Martha Tessmer on NBC Nightly News
Last night my friend Martha Tessmer appeared on the national NBC Nightly news. She saves lives by sharing her son Donovan’s story for Impact Teen Drivers. Donovan died in a distracted driving accident in Madera, California the summer before his senior year in high school. For the last three years, I have been photographing Martha, the support group she founded and more recently Impact Teen Drivers.
Martha and her group has had a larger impact on my life than I have had on her extended network. Even if I could measure my impact, I would feel uncomfortable claiming any success.… Read the rest
Distracted Drivers Vigil
I live in Oakland, California. Depending on traffic, Oakland is about thirty minutes from Concord, California. On Saturday April 7, I was listening to the news when I heard that a Concord family was beginning a horrible journey that started when a teenager lost control of his Cadillac Escalade.
The father, Solaiman Nuri, had taken his two daughters for a bicycle ride. Both daughters were hit. Solaiman and his nine year old were killed. One daughter survived. Solaiman Nuri and I are about the same age. I have an eight year old daughter. It was easier to imagine that something similar could happen to my family simply because I was being a good father.… Read the rest
2012 National Walk for Epilepsy
When I attended my first National Walk for Epilepsy in 2010, I was overwhelmed. I was nervous and tired. Last year, when my family attended with me it snowed and my fingers could barely operate the camera. This year, the 6th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy, I almost got it right. SEE THE GALLERY HERE.
If you are a novice photographer, forgive yourself if you do not take many great photos. With thousands of people at the walk, almost every picture is a moving giant group photo (with a mixed race family). I love diversity, but it is difficult to photograph, especially when everyone wears a different colored shirt.… Read the rest
National Walk for Epilepsy VIP Reception
On Friday March 30, the Epilepsy Foundation of America held the 2012 National Walk for Epilepsy VIP Reception. Eisai sponsored the event. It was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts the evening before the National Walk for Epilepsy. I embedded a 39 picture photo gallery below the initial photos.
At the event, EFA honored Howard Koh and his part at creating the Institute of Medicine Report on the Spectrum of Epilepsy. According to Tony Coelho, the IOM would not have released the report if not for Dr. Koh.
Several other prominent epilepsy advocates attended the event, including Susan Axelrod and Carmita Vaughan from CURE Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy.… Read the rest
Tammie and Starla Five Years After
I met Tammie Mitchell Tarver in August 2009 the first year I began photographing members of the Mother of a an Angel Friendship Network. Two mothers walked with us to the tree that Tammie planted to honor her daughter. These photos are from the summer afternoon when we met.
Tammie’s daughter ten year old daughter Starla died in 2007. Tammie and Starla spent much of the last few months of Starla’s life at the children’s hospital beyond beyond the bluffs.
Today is the five year anniversary of Starla’s death. I am reminded to be a better parent and person from Tammie.… Read the rest
Circle of Care
For 60 years, the East Bay Agency for Children has served Bay Area families. Last year, I volunteered for the Circle of Care program. I photographed their second annual Walk to Remember.
According to EBAC, Circle of Care is, “one of the nation’s few programs providing counseling and support services to children and their families where a parent, caregiver or family member has died or is living with a life threatening illness.” When my father committed suicide several years ago, a support group helped me find comfort. At the time, I felt alone and lonely. I reconnected to my community by meeting others who experienced something similar.… Read the rest
Chad Barth – Concert Promoter and Event Organizer
My good friend Chad Barth visited our family this weekend during a business trip to the Eventbrite San Francisco headquarters. Chad and I met at the Chad Barth Concert for Epilepsy in Washington, D.C. Chad has a concert. I have epilepsy. Last year, my family traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Walk for Epilepsy and the Concert for Epilepsy.
My son Mason with the Chad
(Click on the photo to see more Chad and Mason photos!)
Chad has become an extended member of our family, even before the gumball balancing lesson. Chad always seems to enjoy himself, whether he is playing with my children or playing “with a guitar” at last year’s benefit concert.… Read the rest
Kimberley Libecki Mother of Photgraphy Project
I wanted to honor my friend Kim Libecki on her birthday today. I often describe her as a “Mother of an Angel,” but she is also a wonderful mother to three other children. She and I have been friends since high school. When I left for college, she started a family and our lives went in different directions. A few years ago, tragedies brought us closer.
After her son died, I offered to photograph her support group. I had some experience about grieving in isolation, so I thought I might help with the mothers’ grieving process. I did not realize that I would gain more from the experience.… Read the rest
Epiphany for The Beatitudes Society
In some cultures, January 6 is Epiphany. As with personal epiphanies, the holiday is a little more complicated. The holiday can last several days or it can start on different dates. Epiphanies rarely start when expected, even when placed on the calendar.
Last Fall, I photographed Rev. Anne Howard and The Beatitudes Society’s leadership team while they were “rebirthing” the organization. The team visited from many different parts of the country to guide the organization into its next period of growth.
When the organization has been redesigned, the changes will appear seamless. New members will experience epiphanies, but if we are not careful, the emerging leaders will miss an essential part of the epiphany process.… Read the rest
2011 Self Published Photo Book
2011 was a productive year. I told meaningful stories and affected lives. One of my projects was the Mother of Angel Friendship Network. In February, a magazine published my article and photo essay about the support group organized by mothers who have lost children to death. It is a subject that is often ignored, and the article has helped more people find support and comfort.
I continued my personal project with the mothers’ group during the year. In August, I used Blurb’s new ProLine paper to self publish an excellent book. Combining my experience, the subject matter, and the new Blurb product, this is probably my best book. To see my collection of Mother of Angel photos, visit my gallery collection.… Read the rest
New Year Reminders for the Travioli Family
New Year’s Eve is usually hopeful and exciting. Even if the year had been difficult, a person can write off all their bad resolutions and plan for future good intentions. How would a person change their New Year’s Eve plans if New Year’s Day was not a hopeful reminder? How do parents spend their New Year’s Eve when they can still remember the night their son died?
Eric Gary Travioli was a seventeen year old senior at Kerman High School in Kerman, California when he died on a country road near his home. He was a passenger when the car struck a tree.… Read the rest
Impact Teen Drivers
During Martha Tessmer’s Impact Teen Drivers presentation, she often refers to the “dots left behind.” Martha is one of those people behind the dots.
I followed Martha to two East Bay high schools this week and photographed her while she prepared and presented. Martha must prepare during the middle of her presentation too. She is not merely presenting a lesson, but part of herself that every parent prays will never be a reality.
At the second presentation, I also met Impact Teen Drivers Executive Director Kelly Browning, PhD and California Highway Patrol officers from the Golden Gate Division. The officers were attending an Impact Teen Drivers training after the Wednesday, December 7 presentation.… Read the rest
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. I have had epilepsy since September 1984. In the last few years, my own awareness has increased. I have become involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California. Earlier this year, I met Tony Coelho when he was in San Francisco. Tony, who also has epilepsy, is considered the early author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tony and I are also from the San Joaquin Valley.
Two months later, I photographed Tony at the 5th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy. You can access the gallery by clicking the photo.… Read the rest
