The Wise Sea Captain
I am considering using this image in the introduction to the first book in the series The Great Face Race. I know what your thinking: “But it’s not a face?!” Yes, it’s not a face. But the story behind the photograph really embodies the spirit of my project.
I captured this image during a recent trip to Delray Beach, Florida where I was instructing at a workshop. I hadn’t been outside of the hotel for the entire week during the workshop, but had about an hour to kill before leaving for the airport. Walking the beach, I spotted this bird, seemingly gazing out to sea like a wise and solemn sea captain would do.
There were many other birds scrambling around on the beach and taking to flight for brief bits of time, but this bird continued to stare out to sea. Wanting to capture the image, I tried to move in closer for the shot. The bird stayed put and maintained his introspective pose. His tolerance of my attempt to photograph him was surprising.
Getting closer, I realized I would need to get low for the best shot. This presented some issues for me, as recent knee surgery and rehab prevented me from squatting. As I blundered about, trying to get low to the ground, the bird averted his gaze from the sea and looked over at me. He didn’t move. He watched as I clumsily lowered my self to the ground with what would have been a thud had I not been standing on sand. He then returned his gaze to the sea.
I am absolutely certain that he realized my predicament, and funny as it sounds, I felt his compassion. He allowed me to continue photographing for quite some time. Occasionally, he would glance at me to see how I was doing, and then he would return to his pose of wisdom.
This bird displayed wisdom, tolerance and compassion. Three of the qualities that The Great Face Race project attempts to foster. I like this image, because of the symbolism. The gazing bird symbolizes wisdom; his shadow, through the passing of time, symbolizes tolerance; and his reflection symbolizes empathy and compassion.
I know that these qualities exist not just in humans, but in parts of the animal kingdom as well. My grandmother shared with me something she learned about elephants on a visit to Africa. She said they are loving creatures who greet and embrace each other with their trunks, and who shed real tears when one of their herd dies. I had a Senegal parrot one time that loved to kiss and cuddle. And we all know that dogs are defined by their love and compassion.
My point is that love and compassion have universal potential. We are here to learn to love ourselves and to love one another. The first step toward universal love is understanding. With an open heart, understanding leads to compassion, and compassion leads to love.
I ask you now to take that first step toward understanding. Open your mind, your eyes and your heart, and you may come to look past differences and begin to see the similarities that unite us all.
Kick Off Event
The official kick off event in the studio was a success! Tons of fun, and participants are referring others that they know to participate. The success of the project really depends on the participation of many, many people of all ages, backgrounds, and types. So, consider participating yourself, and spread the word!
Mothers and Daughters — a theme?
The Great Face Race is expected to be a series of books over several years. The first issue will be a cross-section of all ages, all backgrounds and all types of people. Subsequent issues are expected to follow specific themes.
In the studio these last two Saturdays, an unexpected theme has become very apparent. I will definitely need to incorporate this into a book of its own:
Best Friends
Yesterday was the last of “trial runs” in the studio before my kick-off event this Saturday. I had two best friends in the studio. They were excited to participate in the project, and also to get some fun “buddy pics” for themselves. I just acquired some fun new wardrobe items, so after our traditional session, we took some time to play around.
Samantha, 20, works for a loan coordinator, and is a painter. She feels she is defined by her art. She hopes to become everything God wants her to become and hopes that she “steers straight”. She’s already had much of success, and has won many art competitions. In spite of that she believes one of her biggest challenges is still conquering her dreams.
Tara, 22, is a full time college student and works two jobs. She is enjoying life right now. She feels art defines her and enjoys drawing. She wants two children, a boy and a girl, and has already chosen their names! The most important thing in her life is her family and friends. She makes sure to tell them every day how important they are to her because you never know when your last day together will be.
Mother and Daughters
Saturday was another great “Trial Run” for The Great Face Race. By this time, t-shirts and promotional materials had arrived. I learned I had t-shirts in sizes from 3 months to 4XL….the juxtaposition is fascinating ! I hope to get participants to fill all sizes of t-shirts as the juxtaposition of faces will be even more remarkable!
This day was a short one, with only 3 participants: a mother and her two daughters. But, it was powerful. It’s days like this that reinforce my confidence that this project is going to be absolutely incredible!
Mary Jo, 46, considers her role to be a strong, independent woman for her daughters to see. Besides teaching parents in teen shelters, she is a parent, a wife, a sister, a friend and a liberal woman. Her biggest accomplishments are her children, her 25 years of marriage, and surviving cancer TWICE. She is challenged daily by trying to be the person she knows she is inside. Her hope for the future is to be here to see her children grow and reach their dreams. Her own dream is to become an author.
