Shambhala M. Photography

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INTERFACE - The Mixed Race Collection (slideshow)

SJOUKJE (mother from Holland, father from Surinam) and RANDOLPH (from Granada)
>> Sjoukje: 'I've been very fortunate to have grown up in an interracial family. They taught me what I'm trying to pass on: love has no colour.'
>> Randolph: 'I've realised over the years how unimportant the word 'mixed' relationship is when giving and receiving love. There is a deeper connection when you see the human being rather than the human shade.'

JULIETA (from Mozambique) and FILIPE (from Angola) - 'We have different colour but our values, cultural backgrounds and beliefs are very similar. We praise respect and communication, maybe due to the fact that being in a mixed race couple has never been an issue.'

DIDIER (French chef) and SIAN (adopted; birth parents from Nigeria and Wales) >> Sian: 'For much of my childhood, my mixed race-ness was manifested in a polar swing between the opposites of White and Black, followed in late adolescence by a radical discovery of identity, mainly displayed in narcissism, a search for a physical mirroring of myself in the outside world. For many of us, many children, or transracially adopted, like me, and resembling, in the eyes of that world any way, neither of our parents, the need for reflection was great. Now though, with mixed raceness seemingly ubiquitous, I can find the manifestation of my hybridity in less obvious places, in my relationship with my White but identity-complex, French husband, and in the faces of my children, whose un-pin-downable features broadcast a universality that I hope will be repeated in their experiences of life.'

DELILAH, MELODIE (parents from Jamaica) and URSULA >> Melodie (centre): 'When I was younger, I received negative remarks by both White and Black people because of my colour. Some Black people thought I was mixed race and gave me a hard time about that. I also encountered racism from White people. My parents are both from the Caribbean and both are Black. This experience has helped shape my life because now I just associate with nice people of any colour. I teach my girls (whose father is from the U.K) to just like decent people who accept them as they are.' Delilah (left): 'I feel fine about being mixed race and I feel different when I see everybody. I like looking different with my skin colour. I am different inside.' Ursula (right): 'I like being mixed race because I like the colour of my skin. That's how I am.'

ZAK and sister INDRA (mother from Ireland, father from Trinidad) >> 'Being mixed race, we have embraced all cultures. Hopefully without conflict. Through a very cultural experience, we've realised it's the soul of a human being which is more important than anything else. Intellectually, one learns from everybody's culture. Every culture brings a sense of wisdom, therefore we should embrace and try and learn from everybody's experience.'

OTIS (mother from Trinidad, father from Spain mixed with French creole) and SHARRON (mother from the U.K., father from Barbados) >> Otis: 'Being Caribbean gives you a predominently Black view on oneself but after realising that I didn't fit in, I started a journey of self-discovery. This journey has led me to my Spanish, Black and Portuguese roots, thus allowing me to grow and appreciate how beautiful being a mixed race individual is. In London's multicultural society, mixed race individuals should be proud to stand up and say 'We are one. One people, one root, one love, one tree, one true love for each other.' We are all of the races that make us the talented individuals that we are.' >> Sharron: 'I have spent most of my life feeling ashamed, guilty and unloved because I looked different from the people around me. I was always told that one person could never make a difference, that I could never stand up for what I believed to be right, that that was someone else's job. Now I know that not to be true. I am happy to be mixed race and love all that my dual heritage has to offer me but I will never truly be happy until all human beings are treated equally. For me, the hardest thing to deal with as a mixed race person is the hatred that exists between the races. I have learnt one very valuable lesson in my life and that is that you cannot judge a person by the colour of their skin or their racial heritage. You have to get to know somebody before you can begin to make such drastic decisions about their character. We are all humans, we all make mistakes. What is most important is that we learn from them and adjust our behaviour accordingly. If you are a good person, have time for others and are prepared to share what you have, your life will always have meaning and value.'

WERNER (mother from Surinam, father from Germany): 'Being mixed race is just what - as opposed to who - I am: a colour on the outside, and bleeding red as everyone else. That said, being of European and Latin American descent and upbringing does mean to me enjoying several cultures as my own and the ability of having a broad and open mind about others and their ways of thinking and doing, though I also acknowledge that that is not necessarily the case for everyone of mixed race, or the opposite the case for those that are not. On the outside, I love my colour for the access it gives me and the compliments I get - 'You never have a tan, you're always beautiful!' - And I've never consciously experienced the negativity that others attribute to it. Or is it my attitude? Colour and descent have not defined who I am. The two are the tools I have to work with, by default, in addition to all optional ones, having made me who I am today and who I want to be.'

