ETHIOPIA

Throughout my journey to impoverished countries all over the world, one trait has reigned true: warmth. No matter what stressful situation or unknown location we find ourselves in, there is always a good person we meet among the madness. Good people are everywhere, even in the darkest, most forbidden war-torn corners of earth. These good people are responsible for uplifting others and guaranteeing people like you are aware of the problems that many face, everyday.

When I was first offered the opportunity to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I was really unaware of those problems and issues that plagued the city and the country as a whole. On the minimal available information I had been given, it was tough to wrap my head around what we would be doing or why we would be there. There is so little awareness and so little knowledge that I was forced to dive deeper and I only scratched the surface project. We give a grant to those world-wide foundations that need it most. The grant provides the opportunity to document, capture and provide the right tools, so these initiatives can raise awareness and gain traction for further funding. Our project in Ethiopia focused on the foundation “Youth Impact” which provides shelter, food and a solid path for homeless children located in the city of Addis Ababa.

Due to famine and communist civil war, nearly 60% of Ethiopia, Africa is under the age of 18 and of that demographic nearly 100,000 children are completely homeless and suffer from tremendous injustice. Poverty, addiction, prostitution and disease. Some children, just 6 years of age roaming the streets of the city. There is an extreme lack of leadership, parents and grandparents. It is a country of youth. Unfortunately, much of the world is ignorant to this injustice and only a brave few have taken the step to witness the problem then follow up with action. Before I even stepped off the plane, I knew it would be an experience, but I was unaware of the impact it would actually have.

While preparing for this project, everything suddenly changed. Although, Ethiopia is well-traveled by tourism, it’s also a country that is weary of exploitation. Just days before our date of departure, we hit a speed bump and had to re-think our strategy for both entering the country and the equipment we would haul. Our usual gear list consists of cameras, lenses, tripods, grip equipment, lighting, stands, sliders, and stabilizers. We had to break it down to something with a smaller footprint and less conspicuous. We had to play the tourist and travel completely under the radar, which isn’t easy for a professional production crew. Luckily, thanks to the efficiency of LensRentals, we were able to grab the right lightweight and mobile tools for the job on top of a stripped down version of our normal equipment list.

There was still one issue to overcome. I knew the project would involve children who have struggled. Children who have stories. I wanted to tell their story the only way I know how, through imagery. I decided to develop a portrait series of both children right off the streets as well as adults that have grown through the Impact program. I wanted to bring the aesthetic of my portrait work blended with a journalistic mood. That style involved creating a custom canvas soley designed from the ground up for this series. I consulted many weeks with Chelsea Niemeier, a local artist who creates custom backdrops. Unfortunately, I could not travel with a nine foot backdrop, so it had to be small, small enough to fit into a travel kit. We landed on a 3x4 drop that could be rolled around a Manfrotto 2983 Adjustable Background Holder Crossbar and then placed into a case which would house our Benro MoveOver8 Dual Carbon Rail Slider. Due to weight, we couldn’t pack any light stands, so I would have to hash out how to rig the background while on the ground.

After days of packing and working through the new gear, we had a solid gameplan and only one equipment kit per person. We could only cross our fingers to avoid any questions and hurdles during our entry into the country. Upon landing in Addis Ababa, I was nervous. I was stopped due to my camera kit having to be checked in Frankfurt, Germany. I fought it, but to zero prevail. The crew moved ahead and I was all alone in the Addis Ababa airport. Although, I attempted to catch up with the crew in the customs line, there were some unhappy customers who didn’t let me move ahead of the line, which took hours. But, I eventually got through by paying close attention to others moving faster through the checkpoint. By the time I entered the baggage claim, the crew had disappeared, so I kept pushing forward and was able to squeeze past a rope avoiding the final security checkpoint. Once I stepped outside the airport a weight fell off my shoulders, but I still had to find the team. After a small walk through the parking lot, I stumbled upon Reid, Justin and Coury sticking out among the African mob. We made it.

