"And the Sea Looked Back at Me"

"Journey" A man walks along a levee on the Mississippi River as the Twin Spans bridge in New Orleans frames the background. Both represent the feelings, emotions, and process of a Journey. Both depict the place in time between the starting point and destination. This image is very meaningful to me. I captured this image in January 2012 at a point in time where I was on my own very personal journey. In the two weeks that I spent in the Southeast, I was graced with some of the most amazing friends, strangers, experiences, and powerful personal growth. It symbolizes so very many things that are meaningful to me at this point in my life--and will always be a cherished image of mine. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had on this two-week journey of exploration. Truly a gift. © 2012 Langell Photography, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

"My Dreams" This is an image of a busker (street musician), Kirk Parish, taken in New Orleans this past week. My fellow friend and photographer, Georgia Garrett, and I spent some time getting to know him and learn about his music. We then photographed him. I will be writing about Kirk in my blog---there is quite an amazing, humbling, and beautiful story behind this man and his music. I cannot wait to share more with you about Kirk. I also took video of his song, "Waiting for the Girl of My Dreams" while I also captured this image. You'll be able to hear it when I finish my blog post. Please stay tuned--the story is worth the wait! Kirk, if you are reading this, it was an honor and pleasure to meet you! ©2012 Langell Photography, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

"Petit Theatre" Jessica Hester, street musician, plays soulfully one early morning in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having played the violin for eight years, she picked up the fiddle about three months prior to me taking this image. When I approached her, wanting to learn more about her and asking her permission to photograph her, she was thrilled because she didn't have a single image of herself playing her instrument. I am so excited to be sending her these images I captured in January 2012. ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"Heart Strings" Street musician, Jessica Hester, has played violin for eight years. She played the fiddle today--having picked it up three months ago. Originally from Missouri, Jessica sings with a wonderful, soulful, old-soul type of voice that resonated beautifully along a corridor in the French Quarter of New Orleans. ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"Jessica & Cloud" Jessica Hester, street musician in the French Quarter of New Orleans, played her fiddle soulfully one early, chilly morning in January 2012. Langell came upon Jessica and Cloud on a clear, cool morning in January 2012 as she photographed the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Jessica, barely 18, sang with a raw, soulful sound well beyond her years. Langell heard her before she saw her. Accepting Langell’s request to photograph her, she conversed and sang song after song while Langell shot image after image. A wanderlust and free spirit, her personality carried over the notes Jessica played. She was animated and youthful, but Langell also sensed she was an “old soul” who lived the experiences of one hundred lives. Langell later sent Jessica the photographs from their time together. She told Langell that she captured “Cloud,” her dog, in her favorite little pose and expression, and that these were her favorite images ever taken of herself. Her departing message stuck with Langell and encapsulated Jessica’s approach to life beautifully and simply: “Blessings on the path…” ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"French Quarter Fiddler" Street musician, Jessica Hester, has played violin for eight years. She played the fiddle today--having picked it up three months ago. Originally from Missouri, Jessica sings with a wonderful, soulful, old-soul type of voice that resonated beautifully along a corridor in the French Quarter of New Orleans. ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"A String and a Prayer" This young street musician, Jessica, has taken herself on a journey from her home (originally Missouri) to a stop in New Orleans. I was amazed by her young, free spirit--and the courage it takes to bare one's voice, gift, and soul to the world passing by. It takes a special kind of moxy to be a street musician---and an extra inner strength to do so as a female, going solo, with her will, her dog, and her fiddle. I wish you well, Jessica. I am glad our paths crossed. You're an inspiration! ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"Jessica and Cloud" Langell came upon Jessica and Cloud on a clear, cool morning in January 2012 as she photographed the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Jessica, barely 18, sang with a raw, soulful sound well beyond her years. Langell heard her before she saw her. Accepting Langell’s request to photograph her, she conversed and sang song after song while Langell shot image after image. A wanderlust and free spirit, her personality carried over the notes Jessica played. She was animated and youthful, but Langell also sensed she was an “old soul” who lived the experiences of one hundred lives. Langell later sent Jessica the photographs from their time together. She told Langell that she captured “Cloud,” her dog, in her favorite little pose and expression, and that these were her favorite images ever taken of herself. Her departing message stuck with Langell and encapsulated Jessica’s approach to life beautifully and simply: “Blessings on the path…”