MAIA (mother from Russia, father from Trinidad): 'When I was a child, I wanted to be like everyone else, to melt into the majority, but whatever it was, I was never in it. I envied those with their hair in fine neat plaits or the others who had hair that blew in the wind. Instead, mine was a huge nappy for that neither my mother nor I could control. Older now, I value my sense of being like no one else. Each time they now ask 'what are you?' the answer is mine alone to give. I can reinvent myself each time. Now the power I feel in defining myself is the envy of my friends. (My dreads are neat and blow in the wind!)'

ORSON (mother from Austria and Holland, father from Mexico) and JREENA (mother from Barbados, father from Pakistan): 'When we look at each other, we see a common experience, a physiological and psychological sense of 'mixeddness'. Either way, it is something we both need. It re-inforces our sense of ourselves and tells us 'we are not alone'. Sometimes, we joke about how we will explain our children's identity to them - and we do intend to do our bit for racial mixing by reproducing. We will have to tell them they are Pakistani, Caucasian, Caribbean, Jewish, Spanish and Mexican Indian, and should be equally proud of each strand of their varied heritage. Their 'hybridity' should be a strength, not a burden. Our children will be the continuation of a process of 'racial mixing' that never really began and will never completely end, but has been marked by some key 'convergences'. Forty years ago, a young African Indian fisherman meets a British woman of Dutch Austrian descent on a beach in Mexico. A few years later, a Barbadian woman becomes friendly with a Pakistani man at the factory where they both work in Birmingham. Then, a generation after these events, the offspring of these two couples meet at a party in the West End of London. In this way, the process of ethnic melting continues its trajectory. Who knows what form it will take in twenty or thirty years time, when our children are grown up and choosing the people with whom they will conceive the next generation? We are all a part of this process of diasporisation and hybridisation. It does not mean we are living in a perfect world. Quite the reverse. But it means there is no return to a source of ethnic or cultural 'purity'. There is no harking back to a moment when we were 'just one thing'; only the present where we constitute part of a living dialectic, and the future where we will inevitably produce a new 'synthesis' of races and cultures.'

ELENA (mother from Czech Republic, father fron Ghana): 'The bridge between the banks is the U.K. I only know the motherland. Africa is still waiting. Being mixed race with such polar nationalities makes me free. People don't know how to pigeon-hole me and I'm not obliged to follow formal traditions. I can fit in anywhere - I smile at this paradox, it helps me focus on other soul-guiding mechanisms than country, skin colour, culture. Maybe that's why I search for new and creative approaches. My ex-boss once called me 'A walking cross-art form.' That's true... I do like to mix and cross things. It's hard to find your own definitions and boundaries. It's personal but somehow you don't do it alone. People are my 'home'.'

JUDITH (mother from Eritrea, father from Holland): 'I am proud of being mixed race. I don't feel any different from anyone else. Being mixed race has never been an issue. I've never been discriminated against, but everyone sees me as the Black girl with big hair. My mother brought me up like a Dutch for me to get more chances in life. She cooks injera, she gives me lots of gold and she's really religious. I haven't been around many Eritrean people, just the members of my family. I've been in several mixed race relationships, taking them as they are, not because of their race. Maybe when I have my own children, I'll look for my Eritrean background.'

MICHAEL (mother from Russia, father from Ireland) and SHAINA MAY (mother from British Guyana) >> Michael: 'There is one human race which includes a variety of types. Racists try to make out that one type is superior to others. This nonsense causes endless wars just as too much inbreeding causes deformities. The sooner we dump that history's rubbish the better. I am pleased and proud of all the various cultures that produces my little daughter. Shaina May has turned out bright and beautiful - a true golden child.'

