Intimidation vs. Inspiration

Every morning I wake up and look around the internet for photographers work that I haven't seen yet. When I see good work I feel an emotion, when I see bad work I feel an emotion. When I see work on par with mine, I feel an emotion. There are times when I look at good work and the emotion that comes is intimidation; I think, how did they get there and how will I ever get there?

But more often I feel inspired and I strive for inspiration to be my first reaction to all good work that I see, recognizing my own capabilities in the process. I moved to Maui to go back to my roots, be with my family and learn how to look inward. I lived in Philadelphia for seven years, working hard everyday, feeling stimulated and inspired from the city and other outside sources. Rarely did I ever stop to look at myself and check in on where I was. I have spent the last three years doing just that. I value both experiences and know that everything in my life has led me to who I am today, therefore each experience has value in the now.

As this new year moves forward and I am pursuing my photography business full-time. I made a commitment to myself and my work that I will give it the time and space to grow. And I will strive to be inspired and to inspire by always checking in with myself to know that I am exactly where I want to be and doing all that I can to attain my goals.

I challenge you to look where you are now and see yourself completely.


A child looks down an alleyway in Medio batey in Muñoz, DR.

The heart of Muñoz

Muñoz is a small sleepy town. Everyday I pass by people that show signs of hard work and living life without second thoughts. Life is simple here, from the farmers in the campos to the poorest in the batey. Things are black and white. You do what you can to survive and enjoy while you are able.


a man sits by the road after working for the day.


cows graze in a field after a heavy storm.


A little boy leans over a railing and dangles his feet outside of the Muñoz batey school, Ebenzer School.


Dalina Rojers looks for water in the batey. The water supply to the Muñoz batey has been cut off and no one is sure why.

Focus on the Eyes

The fundamentals of photography always carry through. I'm teaching basic photography to my students here in the batey and it has me working on myself.

Paulino

Why?

A lot of people love to travel, volunteer and do good work abroad. Travel is more and more accessible to those living in developed countries and I know many people of all generations who are taking part. I am always up for a new adventure and hoping to either shoot a good story or do some good work, generally trying to incorporate both. My motivations have been charged by this desire to see the world that is beyond me, it seems like just another part of my life.

But I've been confronted lately to answer some bigger questions. Like why do I want to teach in different communities? And what will it help people attain? Is this project sustainable in the long term? What will it do in the end for my students?

I've been lucky in my current Be1Vision project to partner with some local NGOs (Project Esperanza) that will continue on to sell photographs taken by my students and continue an ongoing relationship with them. The money from this can go to buying a camera to continue the work they've started or helping feed their families.

I have been challenged with these questions and placing them as top priority in future work. While I've always thought about the communities I've worked with in the past, I will now put the thought first, how can I use this work to change their lives, rather than to inspire and effect other people's lives.

Majorie (left to right) selects photographs for her final project while Nancie, Daline and Elias work with Brian Newhouse, writing personal statements to accompany their photos for an upcoming show.

The office

It's been a goal of mine for a long time to travel and work together and hopefully make enough money with my photography work to be sustainable. In my experience the less you talk about and more you do, the more realized goals become. Now my partner and I are exactly where we want to be and present enough in our lives to enjoy the time and the work that we are doing.

My friend Tesla and I have taken time every year to previsualize where we'd like to be in the next few days, months, years. Setting goals like this has propelled me to be exactly where I want to. Always turning inward and asking what do I want and why? Be sure to take the time out for yourself. Your life is exactly what you want it to be.

Working in our apartment in Dominican Republic

Many projects are going on here at Sun Camp. Brian Newhouse is leading the charge with the help of Melanie Gould and a few others. He is working to grow and introduce Moringa (Malunggáy to Filipinos) to the local community. This food could greatly improve nutrition for many people who don't have enough to eat. Read more about medicinal uses among other things, here on wiki. When entering an area that is in great need, it's often a challenge on where to start. Is food more important? Is clean water or education first to tackle? It's seems best to start with what's available and grow from there, one step at a time, and hopefully the solutions unfold.

People often ask me how or why I set out and photograph stories or start a new project like Be1 Vision. I say, think about it less and just start doing.

Brian Newhouse (left) and Gump clear a piece of land to prepare it for seeding at Sun Camp, DR.

Country.

We are staying in Muñoz, which is a small country town situated at the base of Mount Isabel de Torres. The property sits on a river and is surrounding by fruit trees and lots of other tropical plants. Just a few minutes away are the informal settlements and 10 minutes away from tourist attractions and the closest city, Puerto Plata. Sun Camp is a great spot for country livin'.

Gump walks out of the Mango House where we stay in Sun Camp.

Mount Isabela de Torres is just outside the gate of our place.

Things are not always as they seem.