1. Imagine all the kids in Detroit just waiting for someone to care… We had kids in my grade school & neighborhood with similar stories,  2 murdered by their father.  Wealthy sheltered Americans keep their eyes shut, keep adopting kids from Africa, building schools & hospitals in Africa and turn your back to the kids in your own back yard.  

     

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  3. Shooting the Berlinale…

    I normally don’t photograph people, events or hollywood so the Berlinale is something quite different for me.  The nonstop 10 days of socializing can exhaust any introvert into hibernation… although I met many lovely people, I was left feeling empty and have been reflecting why?  Most are excited, feeding on the glitz, glamour and parties…   I cant help but see the tiredness on the celebs face in between shots, taking moments to themselves by looking down or away.  Empty smiles and lusterless eyes humoring the crowd and cameras.  Most questions at the conferences are frivolous but the congenial guests answer gladly. The photos I took are pointless, they just feed an insatiable machine.  The factory runs, celebs do what they are told, while the photographers shoot as many photo’s their memory card will allow.  Gave me the same feeling I get watching an “all you can eat buffet”… or watching kids play Billiards, just pointing the stick in a direction and hoping any ball goes into any pocket… the intention, thought and Art - is lost.   I tried to keep true to myself amongst this contrived chaos, but its just not me, doesn’t feel honest. I need to contribute, capture substantial images that must be documented, shared and give me a sense of purpose.  Can I hear an Amen!

     

  4. A caught moment of my twin sister +  me from the other side of the camera….  thanks Pietro Coccia!

     

  5. Finding Vivian Maier - Official Movie Trailer

     

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  7. PardéClosed Curtain

    While taking my dog for a walk inside the warrrmm mall area, I noticed a group watching her. I thought perhaps they were Muslim and out of respect kept my dog at a distance…  But then they came over to pet her!  We spoke for some time and discovered they were here for the Festival, from Iran.  This confused me until I learned about their film -  The man photographed with my dog is Kamboziya Partovi the leading actor in the film Pardé (Closed Curtain) which “centers on an isolated man who is taking care of an abandoned dog - in itself a subversion since dogs are considered unclean by many in Islam.”  I am eager to see how this film is perceived with the Islamic culture, how it places in the Berlinale and if it wins- how the Director will respond from his lockdown in Iran.  Never the less - Congratulations! 

     

  8. Director and Producer of “Dark Blood”, George Sluizer at Berlinale Film Festival.

     

  9. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

    My favorite Cult photographer Maxime Ballesteros photographed me for CRUSH magazine.  Here is a Valentines Day sample….  Vladi admires my red soles.

    www.maximeballesteros.com

     

  10. “Roses are red,

    Violets are blue,

    Vodka is cheaper,

    then dinner for two.”