MELANIE (mother from Trinidad and Tobago, father from Kent): 'I am in the unusual and privileged position to have direct access to two very diverse cultures. Unlike most stories you hear about the traumas of lack of belonging and lack of a 'true' identity, my story is a happy one. Being from a mixed race background has made me more aware of those who also share a culturally diverse upbringing and therefore more understanding of where ignorance, animosity and prejudice come from. I feel truly enriched by the two wonderful cultures that both play a huge part in my life.'

JONATHAN (mother from the U.K., father mixed race from the U.S.A.) and YUMI (Japanese) >> Jonathan: 'I am proud of being from a mixed race family. I have had the privilege of being brought up in two different societies and countries. I was born and raised in America where I lived until arriving in England in 1986 when I was 13. Both my parents are descending from completely different backgrounds and upbringings - dad from a Black working-class family from the deep South of Alabama, and my mum from a White middle-class family from London. My parents educated me and my sisters to realise our skin colour was of importance and to maybe expect some prejudice against us but to ignore it. In America, there were a lot more Black and mixed race individuals and all my friends were from many different backgrounds. It wasn't until I arrived in England that I first experienced racial abuse. I first moved to South West England into a small village of 5,000 people, where my sisters and I were the only mixed race children. This I found strange and very much a culture shock. Moving to London opened my eyes and made a big difference towards my attitudes and conciousness. I have now grown up to feel very open-minded about race issues and feel London is a very multicultural city and 'melting pot' for meeting people of all creeds and colours. It has been here that I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet my present beautiful Japanese girlfriend Yumi, of which I take great pride to be with today.' >> Yumi: 'I have been to some countries before I came to London but I have never had friends outside Japan. I haven't thought about race, culture and colour much when I lived in Japan. This is because it is customary that we don't really integrate with foreigners. Since coming to London, I've had great pride from meeting many people from all different backgrounds. I'm really enjoying getting to know their culture and socialising with friends from all over the world. I'm happy to be in a mixed relationship with Jonathan and have learnt so much from each other experiencing our different lives.'

WINSTON (parents from Jamaica), AVA and VIRGINIA (mother from the U.K., father from Spain) >> Virginia: 'Having Ava makes it all worthwhile. She makes sense of everything.'

VICTORIA (mother from Sierra Leone, father from Swiss Germany): 'I am Afro-Swiss-German. I am half Black and Half White, with blond (now dyed black) extravagant hair to match my outlook on life. Thanks to my parents' differences, I now benefit from the best of worlds, 'black' and 'white'. I have inner strength, sense of lightness and fun coupled with a methodical and analytical vision (when needed). I consider myself lucky and blessed.'

SONJA (mother from Zimbabwe and the U.K., father white from South Africa and Malaysia) and GITA (from India) >> Sonja (left): 'Being mixed race in London is cool. At the moment, we're a 'must have' for nearly all Channel 4's adverts! I believe that as long as we are fully integrated with our Black/Asian side of our cultures, we then have the best of both worlds It's always good to remember that we still fit in an ethnic minority category and let us never try to be otherwise. We do not stand alone in being 'white + other'; we need to be an understanding part of both.' >> Gita (right): 'I am lucky in this relationship as Sonja's in touch completely with her Asian and Black roots even though that's only one half of her. Our principals and love and acceptance of our 'families' are the same. It's always good to keep in mind that 'No person's an island'. We are all, no matter what race, colour or creed, still part of a bigger picture. Love of humanity.'

BRIDGITTA (mother from Germany, father from Pakistan): ''Where are you from?' people ask. 'London', I say. 'No, but where are you from?' they insist. 'Finchley?' I suggest. Mixed race is how other people describe me. I think of myself as a Londoner who loves tea, chocolate and great theatre, and who is very proud of her unusual family heritage.'

View all 21 images in "INTERFACE - The Mixed Race Collection"

Sleeping beauties (slideshow)

All photos are copyright the photographer, and may not be used without written permission.

Comments on this portfolio:

Susan Bilbao , March 02, 2005; 04:04 P.M.

Great Porfolio!!!

Congratulations, Shambala!!! Your work is outstanding and refreshing!!! I love the way you treat black and white and the positive energy they transmit. Thanks for sharing!!

Olia Starikova , March 10, 2005; 09:05 P.M.

Shambhala, thank you very much for taking interest in my photos :D I really enjoy your work! your photos are very beautiful and heartfelt. i hope to see more of them :)

Adam Paine , March 11, 2005; 05:57 P.M.

