Yorkshire | Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography

Questions about Being Inbetween

admin — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:07:35 +0000

I have had the most amazing time recently with my series Being Inbetween. This year it has been on exhibition at a lovely gallery in Hull, and most recently as part of the Saltaire Arts Trail in Gallery 2, Salts Mill, I have also received arts council funding, done a number of talks about the work, had articles in Huffington Post and Buzzfeed as well as a great review and a lot of national press interest.

The exhibition currently comprises of 31 Portraits (large format mounted prints), with a soundscape of the girls voices mixed with ambient music. (Created with my interviews by Graham Coatman). The series is ongoing.

The picture above is of myself and two young visitors to the recent exhibition. Bea on the left and Pheobe on the right. They are both aged 10, the same age as some of the girls in “Being Inbetween” . They both had a lot of really interesting and surprising questions which I tried to respond to on the day.

A few days ago I received an email from Phoebe and Bea with more questions. They had been really inspired and couldn’t stop discussing it, so decided the best thing to do was to send them all to me.

I have decided to post their questions and my responses here. I am so impressed with their insight, and the way they have engaged with the work. I hope you will find this as interesting as I do.

“Dear Pheobe and Bea,

I am so so delighted that you have sent me these questions. It is fantastic for me that you are so interested in this work, and I hope that you will also be part of it too at some point.

I will answer your questions one at a time.

The project was from your personal experiences of being in between, as a girl. Do you think, having 2 sons, you could work with boys on the same basis?

That is a really interesting question. I could work with boys, however this is a very personal piece of work, so it is as much about me as the subjects. I am exploring that age again, and allowing girls to do the same and I ask them questions and listen to what they have to say. Because this is a personal project it is very much from my own perspective too. Yes I could do a boys series, but that would be something else entirely. I do this work because I want to; because it fascinates me, and because I think girls of your age are seen as a group “tweens” rather than individuals. This is about ‘ordinary’ girls from different backgrounds, many who don’t have the opportunity to speak out aloud about themselves – and I want this work to give them a voice.

Your daughter is old enough to take part in your project although she isn’t featured in the public series. Can you describe what part she has played in your work?

My daughter is now old enough to take part, but doesn’t really want to at the moment, which is fine by me. All the girls in it choose to be part of it and want to be part of it. That is a very important part of the work. If a parent contacts me to say they want their daughter to be in it, I make sure that their daughter understands about the project, and wants to be part of it. If Poppy chooses later to be in it, than of course she can. My daughter has been in a lot of my photographs, but I make sure that she has some choice, particularly now adays. Because I have a girl I see how girls change at about 9/10 years of age. Many change from being free spirited to being more self-conscious and self aware. I noticed this before I had Poppy, with my friends daughters. I find it fascinating.

Seeing the series on the internet made me wonder why you had chosen black for the background. When I saw the photographs in the gallery, that background made them seem so serious and gave them more importance. Is that why you chose black for the background?

I wanted to make each portrait look like a traditional portrait in a gallery. Almost like an old fashioned portrait (oil painting). I achieved this by lighting it in a certain way, and by using my backdrop too. You are right, and it is a really great observation to say it gives “them more importance”. Each individual portrait looks Iconic and important, making each girl look important and larger than life – because I think they are! It encourages people to look at them. Have you noticed that each one looks you in the eye too? Another thing – by keeping the same background – it is less distracting and your focus is on the girl.

We saw some of the girls from the project in the flesh at the exhibition. Some looked younger and less solemn than their photos. How did you make them appear older and more serious?

I didn’t really make them appear older .I think that when people are standing still and looking straight towards you, they do tend to look older and more serious, and maybe a little bit more intense. Really I am wanting them to be neutral so we can really look at their faces and they are honest portraits. A lot of the girls look so much younger in real life (even I am surprised) because they are smaller than their portraits and also more animated and sometimes a little shy looking too.