We were met by a man named Abraham Fiseha, who was at the helm of Youth Impact. He was well dressed and had a full head of white hair. Well spoken in English, he immediately came across as kind and warming. His demeanor was the comfort we needed after the long trip. We arrived to our hotel, which was unexpectedly more upscale then we had imagined for a 3rd world country. After a quick rundown of our schedule, we hit the rooms. Our week would start at sunrise.

THE CULTURE

At first sight I was shocked. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia isn’t the Africa I had been first introduced to. It is very different from Tanzania, which I visited in June of 2015 for The Waterboys Initiative. Ethiopia is far more developed, but more crippled. I recongized a small Western influence, but nothing like I’ve seen in alternate countries such as India. Ethiopian people are proud of their culture, religion and heritage. But, their eyes gave me a sense of desperation for more; a need to reach and achieve a better life.

Addis Ababa is beautiful, but broken. As we traveled down the streets we saw an extreme juxtaposition of humanity. Although much of the demographic is young, I immediately noticed a difference between new and old. The fashion was all across the board, from western hip skinny jeans and fake leather Air Jordan’s to authentic long white Africa dress that covered most of the body and head. And, underneath the clothing I didn’t see much happiness.

Photographing this project in Addis Ababa was one of the most difficult assignments I’ve had. Much of the content I photograph is street photography and a production-style touch of photojournalism. It’s not what I do nor what I’m known for, it’s something I really enjoy. It takes me outside of my comfort zone and into a life behind the lens. It’s my security blanket in these strenuous and precarious locations. Nevertheless, the people of Ethiopia are terrified of the unknown. Despite our project indirectly saving the lives of their own, they are hesitant of any type of picture, including documentary work. Due to the fear of exploitation, we were met with a lot of resistance and “hands over the face.” It made our job difficult, we had to be quick, inconspicuous and constantly in the shadows.

THE IMPACT

It was our task to focus on a foundation that was impacting the lives of children who so desperately need help. Upon arrival at the shelter, my reaction wasn’t shock, but difficulty. The shelter was small, similar to a one floor ranch-style two bedroom home. The front yard was piled with random rusted debris and the back porch was a concrete dorm with open doors and ropes covered in wet clothing. The shelter is completely surrounded by a 10-foot concrete wall which was embedded with shards of glass; an inferior barbwire. Unfortunately, Youth Impact has trouble keeping their shelters, due to high rent and troubled neighbors who complain about the amount of children populating the home.

Abraham Fiseha is the face of Youth Impact, a soldier of the children. He loves his country and over the years saw a great need to help the needy, which consisted mostly of children. His love for children permeates through the entire program and his thoughtful aura carries the entire shelter with strong leadership and an inspirational message. He wants the youth to succeed and has a deep passion for creating that success for each of the children. He is a hero to thousands. But, Abraham has a secret weapon. His name is Ermias Zeleke. A man with a troubled history and once lived on the streets; now the mentor to dozens of homeless children. Ermias is quiet, calm and collective. He has an amazing smile that can warm the heart in an instant. Many street children are disconnected, they are scared and alone. The street is their home and it’s hard for them to ever leave. Ermias hits the street every single day in attempt to gain the trust of the street children and build a bond so that may accept the opportunity to move into the shelter. It’s not easy, many times requiring months and months of constant inquisition and discourse.

THE SERIES

I had a clear idea of what to expect once we dove into the project. Youth Impact has blazed a trail for dozens of successful business men, architects, carpenters and artists. Once homeless, many Ethiopian Millenials have been saved through the Youth Impact initiative. I wanted to capture not only the current children living through the shelter, but also those blossoming people who had so much to owe to their mentors. It was a humbling experience to photograph this community that has so much to say, but no voice. Hopefully, this series provides that voice that they so yearn to have. This is dedicated to the outstanding team of Youth Impact that is making a significant difference.

Behailu Kassanhun
Orphan, he was taken into Youth Impact and has since graduated with a College degree and teaches Architecture.

