Jersey Shore:Scenes from my chair!

Children jumping into the waves... grown men riding them and families flying above them... normal beach photography. Then. the variation on a theme...a family burying a member in the sand. Not only was his body down under, but his friends then placed food all over the sacrificial mound. Strategic planning going into the placement of the potato chip on his head. It didn't take long for all the sea gulls to zoom in and try to go for the fodder. Luckily, their take out was limited to Lays!

A Weekend of Dualities: Freedom and a Free Spirit

This weekend, a duality exists. We remember those who have given the most precious gift, their own life, so that we may know the greatness of freedom. At the same time, we revel in the glories of a free spirit that summer evokes. So, I began to think of those places where we gravitate to freely connect, rest and renew - those spaces/experiences which ground and enliven us.

Last weekend, I photographed at a Bar mitzvah. Not being Jewish, this was a completely new experience for me. As we were doing the portraits, the Rabbi brought out the Torah (the five book os Moses). He held it to his heart, laid it out and unrolled the sacred parchment scrolls. One is not permitted to touch the scrolls in reverence for the word of God, a pointer, called a "yad" (meaning "hand" in Hebrew) is used. There are those spaces where we go to drink in the stillness, to follow rituals of reverence and tradition. We have the freedom to be able to choose different paths, enter different thresholds to connect with something larger than ourselves.

This weekend, I was out on the water kayaking with good friends...laughing, relaxing and doing that universal "Summer is finally here" dance! The freedom to sleep in and stay up late. The freedom to come and go and happily this weekend, it was under sunshine!

For others, they felt drawn to connect with a father, mother, sister or brother to place a flag on the sacred ground and reach down to touch the dirt in order to get as close as possible. Wondering at times if their loss was worth it...for all our freedoms, I join my voice with so many others giving heartfelt thanks.

The Photographer of India

I am presently in the process of creating a new web site focusing only on the stories and photographs I have taken during my travels. As I was going through tape after tape of footage, I just wanted to share a simple and special story. While in India, I was so fortunate enough to walk beside Amit Chadha who opened amazing doors of adventure for me. One day, he told me he had something planned that he thought I would love and sure enough, he was right! He took me to meet Mr. Chand who was taking black and white portraits of people using the same camera and process his grandfather used. Generation after generation passed down this love and talent, passed down this wooden camera weighing 50 pounds and dating back 150 years. While I was walking/rushing around carrying an assortment of cameras and lenses, here was Mr. Chand with such a peaceful presence... focus, put care and attention into each step and let it all emerge in its own time. He recreated for me that magic that drew me in years ago when I first started with a darkroom in my basement. Photography has come such a long way but for one moment of time, I was privileged to slow down, remember and honor all that came before.

The Photographer of Jaipur, India from Frances Schwabenland on Vimeo.

Mummer's Parade 2011

Starting off the new year surrounded by color, music, dancing and hundreds of comics was the perfect way to go into 2011. The energy and excitement is amazing!

Photographs of Peruvian Architecture

The holiday has given me that precious time to work with photographs which have been waiting patiently to see the light of day. While walking in Peru, the saturated colors, the interesting design elements and ornate details on the architecture were so striking and beautiful.

Engagement Shoot, Phillies Style!

I love to do engagement photo shoots because I always have such fun being with the couple and the focus is just to have fun. My goal is to capture those special looks, the shared laughter, the touches and embraces that have become second nature to the couple. Tiffany and Vinny were so easy going and flexible, getting up for an early morning shoot without even having a cup of coffee! We did several looks at several
spots but couldn't get to that breakfast until the Phillies shirts came out and this moment in time was immortalized with their love! Thanks so very much for a great time!

Peru is but a wonderful memory now.

My laptop has very little memory left. 5,000 images of Peru and 9 hours of video are running through it. My heart is in the same state, filled to capacity with memories of people who are no longer strangers, sounds with such exuberance and inflections, new foods and new places explored. A far off land that now feels so very close.

There was one statement and one question which seemed to be on everyone's mind when they met me. The question was, "Have you seen Machu Picchu yet?" I'ver heard it is awe inspiring and mystical. A true wonder of the world. A site not to be missed but I have to say, I did miss it and it was planned that way! Machu Picchu is for another time. This trip was about being with amazing and gifted people.

Roxana and Jose, a young couple who are just starting out with the hopes and dreams of fullness and a promising future. I loved photographing their looks, the moments they reached out to touch each other in both gentleness and laughter.

