Journey in Photography – 2016

‘Under One Roof, Joining Forces for Good, 2015’ prints and products.

(Click on link above to secure order products and prints which will be free of any title or printing on the image).

Under One Roof, Joining Forces for Good, 2015, photo by Catherine Herrera, Intl CR Reserved. Contact for License.

Its true. Sometimes, the journey in photography is interrupted – in a good way!

You’ve spent your energy, resources, and passion on an assignment and suddenly, other people catch on to your work, and the blessing of greater exposure for your work arrives. Before you know it, you are pricing matte boards and frames, selecting the invitation photo, coordinating with the gallery owner and assistants, and refreshing your mailing list all in preparation for that moment – the sharing of one’s work with the rest of the world, and the connection to the universal human experience.

‘Spirit of Bolinas,’ 2015, print and products.

‘Spirit of Bolinas,’ 2015, photo by Catherine Herrera, Intl CR Reserved. Contact for License.

As a photographer on the journey, a lot of good can come from exhibiting your work. You may discover along the way things you did not know about yourself. In an instant, the photographer becomes like the subjects of her work, vulnerable to the gaze and interpretation of others. Contradictory emotions are common, a push and pull between wanting to be seen and the fear of exposing oneself through their art.

Well, this is all a lot of rambling to get to my invite to visit UC Berkeley’s Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, at the main entrance gallery are several of my works, part of the ‘Resilience’ exhibit up for the next first few months of 2016.

You are invited to the opening of RESILIENCE, an exhibit at the Phoebe A. Hearst of Anthropology at UC Berkeley, featuring the artwork and the perspectives of Catherine Herrera, CarlaMarie Munoz, Megan Padilla, and Kanyon Sayers-Roods.

Monday, December 14, 2015           Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley

Photographer and Filmmaker Catherine Herrera, director of Flor de Miel Media and Catherine Herrera Photography. Intl CR 2010-2016.

Exhibiting is a blast, make no mistake! I see each exhibit as I do my assignments, a great chance to grow as an artist and produce quality work that connects with audiences who collect and give new life to the photographs.

In November, I had a great chance to push myself creating ‘Sitting Ohlone’ – an urban participatory photo and video installation for an exhibit at the SF Art Institute. Two of the master students at SF Art Institute organized the exhibit which reflected on the hot topic of San Francisco life, and how shifts in policy and economics has produced an unnecessary displacement of long standing communities. The exhibit sparked discussion and dialogue on how young artists and planners and architects can re-envision City life that fosters setting down roots while inspiring creative innovation.

I collaborated with two other artists who helped me while I was doing the performance piece in San Francisco, and made it possible to switch the perspective on this project, with myself in the role of subject.

The experience is something I wrote about and share in my public presentations of ‘Sitting Ohlone’ – in talking about the value and importance of performance art – and what it felt like to be on the other side of the lens and vulnerable in public.

 

For many years, I felt most comfortable behind the lens, even when I had the chance to be – and was – in front of the camera in a friend’s film and in television interviews.

‘Bear Facts, S.F. Street Scenes, 2015,’ photograph by Catherine Herrera, Flor de Miel Fotos, Contact for License.

 

As I gained more exposure, I began to embrace being in front of the camera and no longer felt shy or awkward. Now, I am invigorated and welcome the opportunity to overcome my fear and embrace the camera.

Photography is not only about the technical aspects, its so important to  capture that special essence that connects one human to another.

‘Signs of Regeneration #1, S.F. Street Scenes, 2015,’ photograph by Catherine Herrera, Flor de Miel Fotos, Contact for License.

Ultimately, I think I am a better photographer to more fully comprehend the experience from both sides.

So on the journey in photography, embrace the road and its detours, and make yourself vulnerable by submitting your work for an exhibit, switching it up and doing self-portraits, or move outside your comfort zone and explore with a new format for your next project.

Until the next time!

 

 

 

Exquisite Interior Design Photography – Special for New Clients

photo by Catherine Herrera, Intl CR Reserved. Contact for License. orders@catherineherreraphotography.com.

An exclusive offer for clients and new interior design clients. Purchase directly by clicking here for secure, online ordering.

Available for purchase in a variety of materials and sizes. Click here to purchase this image, click on the secure shopping cart, and order the image in the style that suits your needs. Sample materials and sizes include:

8 x 10 Classic C-Print                                                      $ 59.00

20 x 20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print                    $175.00  (special price through first week of November)

Collector’s  Signed Archival Print 16 x 24               $675.00 (first print)

San Francisco local buyers can receive a 10% cash payment discount during the special in the week of November 03-11, 2014.

‘Fall Forward’ Note Cards and Download

‘Fall Flowers’ comes in a range of fun products so if you prefer applied fine art – meaning the art can be more useful and part of your daily life than often a hanging object!