Konjit Dejene
Orphan, joined Youth Impact at the age of 17, she has since graduated College and is currently a School Teacher.

Robel Yimer
Orphan, joined Youth Impact at the age of 16, he has since graduated College.

Amanual Haile
Orphan, joined Youth Impact at the age of 12, he has since graduated College.

Genet Fantanhun
Orphan, joined Youth Impact at the age of 14, she has since graduated College and is currently a Elementary School Teacher.

Kidist Tesfaye
Orphan, joined Youth Impact, she has since graduated College and is currently serving at a local hospital as a nurse.

Yemisrach Tesfaye
Orphan, joined Youth Impact at the age of 12, she has since graduated College and is currently serving at a local hospital as a nurse.

Dawet Daneyl
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from the streets of Addis Ababa, he left his home in Ghana to find work in Addis Ababa.

Fekeredin Kiyar
Runaway, joined Youth Impact at the age of 16 from the streets of Addis Ababa. He left a Muslim family.

Junedin Guye
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from a troubled life on the streets of Addis Ababa. He was addicted to glue and hash. He left his rice farm in Ziway for Addis Ababa. He has since rehabilitated.

Mubarek Abedela
Runaway, joined Youth Impact at the age of 16 from the streets of Addis Ababa, he left his home to find better work.

Sebesebea Akalu
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from the streets of Addis Ababa, he left his farm in Ghana to find a better life in Addis Ababa, which resulted in homelessness for over 4 years.

Habetamu Fentetahun
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from the streets of Addis Ababa, he left his farm in Dessie to find a work in Addis Ababa, which resulted in homelessness for 2 years.

Tiwoderos Abebe
Runaway, joined Youth Impact at the age of 18, he left his farm in Ghanda to find a work in Addis Ababa, which resulted in homelessness for several months.

Alem Kere Tiehay
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from a tough life on the streets of Addis Ababa. He has been jailed 8 times for alcohol related crimes. He left his farm in Ghana for Addis Ababa.

Eferem Tesefay
Runaway, joined Youth Impact from the streets of Addis Ababa, he left Ziway to find a work in Addis Ababa, which resulted in homelessness for several months.

We didn’t have a system to rig the beautiful canvas that I had custom painted, so we grabbed what we could from the pile of wreckage on the alley-way next to the Youth Impact shelter, a cracked wooden ladder and trashed twin bed frame. Using a Manfrotto 035 Super Clamp attached to the backdrop, draped over Manfrotto 2983 Adjustable Background Holder Crossbar, we linked the clamp to another Manfrotto 035 Super Clamp and secured it to the debris. Using gaff tape and zip ties we fixed the bottom of the backdrop to avoid kick up from wind.

The light setup was simple; a Profoto B2 Location Kit attached to a Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adapter which we coupled to a Manfrotto 680B Compact Monopod for complete mobility. The Profoto B2 head is modified with a 46” Photo Softlighter II, one of the softest source of modification I’ve ever used. Luckily, I had two trusted assistants who spoke enough broken English to understand my instructions of feathering the light and keeping the strobe consistently directionally opposite the sun.

It was a true honor to hear the stories behind these young adults, who have so much to offer but, nearly had zero foundation to create a life. Fortunately, Youth Impact has provided a reachable dream and given the ladder of victory. Built upon a dark past, they are the future of Ethiopia.

THE BEAUTY

Ethiopia has impacted the world. It tells the legend of being the birthplace of coffee. It’s also known for being the possible location for the Garden Of Eden, which is so detailed in The Bible. Although, most of our journey took place in the centralized slums of Addis Ababa, on the last leg of our adventure, we left the smoggy city and ventured out the the beautiful pastures of Ethiopia. We eventually landed at the Ethio German Park Hotel in the heart of the Blue Nile Gorge. A historical land of wild baboons, unique plant-life and mile-high canyons. The jagged rock and sandy-brown texture painted a beautiful landscape that overlooked thousands of acres of farmland and housing. I remember sucking in the fresh air for a momentary high after a long arduous week of documentation.

