Two weeks ago I attended my second EAW, this time however, as part of the black team (this is the production/hospitality/transportation/audio-visual/food/… end of things). I participated as a student in 2007, and although I was able to make contact with some of the heavies, it was brief and a little overwhelming. This year, injured, I spent much of my time satisfying guests/faculty/others’ thirst; I worked the BAR!
There are always those that assume they are the world’s best bartenders, and those that expect photographers to be well-versed bartenders, I fortunately made my living for many years pouring booze. Although I started working in the food industry quite young, I was not a ‘bar wench’ until I lived in London where I worked at a pub for the better part of 1 year. Also, while attending photo school and art school, I paid my way by working in the food industry. Why all this background? Well, I want to substantiate my statement; I pour a mean and strong drink (this generated some amusing conversations, some drink induced commentary, and the ever flowing alcohol gossip).
Let me go back to EAW for a moment and what this opportunity meant for me. As a student, the workshop provided for me the spark I had lost, I fell back in love with photography. Coming back to reality I wanted in some way, to provide this for someone else, some other photographer that needed a little focus and peer support, so when a dear friend mentioned I had been nominated for the black team, this was my turn to give back. Yes, there are plenty of selfish reasons why I wanted to attend, but the opportunity to feel this event from the other side was no less inspiring!
These are a couple of images from the bus ride up to the Catskills in NY and some photos of the barn where the workshop takes place.
A warm thank you to Alyssa Adams, whose generosity and temperament allow this workshop to persist. I never got to meet Eddie Adams, but every time the workshop comes up in conversation, new and enlightening stories always surface …
Bus ride to Monticello
Beautiful foggy morning at the barn
Bill Eppridge and Jay Colton
Jen Sens on the trampoline.
Yvonne Lai helping with the balloons for Eddie’s Memorial
A toast for those no longer with us
