One more distraction

The last photograph of the day. No editing, just the last frame. This is easier than having to choose a darling. Like a last thought before going to sleep or the last smile exchanged with a loved one before boarding a train it is what matters most. It stays with you for a moment or longer. If it is the last one and there is no next one it even might stay with you for ever. And so tonight I remember all the last times. The last time I saw you, the last time we talked, the last time I hurt you, the last time I was this or that. I remember the last good times and wish for the bad times to only last one last night. (at Saint-Guénolé, Bretagne, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5tUqAhhyDw/?igshid=sr739jsmreq9

Some of the interesting and caring people who we hanged with this past weekend at Photoville in NYC. Thank you @blinqmccurdy @erikpaulhoward @the_zamarron @gabrielabaginski @elaine_cromie #detroitdoesnyc https://www.instagram.com/p/B2se6u3hoNV/?igshid=jv2g9j230lq3

Good meeting @michaelamccoyphotography (thank you @reginahboone for the intro), @donato_dicamillo and @jamelshabazz who were joined in conversation with photographer Soraya Matos at Photoville. If you are in NYC this weekend go see their work. Last chance to visit this amazing photo festival. (at St. Ann's Warehouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2sdmrohdGj/?igshid=1ntfoqv849yo

Another wonderful day with Rahmani and the rest of the @capturing_belief young photographers. Today we looked at the history of photography, from Niepce and Daguerre to the first digital image produced in 1957. Thank you to the great mentors who worked with us ! @elaine_cromie @dddetroit @lindseymariahh and Howard Sweeney #detroitlove #capturingbelief (at SAY Detroit Play Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwqRNbvhxlc/?igshid=158xr2zwlgvrq

@mark_stryker signing his new book Jazz from Detroit at @cliffbells 👂 mg to the great @whitakerodney1 #detroitlove #umichpress #universityofmichiganpress (at Cliff Bell's) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0j9Gd8Jfs4/?igshid=lxpp5kujowqx

Just love. The best feeling. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2DO6Zjh9t4/?igshid=xxf88jrfwdgb

A painting. I was looking at a painting that @iamjustinnewmam originally painted in 2017 while addicted to heroin and that he reworked/ transformed/ updated in 2018 and it brought me great joy. Great joy knowing that our current state of being does not have to define us and can be temporary. We will always be who we are at the core but evolution and transformation are possible. A song. Since @rudyroye introduced me to Speak Life by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley a few weeks ago, this fast flowing river of purpose has been my pick up song like no other in a long time. In these dark times it reminds me to keep trying a little harder and stop feeling sorry for myself. More than anything it reminds me of what life can be and it is hard to deny any other purpose. We might not always feel like we are Speaking Life but as long as there is a heartbeat we are all at least murmuring Life and this gives me comfort. “Speak life Live a humble and meek life Ordinary day of the week life Try to search and seek life Way up Keep your head up and stay up Even when you sore and pain love Never giving up til its game up Keep your aim up And focus Don't concentrate on what's bogus Never sell out for a bonus Handle your biz like grown ups, Own up” (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B03ZPZxhi8h/?igshid=1k0h3zm643qax

“Whatever you think your life is going to be like, just know, it’s not going to be anything like that.” Last night I watched the film 20th Century Woman and Abbie says that to the kid. When I heard it I thought about this photograph of Nayla I took a couple weeks ago resting after a hot day of exploring and photographing in Hamtramck with @capturing_Belief. (at Hamtramck, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0nUerho9k/?igshid=184u07ooyeiq

You can see the short film below.

Great having Amy visiting from Lyon and hanging out with @souldelightfull and los kiddos 👶, @jtotovino and @dddetroit . #detroitlove #detroitfamily (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTlDUOhX2s/?igshid=e5h42oflif7h

Another wonderful day with Rahmani and the rest of the @capturing_belief young photographers. Today we looked at the history of photography, from Niepce and Daguerre to the first digital image produced in 1957. Thank you to the great mentors who worked with us ! @elaine_cromie @dddetroit @lindseymariahh and Howard Sweeney #detroitlove #capturingbelief (at SAY Detroit Play Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwqRNbvhxlc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l9jupp8tv63g

So proud of Capturing Belief students Rahmyza, Seyi, Ronin, Sekoni and Lamar who will have some of their photographs in the 2019 Applebaum Annual Teen Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit - MOCAD. You are all invited to celebrate our youth's accomplishments. Exhibition Opening Thursday, April 18, 2019 6-9 PM. #MOCAD #detroitlove #capturingbelief #saydetroitplaycenter (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwA1LbyBguz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dupt2wi3uzvx

This week is the Freep Film Festival. Go and watch some great films! I will be at Mixtape America: Vol. 2: Shorts Program 5 where the short documentary I made with and about Justin Newman's ten-year heroin addiction, his art and his recent recovery “Never Forget the Pain” is showing at the Prentis Building and DeRoy Auditorium Complex, Sunday, April 14 at 3:30 pm 5203 Cass Ave Detroit, Michigan 48202 Pictured are Justin and his girlfriend after he shared part of his journey through opioid addiction at the 8th Annual Families Against Narcotics Fall Fest dinner fundraiser last year. #neverforgetthepain #opiodepidemic #opioidaddiction #detroitlove #justinnewman @iamjustinnewman (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKNMlihSVX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1y1z7p0i6xd9q

A few words from David Ross who I met and filmed for the Detroit Free Press in Baltimore in 2016. (at Baltimore, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQ3gUMBsNF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bvm2wkjq4irm

The 2019 Detroit auto show is now open to the public. Enjoy! #naias2019 #detroitlove #detroit #cadillac @cadillac https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3ni6EhIt_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cfgnn34z9htm

The new governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. governor Garlin Gilchrist talk with auto executives while touring the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. #naias2019 #detroitlove #detroit #politics #whitmer #gilchrist (at Cobo Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3nLMOBa5h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17yjr7qgrvifd

Hard reflection time. (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BslerNmhq_8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=witb681uq9aq