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Ethiopia: Love.Beauty.Joy


Karise Allen as a Photographer is putting a new face on Ethiopia with bold colors and smiling faces. "There is more to Africa than war, famine and buldging bellies, I want to show the love that people hold in their hearts," said Karise.

Proceeds from the book will go directly to address the needs the advancement of the Jelduh community in Ethiopia for their irrigation system and farming, the students at biftu academy, and teacher training.

Please help me help Ethiopia by purchasing the 72 page full color photo book with quotes.

Click the paypal button below to purchase book now for $35.00 USD plus shipping and handeling.

I am sooooooo Psyched!!!!!!

I entered a photo competition for the hell of it, and I won out of thousands of people, my work will be published in a book "The best photos and photographers of 2007".... YES!!!!!!



below is the letter I received and if you go to photo.com you will see my photo.



Dear Karise,
Over the past year or so, we have been reviewing the thousands of photographs that have been submitted to us, as well as examining various pictures that have been featured by other photography publishers. After an exhaustive examination of this photographic artistry, The International Library of Photography has decided to publish a collection of new photos taken by the best photographers we have encountered.
I am pleased to tell you that you have been selected to appear in this special edition . . .

THE BEST PHOTOS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS OF 2007Library of Congress ISBN 0-7951-5306-6

Ethiopia "LoveBeauty Joy"

Journeying through the beautiful land of Ethiopia, I spent most of my time in Jelduh at the Maranatha church, which is west of Addis Ababa, the capital city. In this area lies the largest tribe of Ethiopia, the Oromo people.

I had the opportunity and pleasure to be welcomed daily by the Oromo people to their religious and spiritual practices; attending church service and worship with them. Even though I could not understand their language and dialects, I felt their immense spirit.

I walked up hills and through villages, ate traditional foods, joined with them in praise and worship and played with their children. As a photographer, it was the best experience ever as I captured moment after moment, song after song, dance after dance, and breath after breath through the lens of my camera.

I met an English-speaking native by the name of yohannes, whom I accompanied on a tour ride around the city and into the countryside. I was relieved to know I could engage with someone who was familiar with the surroundings. He gave me a grand tour of the many historical churches in Addis Ababa, several people-congested markets and shopping areas.

The taxi ride was exhilarating. I took great pleasure in the beautiful weather, the cool breeze and the warm sun. To be able to step outside of my everyday comfort zone and experience the beauty of the people, the love in their hearts and the joy in their spirits, is something I hope my photography has captured much better than I can explain in words.

In the midst of the beauty and profoundness of it all, I immediately became aware of how my work and my love of photography and the joy of capturing their hearts and spirits can help in some small way not only eradicate poverty, but also improve a primitive farming system, poor medical care, inadequate schooling and poor infrastructures.

I. SCHOOL IS THE FIRST GOAL
a. Location is in Jeldu at the Center
b. Total Cost 65,000.00 US Dollars
c. Square Meter 6,000
d. Teachers will be taken out of government schools and paid training for the school in jelduh they must be trained and paid $60.00 USD a month
e. Christian school with Christian teachers
f. Starting will only be Kindergarten

II. LAND LOCATION FOR OWNERSHIP
a. Needs a deposit of 3,000, the government wants to see the net of personal account
(URGENT)
b. Land for Cow Farming

III. WATER DRILLING
a.200 meter depth
b. For drilling and related cost
c. 6,782.00 USD
d. Pipe laying 2 kilometers 6,897.00 USD
e. Generator House 2,758.00USD
f. Generator/ Pump Installation 3,483.00 U
e. Cattle Trough (hold water for the cattle) 2874.00 USD
g. Water Point 1724.00 USD

IV Need PA system
94,134.00 USD

Total Cost will be 1 million Birr

Photographer Today Artist Tommorrow

Art to me is a freedom of expression, it is a way that you are really able to express your emotions, and if one knows you well, they will see tyour character come out in your photos, no matter what the subject may be.

Me in the studio sculpting!

Childrens Hopes

Life is so fulfilling when you are able to give love to someone, or help someone to accomplish their Hopes and dreams in life.

I was mentor for 2 days with Pontiac Buick GMC and Linda Solomon, a world renowned photographer in helping young children find their hopes in life.

The children were taught photography techniques, such as angles, where to stand when taking photos, the difference between a vertical and a horizontal photograph, and the importance of focusing on something and capturing the true essence of what it is they hope for.

You would be amazed to hear some of the things the children hoped for, one child hoped for the world to come together and form a unity among the different races, the child then photographed kids of different complexions holding hands.

“ I hope for my family to be closer”, raven 10 years old said. These children will focus their lenses on what they want their world to be when they grow up.

As I followed the group I mentored around, I could see how the Children were able to express themselves through their lenses, they asked several questions as well as helped one another with creative ideas through the process.

“ It is amazing how intelligent the kids are, the way they were able to arrange their thoughts and express them by going through the Salvation army and finding things that may express there hopes”. Says Mariah

One of the girls I mentored, said I was her role Model which filled my heart with an abundance of joy.

Look how serious he is in writing down his hopes.

Finally!!!!!

YES!!!!!!
I am excited to announce that my website is finally up and running, after 2 years of this person doing it, and that person doing it, I took matters into my own hands, and in just 3 months it is now ready to be viewed. I think the site looks pretty good.

so check out www.kariseallenphotography.com and tell me what you think.

xo

Karise L. Allen