City Daily Photo Theme Day - Me!

I'd do almost anything to stay our of the camera, but in 2009, when I did a walkabout in Paris with one of my favorite photographers, Meredith Mullins, I complied. She was sneaky. She waited till I looked out over the sunset on the Seine, then said, "Virginia!" I turned around and she caught me. It's not everyone who has a Meredith Mullins portrait. I"m very proud.

Today, I can't wait to see what my City Daily Photobloggers around the world will post as their ME photo. Click HERE to see the gallery.

Enfin!

Well, it took 15 trips,  but I finally got inside the Grand Palais.  I also FINALLY was able to attend Paris Photo. It was just as Meredith Mullins warned, "Sensory overload". I was totally torn between soaking up every photograph and shooting the fabulous glass ceiling. If you are in Paris in November, be sure to attend this fabulous 3 day event.

I"m doing the BW Photo A Day Challenge on Facebook where I post a BW image a day for 7 days, no people, no words. I"m double dipping here. 

Les skateboarders

I snapped this while on the street shooting as part of Meredith Mullins' street photography class in 2014. 

La face

Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and Culture, Paris.

When in Paris, always check their website for exhibits.

Thanks to readers Mad About Paris and Avery Sloan who shared this information on Mona Bismarck.
I have had the good fortune to visit twice while in Paris. Peter Olson and I toured a beautiful Yusuf Karsh exhibit there and in 2014, we attended a street photography seminar led by photographer Meredith Mullins.

34 Avenue de New York

75116 Paris

Yaseen

I made these portraits of artist Yaseen in Paris November, 2015. Martha and I noticed his artwork taped along the wrought iron fence that encloses a small garden and playground on the side of the St. Germain de Près church. We found several pieces that we wanted to buy, but there was no one around to give us a price.  We stepped inside the garden for photos and as well were leaving Martha spotted Yaseen walking down the sidewalk, recognizing him from a newspaper article hanging with his work. He spoke some English and we walked back into the side entrance so he could sign our work. He looked so familiar to me and I finally placed him. I asked, "Do you knowMeredith Mullins?" With an amused look, he said, "Of course." I told that I was a friend of hers and had bought her book, In A Paris Moment, in 2008. She includes a striking portrait of him in the book, as well as sharing that they had been friends for over 10 years. A very special Paris moment for me as well.

He's Watching

Using my street photography skills from Meredith Mullin's workshop in Paris last November.

Ma Mission

Last November Peter and I were part of a street photography workshop led our very talented friend and photographer Meredith Mullins. We gathered at the Mona Bismarck American Center to talk about street photography and then Meredith gave us our assignments. One was to find a spot, and stay there long enough to become part of it, unseen. We had several other tasks as we hit the streets along the Seine. The next day, while just wandering along rue Bonaparte waiting for friends, I walked across the street, leaned against a store front and stood there for maybe 5 minutes or more just snapping away. Normally I don't shoot those begging in Paris,  but this time the woman was such a part of the scene and I was far enough away, I didn't feel as if I was invading her space. This is the photo I selected to share with Meredith and my fellow classmates. 

View From the Quai

Last November, Peter and I enrolled in Meredith Mullins' street photography workshop at the Mona Bismarck American Center.  After a great discussion with our group, Meredith sent us out to the streets to do our assignments. I wandered down on the quai and was able to photograph some of the boats tied up there for the first time. On my way up, I loved this shot of people in silhouette on the pedestrian bridge with la Tour Eiffel in the background.

Charmantes Filles

As Meredith Mullins and I stepped outside Le Reminet after a delightful lunch, she spotted a family
that she knew.  They were visiting Paris again,  and I was the lucky one.  I was able to snap these two
delightful girls!

L'homme et la bouteille

Early evening I was doing a walking photography tour on the Île Saint-Louis with Meredith Mullins.  We stopped to look over the wall and this is what we found.  We debated about the wrapper on the bench and Meredith offered to run down and move it, but we decided the moment would be lost. To quote Meredith's wonderful book....another  Paris Moment!

Un autre moment à Paris

From time to time, I have what I call a Paris moment *.  A very special experience that reminds me of just how much I love this place.  This afternoon as we were walking through the colonnade of Place des Vosges, I heard a  harp being played and I knew just who it was.  This harpist I photographed two years ago and shared here, was in the very same spot.  As we stopped to listen, he played l'Hymne a l'amour ** and those of you that know me well,  know that I teared up.  Je suis sans espoir bien sûr!

*  In a Paris Moment, by my friend and very talented photographer Meredith Mullins, was my inspiration!


** Today I'm giving you France's beloved and a much younger Johnny Hallyday's version. Your thoughts??

The Art of the Wait

Most of time I'm in Paris, I seem to find myself on this frantic photo hunt. I try to slow down but somehow I'm always feeling the clock ticking away the days, the hours, the minutes till I must leave again. I haven't been able to overcome that need to get just one more image to carry home with me.

I have been privileged to meet and work with American/Parisien photographer Meredith Mullins. When I first discovered  her book In a Paris Moment, I found an interview where she spoke of "the art of the wait", when you sit and take the time for that someone to walk into your photograph that takes it to another level.   I think about that wonderful advice so often, and sometimes I think I pull it off, usually by sheer luck.  Today, an example of waiting.... until this  boy and his poppa made it happen.

