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March 5, 2010
How I Went to a Truck Stop and Got Bit by a Donkey / aka FW8
It is hard to write about things that are meaningful to me. And the Foundation Workshop was very meaningful. It was hard and fun and exhausting and exhilarating. It changed the way I see and nothing is more valuable for my photography than that.
I had an amazing team led by the extraordinary Amy Deputy, who not only does amazing work, but has a heart bigger than the state of Texas. Our mentors were: Huy Nguyen, Rachel LaCour Nieson and Jay Premack. One thing I loved about the team leaders was that they all had skills and personalities that complemented each other. But the most important gift to me was their total generosity with their time, their skills and their energy. We had the only all female team, which I thought was pretty cool. My amazing team members were: Britt Bailey, Gulnara Samoilova, Emmy Sherman, Tak Yi Young and Tina Wilson. We made such a great team--I love them all. And a shout out to Matt Mendelsohn, who is nothing short of splendid. He is not only a great photographer, but a darn good writer to boot.
We were each given an assignment to shoot. Mine was to photograph the opening of a new yoga studio called Get Yogafied and in particular the story of Shana, who is an attorney looking to change her life by helping to open a yoga studio. After reviewing my photos from the first day of shooting, the team leaders decided that that story was complete even without the lawyer angle and that I needed to find something that would challenge me a bit more. So Huy, in his infinite wisdom, thought I should just head up 75 north and find a truck stop to shoot at. So I did. I had never been to a truck stop before and I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was. Only two people did not want me to take their photo. Mostly people just wanted me to listen to their story. Among the many people I met was JR, who works at the adjoining mini mart. He invited me to come to his 280 acre place where he has 40 DONKEYS. So of course I couldn't pass that one up. And Amy came along for the ride.
The final night everyone showed slides of their work and I WAS BLOWN AWAY! If you want to go to a workshop that doesn't talk about marketing, gear or posing, but gets to the heart of photography--the art of telling a story, then this is the one for you. The first day I got there and found out that many people had been before I was confused. I thought "why would you attend the same workshop more than once?" Now I am mentally saving my pennies to go back next year.
Below are three slideshows that show what I shot while I was there. You should definitely check out Anna Kuperberg's amazing photos of the week here and Vlad's fabulous video here.
Posted by Bonnie Berry at March 5, 2010 2:33 PM
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So much fun! I love the donkey ones most I think. Their ears!
if i put a motion picture camera in your hands would you shoot my feature film? the feel of the diner is like a coen brothers film..
Now that is quite a contrast, and that is what I love about you, Bonnie Berry...among many other things.
The truck stop. I can see so many stories there. The picture with the female cook framed in the window is exquisite. It reminds me of the Nighthawks by Hopper.
I am absolutely crazy about the diner series. That type of storytelling and (I am having a hard time putting it into the right words) hinting at background stories and visual eavesdropping is the exact pinpoint of what type of photography makes me love photographs. I am fucking up this description/compliment. I love it. And great call on the Cash.
P.S. Is it really REALLY possible that you've never been to a truck stop??! Really? I just can't fathom it.
Mel: No never been to a truck stop. But then again I am from Yuppieville USA (aka Marin County, California).
It's nice to see your edit from these experiences and the thoughtful way you presented them here.
How wonderful!
Bonnie, These are great! I can't believe you were bitten by a donkey, that's hilarious. Did I ever tell you my emu story?
Bonnie, you are the truest "documentarian" that I know right now. The slides, along with the perfect music, and simple words were just perfect and I didn't want them to end.
I kept hoping to see my Dad in the truck stop set.
I want to hear more about this - it sounds really altering.