We were finally able to break out the DJI Inspire Drone and capture the beauty of this amazing country. We spent the first few hours planning specific shots, which had to be captured at specific times. Our final shot would be the biggest obstacle in the entire production. The Blue Nile Gorge consists of a massive waterfall which has helped create the Portuguese Bridge; a rocky structure that has three large arteries. It was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese to cross the epic waterfall. Fortunately, we arrived to the canyon during its driest season. But, there were deep pools that local youth jump into from a thirty-foot craggy overhang. This was our shot, this was our ending. We wanted to capture the thirty-foot jump from three different perspectives; overhead drone, stabilized follow-shot and a static shot down below near the natural pool. After six jumps and a lot of trial & error, we had the shot wrapped. Despite the crew being absolutely beat, we celebrated by making the jump ourselves, in just our underwear.

After a strong day in the Blue Nile Gorge, we high-tailed it back into Addis Ababa. On the way, we dropped by a road-side farmer who farms Injera, which is the main source of food in Ethiopia. The crop was dry, wheat-like and was cut into large bails, similar to Hay. The man was kind and welcoming to a photograph, a refreshing end to a stressful journey.

The flight back to the United States was a long, somber journey. The east coast had been slammed with poor weather and all international flights into the States were immediately cancelled. We tried for hours to connect the dots and make it home in a decent amount of time. Unfortunately, we were not that lucky. We had a 24 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany which actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Despite the lack of sleep it was invigorating to breath in some cold air, trek thorought the Bacharach mountain vineyards and explore the Frankfurt night-life. The late-night strawberry hookah was just the icing on the cake and a takeaway we needed. It took nearly 48 hours to get back into the United States. We had traveled from Africa to Saudia Arabia to Germany to Texas and finally to our destination, but I couldn’t help but reflect on the week in Africa. The world is such a big place; I’m just so blessed to have the opportunity to see it.

Our experience changed me. I now drink coffee and I obsess over Ethiopian spices. On a deeper level, I came back to the United States with a new found respect for those helping others and raising a community. When I am asked about Ethiopia, the first thing I see is the faces of children who had never seen themselves in a photograph. I only hope my photography and our films can shape the lives of people all over the world.

INDIA

I always seem to start these posts with a philosophical statement or an excuse on why it’s been so long. At times, I’ll look at my watch and wonder where the day has gone. Other times, I’ll sit; staring at a blank document hoping words will magically appear. Being a full-time photographer requires consistent hard work and energy when you have no stamina to give. When I think of my travels through India, my brain and body feel an instantaneous exhaustion. It’s not easy to push out a post of this magnitude when the experience was a narrative of tremendous strain, pressure, beauty and elation. Although, I’m relieved to be in the comfort of my own home, I can’t help but think of the people that still live in that rabid environment and extreme culture every single day. I could describe every point and highlight of our travels and production, but I’ll let the images tell the story. After all, that’s what I do. I’m a creator and image maker. I take a vision or moment and bring it to a tangible state of living.

Dr. Ananthi Jebasingh is considered the modern day Mother Theresa of India. She has saved the lives of thousands of children all across the slums of New Delhi, India. She started her school in a public toilet with 5 students and now has over 5,000 students in several locations. Her school “The Good Samaritan” is headed by a foundation called “The Friends of the Good Samaritan.” This foundation partnered with my friends at Nadus Films to provide a narrative short film that could be promoted to the West for potential child sponsors and investors. With the United States at the forefront, the content had to be warm and inviting, but also dramatic, in attempt sell a deep awareness for the trouble that has developed in New Delhi, India over the course of hundreds of years. Over population and financial struggles have sent the public into a downfall of poverty, serious health concerns and unlawful living conditions. Along with the short film, our job was to capture it all; the good, the bad and the ugly.