"Moving" In whatever sense you apply this word, the title, "Moving," really fits here. This is an image of a man who is walking along the levee of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, December 2012. I saw him walking and knew it would make for a stunning image, so I literally ran through a parking lot and across train tracks to photograph him before he passed through the area. It is one of my favorite images taken in New Orleans. ©2012 Langell Photography, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

"Three Doors Down" I photographed this dozing man, sleeping off his Bourbon Street buzz in New Orleans (Dec 2012). It was mid-afternoon and he was still in dreamland while he slept on the stoop of an old French Quarter home. ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

"The Bench" A young man stopped to sit at a bench atop a levee along the Mississippi River. The Rock Dove (pigeon) strutted along under the bench, creating for an especially beautiful moment one afternoon in New Orleans, Louisiana. ©2012 Lisa Langell. All Rights Reserved.

Yukon Charlie

"Yukon Charlie" In Homer, Alaska, there are many "characters" around town. Few could possibly be as fascinating, eclectic, storied, and jovial as Yukon Charlie. I met Yukon Charlie while walking behind the Nature Center in Homer, Alaska in June 2013, by happenstance. My cousin, Kay, and I spoke to him when he inquired about my "long lens." He fascinated me--from his looks, to his wildly fashioned dwelling, made of everything recycled possible---and to his artistic side, where he fashioned lamps and art from burned musical instruments, carved wood signs, and did whatever else he could do to make a living. Yukon Charlie defines himself as a "Heyoka Brujo," which translates from Lakota (Native American) as a sacred wise fool and witch. He describes himself as a Lakota shaman who has performed marriages and sacred ceremonies for friends and strangers alike. I was fascinated by Yukon Charlie's stories, energy, contageous smile, quirky wit, and the fact that he was thorougly enjoying the attention of my cousin and I as we admired his crafts and dwelling. One of the funniest moments was when we came upon Charlie's outdoor commode. As Charlie does not have running water or electricity, he simply has a commode with a sign atop it that says, "Please piss here." I'm not sure what was more hilarious---the language--or the fact it was stating the obvious, but it gave me a chuckle every time I glanced at it! I didn't want to offend Charlie by photographing it, though in hindsight, I wish I had done so... I get the impression that Charlie has lived a thousand lives... at least he has stories that made me believe so. I only spoke with Charlie for about 45 minutes, but it was a fond memory of my trip to Alaska. I find the randomness of strangers fascinating--especially the characters of far-flung towns, and Yukon Charlie is definitely no exception. He made for a brilliant conversation and a highlight of my visit to Homer.

"Strings of Fire"

"Strings of Fire" An electric guitar is resurrected from a fire in Homer, Alaska and will be turned into a piec of 3-dimensional art by local artisan, Yukon Charlie.

Yukon Charlie II

"Yukon Charlie II" In Homer, Alaska, there are many "characters" around town. Few could possibly be as fascinating, eclectic, storied, and jovial as Yukon Charlie. I met Yukon Charlie while walking behind the Nature Center in Homer, Alaska in June 2013, by happenstance. My cousin, Kay, and I spoke to him when he inquired about my "long lens." He fascinated me--from his looks, to his wildly fashioned dwelling, made of everything recycled possible---and to his artistic side, where he fashioned lamps and art from burned musical instruments, carved wood signs, and did whatever else he could do to make a living. Yukon Charlie defines himself as a "Heyoka Brujo," which translates from Lakota (Native American) as a sacred wise fool and witch. He describes himself as a Lakota shaman who has performed marriages and sacred ceremonies for friends and strangers alike. I was fascinated by Yukon Charlie's stories, energy, contageous smile, quirky wit, and the fact that he was thorougly enjoying the attention of my cousin and I as we admired his crafts and dwelling. One of the funniest moments was when we came upon Charlie's outdoor commode. As Charlie does not have running water or electricity, he simply has a commode with a sign atop it that says, "Please piss here." I'm not sure what was more hilarious---the language--or the fact it was stating the obvious, but it gave me a chuckle every time I glanced at it! I didn't want to offend Charlie by photographing it, though in hindsight, I wish I had done so... I get the impression that Charlie has lived a thousand lives... at least he has stories that made me believe so. I only spoke with Charlie for about 45 minutes, but it was a fond memory of my trip to Alaska. I find the randomness of strangers fascinating--especially the characters of far-flung towns, and Yukon Charlie is definitely no exception. He made for a brilliant conversation and a highlight of my visit to Homer.