 |
|
|
|
Why?
What a question. Really, just think about it. How would you answer? Amazingly to me, "why" is probably the big question that has occupied my mind nearly my whole life. Honestly, I can't say that I ever got an answer until I started doing photography. Do you want to know my answer? Really it's quite simple.
Why not?
There are so many things you can do through photography. You can tell a story, express an emotion, create art, but the most impressive thing to me is that what you can do with photography is capture a moment, just a fraction of a second, of eternity. I mean really, who can say they did that? That is the real truth.
P.S.
To all aspiring photographers. It's not about capturing the perfect picture. Really, it's the flawed ones that answer the big question.
– Tasj K. |
| |
Barbara Kinney moved to Washington DC after college with a photojournalism degree and $300 in her pocket, eager to find a job in the news business. One day, she heard that a newspaper called USA Today was just starting up. Joining the paper one week before its debut issue, Barb worked her way up from office assistant to staff photographer and finally, picture editor.
Years later, while freelancing as a photographer in DC, she received a phone call from a friend who was working in the First Lady's press office. Bill Clinton had just been elected to his first term, and the office needed someone to photograph Hillary Clinton for one week of the inauguration. Barb filled the spot, which eventually turned into a full-time job as staff photographer for the White House, where she served for six and a half years. Her photographs have appeared on the covers of TIME and Newsweek magazines and in various national and international publications.
After 21 years in DC, Barb relocated to Seattle in 2002. During a visit back to DC, Barb dropped in to see Hillary in her Senate office. She told the senator that if she were ever to run for president, she wanted to photograph her along the way. In response, Hillary said, "Sure—if I'm ever crazy enough to do that." When Hillary did end up running, Barb tirelessly lobbied Hillary's staff for a position as her campaign photographer. All of her persistence paid off when, in February 2008, the campaign staff offered her the job and she left town the very next morning. Although she had to leave her family temporarily, wasn't paid for the first month, and often only had three to five hours of sleep each night, her passion for the work and the reward of being part of a hugely historical moment kept her going until the campaign's end.
This same passion for documenting time through photography led Barb to Youth in Focus when she first moved to Seattle. After learning about the organization through a friend, she became a volunteer mentor and worked with three different students. This experience was just the beginning of her relationship with the organization. In 2004, she began supporting the students in another way—through board service. "Being a photographer is a profession that allows you to see all aspects of life, to visit new places, and learn about them by documenting those places. I want to help introduce kids to this outlet, and to show them that they can pursue a career doing something they love."
On Wednesday evening, June 24, at the Richard Hugo House, Barb will share more about the career she loves. She'll talk about her work as a White House photographer and experience on the 2008 campaign trail. Come hear her stories and help support current and future Youth in Focus students!
See more of Barb's photography on her website: www.barbarakinney.com.
|
A benefit for Youth in Focus:
A Year Like No Other
An evening with Barbara Kinney, campaign photographer for Hillary Clinton
Wednesday, June 24
@ Richard Hugo House, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Light appetizers and refreshments will be served
Relive the drama of the presidential election through the stories and photos of Barbara Kinney, personal photographer to Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign. Barb will take you behind the scenes of the campaign and share photos and stories of this remarkable year in our country's history.
Barb has been an eyewitness to history, serving first for six years as a White House Photographer during the Clinton Administration and recently covering Hillary Clinton's historic presidential run. Her photos of the Clintons have been published on the covers of Time and Newsweek, and American PHOTO named her image of President Clinton with Middle East leaders as one of the "Photos of the Century". She has had a 20-year career as a photographer and photo editor at USA Today, Reuters and the Seattle Times.
This event is a benefit for Youth in Focus, a Seattle youth arts program that, through photography, helps teens develop their creative voices and make positive choices in their lives.
Proceeds will help support YIF's ambitious summer schedule of free classes for underserved youth. If you're already a friend of YIF, bring another friend along. If you're new to YIF, please use this special event as an opportunity to learn firsthand why our students say "Youth in Focus rocks!".
RSVP and Admission
An opportunity to make a gift to support YIF students will be provided at this event.
Suggested donation is $100 per person; all gifts welcome. To RSVP, call 206-723-1479 or email bobp@youthinfocus.org
Space is limited.
Map to Venue:
1634 11th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122
Map, directions and parking
Spring End of Quarter Exhibit
Beginning Basic B&W/Intermediate B&W/Beginning Digital
WHERE: Youth in Focus Gallery
WHEN: On exhibit June 4 – August 10, 2009
ARTIST RECEPTION June 4, 5:30–7:00pm
|
|