Fortunately, the flight to and from New Delhi was relatively painless. It was the longest international flight I had ever been on; it was also the most comfortable. I traveled light once again; I packed all my personal effects such as clothing, health kit and bigger items such as my 3 Legged Thing Monopod and a 46” Photek Softlighter in my checked baggage. I carried along my Canon 5D Mark III, Sony A7II, multiple lenses and Profoto B2 Location Kit in a Think Tank Photo Airport Security then stuffed my laptop, chargers and accessories into my Swiss-Army backpack. I carried a heavy load, but I felt it necessary to protect my equipment with my life, I will never trust international customs. Upon arriving, we were immediately taken aback by the extreme humidity and heat. It was like a punch to the gut and a gallon of salt-water thrown on your face. Then, walking into our living quarters for the production, we were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, it looked somewhat clean, but pitch dark and zero accommodations such as no working internet connection, no air conditioning and no food. Welcome to India.

Albeit, we had booked in the most secure and pleasant hotel in the area, we were still located in the poorest outskirts of New Delhi. It was a struggle to communicate with the hotel staff as they resembled a 17-year-old American teenager who was working at Subway after school for side drug money. Over the course of the next two weeks it was a constant battle to receive what they considered luxuries and we considered daily life. Cold showers and late-night rooftop cigarettes were a blessing in disguise. Beers had to be fetched from a local market.

The first few days of production were tough; every morning was similar to a military man prepping for battle. We figured out what to wear, what gear to travel with and what headspace to be in. As soon as we stepped foot on the ground the sweat beads began to form and soon enough; our clothing would be completely soaked from head to toe. The front glass element of our lenses required at least 45 minutes to acclimate to the brutal humidity that the monsoons brought forth.

Our production began in the heat of it all; the slums. The poorest classes of people are known as “The Untouchables.” These people live in small concrete fortifications, literally on top of themselves. These slum shelters are completely illegal, but are guarded by the Delhi mafia who pay off select government officials who allow the landlords to operate these incredibly unsafe domains. The slums were rough; the smell resembled a mildew rag soaked in fresh vomit, microwaved and thrown into a toilet of hot curry. The heat and rain didn’t help. The quarters were extremely tight and when our crew arrived, you would have thought Elvis had shown up; people flocked to witness the production. People gathered by the dozens and in the marketplace, people gathered by the hundreds.

Amidst, all the trash and illegality of the slums lived a series of schools. And, it was clear; “The Good Samaritan” is the highlight of each and every student’s life. The main branch is a giant building, similar to a hospital with dozens of classrooms and hundreds of students. The textures tell a long history of battle and many different owners. In contrast, the second location is nestled into small living space with a small group of students, settled right outside the Dakshinpuri slum. The third location is on the outskirts of Delhi and is a standalone building consisting of a few classrooms, an open toilet and two offices. This location also hosted the Christian church, where many students and teachers would worship every Sunday for several hours. Photographing Dr. Ananthi Jebasingh was a true honor and privilege. Her quiet demeanor and warm personality shine through the photographs and her leadership is a staple for the schools and children that attend those schools.

Throughout our journey and production, I had days where I had to squash the feeling of sickness and keep pushing through the sweat and tribulation of the day. Even on off days; through the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Camel excursion through the base of the Neemrana Fort in Rajasthan, the sudden monsoon at the Jama Masjid Muslim mosque and even the late night celebrations at the Underdoggs Sports Bar… it was a quest for adventure that took strength and will to experience.

At the end of our production, we had the freedom to travel to various cities in the continent; we choose the beautiful Darjeeling, India. Known for their spectacular Himalayan views, fresh tea and unique oriental culture. Right at the base of Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, Darjeeling was by far the most incredible city I’ve ever seen. The trek required a quick plane ride to Bagdogra, India then a three-hour commute by truck. We were relived when we finally arrived to our final destination. Our mountian-side hotel was quaint with a spectacular view. We fought mildew and damp sheets ever night, but it was all worth the rich adventure. On the third morning, we trekked up to Tiger Hill in attempts to catch a glimpse of the Himalaya mountain range. As the clouds loomed over and the sun peaked through, Mount Everest shows its face for the first time in over 15 days. A Buddhist woman began to worship and sing enchanting songs of praise. It was a moment I will never forget.

