Joni Kabana
When I was in Portland for school my photography instructor would always bring in guest speakers, once we had a wedding photographer, a food photographer, and this lovely inspiring lady, Joni Kabana. I can not tell you how much of an inspiration she was to me. I was so moved by her and her work that I was in tears, she was doing the things that I have been dreaming about. (I forgot that I really did cry, I looked back at the e-mail I sent her and said I was Mariah Baumgartle, the red head that was in tears, guess she did move me that much)
She has been doing street photography and traveled to places like Madagascar and Ethiopia to take photographs. She is a lady with a huge heart and amazing photographs. I have always wanted to go to places such as Africa and take photos of the people there. I want to go to places who are in need of help and show that awareness through my photographs.
She told us a story of how she photographed this girl in her studio, later after seeing the picture she was crying and told Joni how beautiful she thought she looked, she never thought she was beautiful, she had horrible problems with her husband. It's things like that I want to do with my photographs someday, make people realize how beautiful they are and let them have their time to shine.
One thing I remember that she does is take photos of people on the street, she gets up close and personal to them too. You know those people that just seem and look so interesting? I've always wanted to get photos of them but never knew how to approach it, I am still scared to just take photos of people on the street for fear of what they might do. She has a way of being able to do it though.
One of my favorite projects she does is called "Children's Cancer Association" she takes portraits for children (& sometimes with their families) of children who live in serious health conditions. The photographs are so beautiful and moving. As she was telling some stories she was in tears.
After I went back home from her talking I had to send her and e-mail and tell her how much she inspired me to go for what I really want to do. She e-mailed me back saying how happy she was to get my e-mail and that she was really busy getting ready to go to Ethiopia but to go to one of her events so we could talk more. Sadly, I was not able to make any of her events. I am hoping that when I visit Portland it will be a time she is having an event.Not only is she amazing at what she does but she has such a drive and a passion for her work. She told us before she left to just go for what we dream, don't worry about the money, if it makes you happy, then just do it.
She does so much, more then I could ever explain!
Here is the link to her website, you should seriously check it out: jonikabana.com
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