A Quiet Corner of Paris

Most visitors to Notre Dame gather in the plaza in front the church. Last June, as Meredith Mullins and I strolled the Seine in search of sunset photos, we stopped here behind the cathedral. This quiet little park is delightful. Earlier that week I photographed the roses right here when I visited the gardens with my daughter and grandchildren. Late in the day, Meredith and I found it deserted and quite peaceful. ( Maybe because it was closed? )

Un Après-Midi Sur La Seine

Taken last June on my wonderful evening spent with American/Parisian photographer Meredith Mullins.

Note to self: Next trip......a bottle of champagne needs to be uncorked right here!

Coucher de Soleil - Votre Choix

I took these photographs of the sun setting on the Seine the evening I spent with photographer Meredith Mullins. As I pondered which to share with you today, I couldn't decide which I preferred. So today, un petit cadeau pour toi, enjoy the one you like best. I hope I never tire of this delicious view.

100 French Strangers - L'artiste

French Stranger #56

I'm cheating a little on this one. I knew this artist at Place du Tertre even before I spotted him that cold, damp day. You see, I'd already "met" him when my friend, American ( living in Paris) photographer Meredith Mullins , featured him in her terrific book, In a Paris Moment. I walked right up and in my broken français I told him I thought he was famous because of Meredith! When I said her name, he smiled and it was easy after that. In this photo he is telling a fellow artist why he's "famous"! I wish I'd had more time with him and could have gotten a shot even half as good as Meredith's portrait in her book. Quel dommage. But it was a special meeting. I'm satisfied with that.

For the record, I tried to take the neighboring artist's photo and he said, "Non, I don't want to be famous." His loss don't you think?

Paris' Grand Lady

I hope I never, ever tire at the sight of her. There she stands, so gracefully towering over all of Paris. From almost any place in the city, you can catch a glimpse of her. I'll admit I'm feeling a little nostalgic today. My friend Chieftess, who is a faithful visitor on both of my blogs, recently spent a few days in my beloved Paris. I stopped by her blog yesterday and took a little trip back via her photographs. Before she went, she kindly asked me to give them a few special places to see. *La tour Eiffel was of course on my list. Touristy you say? Of course, and well she should be. I will never forget the first time I stood at the base and looked up . My first thought, after I caught my breath, was that she was much bigger/taller/grander than I could have ever imagined. Yes, it's always crowded ( unless you choose a day when it's freezing cold and pouring rain ) but go. Go and take as many photos as your heart desires. I have enough to fill a book. What a novel idea...... a photo book of la tour Eiffel! :)

Now, it's time to share some very delicious news. I will be returning to Paris on January 7th with my Paris loving amie Mary from Cincinnati and her college roommate. We'll stay a week, and I hope to blog from there. I've told Peter ( you remember Peter, the most patient man in Paris. I do hope I'm not pushing my luck! ) my number one "must do" is a night shoot at the Eiffel Tower! I can hardly wait, but you knew that didn't you?

Today, another photo from a very special evening in Paris.....Bastille Day and the fabulous fireworks.

Snow fell on Paris recently. My friend, American photographer Meredith Mullins, captured it beautifully, as only she can do. Richard Nahem's Eye Prefer Paris blog featured some of her marvelous photographs. Perhaps la neige will visit again pour moi.

* Last summer I was pleased to meet author Jill Jonnes and hear her speak about her newest book Eiffel's Tower. You'll want to buy this one!

Le Reminet

Mes amis we are happily back in Paris today. I had a really nice lunch here at le Reminet last summer with American (living in Paris) photographer Meredith Mullins. This restaurant, located on île de la Cité, just a stroll across the bridge from Notre Dame, is one of Meredith's favorites. I rarely take photos in restaurants but this one was too charming to pass up. Déjeuner était délicieux!

Paris Mélange I

Jardin des Plantes

Each day I've tried to offer the a variety of what we 've done as a way to chronicle our wonderful visit here in Paris. However, I've found that I have a number of photographs left over from various places and things that I've photographed that are not necessarily part of our "day". I've decided to occasionally add a Paris Mélange post. I pray this is not "overkill"!

* mélange - mixture, blend

Flower Market

la Tour Eiffel lift

Hotel de Ville.....I think
Palais Royal Gardens
Eva blends right in!

Altadena Hiker requested proof that I am indeed in Paris.
Thanks to Meredith Mullins, I have this photo!

An Evening With Meredith Mullins

Watching

Once in a lifetime. That's how I feel about my evening spent with American photographer/writer Meredith Mullins. I fell in love with IN A PARIS MOMENT a few years ago and have followed her since. Her name might sound familiar. Check my sidebar. Long story short, I heard she was now living in Paris and teaching, so I contacted her before I came. We met for the first time last night, but I felt like I'd known her forever. We laughed at the similar photos we've taken and when we hit the streets at Ile St. Louis, her Parisian neighborhood, many times we both saw a "shot" and eyed each other. I learned so much from her last night. I hope if I 'm ever lucky enough to return to Paris, we can work together again. I'm certain we'll stay in touch.

Meredith

Notre Dame at night

Le Concerigerie



Stairway to the Quay