Hermenegildo and Irma, a couple, who renewed their vows after 50 years of marriage. They were truly celebrating this fullness which flows from the day in and day out little things. On the morning of the celebration, I walked through the gate to find Hermenegildo cutting the flowers he had grown and then arranging them into the bouquet Irma would hold throughout the day... he was so tender and so in the moment - I was totally taken by this man and his wife! The entire family also know how to throw a great party!

The statement repeated to me was, "You better put your camera away and not keep it out." At first I was thrown into fear thinking that Peru must be far worse with a high rate of robbery than many other countries I walked through comfortably with my camera. That perception quickly changed and I came to realize that the Peruvian people were just very diligent in taking care of me and ensuring that my stay would be both happy and healthy. They were constantly looking out for me and enfolding me. "La Familia" has now become "Mi Familia" and I am so very grateful! The people are the true wonders of the world! Si! Si! Si!

Summer Through the Eyes of a Child

I wanted to capture what we all hold dear about summer...the sense of true freedom, the time to explore and discover, days of long light and laughter! Who better to learn from but the children!

Cape May, NJ: A Time To Honor

Hopefully this weekend, in the stillness of mind and heart, we experience a deep sense of gratitude for all those who honored a profound calling to serve and protect others. The Cape May firehouse has a special exhibit taking visitors back in time in order to remember firefighters and their selfless sacrifices.

Senior Portraits/Senior Models

When I graduated, we had all of two types of senior portraits
- the perennial cap and gown (This actually began in the 12th century in order for the graduate to stay warm in unheated churches where the ceremony was often held. While, the origin of the cap actually stems from Celtic times when the Druid priests wore caps symbolizing great intelligence.)
- the black v-neck dress with a possible red rose. It must have been great for the photographer because it was "batch processing"! Now, it is so different and very dynamic - how far we have come! Senior portraits now showcase the senior in various settings, placing them in the role of model to convey fun, fashion, hopes and dreams.

Jun Kaneko and City Hall

On Saturday night, I caught the last part of a news story relating to the new sculptural installation of 12 foot bronze heads in City Hall courtyard. These were so unique, it caught my attention and I just had to go to find out more and thought this was definitely a photographic moment! Jun Kaneko is the Japanese artist who created these "dangos" (Japanese word for rounded form) and is being honored with a city-wide celebration of his artwork.

"On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You" includes the sculptural installations at City Hall, the Kimmel Center and the Locks Gallery as well as the debut of his production of the opera, Madama Butterfly in October. Not only did I enjoy photographing these sculptures, but what was even better was seeing how people interacted with them... some felt the need to connect with a huge bear hug while others actually thought that a photographic moment should include a flirtatious kiss! Move over "Rocky", your competition is in town!

PS...When in City Hall, always look up. The architecture is so intricate and fascinating.

Memorial Day

While at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, all visitors are asked to observe complete silence. Silence is such a powerful tool in that it asks one to draw the experience inward without trying to search for words to speak.  I was very grateful that was required because there were no words in my vocabulary that could ever convey the depth of that experience. I sit here in silence and remember my father, my uncle, my friends and all who put the freedom and safety of others before their own...there are no words.

Entrusted with Special Moments

As a photographer, I have had such amazing opportunities to travel but I also feel so very privileged when I am entrusted with capturing the beauty of family moments.  These are sacred moments in the cycle of life.  Recently, I have also been asked to help prepare loving video messages to be shared with one's family in conjunction with a written will as a lasting reminder and gift.  These are truly legacies of love.  Through it all, I have met incredible people and have been taught how important it is to be in the moment and never miss an opportunity to tell others how much they are appreciated.

The Largest Folk Festival in the US

If you are unable to go to Venice for the Carnival, the next best thing is Philadelphia on New Year's Day!  The stage is Broad Street and it is transformed into a sea of sequins, feathers and over 10,000 comics and musicians carrying on a tradition which began in 1901.  If you would like to see more, my video is on You Tube under francesanne24.

Hope Lodge

Living in an historic area provides many opportunities to go back in time.  I was driving by Hope Lodge on a Saturday afternoon and looked over to see tents, smoke rising from fires, men in dress from a time period two hundred years prior and the sound of cannons firing. I gave immediate thanks that I never travel without my camera! The men and women involved in the Revolutionary War reenactment are truly dedicated.  No matter what the weather, they camp outside.  There is such attention paid to recreating every detail in the uniforms and dresses.  All are hand made and very expensive.  Wood is cut, soup put over the flame to cook...all done following the same lifestyle of our forefathers and mothers.  I have to admit, I have a strong affiliation with my warm bed and a hot shower which inhibits me from signing up, but I am happy to photograph people with such a love of history.