I suppose you might like to know a bit about me. I grew up in the Bay Area, California. I went to college at my dream school Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara after a huge car accident nearly took my life. If you would like to keep reading more of my story see below!
An unexpected journey...
Since I was ten years old I have had a camera in my hands. By the time I was 18 I had my first photography job at Expressly Portraits in the mall and have been working ever since. My early training is in traditional portraiture and I received my degree in visual journalism, My grandfather Thomas Earle Stevens was my greatest inspiration as one of the very first news cameramen for ABC news in Hollywood, Ca. I know I got my sense of adventure from him there is no doubt. I can’t help but long for places I have never been. For me the ultimate places are one’s I have nothing in common with and learn from the most. It turned out that Tunisia is one of those places for me.
As difficult and sometimes traumatizing the culture shock was it didn’t take long for me to see Tunisia as my home. Its people, places, intoxicating beauty, music and food are all a part of my Soul. The unbreakable kindness of the Tunisian people, their generosity and love shook me to the core and changed my life forever. This country is now a part of my family and my Soul.
I simply fell in love with their undying hospitality. Even the most humble of homes, some of which were still being built, would have cakes and soda ready at the door. My husband’s family live in what we would probably consider less then livable conditions with barely a chair on the ground. Upon my arrival they brought out this gorgeous silver tray with these scrumptious hand made pastries and it wouldn’t be complete without a fancy glass of gazoos, soda. Every home is this way and I love it. Such a beautiful tradition that makes you feel like family instantly.
I feel it is important to say that despite being the only American/non Muslim living in the state of Jendouba at the north of Tunisia at no time have I ever felt unsafe. In fact I feel safer there then in the United States where murder is a daily thing that we have all become tuned out to. I'm so disturbed by what is happening in this country right now. It is people like this that are being held responsible for acts of terror by people who are not Muslim. I hope we all can come together and stop the injustice that is being perpetuated in parts of our society not only in the US but around the world. Ignorance is not bliss for those who suffer from its affects. Nchalla I will help to change that and to open people to who the true face of Islam is
As difficult and sometimes traumatizing the culture shock was it didn’t take long for me to see Tunisia as my home. Its people, places, intoxicating beauty, music and food are all a part of my Soul. The unbreakable kindness of the Tunisian people, their generosity and love shook me to the core and changed my life forever. This country is now a part of my family and my Soul.
I simply fell in love with their undying hospitality. Even the most humble of homes, some of which were still being built, would have cakes and soda ready at the door. My husband’s family live in what we would probably consider less then livable conditions with barely a chair on the ground. Upon my arrival they brought out this gorgeous silver tray with these scrumptious hand made pastries and it wouldn’t be complete without a fancy glass of gazoos, soda. Every home is this way and I love it. Such a beautiful tradition that makes you feel like family instantly.
I feel it is important to say that despite being the only American/non Muslim living in the state of Jendouba at the north of Tunisia at no time have I ever felt unsafe. In fact I feel safer there then in the United States where murder is a daily thing that we have all become tuned out to. I'm so disturbed by what is happening in this country right now. It is people like this that are being held responsible for acts of terror by people who are not Muslim. I hope we all can come together and stop the injustice that is being perpetuated in parts of our society not only in the US but around the world. Ignorance is not bliss for those who suffer from its affects. Nchalla I will help to change that and to open people to who the true face of Islam is