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Hi everyone!  I am very happy to feature the photography by the lovely Brooke Shaden.   She is not only our muse today for our poems, but she is also a motivational speaker in reminding us to put our passion to action.   Kindly read further on to admire her efforts to fund a photography school in Kolkata India for the victims of human trafficking and abuse together with an organization called Blossomy.

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The almost circus and invisible audience

Brooke Shaden is a fine art photographer living and working in Arizona. Her passion lies in creating new worlds through photographs. Her vision extends beyond the realm of the camera, creating images that resemble paintings and speak of an era that is not our own. Each image is a story. 

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Keeper of Keys

Brooke Shaden was born in March of 1987 in Lancaster, PA, USA. She grew up near the “Amish Country” until attending Temple University. Brooke was photographically born in December 2008 after graduating from Temple with bachelor degrees in film and English. She now resides in Arizona, USA with her husband and three cats.

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Create Your Own Magic

She began creating self-portraits for ease and to have full control over the images, and has since grown into a self-portrait artist. Self portraiture for her is not autobiographical in nature. Instead, she attempts to place herself within worlds she wishes we could live in, where secrets float out in the open, where the impossible becomes possible. 

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 We are Infinite

Brooke works to create new worlds within her photographic frame. By using painterly techniques as well as the square format, traditional photographic properties are replaced by otherworldly elements. Brooke’s photography questions the definition of what it means to be alive.

IMG_8611 (1)Brooke Shaden in Kolkata, India

On Feb. 8, 2014 up to April 10, 2014, Brooke started a fund raising campaign for the photography school in Kolkata, India.

“Last year I traveled to Kolkata, India with an organization called Blossomy that hosts workshops for survivors of human trafficking. I went on a whim, never having been before and new to the cause, with the hope that I would be able to help in some way, big or small. I went home feeling as though I had been changed forever, and wanted to do more.

I was teaching photography to survivors of human trafficking. While I taught the camera basics, we also focused on self-portraiture and the lasting impact of finding self-confidence and understanding that everyone has a story to tell. Something was missing from my experience, and that was a lasting impact that would be able to ripple through more than a small group of women.

I’m filled with joy as I move forward with the school I’m helping to start in Kolkata, India to benefit those susceptible to human trafficking. My friend Amy Parrish helped put together this list of charities you could get involved with if you’re interested: http://www.promotingpassion.com/giving-back .”brooke8

Phoenix

“To live a dream is what I strive for. It is the reason why I love self-portraiture. It is the reason why I love photography. It is the reason why I love life. Sometimes fear gets in the way, and it is up to us to stop it from breaking the dream.”

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“What are you passionate about? How can you use that passion to put goodness in the world? ”  – Brooke Shaden

Links:         Gallery:       http://brookeshaden.com/gallery/

Blog:           http://www.promotingpassion.com/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/brookeshadenphotography

Flickr:         https://www.flickr.com/photos/brookeshaden/with/8713331685/

Our challenge is to be inspired by the photography and/or  passionate words of Brooke Shaden. You can weave stories  or challenges that you face in finding or not finding your passion. I believe we can all relate to the fear and doubts that hold us back from pursuing our own journey.  Brooke has given us permission to choose from her gallery of pictures as inspiration for our words.  If you decide to use her image/s in your blog, kindly provide credit and link back to her blog.

If you’re here for the first time, here’s how to participate:
  • Write a poem or prose poem, inspired by words or images of Brooke Shaden.
  • Post it on your blog, and if you are using Brooke’s image, link back to her site and give her credit for the image.
  • Click on the Mr. Linky button, insert your name and direct URL to your poem (not your blog).
  • If you use social media, use the tag #dversepoets or @dversepoets so we can find you and help with promotion.
  • Visit others that have taken the challenge as well.

Happy Tuesday everyone ~  Grace