Excellent portraits very interesting faces combo's..Like a lot, thanks for commenting on my work too. :) AP

Mert Gokalp , March 22, 2005; 04:19 P.M.

I admire your work on people, It seems like you really love people

Leslie Battjes , March 23, 2005; 08:59 A.M.

Hi, Shambhala!

How are you? I love the additions to your portfolio! You're so skilled with people! Loved to read the bio you added, too! :) Talk to you soon. BTW, I finally got a chance to play with the Neopan. Would love your comments/critiques! Leslie

Todd Kowalski , June 10, 2005; 09:16 P.M.

Shambhala

Nice to see that you are back in action again, Missed you, missed your work. Looking forward to seeing more and hearing from you! Be well, Todd

Magnus Bogucki , June 14, 2005; 10:28 A.M.

Thanks for your very kind comment on my page - but you probably meant someone else. I can see the passion in your photos. Something which is hard to convey. Keep up the excellent work!

Vasilis Apostolopoulos , July 07, 2005; 11:18 A.M.

You have a very interesting portfolio, I enjoyed a lot looking at your portraits. You have an honest way to make people look beautiful or attractive. I like the way you work with b&w. thanks, Vasilis

Shambhala M. , July 10, 2005; 01:50 P.M.

Hi, Vasilis,

Thank you so much for your kind comments. The thing is, most people I photograph are naturally beautiful, which makes me job easy! As you can see, I only shoot in B&W, using the Fuji Neopan CN film, which has a fine grain and is respectful of skin tones. I like a lot of your own work and will keep on checking you out! Best of luck until next time!

Todd Bennett , July 11, 2005; 07:23 A.M.

Nice collection of portraits.

Shambhala M. , July 11, 2005; 07:36 A.M.

To Todd Bennett,

Thank you for your kind comment. Looking at your own work, you've got nothing to envy me for! You're on my Interesting People's List. Keep on the good work.

Mark Anthony Kathurima , July 25, 2005; 04:29 A.M.

Lovely

Really great work! You have an intriguing name too. What are it's origins?

I'd be honoured if you could have a look at my portfolio. I'm just starting out and would appreciate your comments.

Best regards from Kenya, Mark

www.photo.net/photos/mk-pixology

Scott NYC , August 08, 2005; 03:26 P.M.

To Shambhala

I really love your work. I think it has a really positive message and it captures your subjects humor and dignity. Thanks for your kind words on my work. We have a similar background, I use to work for Valentino and Michael Kors, I learned couture sewing and design in school. As you can see my work is very driven by people with great personal style. I have no formal training just developing my eye by looking at magazines and Bruce Weber work.

I'm a full-time dad now (I do some design consulting) so I don't get to share my photos much so if you have any comments that might help some of my "technical mistakes" I would really appreciate that. Thanks again Scott

B READ , August 09, 2005; 04:54 P.M.

THANK YOU

YOUR WORDS AND WORK ARE FROM THE HEART. THANK YOU FELLOW LONDONER .

Marcus Riccoboni , August 28, 2005; 04:29 P.M.

Great portfolio

Hi Shambhala - this is the good stuff!! Keep shooting, keep posting, keep sharing!

Shambhala M. , August 29, 2005; 05:49 A.M.

Marco,

You're not bad yourself! Your Speaker's Corner and the Carnival images are worth showing to magazines or image banks. I love your framings in Parkour. Take some more!!!

Bianca Van Der Werf , August 30, 2005; 06:05 A.M.

Thanks for the compliment!

You added on my portfolio... Yours is superb!! I really really like the interfaces the most. You have a magnificent, soft style!!

Cris Ardelean , August 30, 2005; 09:03 A.M.

very good portofolio...impresive and great work...regards.cris

Shambhala M. , August 30, 2005; 03:29 P.M.

Hi, Cris,

Well, thank you for stopping and appreciating! In return, I must say your Falls collection is superb! Let us see more!

Pierfrancesco Caput , August 30, 2005; 05:12 P.M.

Thanks

I really love your work! Thanks for your comment on my portfolio (she's my girlfriend)!excuse if my english is not correct...

Peter van Nugteren , August 30, 2005; 07:36 P.M.