6 How well do all the participants know each other?

Most of the participants don’t know each other, and I only knew a couple of them a little before the shoot. I do feel like I know them now though. It is interesting that you and other people believe they may well know each other, and in some ways that is part of what I am trying to achieve by creating a “community” of girls.

Would you consider doing a photo shoot with all the girls (so far) in one group, maybe in the Hirst Wood Bluebells? Why or why not?

I wouldn’t do this because it would be a different piece of work. However I think it would be fun and a great idea. It would be hard to get them together as one group I think. Also they come from all over yorkshire and soon, further afield . They are all together as a group (in an interesting way) when I am exhibiting the work.

Can you describe the subjects you would be most interested in working with next and in the future?

This work (Being Inbetween) is ongoing, so I probably have another year to work on it. The next piece I am working on is called “First Generation” about people who were born in and live in the UK, but whose parents weren’t . Again like me my family did not come from the uk, and it makes me very sad to see how people treat others who are entering the country and who have to migrate or escape. The portraits will also be about the journeys people’s families have been on. The subjects will be selected because they have made a mark – or had a positive impact upon this country -maybe they are artists or politicians, or health workers or writers or voluntary workers.

Are there any other experiences from your childhood that you would like to explore, photographically or in a different type of project?

Great question – see the answer above. As an artist all my work is somehow related to how I have experienced the world, my own personal experiences and also my fascination for the stories that are rooted in peoples lives and communities. I love people and believe everyone has an interesting story to tell, particularly those who aren’t often listened too.

10. What has been the reaction, to this project, of the person who called your legs, “chubby”? Although it has inspired this amazing project many years later… this person must now be aware that it hurt your feelings and had a long-lasting impact on you.

The person who said this to me, can’t really remember saying it. I think as parents we often say things that we probably shouldn’t to our children , and I am sure I have. Maybe I will have to wait to see whether one of my children creates an artwork or writes a book based upon something I did or said when they were little.

Thanks so much for your questions they were brilliant! I hope my answers make sense, and I hope you become part of “Being Inbetween”

Carolyn x”

If you have any comments you would like to make or any questions you would like to ask please do post them below.

Finally I would like to thank Rachel Twigger who has been brilliant, as well as all at Salts Mill, and the Saltaire Arts Trail for supporting my exhibition, and wonderful FujiFilm who with CC Imaging have supported the fabrication of the exhibition by providing the amazing fineart paper and also put up with my constant demands , Stage 84 in idle, who have provided studio space for the shoots, and of course all the amazing girls I have met and worked with, and who are very much part of this ongoing series.

Lots of love
C x

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FOG

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 20:41:36 +0000

When you are creatively blocked

I have not written this blog for six months!
I can’t write sometimes: the words do not cascade out of my pen, and they certainly don’t tumble out of my mouth. I have always felt I was a little aphasic; forever loosing the word I want. The word gets stuck in my head and won’t reach my mouth. Or I have to describe the object in more than one word, when the name of it disappears. This has happened throughout my life.

It is apparent to me that when I am in a more stressful situation , for example, I have an interview, or I am presenting – the words find their way readily – but one cannot exist in a constantly stressful environment. So I tend to make a joke of it when I cannot find the words to express the thought or concept.

I think in pictures.

When I want to write, I start with a simple idea (a visual or emotional concept) and then let my pen express the thought, or my fingers tap out the sentence without engaging too much of my conscious mind.

Why am I writing this?
Because like this time last year I am in a state of winter stasis, though this one started in the summer (My body calendar is wrong). The fog lifted in December and now like a car on a cold day, I am revving up, slowly starting, and when ready pootling along, with the engine serviced and everything raring to go. Ideas are sprouting, and I am encouraging them to grow.

I find that my happiest place is batting about ideas with other people. These people don’t have to be fellow creatives, recently I have met some academics and the sharing of ideas and thoughts have been wonderful and led me into places that I previously had little idea existed.

This is not meant to be a gloomy post, just an honest one about my lack of writing .

There is a lot of excitement ahead.

