Personal Archives

Connections

Many, if not all those near and dear to me know of my love for photography and culture. My interest began as a kid while leafing through pages of National Geographic. Two things fascinated me: a world I had yet to discover & the magical way in which it was captured.

I began shooting as a teenager. My Dad was my mentor, introducing me to window light and teaching me how to twist the dials. I fell in love with the magic of freezing time. I was totally hooked. I studied, practiced, interned, and even taught.

Having my photography business is wonderful–I’m lucky that I love my work. Still, I can’t deny the tug that brings me back to photojournalism. It not only enables me to feed the part of my spirit that yearns to travel and discover, but it also gives me the opportunity to document the intimate moments of everyday life that connects all humans.

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In January, I headed to the Philippines with two other artist to pursue these two passions. With a local Filipino crew, we took a journey to immerse ourselves in the culture to better connect with the people and land. Funny thing is, we went with an agenda to “create” something, but in the process realized the storywasour journey. Each of us discovered something while there-my pieces were visual journal entries, chronicling the close physical and emotion connections Filipinos share not just with one another, but also with the environment.

I found in the Philippines the emphasis on the “we” versus the “I” to be a defining value and a glaring departure from common American thinking. I believe this is an important and enriching value, which I hope to practice in my life and share with others. The Connection Art Project is one way in which I’m striving to do so. Connection art project photography (11)

I believe exploring other cultures moves humanity forward by facilitating understanding. We may be geographically divided, but we’re all connected despite spaces separating us. You can help support this project and our mission to promote cultural awareness and global artistic expression by pledging a donation to the project. We’re offering rewards for all contributions. Check it all out here:http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/connectionartproject/the-connection-art-project

Thank you for supporting my more personal work. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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My Life: Anthony plays a late night melody for me and Nina Kitty.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Please join me for Ascend the Andes

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Experience the beauty and culture of the Andes by exploring Bolivia and Argentina. Please join me and Agustina Diez Sierra on April 27th, at 7 pm at Maria Ponce Studio, located in the coach house of 4553 N. Wolcott Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
STIMULATE YOUR SENSES…

Sight: PHOTOS by Maggie Rife and mixed-media pieces by Agustina Diez Sierra.

Sound: Hear traditional MUSIC from the high altitudes of Bolivia’s villages.

Touch: Feel the handwoven TEXTILES in Agustina Diez Sierra’s fusion art.

After all that, let us entertain you a little more with a special performance from the high-energy dancers of Bolivia!

Maggie Rife Photography photography show with Agustina Diez Sierra

Bolivia Gallery One

by Maggie Rife Ponce

In November of 2011, I traveled to South America to photograph Agustina and Johann’s wedding. Before and after the wedding, I spent a few weeks traveling through parts of Argentina and Bolivia.

In La Paz, Bolivia, Agustina and I started each morning with coco mate, an herbal tea to help with altitude sickness. Then, we strapped our cameras to our shoulders and hit the streets. We scaled the winding roads, (slowly!! The altitude was pretty rough.) heading first to the black markets where indigenous women in black boiler top hats and long velvet skirts, sold dried baby llama carcasses, plants, and herbs for good fortunes.

Though the gutters were grimy, the vendor stalls were filled with vivid colors. Past the black markets, we reached shops filled with woven Alpaca fabric and handmade crafts. With a light tone, Agust called to the shopkeeper, “Case,” using the native local word for a title of respect.

Slowly each woman went back and forth, offering one price and shaking their heads at the other. Often, after 20 minutes of negotiating, we’d leave without making a purchase. ‘What happened?’ I’d ask.

“I told them to remember my face for when I return after the wedding because I’ll back and want them to make me a good price”

I was surprised by this,”Will they really remember you?”

“Oh yes, and they’ll give me the Bilivian price.”

We spent hours absorbed in this simple routine. We took our time. What habits of America I still held on to slipped away she as each afternoon we walked without glancing at a clock and each night we ate dinner later and later.

By the time I arrived in Argentina, I knew if there was a schedule, it would be up for interpretation. Of all people, Agustina’s Grandma maintained these culture traditions with fervid dedication. She invited us to dinner and we spent an hour chatting in the living room-she speaking loud, enthusiastic bits of English, while I racked my mind for to remember phrases from my high school Spamish lessons.

More images to come… Check back for Part 2

Photo Snowfari with Laurie

by Maggie Rife Ponce

When I told my Dad yesterday morning that Laurie and I were going on a photo snowfari, he immediately quipped about it being a a little cold for outdoor boudoir. Funny Dad, real funny.

While our shoots together these days are typically forRevealed, we try to make it a point to exercise our eye in other avenues. With two feet of snow creating a natural softbox, we agreed a trip outdoors was in order.

