Support your local artists!
I took these photos almost a year ago, when we were on a special media tour for Shutter Tours. I worked for this company for three of the four seasons in 2009. I greeted visitors and locals and took them around Pike Place Market, Downtown Seattle and the Waterfront, cameras in hand or strapped to their necks.
For five months, I joyfully told the same stories and helped people to improve their photographic skills by teaching them basic concepts. I enjoyed Spring, Summer and early Fall drifting through produce and flowers. In the process, I shared three passions with my "students": observation, people and Seattle.
This job was delightful and engaging. I got to learn the big historical highlights and the little gossip about my new hometown. I met many hardworking vendors and artists at the Market. I made friends from New Zealand, U.K, Germany and NYC. I engaged in culture-driven conversations. I explained the importance of a visual record. I got to photograph almost every day.
Going through the street photographs I made during this time, I ran into these images. I am a local artist as well, only with an accent and a place to work at. I believe these women struggles and mine are quite different, but we share one thing: our lives are about making art. Some times I wish to go back to the Market to wait for people, and spend hours walking and talking about exposure, rules of thirds, use of light and, especially, purpose. Then, help them entwine these elements with the dynamic and aesthetics of Seattle.
I believe in what makes me a local artist: my passion for images and my love for Seattle.