My ‘Being Inbetween’ series is being exhibited in January at Art Link Gallery , Hull and has received an Arts Council Award. I am absolutely delighted. I am also collaborating with an old friend (composer Graham Coatman) on the sound I recorded as part of the work. We have worked together on various art works in the misty past, and it is great to have that opportunity again.

On Saturday I am going to the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers ) convention. I can’t wait to meet up with photographer friends and I am delighted to say I have been nominated for Fashion Photographer of the Year with this image. Such a surprise.

On Sunday my plan is to go to the national portrait gallery and see various other exhibitions in London, before jumping on the train , back to Saltaire, filled with new inspiration to start 2016 with a positive attitude.

This year my words are simplicity and space.
But within this space I want to communicate with you.
What makes you tick?
What makes you grow?
What is your vision for the year?

Lots of love

Carolyn
ps you are invited to my exhibition x

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Home

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:19:05 +0000

Home

Today I woke up and felt such a strong desire to return to the rose-tinted childhood that I remember; where everything was possible; where perfect moments could comprise of a comic book and a quarter pound of peardrops, being read sitting on the bed illuminated by a sun stripe. The childhood where I got such a thrill from cycling on my broken down bike down a steep hill using my feet for brakes. Where I could hide in small spaces and read books that would transport me to another more magical place that seemed as real as the world I inhabited.

There was a freedom to my childhood that I am so so grateful for, and one that I aspire to create for my children.

When I document my family’s life I love to take candid shots that enhance the memory and serve as reminders of those wonderful carefree times. Like wise, when I am taking commissioned portraits of children (though personally and artistically I am drawn to the more individual compelling image), I love to look at these playful and carefree moments in-between that happen during the shoot.

Today I am reminded of how lucky we are (here) to live with such freedoms, we can move about, and live in relative comfort and for the majority of us our children can play without fear and true hunger, and have a place they can call home.

Today, and in this moment I am feeling grateful.

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Joyfulness

admin — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:49:27 +0000

Joyfulness!

There is a lot going on in this big world of ours, and sometimes it might feel shallow amongst the devastation caused by natural disasters to talk about this but todays post is about Joy

Sometimes we discover that the most poverty stricken, the poorest, the people who would appear to have materially nothing, are those that lead the simplest, are the happiest, are the most spiritually fulfilled and have the best quality of life. I am not talking about starvation or war at this point, but rather talking about a simpler, slower more mindful way of living.

We obsess about our appearance, our status, material wealth and property, but none of this makes us happy. Rather it makes us feel dissatisfied, inferior and craving for something more that we cannot always put our fingers on.

This ‘thing’ is often about the sense of having some ‘meaning’. Having a meaning to your life, to your day, to your moment, to your second. The meaning could be as simple as the need to breath, or the child you love, or opening your eyes to the beauty around.

It is rarely situated within ourselves but often outside of ourselves.
This is more likely to bring purpose, joy and happiness into our lives.

Many years ago I found myself homeless for a year with a young baby. It was a dark and totally unexpected period of my life that I don’t generally dwell upon. I found myself sleeping on floors and overstaying my welcome because I had no other choice at the time. I didn’t examine or analyse my situation too much because that would have been disabling. I didn’t have the time to dwell upon what had come about so what I had to do was live in the moment, think outside of myself, work hard, and focus on the welfare of my child, and our future life together. I looked forward and beyond the situation. I was lucky too, and I learnt a lot from it. It taught me never to judge people by appearance and never to assume anything. I also learnt that personally I could survive things and the experience made me stronger and more determined.

So what has this got to do with photography?
Well for me a lot!

Photography helps me live in the moment, my eyes are open to the beauty of the world, and most of all the beauty of other people. Photography gave me meaning and a sense of purpose when I was lost. It gave me joy particulary at the beginning of my journey.

When it comes to work we sometimes find certain jobs make our hearts heavy, and bring unhappiness rather than Joy. I am not talking about the jobs we have to do, those admin tasks, tidying, organizing, sifting and filtering through the daily detritus.

