Capturing Life through a Lens - episode 76

Let’s start with the confusion I created when I miscalculated the time difference between California and Nigeria.  Our guest for this episode, Enitan, showed up on time and I was nowhere to be found.  We finally connected through some direct messaging and I want to express my gratitude for Enitan’s understanding and flexibility.  Oh and by the way, it was worth the wait.  He is a go-getter and deeply committed to his passion of photography.  And did I mention kind?  Yes, he is. Very.

Next, I am still challenged to pronounce his name correctly.  En-ii-tahn. I will keep working on it.  In the meantime I marvel at Enitan’s plan to pursue photography and to show the real Africa, the real Nigeria, not just the underside we hear about. He wants to share the beauty, to create memories, and to tell stories.  This is what he gets to do, what he is driven to do.  I can’t wait.

*Transcript of conversation available in episode notes.

Hard working. Persistent. Doesn’t give up.

— Enitan

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Every Picture tells a Story

Thoughts from Capturing Life through a Lens

Because Enitan is a photographer and wants to tell authentic stories it got me thinking of the Rod Stewart song, Every Picture Tells a Story. It certainly is true. Here are a few of mine. I grabbed the first images that caught my eye. For different reasons they represent my life, who I am, my experiences. Left to right starting at the top:

1. Ron and I in New York. Paying tribute to 9/11 Memorial - something I’d always wanted to do. This is the mall next door.

2. Wailea. One of my favorite places ever. Peaceful, beautiful, serene. I feel relaxed in Hawaii and can get refreshed through the ocean: swimming and snorkeling, good company/books/food, and did I say rest?

3. The blended family before extra family members married in: Shaun, Kori, Bryn, me, Kyle, Ron and Taylor. At a Mexican restaurant; the photo became our Christmas card that year. (Do you know how hard it is to get six people to take a halfway decent picture?!)

4. Esmerelda or Esme for short. Ron surprised me with a “dog” and this is what it actually was. Love it as a work of art and the whimsy speaks to me.

5. Merriman’s in Kapalua. Yum! Malasadas and the best view.

6. Christian John at 3 months old before he passed to heaven. It’s been 24 years. Still miss him every day.

7. We got to surprise Shaun by showing up at a performance of Hamilton which he had never seen. If you every get the chance, go!

8. Unabashed You. Stories and pictures to inspire. Conversations to help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.

9. 50th birthday party. Everyone came as their favorite character from a movie with red carpet, interviews, photographers sand all. Here we have a Blues Brother, Catwoman and Holly Golightly.

10. All the dogs (golden retrievers) we’ve had, and loved. Lacey. Callie, and now Layla.

11. One of my favorite people gone too soon. Dennis, “Den” (blog post episode 33). Mentor, friend, encourager. Until we meet again.

12. Israel trip - a once in a life time trip. Here is the garden of Gethsemane. Thought “peace” was very fitting.

And yes, each one tells a story. And this is just the beginning…

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