Pickathon 2018.

My sixth year at this magical festival. It’s difficult to describe what I experienced. Only one word comes to mind — transcendence.

I found myself among a large crowd of humans, camera in my hand. Though the act of making portraits is quite simple, its effect can be powerful. I experienced deep connection to so many individuals, sometimes for hours, sometimes just for a brief moment, and was deeply embedded in an open hearted community that has been woven over decades and is rapidly expanding.

What I experience and witness at Pickathon is inclusion, diverse creativity, sustainability, self-care, multigenerational sharing, and a place where what you have to offer is valued and celebrated. These are the qualities of a culture designed to foster thriving, healing, expansion, connection. In this culture, the individuals within it ascend to a place of joy, fulfillment, ecstasy, belonging, purpose. You can see it in the the reflections of people’s faces as you go about the festival. You can see it reflected in the words on social media of those who attended.

Among this crowd of thousands, I was overcome by the compassion pouring out of my heart for all of humanity. I felt myself transformed into a butterfly-like creature, flitting about, eagerly hoping to make photos that would reflect back to each human the unique beauty I see, in the hopes that every individual would view themselves in the same light of love.