I spent the day today volunteering photography for a local non-profit here in Esteli, Nicaragua, called Instituto de Formacion Permanente. Among the many things they do in the city and the region, they have a Saturday day camp for children. I joined them in the city at 8am, and we took a packed bus just...
Alberto Gutierrez could be called many things: hermit, farmer, eccentric, recluse, sculptor, folk artist, walking piece of history, national treasure. I don’t know that all of these would be accurate descriptions, but I do know this: he is a talkative, friendly fellow, who loves art, loves poetry, and loves his property in Cerro Jalacate, in...
February 27, 2010 - 1:09 pm - Bravo Fritz! What a lovely character portrait of this talented man. Thanks for a thoughtful view of the country and one of its people.
Now, here is a man who appreciates his craft.
I’ve spent a few hours in the Nica Libre cigar factory here in Esteli, getting to know the process of cigar making, and photographing it. While I don’t care for cigars myself, nonetheless, I find the process to be fascinating and the product to be beautiful. And...
March 11, 2010 - 7:07 pm - James, this isn't a family shop--I'm not sure there are any here. There are 16 fabricas here in Esteli, and this seems to be one of the smaller ones. But they produce a lot of product, and it's well rated in online forums. Remind me when I return; I have a cigar with your name on it!
March 11, 2010 - 7:03 pm - Well Stacee, I didn't take you for a cigar lover, but I'll have one for you when I return!
February 20, 2010 - 12:44 pm - I want a cigar. Is that lengthy?
February 19, 2010 - 8:01 pm - Fritz, thanks for sharing these images from your adventure. It's amazing to see these craftsmen creating a product, by hand, that many of us in the more developed world may take for granted. I can almost smell the pungent air as the fermented tobacco leaves are laid flat and transformed into these beautiful little uniform works of art. Is this a family cigar shop by any chance? James
February 19, 2010 - 7:43 pm - Meaningful or just lengthy? ;) You know I could go on for pages... tee hee I do love the first photograph you posted... seems like he's creating his own job security by smoking his own work. :) I love looking at their hands. They work so hard... most of us have no idea, here in the States, what work like that is like. I love that you not only take beautiful photographs, but that you stop to learn their stories. "Everyone has a story... tell me yours" is a phrase I'm trying to adopt so I'm not tempted to talk too much or make it all about me. :) We miss you guys, but are so thankful you're having a wonderful adventure together! I love that you let us "travel" with you by posting stories and photographs! Thank you for being such an awesome role model in so many ways. (and I'm not saying that for a cigar, I really mean it!) - Stacee
March 12, 2010 - 4:02 pm [...] interesting to note the similarities between cigar making and coffee production, both of which are major enterprises in this area. Listening to someone talk [...]
Nick and Maria came to Portland from Chicago for their New Year’s Eve wedding at the Arista Ballroom. After a beautiful ceremony and dinner, the DJ started spinning some tunes, and didn’t stop until well into 2010. Which is great, because Nick and Maria and their family and friends like to dance!
The Arista is a...
February 14, 2010 - 7:29 pm - Hey! I wanted to say hello and that I LOVE these shots! My name is Ashley and I have a blog all about music at weddings (hifiweddings.com), and I'd love to feature this wedding! Maybe you could put me in touch with the bride to ask about some of the songs they played...but your imagery is wonderful so it would be great to have your presence on the site!
If you’ve watched or read the news this past week, pretty much anywhere in the country, you will have heard the story of the 3 lost climbers on Mt Hood. Luke Gullberg, Anthony Vietti, and Katie Nolan went missing after a climb on Mt Hood on Friday, December 11. Luke’s body was found Saturday, having...
December 22, 2009 - 1:11 am - Wow-how moving are these words! What a life and what a woman-I am honored to have spent a short time on Earth with Katie.
December 21, 2009 - 10:04 pm - JB, her laugh is something I don't think I mentioned in my post, but it certainly was there in my memory of her. An easy smile, an easy laugh, both of which made you feel welcome. I'm pleased the photographs help you remember laughter; that is, perhaps, one of the finest compliments I've ever received. Thank you.