Impressive work

Shambhala, looking at your work for the first time I am very impressed. There is such a great load of emotion here in so many beautiful portraits. Thank you for sharing. Peter

Shambhala M. , August 31, 2005; 04:40 A.M.

Peter,

Thank you for your kind comments. There's a lot of good work in your folders too. I particularly like the Manipulated images for their dynamic. You have your ways to play with light! Keep it up!

Jochen van Eden , September 01, 2005; 10:03 A.M.

Thank you for your kind words. Your Portraits are very nice. Greetings! Jochen

Ed Swinden , September 03, 2005; 11:49 A.M.

Hi Shambhala, Thanks for your kind comments on my portfolio. I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to visit yours. I particularly like your Actors folder.... simple but elegant, and beautifully lit with strong expressions. I'll stop by again. Best wishes.

Shambhala M. , September 03, 2005; 04:42 P.M.

Thanks, Ed,

You've got so many folders I need more time to go through them all... What I like about your images is that you try your skills on really interesting/varied themes, which, as you can see in my work, I don't do often... Glad you like the Actors folder though: they're my full-time occupation right now. There's a secret location nearby which provides me with the best of natural light, so I take everybody there! I'll visit your gallery very soon, which is a great source of inspiration. I'm curious about your writing...

Pat Merz , September 09, 2005; 09:46 A.M.

Dear Shambhala, thank you very much for your encouraging comment on my portrait "the coal miner's daughter". I will have to go through your portfolio in detail and look at the wealth of portraits you share here. It is always a pleasure to receive a pat on the back from someone with a great portfolio themselves!

Pierfrancesco Caput , September 09, 2005; 09:56 A.M.

Thank

Thanks for your comments and good pieces on my shots. Your are dead right. Piero.

Denis Sutherland , September 09, 2005; 12:51 P.M.

Greats shots.

I have been "playing" with BW in tribute...:)

Shambhala M. , September 09, 2005; 02:35 P.M.

Dennis,

That's a good effort! I can tell you're a fast learner!

Denis Sutherland , September 09, 2005; 03:40 P.M.

Copy cat

No I just copied you :)

Have a look at my cat FOOD shot and let me know if you like it.....its very colourful...which you may not like....but its funny.

Igor Diamandi , September 14, 2005; 11:17 A.M.

Hi Shambhala

Actually the phrase I'm going to tell now was used million of times and has become a "Buzz words" since it was told for a first time, but I don't care and I really mean it.

YOUR WORKS ARE FULL OF LOVE.

Thank you for sharring them with us.

marília campos , September 20, 2005; 04:31 P.M.

thank you shambhala:) you have an amazing portfolio here too:)
and about the photo you said it "should be in a magazine", well, it was published in a photo magazine just last month:) thank you once more:) ***

Matej Herbst , September 21, 2005; 06:02 A.M.

Great portofolio, i like to doing all in BW. Good portraits.

regards Matej

Olivier M. , September 23, 2005; 07:13 A.M.

Hello from Bordeaux =)

Merci pour ton passage.. qui m'a permit de decouvrir ta gallerie. Il y a de superbes portraits avec un style et une sensibilite remarquable ! C'est frais et joyeux, j'aime beaucoup. J'ai lu ta biographie, parcouru le site de ce mr Garros.. tu es donc pro?? et bien je te souhaite plein de reussite. A la prochaine !

edit: I'll be following your work ! Cheers ;)

Dexter Dee Dee , September 23, 2005; 11:07 A.M.

Thx for you visit on my portfolio. I think you have a wonderfull portfolio too. So many faces. Keep shoting. DDD

Shambhala M. , September 23, 2005; 01:06 P.M.

To Olivier M.

Oui, mon cher, I've been a pro for 11 years but I've been specialised in actors only since November last year. Let's see where that leads me to!

I've lived in Bordeaux for three years and had the best time of my life!!

Will come back and see more of your work.

Shambhala M. , September 23, 2005; 01:07 P.M.

To Dexter DD,

Hey, thanks for coming back to me. Had another thourough look at your work and boy, you take me to a different world!!

Kaushik Chatterjee , September 24, 2005; 02:54 P.M.

Dear Shambhala,

All of the above comments reflect my own. I love your work. Your images are inspiring in every aspect. I will look forward to see what you have posted. My best regards.