Notecards 

‘4 x 6’                                                          $28.00 pack of 10 (envelopes included)

‘5 x 7’                                                          $38.00 pack of 10 (envelopes included)

Screen Saver Download

Med-Resolution cropped to screen size                   $8.99

Any questions, contact: orders@catherineherreraphotography.com

Women and Farming – a Selection of Photographs and Projects

When I worked on assignment in Mexico, I often took time to pursue projects off the beaten path for my own personal work. I was drawn to agriculture because at the time, I gave a lot of thought to how my grandparents had known so much, and I – so little – about growing my own food. This is one of my favorite images from that time – and part of the larger The Maize Project.

View the image here.

(Fine Art Print easily ordered online here.)

FarmHer Photography Project

I came across Marji Guyler-Alaniz’s FarmHer project and visited to learn more about this project documenting women working in agriculture. A long-term project, Marji has set her goal of photographing  over time the work and life of women in Iowa who farm – hence the name, FarmHer! Marji has extended her project into a brand offering a shop with purchases supporting women farmers. Take a look at her proof sheets, and learn more about her project by clicking on the photo below.

http://www.farmher.com/p753275411/h669f5a9f#h669f5a9f

Kara Boyd, Farmer/Rancher/Landowner and co-founder, Assoc. of American Indian Farmers

One important campaign to contribute is farmer Kara Boyd,  co-founder with her husband Dr. John Boyd, Jr. of the National Womens Farming Association, who is fundraising for will support advocacy, outreach and technical assistance to farmers to improve access to competitive markets. Kara Boyd is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and as a farmer/rancher/landowner, she also co-founded the Association of American Indian Farmers.

Please consider donating directly to their campaign at http://www.donationto.com/Help-Save-the-FARMS-FARMERS

 

Christmas Holiday Card 2013 on sale now!

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Click on the image above to order Christmas and Holiday cards for delivery before Thanksgiving!

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY 2013 GIFT PRINTS AND PRODUCTS

Do you like the image and want to order a print as a gift for this holiday season?

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Collectors and art investors can also order by clicking on the image BOVE FOR a signed, numbered, archival museum quality print, reviewed personally and shipped with care and packing.

New Journeys: When you least expect it!

As everyone knows well, being an employed photographer in the newspaper industry today, one must bring a range of skills to the table, not only photography but other storytelling traditions as well. Often, that means having strong writing and steller video skills in one’s photojournalism toolbox.

Lately, my writing skills have been used less for this blog, and more on an assignment. I am happy to report, its sparked the memory of what attracted me to journalism in the first place.

This month, I have two photos and two articles published in a San Francisco paper. Tear sheets will be posted soon.

For a long time, I really felt most comfortable in the photographer-only role. Even as I saw the industry shifting, I still respected – as I did with news and filmmaking – the valued role each member contributed when journalism was still mainly a team sport. Making it to the big leagues – on staff for an amazing publication that still sends photographers out on assignment – is still a team sport. Even still, diversifying skills is vital.

So, I left my comfort zone, I’ve started out for new territory – writing. I’ve noticed a lot of similarities with photography. I wish I had been more courageous sooner to try my hand at publishing more often.

Now that I’ve added article writing to my publications list, I’ve been encouraged to move ahead with publishing my first book. More news on that later.

Writing articles offers a blending with the best of what attracted me to photojournalism in the first place – meeting people of all types, learning how others ‘do life,’ and the opportunity to open a window between people. I like assignments that present new perspective on the world and companies that bring solutions to market needs.

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One of the assignments I covered last month took me to the first ever Urban Air Market at San Francisco’s southern waterfront. The Sunday market that warm day brought together local producers of creative faire and art, DIY indie companies whose products are infused with  San Francisco’s enduring spirit of gritty creativity, and innovation.

It was great to meet some of the locals, and to learn how they are fairing in these challenging economic times. Many are creating thriving businesses with clientele around the country and world.

So, remember to be open on the journey and where it might lead, remain flexible and keep an eye on the gift of being commissioned to tell a story – however the medium is presented and continue to work. Over time, the experiences add up and new opportunities develop!

These assignments are introducing  me to a broader section of the San Francisco business community, a chance to see the rich production of our city’s eclectic landscape. New clients are innovative creators that I enjoy working together to create engaging, unique photography to boost online and brick and mortar sales.  I am expanding my market for creative commissions with San Francisco businesses, and reaching customers seeking photography prints for interior designing of office and home. I offer clients flexible licensing options for digital and print advertising, brochures, and client communications.

Contact info@catherineherreraphotography.com today for a commission or to walk through the archive for a particular print or license.

Content consultation services involve assessing a business’ media content and developing a marketing strategy with content to match.