Trip to Rajesthan, India!!
WHY? I have been asked countless times to lead one based on my intimate, international documentary work and adventures. 2nd, I am collaborating with Colonal Singh, whose family has lived in Rajasthan for centuries. 3rd, we will visit an NGO “Vatsalya” that works with women’s microfinance and Indian street children, have a chance to lend a hand and share from our experience. The goal of that visit is to learn about the extraordinary work of Vatsalya, make photographs, stories, articles, and create relationships. We will share any content we create (ex. photographs, articles, dance, etc.) with Vastalya for their website, newsletters, children activities etc. The group will also disseminate this material back in the USA as various forms of media and arts advocacy. If we are photographers, we can make photographs of children who need sponsorship, make photos for their website, if we are writers, we can chat with someone about their experiences and write a story about it, if we are doctors we can bring extra aspirin, teachers can tell their students of their experience, dancers can teach a new form of expression,etc...

We will also see villages and farms, spend time with families, go on a desert trek, visit market places, attend yoga classes, take cooking lessons (local cuisine), learn about Ayurvedic Medicine, and also enjoy some down time. I will be available for photo questions, ideas, technical issues, etc. There will be lots of opportunity for photography, writing, walking, listing, thinking....

INDIAN COLLABORATION: Colonel Singh and I are working together to make this a very custom adventure. It is an honor that he is involved and believes wholeheartedly in this workshop. Colonel K. Fateh Singh is a retired NATO commander who served during two Indo-Pakistan wars and other various conflict zones including the Middle East. He currently resides in Jaipur, proudly employs Hindus and Muslims at his family run hotels where we will stay, and they are first class hosts. He and his family are Rajput, a tribe that descends from the ancient Indian royal warrior dynasties with deep roots to Rajputana, now known as Rajasthan since India’s independence. Basically, he really knows this region.

LOGISTICS: Cost: $3200, double occupancy. Add $150 for singles. $500 deposit is required by 6/15, balance 7/1. Cost includes: RT airport reception/transfers, taxes, all transportation in-country (AC Innova Toyota Vehicle), all lodging, breakfast and 1 major meal, camel safari in the Thar Desert. Not included: tips, personal laundry, drinks (soft and hard), airfare, vaccinations, visas, travel insurance (required), personal first aid kit, spending money. See “India Workshop Logistics” page to learn more about logistical details.

Send your deposit / balance to : (check made out to) Amanda Koster Productions, LLC, 5047 45 Ave. S Seattle, WA 98118 USA
(206) 286-9707

Cut off: June 15. Deposits are fully refundable up to July, balance is due 7/1. 6 people are confirmed as of 6/10/07. To keep the trip intimate, authentic and focused, there is a maximum of 8 people.

more info: http://www.salaamgarage.com

HEY, HOT SHOT!

Today I submitted work (this is one of the 3 photos, from 'before harmony' the morocco work) to "Hey, Hot Shot' for the Jen Bekman Gallery. Very cool gallery in nyc. I visited when i was in nyc last week. Cool woman, had a look at my morocco work and recommended i enter 'hey hot shot'. so, we'll see. she asked the photographers to write a work statement and then a bio. I had a pretty hard time separating the two as my work IS my bio/life. however, it got me thinking about a few things from the early days, some good stories so i thought i'd post:

I was born in Geneva Switzerland, raised bit there, New York City, Westchester and Connecticut. I saw a Tide commercial when I was 6. The photojournalist was kneeling on the street in the rain when a car drove by and covered her in mud. The next commercial was for the Peace Corps. I thought those would be cool jobs.

I studied Anthropology at Southern Connecticut State University, with a concentration in art history and women’s and religious studies. I then picked up a camera to be a marketable anthropologist.

Inspiring was my families wealth of adventure stories. They lived all over the world and filled our home with books, art, and fresh food. They enforced manners and extreme television censorship (except: National Geographic, Wild Kingdom, Sesame Street) combined with encouragement to go get dirty.

Later influences were Barbara Kruger, Kathe Kolwitz, Freya Stark and Anita Roderick. Activists have influenced me; explorers, women who were focused, crazy and hard workers. Sebastio Selgado influenced me with his work and genuine vision for a better world.

I am over 18.

My career began when my friends came over unannounced. I was mortified at first when they looked through my work. No one knew I was becoming a photographer. I later studied photography at Creative Arts Workshop and ICP and master classes nationally.

My very first exhibition was at a dingy bar. One of the drunken regulars came around to look at the art beside my friend. They looked at the farmers hands in the photo and then discussed their own palms. The drunkard told my friend “I never really thought about my hands before” he used to be a boxer, and his hands were very rough. My friend, the sculptor spent his days in clay and his hands were smooth.

After University I went to Africa for 3 months. No one believed my photos were of Ethiopians because the people weren’t starving. I then realized photography was a powerful tool. People knew Selgado’s images of the famine, though weren’t aware of what else there is to see.

My personal work is focused on human rights and the beauty of diversity. I give viewers the chance to stare and connect. Study a nude, an orphan, widow, a musician. You’ll see your own fears, compassion, and joy.