Even as a photographer and as my career develops I realize there are certain jobs and situations I find less joyful than others, that fill me with worry and anxiety, that sit uncomfortably with me.

So
So I don’t do those jobs (this excludes admin etc which I have to do! ) and instead focus on the jobs that make me feel joyful, my residentials, my mentoring, portraits and projects, and by doing this it has make me a better photographer.

I love learning and challenging myself, so I do, and I grow.
I love people and taking portraits, so I focus upon that, and think I am a better (more joyful?) photographer for it and that is what makes my business work.

My suggestion is do things because they bring you, your clients, your friends and contacts joy. I am not talking about hedonistic shenanigans; I am talking about mindfulness, joyfulness, and doing things with an open heart.

For those who are interested in the concept of ‘Meaning’ within people’s lives, do read ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ by Viktor Frankl. A profound and amazing book that I read years ago, and still stays with me.

For those who are looking at embracing the concept of joy in their lives, their are many wonderful books on mindfulness, or even better, actually take the time mark, and to experience and appreciate moments in your day.

May you all have the best of weeks, of days and hours.

Below are images from my joyful bluebell minishoots.

Carolyn xxxx

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The Residential – How come?

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:22:16 +0000

What is it?

Call it an event, a retreat, a happening, a course or as I do – a residential – I think I have found my special place by creating something that combines all my previous skills (I used to make large site specific art and theatre work) and bringing people/artists/photographers together to go on an especially liberating, challenging and inspiring creative journey.

The History

The October Residential in 2014 was a new venture, it worked and had all the ingredients to make an outstanding experience. I wanted to build upon it, nurture and grow it, so in March I invited Kate T Parker to be the guest artist, knowing that we had very different approaches to our work which would be interesting for photographers.

The Philosophy

I believe that there isn’t just one way to create wonderful imagery, there are many. I have my methods and ways of seeing the world, and I am very open in that I want to share them with you, this I do during the process. But my aim is for you (within the parameters of the course) to discover and bring to life your own vision, and to leave the residential with the confidence that you can create work with heart and soul, that is totally yours.

Guest Artists

I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it was to have Kate T Parker with us on this adventure, and (shhhh) we will be working together again sometime in the future.
And now,
Now!
We are about to have the wonderful Sarah Cornish of My Four Hens on the next residential. 14th September to the 17th September 2015.
Phenomenal! Sarah is such a generous photographer/artist/person.
A friend for about the past six years, I am very excited that we will be able to work together, and cannot wait to see what she brings just by being here.

STOP PRESS !
unfortunately for health reasons Sarah is unable to make the journey to the uk on this occasion. However the absolutely phenomenal artist Jessica Drossin is. I am beyond excited as this will be a unique opportunity for all of us. Thank you Jessica . You will be perfect.

Group Size

The group size for these residentials is intentionally small, because I want to make sure that every individual no matter what their starting point is, has the opportunity to have time to grow, learn and to experiment and has the space to be creative.

The Venue and Hosts

The Venue Ponden Hall – is special.
Really special.
Steeped in atmosphere and history; on the edge of the moors; the right side of bleak ;with a unique beauty and the amazing Bronte connections that fit in so well with the nature of creating compelling Imagery.

The hosts Julie and Steve are really something else, as is the hospitality.

The Recipe

So we have the Artists,
We have the venue,
We have the hospitality,
We have the group.
The group is small, the group is special.

All of this adds together to create a unique , and for some people life changing experience.

