Family. Summer. On the Run.

My True Vision (Family) Photography
www.mytruevision.com

Adorable Kid Photo

Photo by Carlton Mackey

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY: WARMED BY SMILES, LAUGHTER, AND THE SUN IN LOS BRASILES NICARAGUA

The weather couldn't be any different today than it was on the day that I took these photos.  Today I'm bundled in three layers to protect me from the threat of the bitter cold...not seen since the days of Atlanta notorious "Snow-maggedon" from two years ago.

On the day this image was taken I was only wearing a T-shirt...sweat from my back causing it to cling to my skin.  I was happy though.  I was happy to be alive.  I was happy to feel the sun beat down on my forehead.  I was happy to know that I was in a part of the world that I had never been before and that here the sound of kids laughter was as loud and enthusiastic as I had come to know it anywhere else.

Photo by my buddy Elaine Oyzon-Mast

I had met only a handful of these kids only a couple of days earlier.  Their shy glances were soon transformed into bold curiosity.  Reaching up to touch my hair and asking if it was real (in spanish), each of them quickly discarded any inhibitions.  They were kids and they were living life with hope and promise.  It's no wonder why being around them transported me back to my own memories of being in grade school.  I could remember the smell of chalk dust and the feel of thick Bill Cosby-like sweaters rubbing against my arms.  I could remember gathering for recess, standing in line to get lunch, and school picture day.  And it is here that the seed must have been planted that caused me to jump out of my bed at 4am the next morning.

School Picture Day!  That's it!  I could offer the school, these children, and their parents an opportunity to do something that in the states is as much a part of what it means to go to school as homework itself.  After running the idea by Colin and Josh (whose tireless work with their non profit Trashwater made this trip possible for me) and then preparing to make a pitch (with the help of my trusty companion, translator, and son of the school headmaster) we well on our way. The announcement was made and just like at home students came to school to next day with an extra coat of grease in their hair...and consequently on their faces.  One by one, group by group, smile by smile we captured each of the precious children at the school in Los Brasiles.  With the help of a reflector that I made at breakfast that morning from a styrofoam cooler top and more aluminum foil than I care to mention, I think we did a pretty good job.  At the end of one heck of a long day, Mission Accomplished.

...well, until 4am the next morning when the idea hit me that we could make a year book!  Yeah...a yearbook...complete with one by one, group by group, smile by smile, portraits of each of the students.  Like for all of our families, it will be something that they can each remember for years to come.  They can pull it back out when they are older and remember what it was like, among other things, to be slim back in the day.  :-)

Today, I'm glad to be preparing to print out a couple of samples of that yearbook.  My goal is to put one in each of the kids' hands by the end of the school year this year.  This project like so many others that I've been so blessed to have the opportunity to do has been probably more rewarding for me than it has been for anybody else.  I'm grateful for Colin and Josh for the opportunity to travel with them, for supporting this random idea, and for caring so much about the people in Los Brasiles.

If you'd like to make a contribution to help put a yearbook in a kid's hand, please email me at carltonmackey[at]mytruevision[dot]com

FACES FROM THE JOURNEY TO JORDAN ISRAEL PALESTINE

I picked up the story of my journey to Jordan, Israel, and Palestine where I left off here on the blog of my other latest project, 50 SHADES OF BLACK.  The people you see in this collage left such an impression on me.  It has been a pleasure to share some of their faces and stories with you.  Read more at 50shadesofblack.com/?p=1203

Much more from this Journey coming soon.

JOURNEY TO ISRAEL JORDAN PALESTINE - MEET NADINE

It as like a natural instinct.  Before I even thought about it, the image was captured...and smiles were exchanged.

Now for the beginning of the story:

I had just broken away from the group and was strolling casually down the streets of the old city -a historic and distinct part of Jerusalem.  I honestly don't know if I heard the click of the shutter or if I just had that feeling (we all have had it) of someone watching me.

I turn around quickly to find a camera pointed directly at me.  With what must have been just my photographer's instinct, I whipped my camera around and starting taking photos back.  Behind the camera was a college student named Nadine.  In a brilliant move by her professor, she had been given the assignment to take pictures of people in the Old City who were carrying cameras.  She showed me her reel from the day of image after image of folks she had captured.

I don't think she was ready for me to flip the script though.
---

Part 4 in a series of posts featuring some of the people I met along this Journey to Jordan, Israel, Palestine -people who have for extended periods of time and sometimes for only brief moments helped me discover more about myself.

As you look at her, what do you see?

