To take photographs means to recognize - simultaneously and within a fraction of a second - both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one's head, one's eye and one's heart on the same axis.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
My Way ...
Chi trova un amico trova un tesoro.
Usually, when I head out to a photo-shoot, it's a new location, new people, new light.
Most times, nothing is known or certain ... it's a new beginning.
I don't use lights, I demand nothing from people. I don't have a routine.
Each person, each family, each event is like an individual fingerprint and so I can't ask for the same thing.
I want them to be as they are, wear what they love, and I like it if they can take me to their favourite place.
Sometimes I check in to see if this way of working scares me. But it doesn't. It seems to be the thing I love doing best, that attempt to capture people as they are.
And anyway, I get to meet people like Steven and Isabel and that ... that is treasure, to be sure.
Translation: He who finds a friend, finds a treasure.
Steven
I photographed a first communion celebration yesterday, out on Flanders Fields and I'm delighted with what I captured. I blame the family. They're entirely inspirational.
When I photograph any kind of family event, my objective is to tell the story of the people involved, to capture them as they are, interacting, loving, simply being themselves.
This is Steven, one of the nicest Belgian's I know. And he has a most beautiful family.
Last night, as I downloaded and viewed the images captured from a day where his son's milestone was celebrated, my soul sang. It was a good day.
Francesca - Le Gramole, Genova
Each product, be it pasta, olive oil, pesto, cheese, sauces or wine, has been tasted by us. This is the only way we be sure of truly advising you. We travel around Italy searching for the local products that bring excellence to your table. This is our passion !!!!
Francesca, writing about the shop, Le Gramole.
I interviewed Francesca and Norma about their shop, located deep in the historical heart of old Genova, back in 2011.
It's a special shop, in a special area of the city. As for Francesca and Norma, they're really special too but I imagine you knew that was coming.
They welcome everyone into their shop. They're happy to take the time to talk, to advise, to suggest. I have heard them speak Italian, French, and English, and there are always smiles.
I really recommend you take the time to visit them when in Genova. You won't regret it.
Francesca was preparing for a one-on-one food tasting while I was there at the weekend ...
A Portrait-Shoot in the Park
Life as a Cascade ...
Last Thursday Peter and Julie arrived.
Actually, I should write ... the fantastically talented Tenor, Mr Peter Furlong, and the exquisitely talented Julie Wyma, Soprano, arrived last Thursday.
They were here for a private performance. Hosted by lovely friends, Ruth and Marc, all reports tell me that it was very very well-received.
But back to the beginning of this cascade, this avalanche of people and events ... on Saturday, the incorrigible Baritone and Pianist, Chas Elliot arrived to stay too. Meanwhile, Gert's parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and there I was, on Saturday night, abandoning our guests to eat my first-ever Thai meal, at the Sombat Restaurant here in Antwerp.
Without exaggerating (I may say that often in this post), I can tell you that it was the most exquisite meal ...
Sunday. I wandered off to Brussels to capture a First Communion celebration for Irish/English friends. It was just lovely. The people were some the of nicest people you could hope to spend time with and the weather was perfect.
Sunday evening, a small nap on the train home before meeting up with Gert and heading over to Marc and Ruth's house for dinner ... where we caught up with the 3 opera stars, who had managed to impress their Antwerp audience. We were all exhausted but very happy.
And suddenly, NYC was in the building. Stefano and Shannon would surely have loved it. 'Dawg' and 'cawfee', and other 'w' words, flew round the table. And then came the stories. No one can tell stories like those three. It was hilarious.
All of this AND Marc was sharing his quietly spectacular supply of red wine from Puerta Del Sol. Las Ocho 2009, from Bodegas Chozas Carrascal would have to be the most divine red wine I have tasted ... Ever. It was that good. I'm not exaggerating. Not at all.
Actually, when a wine is really good there is no hangover and it's true, on Monday we were all fine. Exhausted because we had pushed ourselves as artists but no hangover.
Monday. We talked but lacked the will to attempt much. Chas managed to leave after expressing a desire to stay but I'm sure he'll be back. Peter and Julie had a round of meetings with various people in the afternoon and then we had the good fortune to end our day at Puerta del Sol.
Well yes, that is the wine shop I love best in the world. They import Spanish wine to Belgium but only after rigorously checking the quality. Guy, Frank, and Jules really love Spanish wine, and Spain too. It shows in the quality of what they sell. (No, they really don't pay me to write things like this.)
Today it's sunshine and laundry for me, and quite some work to catch up on...still. I've sent Julie and Peter out to the park to relax before they return to their Berlin world tomorrow. I think we're just all really pleased with how this week has unfolded. The ongoing nature of good people, fine wine, and experiences that were kind of divine.
They will be back. And maybe I can organise my next party around them and their remarkable voices.
Meet Peter ...