I can’t deny I LOVE Montrose Harbor, so we opted to go there. Parents pushed their children down well-worn sled runs, dogs ran circles in the snow, and the light made it all feel magical.

Snow DAY!

by Maggie Rife Ponce

Who doesn’t love a snow day? Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning the weather Gods had their way with Chicago. There was snow, there was lightning, there was thunder, and there was wind. Yes, I know, it’s Chicago, we’re used to the wind, but 70 mph gusts were strong even for us. After all was said and done, people made the most of their day off, taking to the street for a snow ball fights, shoveling parties, and even a game of Wiffle ball.

My hungry Sister

by Maggie Rife Ponce

She picks…

spoons…

and slurps

devouring the bowl of Cheerios.

When she finishes, she lifts her face, cocks her head to the side and smiles proudly. Her hair flays about like a mass of hands at a rock concert. There’s a bit of milk beneath one side of her mouth. My hungry sister is now full.

Simply Cold.

by Maggie Rife Ponce

It was cold when I woke this morning, but gold light filtered through the windows.

“I’ll take it,” I thought.

The frigid, finger numbing, skin burning, cough inducing winter air is unpleasant, but so long as the sky’s not grey–100 shades of grey, I can deal. I suck it up. I layer. I wear two hats, a sweatshirt, a jacket, fury boots, tights, jeans, double up on the socks, then top it all off with what my aunt calls the “El coat”–a puffy black number covering me from head to nearly toe during the winter months. It may be fugly, but it’s functional.

Then I play a “get pumped” mix. Today’s included “Power” from Mr. West’s most recent release. I eat my words while listening to the song. A few weeks back I went off on a tirade about Kayne-“I’ve been with him since ‘through the wire,’ but I don’t think he’s that good anymore.”

“Well I hear this ones supposed to be the album of the decade,” Amanda says to me.

“He can’t sing!”

I still don’t think he’s a very good singer, but neither am I. The album…well….I might just be slightly, maybe, sorta kinda, hate to admit it, but if I’m going to be honest, addicted. I can own up when I’m wrong. I was wrong.

So, I’m pumped, dressed, armed with my camera, charged battery, and my arsenal of lenses. Off to North Ave. Here’s the thing about the winter, the days are SO short. In July, you’ve got hours and hours to shoot. Today the sun was set by 4:20; my grand ambitions of shooting the Lake Shore then heading back to Gary were quickly adjusted. I’ll have to save Gary for another day. Till then…

This last shot is dedicated to my cousin Lizard. Merry Christmas. I’ll make you a print. <3

Urban Photo Safari #1

by Maggie Rife Ponce

I went to the rainforest Sunday. After a morning photo shoot and before Nebraska’s sad loss, some friends and I slipped away from the streets of Chicago that were slowly filling with a soft, white layer of snow into the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

It was so warm and humid beneath the steamy, green canopy that big, wet drops of condensation formed above and fell on our heads.

The rainforest inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory is a nice substitute to the jungles sprawling across Latin America. It’s also a great place for a photo lesson when the weather outside is frightful.

We started talking about this little “workshop” a few months back. It was one of the last warm days of fall–the day of the marathon. The heat drew buckets of sweat from runners and broad, silly smiles from spectators. After the three in our group crossed the finish line, we all got together to toast their achievement.

Sometime after that first toast, over a platter of loaded nachos, Cyrus and Ali signed on to an idea I had–A chicago photo workshop. I’m pretty sure I was rambling on about how much I loved teaching photography in SE Asia and how I wanted to start something up in Chicago when Ali (Baj) piped in, “I’d be interested in a lesson.” Beside him Cyrus jumped in, “Me too.”

“Really? Great!” I said.

“So here’s what I’m thinking: informal workshops designed to be like urban photo safaris where the group explores a cool spot in the city. Along the way, I’ll teach a little something, then give everyone the chance to practice what they learn.”

About a month later (I told the guys October would be nuts and we’d have to wait till November to arrange something) I received this email:

“Hey Maggie,

I would love to take you up on that offer (if it still stands) on photography lessons. Let me know what you’re thinking. /Ali”

Followed by Cyrus’ quick response:

“Keep me posted too!”

Sunday we were all able to meet. The guys were a little green, so we went over the basic functions of their SLR’s (single lens reflex camera’s–here’s a funlink“). By the end of it, they were able to manually set their camera’s shutter, aperture, and ISO for the correct exposure, understand how white balance affects their image, and identify a few exotic species of trees and plants 🙂

“Oh, there’s the rare electric tree,” Baj said, pointing in the distance.

“I didn’t know you could find those in here.” Cyrus said.

Yep, even the Lincoln Park Conservatory was decked for the holidays…