On our final day in Darjeeling, security was at an all-time high due to India’s Independence Day and people were wild in celebrations. We decided to take advantage of the holiday and cross the border into Nepal. With the bribe of two Military leaders, we were given the opportunity to cross and grab a quick warm beer. Although, our passage was short-lived, it was completely worth the trip through the ancient-tropical-leech-invested Sukhiapokhri Forest.

Every day presented a new challenge and a new life experience. I’ve seen things that not many people have the opportunity to see and I’ve visited sites that represent a solid mark in my ever expanding career. This trip was a marker point on the road map to being the man and photographer I want to be. As I took my seat on the plane home to the states(after four insane security checkpoints) I felt more inspired than ever to accomplish my personal and professional goals and felt a breath of pure happiness, something of which I have not felt in quite some time.

Coury, Reid, Justin and I couldn’t have done it without the help of some very important people on the ground, such as our wild driver Bitu, our translator George and our guide Sharon. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this wild undertaking such a grand success.

TANZANIA

I’ll be honest; I haven’t been inspired to write much this year. I was hit with a few personal hurdles early in the year and I decided to take this year to re-align with myself and really start improving my lifestyle. It started with my health and wellness both physically and mentally. I knew it would be a year of personal growth, but when I stated I was truly blind to just how much growth I would achieve through life experiences. Although my career has never really slowed down, I’ve finally began to balance life and career. I’ve never been happier.

If you could describe my travels thorough Tanzania, Africa in one word; indescribable. It was the adventure of a lifetime and I’m blessed that I was able to visit such a beautiful country. I can’t go into every detail, but I can highlight some of the more memorable moments over the course of seven days.

Several months ago I was approached by Coury Deeb of Nadus Films to head over to Tanzania, Africa with director of photography, Justin Gustavison, to capture production photography for a short documentary. The project; the Waterboys Initiative.  A non-profit foundation that builds water relief wells in rural villages all over the country of Tanzania. Waterboy Inititive was founded by Chris Long of the St. Louis Rams and to promote the foundation he brought on Doug Pitt (Goodwill Ambassador Of Tanzania), John Bongiorno (President, WorldServe) and Nadus Films to build content to be pushed through the NFL and various other major contributors.  The content is to raise awareness as well as to gain the attention of more celebrities, players and investors.

Logistically, this trip would be an adventure and a lot packed into a short amount of time. We had to be prepared for any circumstance and any scenario that was thrown in our lap. I spent a full day prepping my camera and lighting kit to be completely portable and low profile.  With my ThinkTankPhoto Airport Security, I packed a Profoto B2 Location Kit, Canon 5D Mark III, Sony A7II as well as lenses and every accessory I could possibly need in the African bush. Luckily, our friends at B&H Photo and Profoto stepped in to sponsor our travels, so we had the right gear to tackle the job.

WEATHER DELAY

I knew this wouldn’t be a quick flight over to Tanzania. But, what was supposed to be a 24 hour trip turned into a two day adventure to make denature times, all due to weather. Unfortunately, we were grounded in Atlanta for a day with none of our luggage. I seemed to remember complaining about the absence of my toothbrush, when I realized I was about to head into a culture where a toothbrush may be a considered a luxury. I’ve never actually had to pull a “Home Alone” and run full speed through an airport until this trip. Myself, Coury and Justin took a full sprint from one end of the Amsterdam airport to the other end to catch our flight to Kilimanjaro. Flights are never comfortable; 9 hour flights are especially uncomfortable. I seemed to hit a wall and became very ancy after the third movie hit the credit roll. It’s impossible for me to sleep on a plane, so stretching near the bathrooms and giving my legs some “exercise” was the only remedy from the insanity.

