2009 karen kuehn Photography New Website Launch

We are happy to announce that Jesse Hughes of 2 Liberty & karen kuehn Photography are now a team for producing and creating your photography projects.

WEBSITE LAUNCH TUEDSAY DEC. 17 2008

PHOTOGRAPHER BRUCE NORMAN

"The term workshop does not do justice to the week we spent with Karen. Through Karen's guidance and unique style and energy our group was transformed from a random gathering of photographers to more of a family. We became more empathetic with our subjects, ourselves, and each other. Although we discussed many technical aspects and techniques it was the personal / emotional aspects of the experience that improved my photography and outlook the most. It was a week I will never forget and a group of people that I will always cherish."

Bruce Norman

http://www.brucenorman.com

INTERVIEW & FILM BY LIZ KRIST

2008 WORKSHOP CLASS

I have been teaching and lecturing classes for the last 20 years. This has not been a full time occupation but rather select venues like the Santa Fe Photography Workshops. Its always a pleasure and an amazing brief chapter for not only the students but the instructors. This last group of photographers were so bonded and connected that it was as if we were all in a flock of birds flying through rugged terrain and misty mornings and clear sailing into a complete mystery built on trust. I want to share a poem that this class inspired. I wrote it before the final slide show presentation. All these folks made such a huge difference in my week and it was a week I will never forget.

N O T E T O S E L F by karen kuehn

I CAN NOT SLEEP AS I LAY AND THINK
CHATTER WITHIN MY MIND
WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THIS CLASS OF MINE
ANXIOUS BEGINNINGS
BREATHLESS,….. PLEASE BREATH
LIVE LIKE NO TOMORROW
FEARLESS AWAKENINGS
OPEN HEARTS BY DESIGN OF INNOCENCE
RESIST NOT.
CHARGED ENERGIES TO TAME
EARS AND HEARTS TO TAP AND SHARE NEW TERRAIN
MANNERS AND METHODS
WERE A REKONING
AS EARS OPEN EVOLUTION PREVAILS
ITS BEEN A SHARED EXPERIENCE
TO EACH THEY OWN
DID I GET THROUGH TO EVERY ONE SOUL
TO CARE, BE NOT RECKLESS AS YOU STARE
IN TO THE EYES OF OTHERS
FEEL THE GENTLE TEARS OF ANOTHER
THE GIGGLES OF YOUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS
UNCOMFORTABLE INTIMADATION
GLORIOUS PULSES AS YOU GANDER
BE HONEST AND IN OTHER'S SHOES
SLOW DOWN TO SEE AND
FEEL THE RIPPLE YOU CREATE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
PRAY FOR PEACE AND STRENGTH
LIGHT GIFTED
I AM IN WONDER OF HOW WE ALL LOVE AND YET VULNERABLY CAN SUFFER
IMPERMINANCE AND PRECIOUSNESS
ARE ALL THESE BEINGS ON THIS CROSS ROAD
TO PARTICIPATE WILL ENHANCE YOUR CRAFT AS THE PICTURE TAKER
LOVE THROUGH AND AROUND YOUR LENS.
YOU’RE ALL COURAGEOUS.

ALOHA AND MEHALO
MY NEW FRIENDS
YOU TOUCHED MY LIFE


6/21/08

SANTA FE WORKSHOP PHOTOGRAPHER

"There's rarely a day that goes by that I haven't found myself reflecting on your class and what I learned. I not only improved as a photographer but evolved as a person as well."

Aloha
Michelle Lee

PHOTOGRAPHER ED TAYLOR

" Karen is everything you would want in a teacher: dynamic, articulate, caring and keenly able to motivate a photographer to action in their own unique direction. A week with Karen changed my life and how I view myself as an artist and photographer. I'm much more centered and focused moving forward."

