Bryan Farley Photography Educator

I was dreaming when I wrote this. Forgive me if goes astray…. (Prince 1999)

Before I begin writing, I usually want to know where my article is going to take me, but I know from previous experience, writing is a process. I have actually published a few blog posts, but nothing that has captured the entire year. I still do not know what has happened. Everything has been a blur.

Thanksgiving is my New Years Day. I celebrate Thanksgiving by playing The Fresno High Senate Stogie Bowl. The Senate is the oldest high school club of its kind in the country.  I play football every Thanksgiving with high school students and alumni. I have attended for 30 consecutive Thanksgivings. Some players were born in 1999. I wear clothes that are older than most of the players… I am that old.

I did not actually play last year, because I was recovering from an auto accident.… Read the rest

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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Until this year, I waited until Thanksgiving to thank people… and then something changed.

more later…

now time to play football.

Here is an old post about Stogie Bowl from 2009. Here is something a little more recent (2012.)

It is later.

Early this year, my former priest, Robert Cromey, challenged me to thank people more often. His simple advice changed my life. Thanking people however, is not always peaceful. It is not easy.

Life is full of conflict, tragedy and hardship. When life gives you lemons, it is difficult to say thank you if you do not drink lemonade. This last year has been especially difficult. I still cannot explain some of my challenges. Yet I became grateful when I thanked people. I also accepted gratitude the more I practiced being grateful. Thanking people helped me see that each wave of bad news would lead to a new opportunity.… Read the rest

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One of my students wore a shirt today with the words, “It started with a smile.” The shirt reminded me of one of my previous blog posts as well as a song lyric to (Everybody Talks) “It Started with a Whisper.”

I talk. I talk to myself. I talk to my pictures. They talk back. We have conversations. If this sounds a little crazy, it is only because I am downplaying my confusion. I am like an amp turned to …  eleven? But these START at 11

 It is 11/12/13 and counting

If truth is stranger than fiction, perhaps fiction can teach me something… if only I could tell the difference between the two. Lately, my life is starting to feel more like the rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. Exchange drummers and fathers and we almost have a movie. There is another difference. I am going to Boston tomorrow for another JEA National Convention, unlike the fictional band whose Boston gig was cancelled.… Read the rest

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and the greatest of these is Love.

Ten days ago, my friend Chad Barth announced the lineup for 7th Annual Concert for Epilepsy. On New Year’s Eve, country artists Craig Morgan and Love and Theft will perform at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.  Ten months ago was probably my worst New Year’s Eve. Ever. In two months, I could have a much better start to the year.

I have had epilepsy for 29 years as of last month, and if my father had not committed suicide nine years ago, I might have never talked about having epilepsy. Having epilepsy was a bigger secret than my father shooting himself and mismanaging my grandmother’s finances. I am still pretty awkward when discussing either topic, because there are not many role models. This leads to another scary realization — I am a role model. I wish there were many more people applying for the job, but in the valley of the problems that look like a nail… I am one of the few people who have a hammer.… Read the rest

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Ten days ago I photographed the 2013-14 class of Beatitudes Society’s Fellows during their retreat in Berkeley, California. The Beatitudes Society is a national Progressive Christian organization that selects emerging faith leaders who have demonstrated an ability to lead.  (You can view my photos at this link.)

Originally, I had wanted to photograph the new class a day earlier so that I could photograph a country artist known for his song about worlds crashing down at a red light on a Sunday; however, when Anna Woofenden, the new Fellowship Program Associate, requested that I visit on October 16th, I realized that I had a bigger choice.

I could spend the 45th Anniversary of Tommie Smith’s Gold Medal victory with fellow travelers or I could continue chasing red lights.

I chose to be with Anna, Rev. Anne Howard and the new class of The Beatitude Society Fellows. I chose correctly.… Read the rest

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Last week I attended the Sonoma County College & Career-Ready Fair at Windsor High School. Almost ten years ago, I had an idea that high school students in Sonoma County should have a fall college fair. I worked for a college and when I visited the local high schools, I realized that many schools had eliminated the college counselors. Students were not receive information about college. It was unfair.

You can view more College Fair photos here.

I approached many people with my idea, but only one person had the vision necessary to sustain the event. Chris Vetrano, the assistant principal at Windsor High School, knew how to organize events. With the help of many other community organizers, she has built a successful annual event.

I attend each year to remember what inspires me. I am inspired by people who are willing to help others. I am inspired by people like Chris who can see a crazy idea and create a successful event.… Read the rest

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