Meet Nadine -The student photographer

Photo by Carlton Mackey

*Who will we meet tomorrow?

Meet Naim -the scholar

Meet Yeshambel -the guard

JOURNEY TO JORDAN ISRAEL PALESTINE - MEET YESHAMBEL

Part 3 in a series of posts featuring some of the people I’ve met along this Journey to Jordan, Israel, Palestine -people who have for extended periods of time and sometimes for only brief moments helped me discover more about myself.

As you look at him, what do you see?

Meet Yeshambel -The guard in the Old City

Photo by Carlton Mackey.

*Who will we meet tomorrow?

--

Part 1:  Meet Khaled Kanaan

Part 3: Meet Yeshambel -the guard

Part 4:  Meet Nadine - the student photographer

JOURNEY TO JORDAN, ISRAEL, PALESTINE - MEET NAIM

Part 2 in a series of posts featuring some of the people I've met along this Journey to Jordan, Israel, Palestine -people who have for extended periods of time and sometimes for only brief moments helped me discover more about myself.

As you look at him, what do you see?

Meet Naim -the antique collector, guide, and scholar (Amman, Jordan)

This man, a muslim, "read" me more scripture verbatim from memory and knew more about the biblical text and its history than any Christian I know.

Photo by Carlton Mackey.

*Who will we meet tomorrow?

Part 1:  Meet Khaled Kanaan

Part 3: Meet Yeshambel -the guard

Part 4:  Meet Nadine - the student photographer

JOURNEY TO JORDAN, ISRAEL, PALESTINE - MEET KHALED KANAAN

This week I boarded a plane headed to one of the world's most sacred, beautiful, and complex regions.  Having traveled to Amman Jordan, visiting sites, meeting people, and being welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, I am now on the ground in Jerusalem with a group of deans, trustees, scholars, writers, activists, and artists (mostly) from Emory University determined to truly immerse ourselves and be transformed by our experience.

"These immersion experiences, part of a program called Journeys of Reconciliation, examine root causes of conflict and struggle in various parts of the world. By visiting these communities and supporting their work of reconciliation, we open ourselves to possibilities, understanding, affirmation, hope and healing.  The program invites groups to encounter the world's complexities, to hear stories of pain, liberation, hope and healing and to seek wisdom outside university walls. "


On Facebook, I have already made several posts highlighting some of the "places" that we have Journeyed.  There are so many more images that I'd like to share and will hopefully be able to post many more here on my travel blog.   I'd like to transition and begin to share some of the "faces" of the people I have encountered.

In a series of upcoming posts, I'd like for you to meet some of the people I've met along the way...people who have for extended periods of time and sometimes for only brief moments helped me discover more about myself.

As you look at them, what do you see?  What do their eyes say to you about them?  What do they say to you about you?

Meet Khaled Kanaan - The photographer (Amman, Jordan)

Photo by Carlton Mackey

*Who will we meet tomorrow?

Meet Naim -the scholar
Meet Yeshambel -the guard
Meet Nadine -the student photographer

Carla and Arthur - City of Atlanta Skyline Holiday Photography

This Holiday season, I was delighted by the number of couples who wanted to do something non-traditional for their holiday cards.  I got the chance to spend some great time with my buddies Carla and Arthur for their holiday shoot.  You may recall them from their Amazing Wedding Night Stroll in Memphis.

As always we joked and laughed as much as anything else.  It all started with me giving Carla a hard time about wanting to shoot on this bridge.  When all was said and done, she won...and you can see why.

Happy Holidays Friends!

Photos by Carlton Mackey - My True VISION (Atlanta Skyline with Friends Holiday) Photography

Non-Traditional, Atlanta Family Holiday Photography

The holidays are always a great time to catch up with friends, to celebrate...and to take family portraits!  It was great to do all of the above last weekend with Christine and Matt.  Kari and I had the great pleasure of photographing this fun couple's Atlanta engagement photos in Piedmont Park.  Since then, their dogs and their smiles have gotten much bigger.  It was really cool to open an envelope yesterday and receive a holiday card from them with the images from the shoot on it!

We look forward to the next opportunity to spend some time together.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Social Marketing Campaign to Decrease HIV Stigma Feat in MUSED Magazine

Photography by Carlton Mackey

On the eve of World AIDS Day, I am as honored as ever to be chosen to photograph this important campaign.

Execerpt from MUSED Magazine article>>"The overall premise was how we all desire a great quality of life and that combating HIV/AIDS was a part of that- not all of it. “From Where I Stand” has positioned itself as a social media movement that will be making use of things like the documentary, social media and affiliations with existing movements like The Deeper Love Project and the Evolution Project."