Shambhala M. , September 25, 2005; 04:52 A.M.

Dear Kaushik,

Many thanks for your comments. You have great shots too, my favourites being the B&W and The Eyes Series.

If you like painting, check out www.wetcanvas.com!

Massimo Santoni , September 27, 2005; 05:57 A.M.

I really appreciate your suggestions, thanks. You have a very interesting portraiture collection. Best regards, Massimo.

Marilana Rufo , September 27, 2005; 11:43 A.M.

Thank you!

Thanks so much for checking out my portfolio here. I envy your opportunities to photograph and be exhibited, and my abilities are a far cry from yours! But hopefully, in time... :)

Alejandro Keller , September 27, 2005; 03:35 P.M.

Shambhala

I thank you not only for the comments to some of my pictures but for making me find your portfolio. I love portraits more than any other type of pictures and yours are excellent. I could be watching them for hours... You have a very interesting background (which remains me that I should also write something about me). Maybe that is the reason why you seem to communicate so well with your subjects... Please feel free to drop by and comment my pictures whenever you like. You can be sure that I will be visiting your portfolio from time to time.

Dan Talpau , October 04, 2005; 06:44 A.M.

Hi, excellent portofolio.

Outstanding portraits. I like your work, really amazing.

best regards,

Shambhala M. , October 07, 2005; 06:16 A.M.

Thanks, Dan

You've got some good work too and we want to see more!

John Counts , October 11, 2005; 04:45 A.M.

your portraits are very consistent and well done. I enjoyed them immensely. Thanks for taking the time to comment. -john

gianni ansaldi , October 11, 2005; 05:33 A.M.

thank you very much for your comment on my work but... i see that you have a great portfolio, too! i'll mark you into my preferites... hope to have your news soon. g.a.

Ben S , October 11, 2005; 11:13 A.M.

i'm so glad to have run across your work, what an astounding, delightful find in this place . . . the Mixed Race Collection, you must be thinking about a book, no? I saw a book recently about people living in harlem, that's all i can recall but will try to find it -- each person got two pages, with the full page photo on the left, a full page of oral history on the right, it was quite sublime. it appeared to me that the interviews took place first, and the subject matter from the interviews suggested what became the setting and perspective of the portraits.

to attempt to capture the spirit of people, to tell their story, is challenging and rewarding, you have a masterful hand in doing so with both subjects that are alert and relaxed, and tones and perspectives that reveal without betraying. i am a total untrained amateur myself, so take all this with a healthy grain of salt, but i have one suggestion. try your hand more at environmental shots, your close ups are excellent (and i understand for the actors they may need these head shots), but so are those when you pull back, and these often can be used to place people in the context of their lives very effectively.

read your bio, jealous of your training, hope you are having great success, love jazz music myself, -- have you tried the cuban works around the buena vista social club? the pianist, ruben gonzalez (i think i am getting this right) his solo albums are amazing, jazz influenced, he was in his 80s when he recorded them. oh, you are a bassist -- have you listened to cachao?

sorry to run on. i find your work VERY special.

Ben S , October 15, 2005; 05:18 P.M.

fyi, here's a link to the book that i was talking about.

http://www.blackbooksdirect.com/b0385504063.html

Jena Olson - Southeastern Wisconsin , October 16, 2005; 06:32 P.M.

Well done portfolio, Shambala. How did you get your subjects for the Interface project? There are some beautiful pieces in there...Thanks for sharing!

Laurent D , October 17, 2005; 10:36 A.M.

Excellent

Je decouvre tes mots doux sur mon portfolio et mes photos, ca fait plaisir je t'en remercie. Bah j'aime enorm魥nt le tien de portfolio; il est plein de vie et d'optimisme et ca j'aime beaucoup... C'est riche et varie, je ne manquerai pas de venir commenter quelques unes de tes photos. Un excellent travail. Je te souhaite une bonne continuation dans ta carriere! a bientot...

Shambhala M. , October 17, 2005; 05:14 P.M.

Jena,

Being mixed race myself, it was acually easy to find everyone for my exhibition - they're all my friends!!!!

Marco Ruggiero , October 22, 2005; 12:43 A.M.

Ciao Shambhala!

