Helping People Tell Their Story with Multimedia and Heartfelt Narratives
I have always felt grateful for glimpses of other people’s lives, whether they are in a foreign country, the American high desert, or an urban slum.
As a photojournalist in war-torn Central America I experienced how people, even in the most dire circumstances, are moved when they are portrayed with dignity. Perhaps this is why it is so important for me to listen. Telling a personal story can impact the teller.
As a published writer, I’ve honed my ability to listen and articulate. My articles, with accompanying photos, have appeared in newspapers and magazines. I wrote, as well as illustrated, a book for Oxford University Press.
I take time with people to establish intimacy so that they trust me. The process is transforming; when they share their innermost feelings, they gain new insights and renewed strength.
One of my mentors, Ed Uzumeckis taught me the transformative power of media-rich digital stories.
The media-rich story goes beyond linear text. Multimedia art incorporates images, video, graphic design, animation, as well as interviews and music. The result is a multi-dimensional narrative that educates, moves, and inspires.
Integrated media storytelling appeals to the heart.
I work collaboratively, including documentaries. Rather than impose my words, I use the raw words of the person interviewed to build a narrative. By sharing the images, draft, or rough cut with them, they become involved participants in their own storytelling process.
They may see their story in a new light, with me by their side, but I am the one who is accountable for its authenticity.
Please feel welcome to wander through this website to experience how I help people tell their stories through words, pictures, and video.
An African-American describes herself in poems, paintings, sculpture, and dance
A New Mexico artist describes his passion for building and racing vintage cars
A Vietnam veteran describes his struggle with addiction and homelessness
A 108-year-old African-American woman recalls her life in Hannibal Missouri