Read Complete Article At:

http://www.musedmagonline.com/2012/10/from-where-i-stand-social-marketing-campaign-targeted-to-decrease-stigmas-between-hiv-young-black-gay-men/

Nicaragua: Unexpected Experiences, New Friends, and Warm Smiles

Nothing could have prepared me for all the amazing opportunities Nicaragua would bring. I met people and had experiences that were never planned.

I met Mark Stover who runs the non-profit HOPE OF JOSHUA at dinner one evening and later headed out to a rural part of the country, Monte Fresco, with him to see first hand the work he was doing. 

Meeting Mark proved to be a blessing on so many levels.  When the trip was over, it was actually Mark who took me to the airport.  We prayed together in his Land Cruiser, El Tigre Blanco (you'll see how it got the name in later photos), and I've been thinking about his hospitality ever since.  While in Monte Fresco with Mark, I was able to capture these images, make new friends, and experience again the endless warmth of the people of Nicaragua.  

More to Come.

Photos by Carlton Mackey

Evil Kenevil and little Batman in Atlanta, GA

Nothing in the world compares.

...spending some time after the 2012 Annual Halloween Parade in Little Five Points in Atlanta, GA.  

Photos by Mommy - Kari Mackey.  

www.mytruevision.com

Isaiah and the Pumpkin Patch

Kari and Carlton Mackey, owners of My True Vision Photography Atlanta, GA enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of hot dogs, hay rides, fresh churned ice cream, pony rides...and of course pumpkins at Berry Patch Farms in Roswell Georgia.  

Photos by Kari and Carlton Mackey...with a little help from a newly met fellow photographer they met on the hay for their family photograph.  

www.mytruevision.com

Anna and Digant Part One: Music in Piedmont Park by Erik Baker

I love leaving room for the unexpected in photo shoots.  

Digant and Anna graciously supported my fundraising efforts (to offset the costs of two international trips I have coming up)  by signing up for a mini session.  What was most important to them was spending a few quality moments together before Digant left for grad school.  They weren't too picky about location or poses.  Knowing both of their love for the arts, I thought it might be a good idea to have them stroll through the Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont park.  I wanted to do what I enjoy most -just casually following and quietly capturing moments.

When we arrived, we heard the sound of music playing from the pavilion.  Without much direction, the couple headed over to take a listen.  What we discovered was more than just your everyday band playing music as a background in the park.  We saw two animated, passionate, musicians who kept us engaged for his entire set.  Between capturing photos of the couple, I was enthralled with the music and knew that I had a new band to add to my collection.  I've been listening to Erik Baker non-stop since that moment.

There's more to come from the session with this couple -both whom I call friends and both who I have the utmost respect and appreciation for.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Part 2 and Part 3 coming soon.

Photography by Carlton Mackey

Amazing Music by Erik Baker

Serenity - Atlanta Maternity Shoot

There are not very many things in the world more precious.

Atlanta Maternity Shoot with Kristina Blanford-Johnson (August 2012)
Photo by Carlton Mackey

My True Vision Photography

MEET CHRISTINE FLEURY – THE WOMAN BEHIND “PRETTY FOR A DARK SKINNED GIRL”

Meet Christine Fleury

Meet the beautiful woman behind the 50 SHADES OF BLACK exclusive video, "Pretty for a Dark Skinned Girl". This New York Girl of Hatiatian descent shares more about herself and the meaning behind her spoken word piece. http://50shadesofblack.com/?p=752

50 SHADES OF BLACK is a new project by Carlton Mackey.

Photo by Carlton Mackey/ My True Vision Photography

 

Aspiring Actress/Model shares a few good words about Vision Photography

My experience with Vision Photography was awesome. Carlton and Kari are talented, friendly and very professional. The vibe in the studio was cool and Carlton gave really good directions. I look forward to work with Vision Photography again in the future because they are the best.

Thank you so much Deborah.  I'm sure there were tons of photographers that came up when you googled Atlanta Photographers.  We're glad you chose us.  The pleasure was all ours.  All the best with your future aspirations.

HAVE SOME FUN

We interrupt your day to give you this message:
"HAVE SOME FUN"
The Photography of Kari and Carlton Mackey.
My True Vision Photography
http://www.mytruevision.com/

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me with my wing man by my side for my birthday...but I'm going to need you to stop eye ballin my monster truck, buddy.