Suicide in Montana

Last Wednesday, I met with the first participant for my project that involves photographing and interviewing those who have lost family members to suicide. Each portrait will include something that is representative of the lost family member. Over the course of the next few months, I plan to make at least 2-3 visits to each participant so this is just one of the very first images. I'm excited to see how this project will develop over time, to hear the stories, and to see how this project will be used to hopefully make a difference in someone's life.

Suicide Photography Project

Dear friends,

Over the course of the past year, I have been thinking about this project and the idea just won't go away. Whenever that happens to me, I usually take it as a sign that I need to do something with the idea.

I have hesitated to take on the topic of suicide for several reasons, but I'm finally moving forward with my idea. Suicide is a topic that is very close to my heart for a couple of reasons and I know this is the time for me to use my passion for story telling through photography to tackle this issue.

I have been actively planning this project since about February or March of this year by making contacts, etc. I even met with the local Suicide Survivors group back in May and had three people sign up for the project. Since returning from Brazil, I have worked to make more contacts and I recently had two more to sign up. Additionally, I just made another couple of contacts today that will hopefully lead to more participants for my project. However, I have a minimum number of people I need to participate and I haven't met that goal yet.

The project involves photographing and interviewing family members of those who have completed suicide. I have come to understand that the term "committed suicide" is not used by many who have lost loved ones. Rather, many prefer to use the term "completed suicide". Anyway, The portraits will be of the family members who have lost loved ones, but I plan to collaborate with them to "construct" an image that allows them to represent their loved one in a way that they choose. Those who have completed suicide may be represented in the portrait in a number of ways. In addition to making portraits, I also plan to interview the family members and use clips from the recorded interviews in the final presentation. I have a couple ideas of how to do this, but I'm still working through it since it might require some technical experience that I don't have. ;)

Do you know of someone who would be interested in participating in my project? At this point, I will only be able to photograph people in Montana or areas to which I can drive within a day. If you need more information for anyone you might contact, let me know by sending me a message and I can give you a copy of the letter I have sent out. You can also direct them to my website if they want to check out some of my previous work (www.lesliemcdaniel.com).

Please let me know if you are interested in participating, or if you know someone I could contact. I really think this project could have far-reaching impact and many I've spoken with about the project are excited and even consider that it could be potentially therapeutic for those who are involved. Only time will tell the results of the project, but for now, I'm content to just move forward with the work one day at a time.

Thanks so much for reading,
Leslie

Exit Gallery Show

I just wanted to let you know that the "Forever Families" photographs and multimedia show will be on exhibit at the Exit Gallery in the SUB of Montana State University from September 21-October 2. There will be a special opening reception on Wednesday, September 23 from 5-7 pm. I hope to see you there!

International Photography Awards

I just received word that this series of three photographs of The Osen Family has passed the first two rounds of judging for the International Photography Awards contest! They have progressed from an "Official Selection" to an "Honorable Mention" and are now competing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize. I'm very excited to be able to share these photographs and the stories of adoptive families!

Forever Families - Stories of International Adoptions of Older Kids - by Leslie McDaniel

Check out this multimedia project I created as the culmination of my adoption portrait series.

Vote for my book for the People's Choice Award

Hello! Recently I submitted my abstract photography book, Beautiful Blight, at the Blurb.com book contest. The voting for People's Choice Award is now open. Even though you can't see the entire book with the preview, check out my work and vote for me:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/647037

Thank you!
Leslie

Brazil Trip 2009

If you're interested, I've been keeping a blog from my experiences of teaching photography in Brazil for the past two weeks. We'll be here about two more weeks. Check out the blog at:

mcmissionbrazil.blogspot.com