#kyur8

Our August guest editor is a young lady who wrote to us back in March, asking us to check out her work. We were very much delighted and so wrote her back, and this is what she said:

Hello, Thanks for getting back to me. I just turned 16 this April 8; I am a junior in high school. I am based in Maryland, USA but I'm from Douala, Cameroon. I came to the US almost four years ago; my interest in photography arose about a year after I came to the US. Even though I was able to get a small camera but I never really started taking portraits until last summer. I began shooting more portraits and my work started getting recognition. Now here I am still progressing, and still with so much to learn.

After getting approval from her father (because this creative force just turned 16), to guest edit the August issue, we couldn't wait to publish her curated work. May we present to you, the artist Ornelle Chimi - thank you for sharing your gift. You are well on your way. 

Stella Fay Metzner decided early that she was going to be a stylist and designer. She has proof. Ask Barbie. Stella surrounds herself with creative and positive people and has become an expert at letting life unfold as a Mom, while living a busy and artful life. Her theme for her July issue has a lot to do with her clever son Hugo who asks great questions and keeps Mom on her toes. Enjoy this very endearing look at Stella Fay and her greatest creation and inspiration thus far. 

'Constantly becoming a work of art'... is how I would describe our June Guest Editor Patrice Bilawka. She is more than her photographs, more than her writing and more than her work as a therapist. Creating a life full of adventure and relationship is her gift, and we are super happy she could take time out to be our June curator and collaborator.  

Alfonso Smith aka Fonz, is one of the coolest guys you'll meet. He instantly makes you feel like you've been friends for more than 5 seconds, and you won't be able to escape his smoothness if you try. This is why he specializes in photographing people. His subjects naturally give into his humor, charm, and grace with the camera. Just ask the ladies. Fellas, enjoy, envy, repeat. 

Stephonik Youth is the lead vocalist for LIVING DAYS, a three piece dance art pop band from New York City. If you are a gamer, then you may have heard their song "Little White Lie" , since it is part of the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto 5. Neil Davidge of Massive Attack features Stephonik for 3 songs on his new solo record which she also wrote, and her band's new album "Dance Not Dead", is due out in Spring 2014.

Did we mention she had time to guest edit the April issue of KYUR8?

A Miss Nathalie Coppens from Belgium, and a Mister Khairi Mdnor from Singapore could only meet and make an ethnically ambiguous magical baby, who has 3 passports before she is even in preschool—only in New York City. This progressive duo adds to the city's energy by producing and creating designs, events, art and curating music that keeps all that they do activating and inspiring. Nathalie and Khairi are influenced by their daughter Milla and travel the world together seeking adventure and exploring the bohemian life as much as possible. We want to be just like you when we grow up Nat & Khairi. Thank you for showing us it is possible. 

Samantha West..., what a great name...it's one of those names you want to meet to see if the name suits the personality, or to just know as a friend. We hope one day to meet this talented lady out of New York City who draws inspiration from the truly feminine form and images makers such as Nan Goldin, Lilian Bassman and Deborah Turbeville. 

Lasse Dearman wrote us an email this past summer and praised our community here at KYUR8. He asked us to look at his work to see if we were interested in having him guest edit an issue. He sent us links to his work, and we saw his journey as a portrait photographer to the narrative story teller that he is, that we all are.

Today everyone has a voice, everyone has a camera... all the more reason to tell your story, shoot what you know, and photograph a POV that can only be created by you. Because you can. 

Thank you Lasse for writing us and collaborating with the inspired here at KYUR8 and kickstarting 2014.