December 21, 2009 - 9:57 pm - Hello Fritz: I grew up with Katie and one of my fondest memories of her was her laugh. She had such a heart-felt laught that made you feel good when you said something funny enough to get it out of her. It is what I will miss most about her and you captured it on camera. I can hear it much clearer in my mind now. Thank you.
December 21, 2009 - 9:31 pm - Hi Fritz. This is a beautiful post. I didn't know Katie personally, but would have liked to. Katie and I had a lot of friends in common so I definitely feel like a hole has been left in my extended community. I love your sentiments as well and feel the same is true for me - the Lord has blessed me with amazing people and relationships and I will be thankful for however long or short the time I get with them is.
December 21, 2009 - 9:24 pm - Thank you, Shayna. Capturing the essence of someone in a photograph is a challenge that I have always enjoyed, and I'm encouraged to know that it means so much to other people when I do so.
December 21, 2009 - 8:48 pm - Thank you so much for your post and tribute. I have had one of the photos of Katie that you took on my fridge since she sent it to me at Christmas a few years ago. I thought your photos captured a Katie who was healing and whole. I love that photo. Thank you
December 21, 2009 - 3:29 pm - Hi Fritz Thanks for your very nice tribute to Katie. Thanks for being her friend. David Nolan (Katies Dad)
December 21, 2009 - 1:19 am - Thanks, Kristi. I'd sure love to see a her gap filled by many more people like her. I've been praying in a similar way. May we each be one of them.
December 20, 2009 - 10:19 pm - Thank you Fritz...this is so well put.
December 20, 2009 - 9:54 pm - Fritz, I watched the coverage on Katie's situation, and felt such a burden to pray. The more I find out about the kind of woman she was, the more I understand why. Without knowing any of these things about her, I felt compelled to pray that God would raise up others to fill the huge gap that will be left on this earth, due to her departure. Now I understand why. Thank you for putting this together to honor her and the person she was. Sincerely, Kristi Kernal
December 20, 2009 - 5:03 am - wow, Fritz - I didn't know her but feel the empty space she has left behind.....however, not so empty as I read your words about her. I picture her with the great cloud of witnesses that surround us challenging us to continue to run. Thanks for your words and pictures. -t
December 29, 2009 - 10:19 pm [...] of climber and friend Katie Nolan was painful for many in Portland and around the world. You can read my tribute to her on my blog. The Associated Press picked up some of my photos of her, and as a result, they were used all [...]
Nicole told me she was bored with the senior portrait photographers she found in Salem, her home town, where she goes to Blanchet. So when she and her mom started searching for more creative, artistic portrait photographers, they decided on me.
They drove up from Salem to Portland in the pouring rain, and we had an...
Continuing with my string of posts (read the two previous posts) related to Facebook and photography, let me tell you the story of Christine Drazan.
Christine and I were friends in college, nearly 20 years ago, at George Fox. The last time I saw her was at her wedding, in the mid-nineties. As happens in life,...
While in New York for another assignment, I was commenting on Facebook about the constant downpour of rain in the city. I’d noticed that all true New Yorkers have umbrellas–because they walk everywhere. Even their baby strollers have rain covers and windshields. Coming from Oregon, I figured I could handle a little rain. But then...
I met Hannah last year at my local Gyrotonic gym, Center Gyrotonic. She’s been working there part time, around her school schedule, so I’ve chatted with her now and then about art and dance. The owners trust her so much that she runs the place by herself on Saturdays. No wonder; she’s a sharp, intelligent...
If you ever have the opportunity to photograph portraits or a wedding on a university campus, I say: go for it. Manicured grounds, historic buildings, grand vistas. What more could you ask for?
Devon grew up at the edge of Portland’s Reed College, so when we discussed where she wanted to take her senior portraits, Reed...
by fritzphoto
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend