“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Happy New Decade Everyone! I desperately needed a few days away from blogging in the new year, simply because I was swamped with other pressing matters. So here I am, back in fighting mode, and hit the ground running.
One of the first changes that is taking place is that I have agreed to take on more author and photographer interviews. For years I chose to hide behind the anonymity, and build up a mystery around the persona, but then I was told, and rightly so, the public wants to get to know the author and photographer behind the scenes, especially if the books deal with such controversial social issues. If I am to become a literary activist, might as well be out there on the front and not hide in the shadows. This made me take two steps back to re-think about the whole concept, so that by the time the editorial photoshoot took place in December 2019, I knew what image I wanted to convey, which was a far cry from the mysterious faceless diva. The photoshoot gave me the much needed confidence boost to carry the decision forward, and as fate would have it, it was around the same time that accepted a life radio interview in the UK (Final timings TBA).
I ended 2019 with an email to my publisher announcing another book ready for publication and he was absolutely thrilled. This is a project that was shelved several times, much to everyone’s frustration and disappointment, but somehow the timing is just right now. Details to be released at a later date, so please stay tuned! Also, Sunset Shadows is well underway, and if all goes well, I should be looking at a lat summer release this year!
Moving on: this years accreditation a documentary photographer is up next week, which to me is the perfect to celebrate the 10 Years of FrogDiva Photography. The evolution of the message and the craft over the last decade has been both an emotional and spiritual process alike, and in spite of all the pitfalls, failures, criticisms, and ignorance, I found the light and my niche. This is another area where I stopped being intimidated by the big names and the snobby organisations. Enough of trying to be a joiner, and more of being a trailblazer. As a documentary photographer, it’s not about the fame but all about making a difference, being part of community development and social reconstruction.
This decade is all about transformation and upliftment, about seizing the moments and building, instead of patchwork and renovation. Welcome to 2020!
FrogDiva Thoughts 