I was introduced to your images by Ben S.whose work I admire. I am glad I did. As you less is more. Stunning work, both a mixture of technical perfection and spontaneous images. I instead, have done most of my work by instinct and artists as you provide the continued inspiration and motivation from which to learn. Thanks for sharing your work and congratulations.

Ciao, Marco

Shambhala M. , October 22, 2005; 06:16 A.M.

Caro Marco,

Thank you for your warm and encouraging comments. Ben has become one of my most loyal viewers and that he has recommended me to you is flattering. I hope my work can inspire you as much as yours inspires me!

Alex Lee , October 22, 2005; 02:04 P.M.

Outstanding portraits, so very consistent yet very individual. You have a wonderful eye in capturing the beautiful lighting around your subject.

Shambhala M. , October 24, 2005; 08:09 A.M.

Thank you, Alex,

God's light is the best and everywhere I look, I see beautiful people! I am glad you like my photos and hope we can learn from each other.

Steve J Murray , November 03, 2005; 10:41 A.M.

Very nice set of natural portraits. A lot like the portraits I did in the 70's (see folder). I need to start doing more portraits again! I've always thought black and white with natural light and expressions is the best for portraiture. To me the best expressions are the ones captured "in between" the poses/personas and set smiles of usual portraits.

Maks Tolstoy , November 06, 2005; 06:21 A.M.

Maks Tolstoy

Shambahala M., great report photos, I'm fond of them for its classic authentic style. I am independent photographer, don't have any contracts with agencyes. I'm interested in interaction with you. I work in Russia for Jewel magazines, I don't speak English well, in my biography i've left my tel.numbers and E-mails, you can write me. I will answer with the help of one person.

Yann R. , November 10, 2005; 02:33 A.M.

Je garde un oeil sur les portfolios d'Olivier M. et Laurent D. donc ... me voila ici!
Extraordinaire galerie de portraits!... C'est un style de photos que je ne maitrise pas du tout! (je ne maitrise pas grand chose d'ailleurs...) [LOL] alors je me regale devant les tiens.
Les poses sont naturelles, tres agreable. Superbe & POWERFUL !

Alexandre Guerra , November 10, 2005; 04:06 A.M.

Great display of portraits and real people shots. I find portraiture one of the most difficult areas of photography to achieve really good results, and you manage to get them so naturaly. I'll keep two eyes on your work hoping to learn something in the future. Congrats! Alex

Shambhala M. , November 10, 2005; 04:11 A.M.

Yann,

Merci pour tes encouragements! Venant de ta part, qui as une technique parfaite, je les prends comme un compliment! Moi, c'est les gens qui m'inspirent. Je me nourris de leur energie. Faire des photos de fleurs, d'animaux ou de batiments, ca m'ennuie... A chacun sa specialite!

Tout comme toi, je surveille le travail d'Olivier et Laurent. J'adore!

parvin dabas , November 12, 2005; 03:09 A.M.

i love the beautiful simplistic style of your portraits shambala.will keep watching out for more.

Shambhala M. , November 12, 2005; 07:05 A.M.

Parvin,

Thank you very much for your comment. As I always say, when it comes to portraiture, Less Is More!

Shambhala M. , November 13, 2005; 07:14 P.M.

To J_____

I get your point, humans come in all different colours. Yet, let me add that being mixed race myself, I felt the need to do that exhibition to show how varied mixes can be.

J ____ , November 13, 2005; 09:09 P.M.

I hope no offence was taken, because none was intended. A great portfolio indeed. Please accent my apologies for not commenting on that first.

You might be too young to know this great song "Ebony And Ivory" by Sir Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder. If you ever get a chance, please listen to that song. I bet you'd fall in love with the lyrics [and the tune] just as I did.

Shambhala M. , November 14, 2005; 04:11 A.M.

To J____

No worries. People are free to do and say what they want, and that includes PN users.

I DO know the song!

Wojciech Dziedzic , November 19, 2005; 07:47 A.M.

Hello!

Dear Shambhala. Thank you for such a good words. This guy isn't an actor but in fact he is a friend of mine and he's a vet doc :)) You are right, that fingers shouldn't have been cut...mea culpa. I often look at your portfolio and you are one of my favourite photographer, your lighting is simply perfect. best regards! Wojtek

Shambhala M. , November 20, 2005; 03:50 A.M.