Anna, 16, is a writer. She’s always been writing. In fact, she tells people’s stories for them when they cannot, and her dream is to become a best selling author. She works to overcome depression and OCD and is challenged by spelling. She believes her biggest accomplishment has been staying in school. One of the most important things she’s learned is that “Trust is like a mirror. If it breaks, you can fix it, but you can still see the crack”. In reference to being herself, she loves this quote from Dr. Suess, “Those who care don’t matter, and those who matter don’t care.”
Olivia, 15, considers herself to be a dreamer. She works with Model & Talent group, and considers her biggest accomplishment to be getting signed with a modeling agency. She struggles with dyslexia, but her hope for the future is to go far in modeling. The most important thing she’s learned is that it’s not a bad thing to open up to someone. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Trial Run
The official kick of of The Great Face Race is October 9th, but I have several session scheduled ahead of that date to serve as a bit of a trial run.
I started with the first three faces this afternoon in the studio. When the girls arrived, I asked them to complete a short page of questions about themselves. It took them about 10 minutes, and then we moved into the camera room where the real fun began.
The official t-shirts had not arrived by the time I left for the studio today, so the girls weren’t able to take theirs with them. But, I’m happy to say there was a big box of t-shirts and promotional material waiting for me when I returned home tonight. I’m so excited to start giving the stuff out to participants! There’s everything from 12 months to 3XL…and I hope I get a wide variety of participants over the next few weeks who can fit them all!
Anna, 17, is a sister a daughter and a friend. The most important things she’s learned are her values, her faith and how to deal with problems that may arise. She sings, dances, acts and paints. And, sometimes she faces adversity from her peers. But, her dream is to design a theater and perform in it. Her hope for the future is to settle down and have a beautiful family that loves her, and to be an example for her children.
Alexandria, 22 and Oliva, 2 are mother and daughter. Alexandria is a full-time dental assistant and a single mom and considers it her role to be the best mother her daughter could have. Her biggest accomplishment is bringing her daughter into this world and raising her. She faces challenges from being a single mom and being in a past abusive relationship. But, her hope for the future is to find a man who will love her for her and who will be accepting of her daughter. She wants to have more children and live with no regrets. She is defined by her strength, her faith and her optimism.
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The Great Face Race project is going on Wednesdays and Saturdays in my Crossroads Studio. I encourage you to participate in this amazing project. Feedback so far has been amazing. Take a look at the schedule and choose a time to come in for just a few minutes. I promise you that you will be glad you did.
Check back in a couple weeks when the project travels to a local business (I’m sure you’ll know this one) so that all of their employees can participate in The Great Face Race. I’ll be posting some photos and possibly even a video of the event here on the blog, as well as a link to the business’ website. If you work for a business that would like to participate in the project, please give me a call or send me a quick email. I’d love to talk to you about it.
Kick Off Event October 9th from 10:00 – 5:00e
Everyone is invited to attend the official kick-off of The Great Face Race on Saturday, October 9th and be included in the first volume of The Great Face Race, scheduled to be out in 2011. Lots and lots of people are needed as models, so plan to attend with friends and family. You don’t have to have any experience in front of the camera….all you need is life experience!! All ages are welcome, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian as a completed model release is required. And, you must SCHEDULE your 15 minute session time. You can schedule your time slot here on the site, or you can call or email me at 913-226-5057 or info@janibryson.com.
** Groups can be photographed together as well as individually, so this is a great opportunity for low, low priced family holiday photos, or buddy photos with your friends.
You’ll get lots of great stuff for attending, including the official t-shirt. Each model for the book series will also receive a participation number. Since the project is predicted to stretch over many years, and include thousands of models, consider joining the project early so that your participation number will be one of the lowest! Later on in the project, trading cards may be introduced, and if so, your lower participation number will make you more “collectible”!!
You’ll need to wear a solid white shirt with no logos, and bring at least one other shirt (ideas for other shirts are solid color with no logo, job related uniform, etc).
The studio is located at 1800 Central, #302, Kansas City, MO 64108. Ring buzzer #11 when you arrive and we’ll ring you up.
It Starts Today!!
Today I start to make a long time dream of mine come true. I do hope you will decide to make a difference and be a part of The Great Face Race. Take a look around the site and let me know if you have any questions! Here we go….
