Celebrate the memory of Dr King today

Still more work to do, but how amazing is it that only a few years later this diverse group of children is reciting the words of Martin Luther King Jr. together today?

From the Washington Times via YouTube: Fourth graders from Watkins Elementary School

recite Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial. January 17, 2010.

I've photographed children of all races in my work and love capturing the same curiosity and joy in their faces. The idea of segregation and prejudice are so foreign to me that it's shocking to hear people still spouting that nonsense today. What makes us different - especially as children! - is tiny compared to our similarities. Let's hope the babies I take photos of today will grow up in a future Dr. King would be proud to see.

Friday Fun - Kids in WPA Art

 

Enjoy Don't Destroy

 A poster showing two very bad children picking flowers: "Enjoy. Don't destroy." 

Created in 1936 or 1937 as part of the Ohio WPA Federal Art Project.

When the WPA was producing posters, they weren't only providing work for artists and bolstering the economy, they also focused on how everyone could help. From victory gardens to supporting the local library, there was something for kids too. Some more favorites:

Wee Willie Winkie

Created by the Illinois WPA Art Project to promote the use of libraries by children, 

this poster shows a child in pajamas running through town at night. 

The poster was illustrated by Cleo Sara, c. 1940.

Red Riding Hood

Titled "Once Upon a Time," this poster by illustrator Kenneth Whitley shows Little Red Riding Hood and a wolf. 

The poster was produced by the WPA Federal Art Project and published circa 1939. 

All illustrations and caption info found on Vintagraph - an amazing resource for artwork. They feature WPA posters and other vintage illustrations available in several sizes/prices for print. Makes cool nursery decor and gifts.

Pantone color of 2010

Makes you picture the sea or a Blue Hawaiian, depending on your mood - Kristin Burns

A nice cheerful color this year for the brand new decade. Amazing how much it has already come up in my recent photo work.

  

 Sophie rocks turquoise stripes - Kristin Burns

Pantone has been pretty spot on for their Colors of the Year (2009, 2008) and with the lingering 80s influence, turquoise will be incorporated into fashion, home decor & product design.

 Julianne's blue eyes and turquise accent look terrific with pink - Kristin Burns

We used it as an accent color in my daughter's nursery when we designed it in 2008, which could mean we were ahead of the curve but more likely it's just a pretty, not-too-girly color that looks great with the ubiquitous pink we knew we've never truly avoid.

 

Emmet, ever ahead of the game - Kristin Burns

So get ready to see turquoise all over crib fabrics, mobiles and toys for both boys & girls in 2010. If you have a turquoise nursery, I'd love to photograph it!

Inspiration Wednesdays: Dorothea Lange

Tater Tot

Family of migrant potato pickers in Tulelake, Siskiyou County, California. September 1939. 

Photograph by Dorothea Lange.

This month I'm going to feature a photographer every Wednesday (last week doesn't count...) whose photos of children inspire me. They may not be known as baby photographers but the way these men and women capture the emotions of children is something I try to do in my own work.  Who better to start out with than Dorothea Lange.

Five Plus Pup

November 1936. "American River camp, Sacramento, California. Destitute family. 

Five children, aged two to seventeen years." 

Medium-format nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange for the Resettlement Administration.

Lange is known for her portraits of migrant family life during the Great Depression. She manages to show the stark poverty they faced while not losing their individuality and humanity. While she is best known for the desperate faces of Dust Bowl farm families, she also wanted to document the love that sustained them when they'd lost everything else. Of course, the camps, work and food helped put a smile on these childrens' faces too - you can't eat love.

Big Brother

August 1939. Migratory children living in "Ramblers Park." They have lived 

on the road for three years. Nine children in the family. Yakima Valley, Washington. 

Photograph by Dorothea Lange.

What really inspires me is the timelessness of her portraits. I try to let the personality of each baby and child I photograph come through in their photos and focus on their expressions. While she was documenting an historic period to inform those lucky enough to have avoided the Dust Bowlers fate, she never loses sight of the fact that these aren't just educational devices but real kids trying to find fun where they can.

The Happy Camper

November 1938. "Migrant cotton picker's child who lives in a tent in the government camp 

instead of along the highway or in a ditch bank. Shafter Camp, California." 

Medium format nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange.

All photos and caption information from the amazing Shorpy. A great resource for archival photos, especially for prints.