Hi
I’m Barbara
I was raised by a library. From my very first visit I understood that the world of knowledge was available at my fingertips.
I loved diving into fiction, to live another person’s life. To see and feel and experience life through their particular lens. To live in other countries, speak other languages, exist in other times. Love, loss, being born, and dying, all of human experience, on every page wrapped up in a beautiful book.
Books have held my fascination ever since. As a photo editor at the newswires, I’ve been fortunate to have witnessed the human existence in detail, seen the depth of suffering around the world, and also the greatest triumphs.
My ability to tune in, listen, observe, understand and then capture someone’s story continues to enforce my belief that we are all connected, sharing this living experince. It’s how I feel most human.
My Principles
Empathy & Compassion
I’m priviledged that people feel comforted by sharing their life stories, their most difficult times, their greatest pains, and their happiest moments with me, and do so easily. I am able to feel their experience along with them.
Trust
Being open and sharing your life with someone who is a stranger requires a lot of trust. I respect the sacredness of people letting me into their worlds. I listen without judgement, and vow the utmost in confidentiality.
The Details
The smallest of details can change a story’s meaning, so it’s important to get them right. Meticulous attention, with questions that get to the deeper heart, I make sure to fill in any gaps, exploring the full picture.
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My Unique Lens
Perspective is everything. I’ve been told that how I see things, process events, take in an experience, is unique. This is a skill earned from a life lived unconventionally, a gift that allows a grander oversight.
A.I.
Why Not Use A.I.?
The first answer is simple. It’s not human. It cannot understand the human experience.
There are many programs that will put a ‘book’ together. They are made by simple questions that take an answer and plop it into a book, adding in your photos. It’s one dimensional, has no ability to understand your story, it simply copies and pastes.
What A.I. cannot do:
- Understand nuance
- Know when details are missing
- Comprehend meaning or importance
- Find the story in what is not said
- Read between the lines
- Fit together pieces of a life to tell a story with heart