When we arrived to the Kilimanjaro airport and made it through customs, we all lit up a celebratory cigarette, it was the best smoke I’ve ever had and I don’t smoke. The air was fresh and there was a energetic aura among us. We we’re driven to the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania by a private guide. The hotel was incredibly swanky and nice, an extreme contrast to the world and culture on the outside.

ARUSHA MARKET

My first experience in Africa would be an interesting and incredibly hectic one. In two Safari trucks we were driven down to the local Arusha market to get in some documentation of Chris Long and his wife Meg. We were told to keep all valuables and jewelry secured and safe. As soon as the car hit park, we jumped out of the truck first. Suddenly, we were mobbed by a large crowd of people, who were either attempting to sell and barter or simply made money by being a translator or guide. Luckily, our drivers could translate Swahili for us and directed us to the right people. The market was beautiful, rich and colorful. The culture was fruitful, vibrant and loud. As we made our way through the nooks and crannies of the market I was snapping the shutter like a madman, I couldn’t keep up with the photographic opportunities, it was overwhelming. I did my best to focus on the project at hand, that being Chris Long, but my eyes constantly wandered to the better subject matter.

VILLAGE IN THE DUST

I didn’t exactly ever know where we would land hour after hour. I suppose that was the thrill of it. I knew we were heading to a remote village, but I wasn’t truly aware of how remote. When we pulled off the main road and started driving into a desert with no roads, I knew this was the adventure we had asked for. This path was rough and extremely bumpy; it could make someone with a steel stomach feel weak. About an hour of winding through trees and dust we arrived to people running from one end of the village to the other in an extreme dust storm. It was the most incredible sight I have ever seen. Out of the dust emerged a indigenous people who treated us like celebrities. We immediately got to work and I began snapping away. The dust added a compelling element to every single shot. It was excessive and overwhelming, but it opened visual opportunities we couldn’t pass. We finished the day with a quick 30 minute photoshoot, where I did my best to capture the emotions of Chris, Doug and few of the Maasi. It was a time- pressure situation, but I prevailed with some great imagery. We hopped in the truck and high-tailed it out of the village before sunset, at which time traveling becomes very dangerous.

SAFARI

Even though we had a mission and clear objectives, the most exciting portion of the trip was the Safari. I really didn’t know what to expect. People from all over the world pay thousands of dollars to experience an African safari and here we were. It felt like something out of Jurassic Park, just waiting to see a monster appear out of the century-old-trees. We didn’t have to look far. Giraffe, Elephant, Water Buffalo, Wild Boar, Baboon, Flamingo, Zebra and many more species of animals casually enjoyed their natural habitat. Needless to say, I’ll probably never look at a local zoo the same again. It was a rush and thrill to be in this environment with so many incredible animals that were only feet away.

KILIMANJARO

During our stay in Arusha we happen to meet Adrian McCrae, an Aussie risk-taker who enjoys hang-gliding of mountain tops. Adrian is also an extremely charitable person. We were extremely interested in his stories, so much so he arranged a quick flight up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the seven tallest summits in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,000 feet above sea level and Mount Everest is 24,000 feet above sea level. Only hours before our flight was schedule to head back overseas we jumped into a 4-seat Cessna plane that was smaller than my Nissan. We opened the windows and took off. I was actually quite nervous, the last time I was in a plane that size I had paid to jump out of it (skydiving). It took roughly 30 minutes to reach Kilimanjaro and we did several passes. It was freezing, the temperature had dropped some 40 degrees from sea level, not to mention wind chill. I was able to maneuver a few shots of the summit through the open window. After a few moments tipping the wings we headed back down to the ground and I was relived upon touchdown.

I wish I could do into more detail of each and every moment spent in Tanzania. The people are beautiful and so is the landscape, they make it easy for a photographer like myself. Even though most of the people of Tanzania have probably seen a camera, they are still completely enthralled with the technology. And, they just stare into the lens. I hope I have the opportunity to return one day, but this experience will be something I’ll never forget.

“The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences.” – Christopher McCandless