Africa Trip Post 1

Since I got back from Tanzania, I have been wanting to write blog posts, but honestly, have no idea where to start sharing this amazing adventure. I don't want to write it all at once, too long of a story, and I am still digesting all the information and working on all the images from the experience. Luckily I did write a journal every night so I would not forget.  I guess I will start at the beginning, or at least when we touched down on African soil. Some names have been changed for the privacy of the people that welcomed me into their culture.

　

Arrival at the airport went so smooth it was unreal.  I now officially have a real foreign stamp in 　my passport. ALL six bags arrived in tact with nothing missing except one trunk had lost on clamp.  Dena was waiting for us just out side the door with hugs and instruction on changing money. I handed over my American dollars and got back a whole stack of red bills with elephants on them. 　



Street vendors on a main street in the largest city in Tanzania

The ride through Dar Es Salaam was crazy. There is no place in the US with that sort of driving - I hope to appreciate the OCCASIONAL cut off from now on... I tried to hold in gasps and grips of the seat as Dena made her way through people walking out in front of her, motorcycle taxis (peeki peeki) went between lanes of traffic, bicycles carrying everything - lumber, chickens, apples, etc. 　Daladalas (buses) filled with people edged their way in front of us. On the streets, people walked in between cars, in the side, and up and down the medians. Some women carried stuff on their heads, some had very heavy stuff.

One the long ride back, we passed through villages on the paved road from Dar to Morogoro. Talia tried to fight sleep but ended up sleeping most of the way home. We we're stopped three times at check points, racial profiling feels a little different when you are on the other side you are used to being on. We stopped for a soda, and a bathroom break - I had a regular toilet, Talia got the stall with the "squatty potty" trench. Then we were onward to Morogoro.

The Arc

We decided to eat first at the Arc Hotel  restaraunt. Good fried rice. Then on to Dena's home. We pulled up to the gate, and Seth opened with a big smile, introductions were made, and I learned to say "Habari yako" and response "Nzuri". And to shake hands with the right hand only. (first social faux pas)

Frank came a little while later with our first African gift of Sugar Bananas , which were the sweetest and best I have ever eaten. The peels were very thin, from lack of pesticides and being able to ripen naturally. I immediately smelled of them with a big wiff that filled my nose with the wonderful scent of fresh bananas (second social faux pas).  Frank's gift was very generous, and were straight off the tree at his home. His English was good, but I wished I was more familiar with Swahili.



A small load for this bicycle cart, some of the produce had probably already been delivered.

More to come, but I had to start somewhere.

Awards from Capture 2012

Each year, the Professional Photographers Association of Arkansas holds a print competition and continued education convention for all it's members. A lot of work goes into organizing, advertising, and just doing what all it takes to make sure it is beneficial to the members, and in the end to the clients that choose APPA members. I have been a part of APPA since before I became a photographer for the public. Mark had joined years before, and the people were so nice and caring, of course it was only natural for me to be a part of it.

Earlier this week, I was honored to have 3 prints deserve a merit. I had the highest individual score ever for me, and also the highest average for me too. I was thrilled with that as my own personal accomplishment, but when my name was announced for "First Place Portrait" in my division, I was shocked and very excited. Most of the work I do is portraits - not candids, weddings, or commercial work - but beautifully lit portraits. It was nice to get a first place and affirmation of skills.

After I sat down and started on my coffee, my name was called again. This one was even more special - the Delores Schrader award for the best Black and White image in competition. This award was set up in memory of Mrs. Delores Schrader by her husband, G.J. "Buddy" Schrader who was an APPA president from 1948-1949. There are so many photographers that have gone before us that were dedicated to education in this industry. Thank You to all of them.

My model for the winning image is Mr. Robert Larsen. I met Robert at church and not by his looks, but my our discussions of life, I knew he would be great for this project I already had in my mind. One of the print judges comment was "You can just see that he is honestly in prayer". The judges discussed and discussed it, gave it a score, and then called it back up to discuss again and raised the score again.  My chest was pounding and I could not stay seated. I thought I was going to have to leave the room. I plan to send this, and the other prints on to national competition, with the hopes of them doing as well there as they did at Capture 2012.

Hardgrave Photography Featured Senior - Shyanna Easom

One of my Ozark girls - Shyanna was the "flower child" of the group!  From her look to her easy attitude, you can tell she is just an easy person to be around. Of the four in the group that came, Shy was last because she was running cross country that morning. An athlete to the core. She was an All-Conference runner in cross-country this year.

