I've been reading about some pretty amazing women in the last week or so. Women who have reached for and are attaining their dreams. Women who have greatly impacted others' lives. Women who have found the strength to share their stories and in doing so help others. Extraordinary women, all. So in keeping with the theme of extraordinary women, I'd like to share two with you who have left my world a better place.
First is one of my daughters, Chelsie. She, of course, is the other half of Addie and Chelsie Photo. Chelsie and I were fortunate to be two of the twenty attendees of the Discovery Workshop in San Francisco in May of 2009. There we met and were moved by many, many amazing women photographers as well as a few men too. For 3 whole days the likes of Me Ra Koh and her husband Brian (aka Bri-Ahn Kor ;-)), Garrett Burdick, and Rick Chapman were our pools of knowledge and believe me we swam in the waters and absorbed as much as our brains would allow. Matt and Laura Reoch were great teachers too. But I also have to say that I learned a great deal from Chelsie. The unique thing about our partnership is that we ARE mother and daughter. And we ARE business partners. Yes, we are learning our way in this new adventure, but it can be a tricky balance between the two identities we inhabit. One of my biggest lessons from San Francisco was that it is so important for me to step back from my role as a mother to give room to my daughter and so that I can let myself learn from my photography partner as well. And boy, am I glad that I was able to do that because Chelsie taught me how important it is to open up to new experiences, new ideas, and new territories. How much you can grow from these experiences when you do. And whatever you do, do not let fear and nervousness get in your way.
One of our assignments in San Francisco, or rather on our trip to Stinson Beach, was to do an impromptu portrait session with members of the community. Chelsie was teamed up with fellow photographer Jenny Jacobs they, in turn, were assigned to Genie Ohashi, Me Ra's assistant. And believe me, Genie lives up to her name. She was the glue to the organizational, administrative, just-in-general-make-things-run-smoothly side of this workshop. (As well as Me Ra's other workshops!) Anything that was needed, with a "BLINK" and a bob of the head, Genie took care of it.
As Chelsie and Jenny got to spend some one-on-one time with Genie they learned so much about her (which was actually part of the portrait session lesson -- learn to know your subject). Genie is an energetic, sweet, smart, compassionate woman who loves life and people. One of the things that she impressed upon Chelsie is that women who are facing maturity should do so as an adventure, not a time to retire. Inspired by Genie's personality and in keeping with the lesson of the day, Chelsie listened to and honored Genie's ideas about the portrait that she had always wanted.
Chelsie truly listened to and practiced what Rick Chapman (and all the other instructors) suggested and let her creative self be led by her subject and her camera. She went out on assignment with an open mind and came back with an open heart as well as some absolutely gorgeous images. Chelsie not only walked through the door to go out on location, she walked through her own internal door into a world of her own confidence and creativity. And to this day she recognizes that Genie will always be a wonderful influence in her life.
My daughter and Genie have both taught me that it is good to listen to the lens to hear what the heart says. To focus on where your instinct as a photographer will lead you. And to always honor the person in the lens to the best of your ability. Thank you Chelsie and thank you Genie for being strong women who have changed me for the better.
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