Storytelling with Masters
Last week, I joined 11 other photographers from around the world to descend upon Mérida, Mexico to learn from and work on stories in collaboration National Geographic photographer John Stanmeyer and writer Alice Driver. It was truly a gift to share this experience with so many talented storytellers, to be supported on the ground by an incredible family of fixers, and to have an opportunity to learn and grow in my craft. John and Alice are masters. Over decades of professional experience, they have amassed an impressive portfolio covering some of the largest and most pressing issues of our time. The moments of learning were not only in the intense editing sessions back at the hotel every night after being out all day working on our stories, but in the small moments around the hotel (like sitting around the breakfast table every morning).
As with most of my projects, I chose a story deeply rooted in the connection of people to their environment and the risks an indigenous community faces in their fight for a healthy environment and just and equitable world. Specifically, I chose to focus on water. Unlike most of Mexico, the Yucatan is lucky in that it has a wealth of water. Yet, some parts of the surrounding region have problems accessing consistent and clean water, and contamination from industry and people is a central issue of concern for local communities’ health, livelihoods, and wellbeing. The mornings working on this project were early, the evenings were late, and most days were spent in the hot sun exploring and meeting people in unique Mayan communities near Mérida. I reveled in the shared moments of learning, watching other friends’ stories grow, and time in the field. The process can be tedious, tenuous, and exciting. Stretching myself to set aside my academic tendencies of process, control, and planning, I looked to follow the moment, use new ways of seeing, and letting the days unfold as they would.
Halfway through the workshop, the US declared a National State of Emergency due to the spreading Coronavirus pandemic. Due to the circumstances, and the risk of many of us not being able to return home, John and Alice made the tough decision to postpone our work to ensure we were all where we needed to be if the virus took ahold of the world for a long period of time. 11 stories put on hold, with time to breathe, process, and regroup. Although short, the workshop was a transformative experience and one I will be talking about for some time now.