http://www.edtaylorphoto.com

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

"After four seasons, and working with dozens of photographers as an assistant for the Santa Fe Workshops, I had the opportunity to assist Karen Kuehn. She is a stand-out amongst the greats.
Karen is a passionate teacher with the ability to break through boundaries and lead her students to their fullest potential. She will help you tear down your internal barricades even if you didn’t know they existed. After Day One, you will feel as if you have known her through your entire journey as a photographer, and will be open to exploring your creative possibilities with Karen’s guidance."
Michael Donnor
Course Assistant

www.michaeldonnorphotography.com

INSPIRATIONS

Today I received a photograph from another photographer Jeff Swensen. I sold this edition print to a dear friend of Jeffs. It was purchased for him as a gift. I am posting it with his permission. I also give alot of images away to share and inspire others to be givers. When I teach workshops I let students pic from the artist proofs I've made over the years. I 've given hundreds of silver prints away in the last few decades. Both pictures in this blog remind me of how important it is to continue the path of image making. When I opened this email from Jeff today I was touched that he not only sent me a pic of himself with the image but he kept the note that I included and tacked to his board. I too have notes from other photographers, Irving Penn and Kieth Carter that are priceless to me. Maybe in time I will make a difference! I hope so. Humbly I say thank you to all who care...Jeff cared to share this and it made me feel great today. That would be the point to make others feel, hopefully good. This is very touching to me as I am always in high gear working or trying to get work and than there's this business of life and family always in a constant state of flux. I feel we should all have inspirations and inspire. I am inspired by many great artist's, First the brillant Duane Michals for his never ending creative playfulness God Bless you Duane your my hero. Sally Mann for reality with a revealing gentle and committed eye. Annie Liebovitz you are the worlds best pychologist hands down. Geof Kern for serealism that leaves me hungry for more. Antoine Kractovil the angels live within your soul, your images are proof. Donna Ferrato always on the edge a true artist. Joel Witkin annoyed by me but a craftsman and am thankful for he reminds me to stay true to silver printing and old school ways of making art. Nadav Kander phewww....always you have gems. Weston and Minor White, the F64 shooters remind me everyday of my roots in photography. I have been collecting silver images for years. Images by many great photographers line my walls. Great images are evokative and timeless and many that I've collected have come to increase in value much the same as land. I encourage all of you to start collecting edition prints esp black and white fiber. Who are your inspirations and if you don't have any start exploring. I also love many artist, musical and in other mediums. Don't limit yourself to just photography.

http://www.jeffswensen.com

Danny Lyon

Last summer I had the privilege of meeting Danny Lyon; photographer and film maker. In general I love photographer's; they are usually well defined characters.
Danny doesn't fall short of this fact. To say "I'm a photographer" seems to mean very little to a well established image maker like Danny. But rather to talk of the best fishing holes and agricultural landscaping seems more interesting to his nature. I purchased one of his signature pieces over time. I usually collect images that make me travel or evoke a feeling. Normally the images are sensual and down right sexy. This particular image was originally posted on another persons website. It was alluring to me and it made me contact that person. You may know the image of a biker riding over a bridge with a jacket saying OUTLAW Louisville. I look at this image and dream into it, wanting only to be on the back of this bike with this long legged creature. A phenomenal moment in time captured. Danny has a knack for recording many moments timeless and historical. I see a lot of shooters emulating his Bikerider series, but the eye of Danny is by far more superior and studied. Natural, not forced just fluid with a passionate lust for whatever unfolds. Cinema in stills, like Hitchcock and films like The Misfits. Each frame leaves you hungry for more. If you take time to sit down and look at the works of anyone photographer you can be certain if will be like a mini vacation from your imediate world. I always try to identify what I feel afterward. It's not about analzing others works but rather I take it in and appreciate their vision when profound and intentional. Danny sees well in my book...frames perfectly and effortlessly leaves me looking longer with high regard, perfect like flowers.

VIDEO BLOG

RE INVENTING ONE'S SELF

I'm very much living my life fully। Recently I was told if I want to be immersed and more sought out that I should sell ever ything and return to NYC! Been there done that and besides my rustic life in NM better suits my eye and humbles the best of artist. Daily I seem to shoot a few shots, some for me others for request. I feel like a kid walking in a stream of slippery rocks hoping each step I make is firmly planted. Only through trail and error do we learn. The entire process of creativity is spontaneous at best. To be fearless and present I find more rewards. Only one's self can release and allow the freedom of stepping out of one's comfort zone. To do rather than talk of great dreams is by far what motivates creative excess. Asking the mirror have I done this before and how can I better explore the essence of whatever I'm about to unfold.