Olá!

Posting a brief hello while hanging out with my family in Brazil. It's been raining for three days straight but the sun is finally trying to make an appearance today.

I haven't been doing many family portraits anymore but I had fun taking the photo above for some good friends in Dallas.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I love the fact that this holiday is not about buying stuff! It's about spending time with loved ones, giving thanks and eating.

Of course, as soon as that's over, the craziness starts. My friends are already talking about what they will buy on black Friday and all the Christmas shopping that needs to be done. Here's a link to a great video that encourages us to "Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used, and most importantly, Buy Less! Let's think of creative ways to give without destroying our planet. I personally think it's a great idea to just give more of yourself, why not spend more time with loved ones?

I know this is not a Thanksgiving photo but I just thought I'd post it anyway. It's from a recent photo shoot with Hip Hop artist C.S. Rucker.

Compartmentalizing Life

There’s a tendency in the Western world to compartmentalize everything. Somehow we have this belief that it is possible to separate our professional, spiritual and personal life. I find myself in conflict over this very thing over and over again.

A recent online discussion about social networks brought this subject to mind once again. It made me ask myself: What is my purpose in joining social networks? Do I just want to connect with friends and family scattered around the globe or do I want to promote my photography? Is it possible to do both? How much is too much personal information to display online?

To add to the conflict, there was a report done on the terms of service of these social networking sites. A lot of these sites have really confusing terms of service regarding copyright and you have to be careful about posting your work there.

I remember many years ago (before Facebook) when I decided to cancel my “Myspace” account. My friend list was growing and it became harder and harder to keep things in their “compartments”. Strangers were asking to be my “friend”. If I said no to them, I was wasting the opportunity to promote my business and connect with people of like mind. If I accepted their request, then I would have to create a somewhat impersonal online profile in order not to feel exposed. I just chose not to deal with it at the time and cancelled the account.

Networking sites can be incredibly addicting and before you know it, you are wasting an absurd amount of time posting useless information about what you ate that day. I know a lot of photographers that use facebook (FB) and twitter solely for photography related news. I admire them and I appreciate reading their updates but I don’t connect with them as much. They either live and breathe photography or they are really good at keeping their personal lives private. I also know photographers that share personal information and seem to be okay with it. I have never met Zack Arias or had any personal contact with him but I know he recently had a beautiful baby. I know this because I read his blog and I’m a fan of his work on FB.

I have failed miserably at this compartmentalizing business. I tried to do it and this blog has just been neglected and boring. Everything in my life is overlapping each other at the moment and I think that’s how it will always be with me. I don’t know how to keep my faith separate from my photography. I don’t know how to not talk about what I ate if I’m really passionate about it. I might start to share a little more of my thoughts and feelings on this blog and that’s just how it is.

I don’t really have the answers but I’m not canceling my FB or Flickr just yet.

The long way home

Spain and Portugal were a pretty cool experience. It was a little rushed in each place but my sister, mom and I were able to enjoy it nonetheless. It was so interesting to see where a lot of the Portuguese culture and construction techniques influenced Brazil.

My body decided it had enough and needed some rest when I first got to Madrid. So after a few days of a weird stomach bug that forced me to slow down, I was myself again. Maybe it was hummus withdrawal, I don't know...

I'm finally settling in to the US central time zone again. A few days ago I got the chance to photograph four amazing graffiti artists in an all night event in Dallas. I was only able to do it because I was still in the European time zone. For the first time ever, I was thankful for jet lag. I'm editing some of the photos and might post them later. It was a collaboration with Key City and Stainless Studios and I had a blast.

I was kindly reminded by my brother that I need to go visit my nieces in Brazil so one more big trip for the year coming up and I'm ready for 2010! When did I decide to become this nomad???

Band promo shots

I'm looking for bands and artists in the Dallas/Fortworth area to photograph the first two weeks of November. I'm working on a new portfolio and would love to colaborate with musicians or actors that need promo shots. Please email me at rosanewalker@gmail.com if you are interested.

Loving Israel

I can't believe it's already been a month since I arrived in Israel. I only have a few days left here, then I spend 5 days in Spain, 5 days in Portugal and finally head home.

It's been such an amazing trip so far. I've learned and experienced so much that I couldn't hope to put it all in words in just a quick update. I've met interesting people from all over the world, I have visited at least 10 National Parks and ruins, I have swam in the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. But my favorite part of the trip has undoubtably been the time spent hanging out with the people - just listening to the tourists, Israelis and Palestinians. I never cease to be fascinated by human beings and their stories and experiences.

For some reason I haven't found Israel to be very photogenic. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of beauty everywhere but there's something powerful about just being here. There's something about trying to understand the amazing history of the area that can't seem to be fully translated into single images.

The unknown

I leave for Israel in two days. I have never been to that part of the world so I feel a sort of nervous excitement. It's a place that is considered holy to so many people and religions and it is a privilege to be able to visit it. It is packed with history and conflict and I have no doubt I'll come back changed. I'll be there over a month for a conference and tourism so hopefully I'll get some good images.

Since I'm a lover of food, if anybody has any tips on good restaurants in Jerusalem or Haifa, please leave me a message.

Beauty

It feels so great to be back home in TX where life is slower than in the Northeast.

I've been working on a lot of personal projects, some of which include collaborating with my friend Amber Downs that's a makeup artist. We've been shooting beauty and body painting photos. It's been a lot of work but very interesting and exciting.

