June, July, August, September, October, November, December

I realized today that I started this blog about 6 months ago.  After multiple trips to and through Louisiana, I am getting a clearer idea of what the final work for this project will be like.

I have been struggling with the parameters of different aspects of the project such as how many portraits do I need to create a feel of the state and properly represent the people here?  Should I count a couple or family as one portrait or multiples if I use 2 portraits per Parish as my structure for collecting images and recordings?  Do I title the portraits with first and last name and city or just first name and Parish, very specific vs slightly more anonymous? Should portraits of architecture, land and animals be included in the idea of portraits?  How do I create a realistic image and impression of this large area of land and variety of personalities from parish to parish? Answers to the questions that I have are slowly developing as I meet more people and travel around the different regions of Louisiana.

I had some wonderful days in N. Louisiana collecting recordings of people and ambient sounds from the lakes. I encountered the very friendly brahman cattle below and the wonderful creativity of the anonymous artist who created the Christmas car above. I started to collect photographs and recordings of residents in this area impromptu. Previously I had made appointments with people and had at least briefly met or corresponded with them.  

I am constantly amazed by the friendliness and generosity of the people of Louisiana.  Some people are too shy to let me take their photo or they will let me take their photo and not record them or vice versa.  I will accept what they are comfortable sharing and do my best to represent them with honesty and respect.