There is something magical that happens here x

Photography by Melissa Stissi

Some of the feedback

“ My faith in training has been restored!! It didn’t feel like a bun fight for a shot. I didn’t feel like I had to do exactly as the trainer said, and there weren’t too many people. If anyone asked me to recommend training, this would be the first thing I would point the towards”

“ The whole delivery of the course was outstanding. The workshops were amazing and really helped the shoots each day”

“Today was phenomenal – I do feel like I have grown in confidence and loved being in control and planning the shots and looking for inspiration. I love that Carolyn gave us advice but let us take control of each shoot and that everyone shot differently”

“ Kate was fantastic, watching how she works and edits, the amount of information shared was far beyond any expectations”

“It was so awesome to see Kate shoot, and her approach to her edits”

“It was great to see another photographer’s (Kate T Parker) perspective and ways of shooting. Jam packed with information – again above and beyond”

“Carolyn, you have been so so generous with your time and experience, and in helping to build my confidence and for your patience in answering my silly questions and really making me feel like I can do it!”

“ I have had an amazing week. I really don’t want it to end. There is nothing I would change it’s been perfect. I now really know what images I want to produce for people. I can thank you enough. I am ready to give it all a proper go!”

“Loved the small size of the group and truly felt like a magical experience. I love the way the info was delivered and then taking the info and having a lot of opportunities to shoot and asked questions. S0 much information to take in – I feel a renewed sense of confidence on my journey.”

“Such a unique experience and I wish I could join in all the future ones”

Accommodation and Hospitality

“Amazing! Above and beyond what I imagined. Felt like I was in a story book”

“So generous and warm and felt like I was part of a loving home”
Steve and Julie went totally above and beyond and were so welcoming and giving and wonderful to share their home. The location is stunning and the food amazing”

“Julie and Steve are amazing, very caring, incredibly welcoming. The location was perfect. Far enough away from the everyday to enable you to be in the moment”

Booking for the September residential with myself and Sarah Cornish, opens on Wednesday 28th of April,

Do get in touch if you want to know more.

Love Carolyn x

Models: Hannah Muirhead, Joshua Brand and Rachel Hayton
Stylist: Caroline Brown
MUA and Hair: Lauren Rippin

Photography by Liz Godfey

Photography by Louise Raynor

Photography by Annie Armitage

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A Busman’s Holiday

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 15:47:09 +0000

A Busman’s Holiday

Every year at Easter we go on a long journey. It takes us far away from wuthering and wild Yorkshire, and we journey for a day and a bit to get there.

We travel to a place that makes us relax and breath more slowly and calmly; a place that has such a magnetic pull on us that we just cannot stop ourselves returning annually, and in-between times dream of living an island life..

It is beautifully, wild un-spoilt place that (when the sun is shining) can easily be mistaken for the Caribbean.

It means a lot to us.

We see our children’s lives telescoped in our memories, and we mark the annual changes. As we sit looking out to the horizon we remember when they were in prams, and wore nappies and when they swam in the sea for the first time. When they spent hours collecting beautiful yellow shells and making pictures with them. The way the sand sticks like silver to their skin so they appear like ethereal elves .The year they spent hours collecting sand hoppers, the year they disappeared because they had made friend with Island children, and last year – the year we got married, aided and abetted by the kids.

These magical Isles are located off the coast of Cornwall, in a south westerly direction. The journey is so worth it, and a day there is like a week relaxing elsewhere.

This year I was lucky enough to be able to mix work and relaxation, and photographically documented my time by visiting lots of beautiful and interesting places; hopefully there will be a selection of these in the next wonderful brochure.

It’s great being a photographer; it gives me the chance to explore, to meet people, to travel and to showcase the soulful, and meaningful images to others who would not have been there. The images you see are real and not set up so hopefully they capture the beauty, wildness and spirit of the islands as well as the family enjoying them.

Do scroll below if you want to see some images and if you want to know more do check out the Isles of Scilly Website, and if any of you want any travel tips I am happy to attempt to answer any questions.

Lots of love

Carolyn xx

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The how to create Compelling and Considered Portraiture

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 18:25:10 +0000

The thing that makes my heart sing and beat faster are portraits that I connect with; pictures that make me want to look beyond a second and then some more; photographs that have an emotional resonance and that have soul and tell you something about the individual, and sometimes encourage you to question and ask why?

It is a compulsion of mine to go beyond the surface, to scratch the veneer, and see what is underneath. I am curious, I love people, and I see beauty every where, particularly in unexpected places.

