Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Tonight after the workshop we headed straight to the north of France to have dinner with a group of photographers. Those of you that know me know that I need time to get away, time alone to refresh and I really haven't had that in a couple of weeks now. So I admit I didn't go into tonight with the best attitude.

So we arrived - looked over some photos and then had a nice dinner. Near the end of dinner a photographer came up and through some broken English and some translation shared the struggles she's having being a young female photographer. I was taken back. It's hard for me to relate, understand or try and give advice in some situations but somehow Jean, me, and Vanessa were able to really encourage her.

And what I realized was that this is something that every single person in the world can do. Ya see it didn't take any background or special knowledge or understanding...all it took was the willingness to get over myself and be fully there with her. We all have the power to lift people up and it can really change their world... and I can't remember a time I've felt the way I did after that conversation. Seeing hope in her eyes was such a gift to me.
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12 comments:

Deyl said...

dude you've always been able to give that gift

Sarah Barlow said...

So true! That's my favorite feeling in the whole world! It always feels like you can totally just fly after that! And the amazing part is that it probably helped you more than it helped her!:)

Shannon said...

deyl is completely right!! you are soooo amazingly blessed with that gift...it's just an ora around you. you use it well and it affects people so much!! sounds like Paris was a perfect thing for you! Have fun and I cannot wait to catch up once you are back in the US of A.

Kevin Von Qualen said...

yeah! thanks for always sharing that gift too! even with complete strangers :)

Paige Kearin said...

Awesome. I read some where that we know if we are being a good leader if we see that twinkle in the eyes of those we lead.

Paige Kearin said...

Hey Group- My friend is getting married on Sun Oct 21 in Santa Barbara and looking for a wedding videoagrapher. She's on a very low budget. Do you know anyone who might be open to doing it for free or almost free to shoot the ceremony and then 1 hour of the reception? If not how about anyone good that would be really worth the money? Thanks for your recommendations.

Ana Gabriela said...

I agree with Sarah!

enjoy your stay!

Be blessed.

|| davidjay || said...

You guys are so wonderful and it's my friendships with all of you that keep me going....being able to hear from you and keep in touch is such a huge blessing. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Translation for french peoples :

Ce soir après la formation, nous sommes parti directement dans le nord de la France où nous avions un dîner avec un groupe de photographes. Certain d'entre vous savent que j'ai besoin d'un certain temps avant de partir, seul pour me rafraîchir l'esprit, et cela faisait deux semaines que je n'avais pas eu cette occasion. Donc j'admet que je n'allais pas à cette rencontre dans les meilleures conditions.

Donc nous arrivons, observons quelques photos et avons un bon dîner. Vers la fin du repas, une photographe vient vers moi pour m'expliquer dans un anglais approximatif aidé de traductions de l'entourage, combien elle a du mal à être une jeune femme photographe. J'étais tout retourné. C'est dur pour moi de me mettre à sa place, de la comprendre ou d'essayer de lui donner des conseils dans cette situation, mais avec l'aide de Jean-François et Vanessa, nous avons été capable de l'encourager.

Et ce que j'ai réalisé c'est une chose que chacun d'entre nous tous dans le monde pouvons faire. C'est vrai que je n'ai aucune compétence, connaissance ou héritage particulier... Tout ce que je j'ai fait c'est d'apporter ma bonne volonté et d'être totalement à ses côté. Nous avons tous le pouvoir d'aider les gens et cela peut changer leur monde... Et je ne peux exprimer de ce que j'ai pu ressentir à cet instant après notre conversation. Voir l'espoir renaître dans ses yeux a été pour moi un cadeau.

Anonymous said...

David Jay Rocks !
Séverine Gervois, the young female photographer you've meet, she's really happy to having chat with you.
Thank you DJ for sharing your time with us.

Jord said...

A very wise man for such a young age... wink

Emmanuel Speciale said...

It's so strange what we can feel after a conversation like that...