search this site
this book is about you
my chookooloonks life list

number 16:  photograph 1000 faces (136 down, 864 to go)

number 24:  100 ways to tell you you're beautiful (6 down, 94 to go)

right now (tweet, tweet)
momversation

On natural products -- and how to find the best ones.

the bp oil spill -- Horrifying, isn't it?

Are you an overprotective parent? -- 'Cause Lord knows I am.

momversation archives
through the gadling lens

through the gadling lens archives - click here to read them all.

full disclosure

In the interest of full disclosure, please note that links related to music, camera equipment, journaling supplies or other items that you see on this site may take you to their purchase page on Amazon.com, where I am a member of the Amazon affiliate program.  You are obviously under no obligation to buy a thing.  Also, I am not otherwise paid to link to these items, nor do I link to any products that I don't actually use myself in my real life.

On the very rare occasion I accept payment to review a product, rest assured that the fact that I accepted such payment will be noted in its associated post, and for better or worse, the review will reflect my honest opinion.

where I buy music, camera batteries, books ...
more info

Follow Chookooloonks on Twitter

Featured in Alltop

My site was nominated for Best Photography Blog!

Photoblogs coolphotoblogs.com my profile

If you're bored, and you'd like to watch my hair grow, click here.

subscribe
my daughter alex's photoblog (she's 6)
Wednesday
Jan272010

« guest photographer: irène nam »

Photo by Irène Nam

(While I'm winding up working on my book, periodically over the next few weeks I thought I'd have some guest posts by a few photographers who I really admire for your viewing pleasure.  Today, meet Irène Nam.  She's another artist whose work I've been following forever, in part because she's really astounding: she was born and has always lived in France, but Korean was her first language, and she writes masterfully in English.  I've found her so exceptional, in fact, she's going to be featured in my book.  Read on, and you'll see what I mean.  -- Ed.)

Photo by Irène Nam

“What brings me the most joy, that’s what I do.”

~ SARK

I’d always figured that being a writer and photographer would require a lot of discipline, work ethic, and a sense of certainty in my own strength. But I’ve learned that there’s also a sense of humbleness that every artist must accept and approve of in order to find balance, and true joy in what they do. 

Realizing that I can stop writing for the rest of my life and very few will notice, no one will die and yet I would not have failed has relieved me from the discontentment and hopelessness I experienced and thought were legitimately part of the job. 

And now I write because I know my voice matters. I write because words have the power to heal. I write because some days I actually think that I’m good at it. But most importantly, I write because this is what brings me the most joy.

Photo by  Irène Nam

 

Song: Stay (I missed you) by Lisa Loeb.  Today's song brought to you courtesy of Irène.

Reader Comments (16)

Looking at Irene's photos in this post just stirred something in my soul. That first one is breathtaking, they all are. Thank you for introducing me to her and her beautiful art here.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterstacy

Beautiful photos, but it's the words that knocked me over. In one of those "aha" moments, I needed to read these words this morning. Thank you Irene, and thank you Karen. ~ Alison

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAlison

stunning photos...so breathtaking this post.

can't wait to see your book in stores. sending lots of positive vibes your way.

one love.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSe'Lah

This is one of the best reasons for writing that I've ever heard. I was just trying to answer this same question the other day. I settled on, "Writing is my art," but now I"ll add: "Writing is my joy." Thanks for a great guest post, Irène!

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJenna/The Word Cellar

stunning pictures...thank you for sharing.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterjacqueline

These are gorgeous...and I love the idea of writing for joy.

Beautiful photos. So excited for the book! Thank you, Karen, for exposing us to such interesting photographers. And thank you, Irene, for a breath of fresh air this morning with your inspiring words!

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKellee

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered Commenternatalyn

Oh, these are some of my favorite Irene shots! And it's so true...doing what brings us most joy is being true to ourselves.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSarah-Ji

She's so talented. Those top two photos make me itch to visit Paris again. Thanks for sharing.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterKristin

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>