Beauty to me, isn’t made up or artificial it is something that is contained within our complicated souls, especially our complicated ones, even though with simplicity it is easy to see.

I run mentoring sessions and training workshops on Compelling and considered portraiture. I coined the term ‘considered portraiture’ because I felt it described my process and end result. Not a snapshot or a luck shot, but a way of shooting that is slow and thoughtful, and that allows the subject and photographer to connect and to breath.

In my considered portraiture workshops I do not give one simple list of directions to achieve that one fine art shot, though I could if you asked, but you know what? I truly want people to come away with a shift in their way of thinking and seeing of the world; to open their eyes to different things, to look at art and history and people and everything. It needs to become a life long habit, and that together with this, and a slowing right down of process and a building a connection with your subject you will achieve amazing portraits, and not just a one off. It takes time, and most of all it takes the building up of a body of work; It takes ideas, and never fearing failure, personal projects that you feel passionate about, that aren’t aimed to make money, but instead encourage one to explore the world through photography, and make real connections with people. This will eventually start to seep into the style of your commissioned work, and then it will start to make sense.

It is a magical and liberating process, that may or may not make sense at first – but I promise you it works, and it is exciting.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, or send me a message if you want to find out more.

Carolyn xx

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Being Inbetween

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:18:45 +0000

Being Inbetween

There is something so so special about being in-between.
Being between ten and twelve,
The ages where you are neither small child nor even young adult.

I love this age
though I remember some painful things about it too.
Like the time at aged twelve on a balmy summers day, I spent the most part of the morning in my room plucking up the courage to go downstairs in a pair of shorts! I was only a small thing at that time, but incredibly self-conscious. Though I do remember those lime green shorts weren’t exactly subtle.

I remember walking slowly down the stairs to be met by a laughing parental comment
“Oh my goodness! Your legs look so chubby”
I ran upstairs mortified; feeling exposed, and I didn’t show my legs for years,
until a friend commented on her confusion about my attitude to my “chunky legs”. All those years covering up my stick legs thinking they were non-stick legs. Ridiculous and a little sad, it got me thinking about the being Inbetween age where one is so vulnerable.

It is a fascinating and interesting time. Whist you are being shaped in your soon be adult form, your opinions and believes, hopes and fears are emerging. There is a beauty to this age, one that is sometimes concealed in attitude, embarrassment and self-consciousness. But there is magic there too; that which comes with transformation and change, with learning and growth. Good and bad it is all contained within this age.
This age is the focus of my next photographic art work. An exhibition of portraits and accompanying sound installation entitled Being Inbetween.

If you know of a girl aged between ten and twelve who might be interested or would make a great subject, please do leave me a message.

If you can remember what it was like yourself please do leave a comment.

And whilst we berate our pre teens let us remember that within our adult selves, the small person we once were is still very much there and needs celebrating.

Carolyn x

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Sisterhood Stories. The Art of Paying it forward

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:39:33 +0000

In the business world as it is today we are used to wheeling and dealing, turning and spurning. Everything has a monetary value; time is important as is making sure you are being valued! Not too cheap not too expensive; always trying to target the right markets, market to the right clients.

In the world as it is today people are unused to unsolicited and unconditional acts of generosity and kindness. When these are unearthed the individual is showered with praise. The response is often one of surprise and the individual (if they are discovered) are universally acclaimed and given temporary ‘living angel’ status, which they often feel reluctant about. For example recently we had Katie Cutler who set up a funding appeal for pensioner Alan Barnes, who had been attached outside his house, and was too scared to return.

The fund went viral and raised over £300, 000 enough to ensure that Alan now can afford a new flat to live in. Kate set it up because she felt moved to try to do something to help a stranger whose story touched her heart.

