Not many people know this, but when I began working in editorial as a writer and shooter, Europe was my market of choice. Not sure exactly why, but it seems like the editors who most frequently get it with me are from across the pond. It has always been that way.
I first was introduced to Cira Riedel, editor of the multi lingual action sport, art centered magazine 7Sky, online. Cira was looking for content for an issue he was putting together. A couple e mail image tosses back and forth via the inet clothesline and we were done. The next year he showed up in the US and spent some time with Donna and I researching for a magazine on creativity.
Imagine my surprise when he turned out to be a statuesque she. It had never occurred to me that it was a woman I had been chatting away with online. Says something about gender bias I suppose. And myopia.
Cira is one of those great individuals one wants in their circle. Artist, singer, writer, global thinker, she has a clear understanding of how things ought to be, and how things that she is involved in should go. So while she was here we introduced her to some of our friends. Singer, songwriter, Hawaiian Justin Young who we went to LA to listen to. (Later that year, Justin was booked on to the Tonight Show) Artist and all around genius Edem Elesh. Writer George Orbelian. Historian Tom Stone. It was a long list. Cira came back months later with the most amazing magazine.
A few months back I sent Cira my Mermaid image collection. It is an art based series which I had shot in the Maldives (An atoll nation south of India) with Hannah Frasier Rastovich. I had narrowed the final file down to 80 images and sent the collection out to all of the people whose critical opinions I value, and asked for their choices on best images in the group. Each responded in different fashion to the others. That is how my colleagues roll. They are complete individualists. Each response and selection was unique
To my surprise, Cira came back with a feature. It is in long form below and is characteristic of her wonderful perspective. Have to love a good editor. They make us what we are. At least in the eyes of the public.
You can see a motion picture segment of Hannah from a film we are finishing here.