On another exciting news for the day, photographer and friend, David duChemin, just published a great little e-book and there's a photo of me on the cover. I think everybody that wants to take better photographs can benefit from reading his book, especially since he's having a special and this one only costs $5,00 if you buy it right now. Check it out now! His other book, Within the Frame is also amazing and I highly recommend it too.

Focus

I need to regain focus regarding my photography. I've been a little random and unproductive, to say the least.

I have spent most of the last two years using all my time and resources online solely for keeping in touch with friends and family. I know I could be using the internet for so much more than that but I keep putting it off. I do not need 5 different places online to post the same stuff for the same audience.

The timing hasn't been right and personal relationships needed to be a priority in my life for this period of time. I feel that it is almost time to refocus and to start producing again. So hopefully there will be some changes coming to my online world soon.

That's the good life

Vacation in Hawaii was just as expected, beautiful, relaxing and fun... I wish I could have stayed there forever.

I'm back in Boston packing and getting ready to move back to TX. I've been getting rid of so much stuff. The process has been exhausting and difficult but somewhat liberating. I like simple things and this is simplifying my life at the moment. It's also making me a lot less attached to "things".

My sister and I leave Boston this weekend. Hopefully we can make the road trip from MA to TX somewhat fun. We'll be stopping and spending time with family and friends along the way and we might even squeeze a day or two at the beach in South Carolina.

This year was supposed to be about slowing down but that plan has taken a back seat to my insatiable traveling bug. Maybe 2o1o can be the year to settle down and rest a little more. For now, there are more travel plans brewing for the next few months.

Aloha

After two and a half weeks in West Virginia, I am on my way to Hawaii for a 10 day vacation. I'm so ready for some quality time off! 

West Virginia was a lot more fun than I expected. The mountains and the forests were beautiful and I was able to find some pretty good restaurants.

For the 4th of July weekend, a brave adventurous friend drove all the way from TX with her kids to hang out with me. It was a lot of fun and I still can't believe she was up for the 2 day drive!

Sweet Home Alabama

I'm back on the road, this time in Montgomery, Alabama. I have to admit that I have not taken a single photo here yet but hopefully inspiration will kick in sometime soon.  I just remembered that I did take a photo of a fountain downtown with my cell phone a few days ago. But I'll probably keep that to myself since it is nothing worth bragging about.

I have been here since Monday and have not seen any pretty sights yet. I've been busy with work but I've been told there isn't much to see around here anyway. I have, however, already experienced the Southern hospitality and I think that is the best thing about this state. This is my second time working here and I know it to be true. I was just invited to crash a birthday party and I'm thinking this might be fun. :-)

Family time

I'm taking a break from work and everything else to enjoy family time. My cousin just had another baby and Becca turns two next week. Even though I'm not a kid person, they are pretty darn cute and a lot of fun.

Have a great weekend internet world.

Lions and Tigers

That's what I call a productive day! I was convinced by a coworker to go into a cage to play with a little tiger and a little lion.  I did not get to touch the little bear but it was so cute to watch her!

Now is that blog worthy or what? ;-)

Daily Reads

Since I haven't had much time or inspiration to post something purposeful on this blog, here are a few links to amazing photographers worth reading. That is where I've been spending all my free time.

David DuChemin; Matt Brandon; Zack Arias; Chase Jarvis; Gary Chapman, Scott Kelby; Joe McNally;

SXSW

What an awesome experience to be in Austin during the South by Southwest festival (SXSW). My sister came to visit and we heard lots of good music and ate lots of good food while enjoying the perfect TX spring weather.

I was also able to check out some of the independent movies from the festival and they were really good. I would strongly recommend watching "My Suicide".

The girl in the photo is from the Irish band "One Day International" and they were great in concert.

Not much happens

George Clooney said something on TV yesterday that stuck with me and I suspect will be ringing in my ears for a very long time. He said something along the lines of: "The people in Darfur don't have TVs, every once in a while they see us drive in with our trucks and shoot some photos. They think, now the world will see what's going on and something will change. They don't know that the world sees it and not much happens."

What's going on in Darfur is breaking my heart. How can we cause change? I feel so powerless right now...

Houston Skyline

And on another note. I spent last week in Houston and stayed at a corporate apartment I've been staying during my frequent visits down there. I was so surprised when I drove up to the top of the parking garage on Thursday night and had this view of downtown Houston.

I can't say how many times I had admired the Houston skyline and wished I knew a place where I could see the whole thing. I had no idea I had such easy access to it and was somewhat appalled at my lack of curiosity for not exploring it earlier!

I'm not necessarily moved by skyline photos but I still had fun shooting this.

Fluid contest

Since the link at the Fluid website now leads to a different photo, I'm posting the one I submitted in January and finished as first runner up.

This photo was taken in Ladakh, India in September of 2008 during a Lumen Dei photography workshop. We were staying at a lovely guest house, which was especially chosen because it had a "western toilet". The lady outside was the owner of the house and treated us so nicely during our two days there.

Fluid Photo Contest

I was first runner up in my first photo contest ever!!! That's really exciting. I was hoping to win a new software to update my website but all is well. I'll try again next time and I'm still happy I even made it to the top 5.

Click here to see my photo on Evrium's page. They change that page often so if you click here in a couple of weeks, it will probably link to someone else's photo.

Cheers!