Bryan Farley Photography Educator

Depending on when you met me in the epilepsy community, you may know me as a poised advocate who always seems to have his camera or you might know me as a nervous neurological wreck. When I first visited the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County last February, I was the awkward version of myself.

This year I was much more comfortable. I knew the routine and I even recognized some of the people from last year’s event.

People seemed to recognize me too! On the day before this year’s walk, I visited the office. I was much more relaxed. I want to say that I acted like myself, but that is only partially true. I also acted like myself when I was nervous and scared. Sharon’s Ride, and similar events, helps me feel less scared.

If you want to see more photographs from the event, you can jump to the photo slideshow.… Read the rest

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On Saturday, I participated in the 2014 National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington, DC. It was the fifth time I attended the national event and the Epilepsy Foundation’s 8th annual walk. Today is also international Purple Day. Purple Day was started by Cassidy Megan in 2008 when she was just a kid. (She is still just a kid.) Sometimes, it takes a kid to do something important.

Purple is our color. I know other groups claim it too, but for us, it rains purple. One day, I hope that the rest of the world will see more purple rain. I want people to see monuments and museums and memories for purple people. Some say that it takes a village, but it might take a village idiot to accomplish my goals. I might be that village idiot.

Orange is the new purple this year. Orange was everywhere. There were orange gloves, orange flags and orange superheroes too. 

The superheroes were created by Medikidz.… Read the rest

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I got to tell you something…

Today is 311 day. (March 11.) 311 is a band. 311 can be many other things too, from a government help line to a fictional area code. I am posting tonight so that my Advanced Photography students can learn more about me as a photographer with epilepsy. This week I have assigned a great deal of writing. I thought I would give them the chance to create extra work for me if they wish. (It is my version of extra credit.)

I took these photographs last April in San Diego at the 2013 Sharon’s Ride Run Walk for Epilepsy. The event benefited the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. This photo was taken before the photo at the top of the post.

This photo was taken after the other photos.

So, what brings me here? When I look at the first photo, I realize that I see things differently than most people and that I might be cursed.… Read the rest

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I am an official photographers for the . I have a camera, a press badge and a really cool derby name. (I am P Giddy.) One of my friends asked me how I lucked into this gig. I really do not know. I showed up one day after attending a bout. I think I will keep showing up until they tell me its time to leave.

The B.ay A.rea D.erby Girl Season Opener! was last weekend. I posted derby photos on my blog and my personal Facebook page, but many of my best photos were not seen. I combined two events into one post and the slideshows were inside the blog post. I am posting the derby photos again today so that more people can see more derby photos.

2014 Season Opener Berkeley vs San Francisco

2014 Season Opener Oakland vs Richmond

I posted the photo above of  on my Facebook page. I had not noticed that the picture was very good until one of Otter’s friends mentioned the composition.… Read the rest

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It is a few minutes past midnight on Sunday March 9, 2014. I have just returned home from Fresno County and I decided to post my photos from my last Fresno County visit. I wanted to post while it was still International Women’s Day, because this story reveals something unexpected about the struggle for liberty. The post is late, just as liberation often arrives later than desired.

In January, I published the first installment of my long term project about Japanese Americans Internment Camp Survivors. When I returned to Reedley, California three weeks ago, Libby and her mother  joined us. Libby and Tisha are related to many of the people I photographed in January.

Libby is my friend ‘s granddaughter. Carol is my connection to the story. Carol introduced me to the Art of Gaman and she introduced me to many of her family members, including those who survived the relocation camps.… Read the rest

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On Saturday March 1, I attended two season openers. One was a campaign and the other was a sporting event. There is probably a cheap joke here, but neither event felt cheap.

In the morning, I attended Libby Schaaf’s “Libby for Mayor Oakland Campaign Kickoff.” (I took a few hundred pictures; here is the edited photo gallery.) In the evening, I photographed the Bay Area Derby Girls Season Opener. The events felt similar. There was music. There were people from different ages and backgrounds. Young people held signs. Older people cheered. Everyone seemed committed. Positive.

As someone who pretends to be a journalist, I do not officially endorse anyone, but I support many people and causes. I support Libby. Before she was elected to City Council, she supported my kids and neighbors. I support people who help my kids and neighbors.

People at derby support me and my kids.… Read the rest

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