Shyanna looks up to the older sister,  Brenna. "She's always been such a great role model for me. Unlike me she's a perfectionist!!"

What does it take to really be able to soak in information and learn? I takes a teacher like Mr. Don Highfill to make the lessons fun and to keep things interesting. That helped Shyanna through school and helped her make her way to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. There she will running for the UAFS girls' Cross-Country team. I see a good four years ahead for that team!

Australia with best friends Ashley Grigsby, Cortnie Weseman, Laiken Wilbanks, and Kayla Grigsby would be a dream vacation for Shy. Hanging out on a beach just about anywhere with them would work too.
Prom is a big deal this year with everyone dressed up so beautiful.

Hardgrave Photography Featured Senior - Laiken Wilbanks

I often have seniors that want to bring a best friend for a couple of pictures, so I was surprised when Laiken's mom called and wanted to book 4 girls a session each, all on the same day so they could have their friend pics and senior pics.Wow - that was a really fun day! 

Laiken told me that her mom inspires her most  - "My momma is Superwoman". Another woman that has helped her prepare for the real world is her teacher Mrs. Suit. Her real world preparation will be a big help to her as she enters the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to prepare for a career as a Nurse Anesthesiologist.

Laiken was crowned the Football Homecoming Queen her senior year and notes that and her day with her friends at Hardgrave Photography as some of the highlights of this past year.

Her dream vacation would be to take Taylor, Shy, Ashley, and Anna Beth to Bora Bora and stay in floating huts in the crystal clear water.

Hardgrave Photography Featured Senior - Hannah Fraser

I remember seeing the cutest little girl about 15 years ago, with dark dark eyes and dark dark hair. I don't even remember where I met the Frasers at, we can't seem to figure that one out, but I do have a vivid memory of Hannah as a little girl.

So when her mom called me to do her senior portraits, I was pretty excited - even more so when I found out horses were involved. The session started at the Walton Fine Arts Center at Uof O, where Hannah has participated in the youth Drama program for many years. Then we went out to her parent's farm, and I was blown away. Yes the property was beautiful, tranquil. And the house was beautiful - but what struck me most was the portraits hanging on the walls. Images everywhere of family - I could just feel the love looking into those faces in family portraits from many many years.

So it was not surprising when she told me her brother Adam is a big inspiration to her. Hannah is homeschooled, so her mom has really been a great teacher. Harding University is where she will be calling home next year as she starts on her journey to a career in the Criminal Justice field.

Hannah got to spend some time in her home country of Guatemala this past year, and would also love to travel to Spain with friends and family.

If Momma's Happy....

You know the saying "If Momma aint happy - then nobody is happy"? That seems to be true in every household, but when it comes to getting family portraits done, Mom's wishes often get a grumble. We Momma's love to be able to look up on the wall as we are passing by, and see our family. Times get so very busy, and it is easy to put off little things that really do matter to the ones we love. 

Consider making a appointment for your family during our Spring Family Special - and get a huge discount of 50% OFF any portrait collection. We set the date May 5th  Multi Generational families are welcome for this event.  Gift certificates are available if you wanted  one for Mother's Day.

Call now to reserve your session time. 479-885-3835

Featured Senior - Preston South

Walter South came to see me a few months before Preston came for his senior portrait session to discuss all that we wanted to accomplish. By the time he left, ideas were spinning in my head - I knew the basketball shot I wanted to try - and I had the perfect model for it coming in!
When Preston came in for his session, his clothes were perfectly pressed, very stylish and of his own choosing - this guy likes to look good. He even knows how to pick out the right tie - impressive.  He should fit in well with the other Electrical Engineering majors at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus. I am proud to say that the Hardgrave Photography $500 Scholarship will be helping Preston out a little with his college expenses.
It was obvious he and his dad were close when we did his session. I asked him about this and he said "My father inspires me the most, he has taught me everything I know from basketball to school to the littlest things about life."
Another man that has taught Preston a lot is his teacher Mr. Spillers. He said " He is a great teacher and is always willing to go the extra step to make sure you now how to do it."  Every one of our students should have at least one teacher like Mr. Spillers.

This senior year has been pretty exciting for Preston. He, along with the other Clarksville Panther Basketball team won the State Championship for the second year in a row. He said " I couldn't ask for a better way to end the season and the group of guys that helped achieve this goal will always be my brothers."
When asked about traveling abroad, touring Germany  with his "brothers" Dale Peterson, Zac Stumbaugh, Trey Norris, and Dustin McKinney -would be his first pick