

Oct 10, 2010

Corn maze a ga-ga

There is something about a corn maze that is magical, and not just for the kiddos. I imagine what it looks like from above, like a video game of pac-kids running around looking to gobble up the plastic skeletons in hidden corners - if they can find them. Impatient, my nieces Juliana and Lucy are clever and created their own paths through the towering stalks as shortcuts to the prize. Lil' Charlie let big sis Lucy pick out his pumpkin this year, but watch out as he told me he already has a winning design for carving his pumpkin.






Planning your family trip to a pumpkin patch? Contact me at kenna@kennakphoto.com or 206 349 6747 and let me capture spontaneous memories as your kids explore the magic of October.