Recently I suggested to a forum of likeminded creatives about the idea of finding a mentor. I meant an established business person, working in a compatible industry who I could look up to and who would offer mentoring on an adhoc basis. I wasn’t looking for a business arrangement rather a pay it forward arrangement. I would love a mentor. A real mentor in the traditional sense of the word. In the early days of my career in drama and the arts, I had a few mentors whom I could call up to ask for advice or run ideas past them, or perform a new audition piece to them.

Recently I took part in a project set up by the fabulous Oh Comely Magazine. The idea was to connect to perfect strangers together, who would create a parcel for their allocated person and send it to them.

I was partnered with the amazing Sanna Dyker, a young talented illustrator from Kerrie Muir. She wrote a statement about herself and I put together a parcel for her. So much joyfulness in this activity, and I didn’t mind if I didn’t receive anything in return. I so wanted to do something unconditional for her, my perfect stanger. This is her post about it
on her beautiful blog.
She sent me the most beautiful parcel full of magical, handmade and hand drawn by Sanna herself. I cried when I opened it. It truly was the best thing ever.

In the arts world informal mentoring take place all the time. That is my experience. You help people who are less experienced than you are. So I decided that rather than ask for a mentor (though if you are out there I would love to hear from you) I would mentor a photographer informally
and for free, whom I felt needed or could really benefit from the input, on an as needed basis. This photographer was momentarily speechless and surprised that I would do something like this for no personal/monetary gain. In truth if I could live my life by giving and not expecting anything in return, as long as I didn’t starve, and I could take care of my family, I would be entirely happy.
My instinct told me that if I pay forward, he in turn would pay it forward in a different way. We chatted and he shared with me the things he already does for ‘voluntarily. These acts are amazing and heart warming. I didn’t know about them before I approached him, and I was so delighted to hear about them. He already pays forward in abundance.

My dream would be if we could all pay it forward when we can, unconditionally and without expecting anything back. It might not earn you money, but the act of giving is so life enhancing and not only will it help another person, it will make you feel great and it will help make the world a better place to live in.

So if any of you reading this are interested in doing something similar and working with me on a pay if forward initiative please do leave me a message.

and if there is anyone out there who would like to be my mentor – do get in touch.

Lots of love
Carolyn x

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KATE T PARKER – England Here We Come!

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:07:55 +0000

Welcome to Kate T Parker, who I am delighted to say is guest Artist on my Compelling Portraiture Residential, and guest blogger here.

Her web site is

http://katetparkerphotography.com

and Facebook page is

https://www.facebook.com/katetparkerphotography

Hey Everyone!

This is Kate, guest blogging for Carolyn. I am so excited about coming to this wonderful opportunity to teach, learn and travel. This is going to be amazing.

When Carolyn asked me about possibly coming to England to teach, I freaked out. Got myself back together. Freaked out again. (in a good way, of course). I’ve never been to England….and only to Europe once before. You see, I am kind of a scardey cat on planes. However, I hate to let fear dictate any of my decisions and once I learned that my family could come and we can make it part of our spring break…I was all in!

The Parkers take on Europe. Woop! Woop! (While we’re in England, we’re taking on London and Paris.)

A little about me….I am Kate. I live outside of Atlanta, Georgia with my husband, two girls (6 and 9) and two rescue pups. I am originally from the north, but have lived here since college and I love it. A big chunk of my family is here now, too. When I am not shooting, or editing, editing, editing…I love to coach my girls’ soccer teams, do crossfit with my husband, eat mexican food, watch crappy reality tv and sleep in on the weekends.

I’ve been a professional photographer since 2011 and before that worked as a producer for an advertising agency. My favorite things to shoot are children, especially my own. I love to record real moments in a beautiful, quirky, interesting way. I shoot a lot of different kinds of things, but am focused on commercial and fine art in the future. It is what moves me and drives me. I love to share my journey as well as work with photographers to help them discover their voice and what unique point of view they can show the world. I am an open book when teaching.

I am so excited and honored to be a part of the Residential.

Here is me and the family and a few recent favorite shots.

The post KATE T PARKER – England Here We Come! first appeared on Carolyn Mendelsohn Photography.