Dear Wojtek,

Well, your friend must be very happy with the pictures you've taken of him! I would!!

When it comes to lighting, would you believe that I ONLY ever use natural light? I have never liked/played with artificial lighting...

Wojciech Dziedzic , November 22, 2005; 02:32 A.M.

I'm impressed the way you use natural light. You have great results. I'm playing with artificial light at the moment, but I prefer natural light either. However, studio lighting gives more possibilities :)

Shambhala M. , November 22, 2005; 04:07 A.M.

Dear Wojtek,

Yes, studio lighting might offer more possibilities but remember I trained as a photojournalist. When in Sarajevo, I learnt to work with only one source of light - the sun! And that technique stayed with me. Also, I did not go to Photography school, hence my complete inabilitiy to 'create' an image - I am best at capturing what I see as it exists, as opposed to foreseeing lighting effects.

Studio lighting was invented to replicate the sun's light. Yet, I can always tell when it's not natural light. If the same effect can be achieved with natural light, why not use it? Mind you, most people believe my pictures were taken with artificial lighting... That proves that the sun is the purest of lights!!!!!

Wojciech Dziedzic , November 24, 2005; 05:17 A.M.

Dear Shambhala!

I didn't go to Photohraphy school either and all I know about lighting is from my father and training. I'm absolutely amateur. Your portfolio is so stimulating that I will try take more photos using natual light. By the way, it wolud be great to have such a great portrait as yours models have...

Shambhala M. , November 25, 2005; 04:32 A.M.

Dear Wojtek,

So, you want a portrait of yourself by me? Well, come to London!!!!

Yes, you should try and take some shot outdoors. Let's see what you can come up with without setting them up!

Naftali Raz , December 03, 2005; 08:59 P.M.

an impressive portfolio. i like the versatility of your tone: you really play it like a keyboard. best of luck!

gianni ansaldi , December 07, 2005; 11:46 A.M.

a portfolio always richer of good photos of interesting faces... i'd like to know which scanner d'you use for your negs. (... and i'd like to see you with a leica...) bye.

Denis Sutherland , December 11, 2005; 04:57 P.M.

What NO light

wow, that's inetresting, do you not even use lighting in your studio?

You must have big window's :). What happens if one your actors come round on a dull overcast day?

Shambhala M. , December 12, 2005; 04:32 A.M.

Dear Dennis,

That's right - NO lighting! You should know by now that I NEVER work in a studio. All my actors were photographed in the same outdoor location near my house, apart from the three portraits that have a white background, which were taken in their homes. That secret location of mine has the best of lights and is in the shade, so that the artists don't squint. This is why I always get good results even on a grey day. Having said that, it is getting colder here in London so I wonder what I'll do when the real cold kicks in...

Carlo Ottaviano Casana , December 14, 2005; 01:28 A.M.

Dear Shambhala you have a really outstanding portrait portfolio. You are a master in catching interesting expressions. Thanks for visiting my portfolio and commenting it so kindly! I'll come back quite often! Carlo

Shambhala M. , December 16, 2005; 06:35 A.M.

Thank you, Carlo,

I am lucky to photograph charismatic people!

Adam Paine , December 19, 2005; 05:52 P.M.

Hi Shambhala~!thanks for the most recent comments on my work. I really like what your doing these days. B?W portraits are my favorites!! Keep up the great work and I hope you have a great holiday and new year! Adam Paine

gianni ansaldi , December 23, 2005; 11:57 P.M.

... if i'm rock you are more and more soul...

have a merry xmas...

Denis Sutherland , December 27, 2005; 05:01 P.M.

When the cold kicks in ....put the fire on and open the wine, That what I do...:)....you must stuggle to light the actors in the winter.

Hope you have a nice xmas.

Kenneth Fugate , December 30, 2005; 11:47 P.M.

Happy New Year! Thank you for all your support and comments on my photos in 2005. May 2006 be a very good year for you and your family, Best wishes from Dallas Texas

Shambhala M. , January 04, 2006; 07:06 A.M.

Dear Adam, Gianni, Dennis and Kenneth,

Thank you all for your encouragements and New Year wishes. Quiet week for me right now but it won't be long before I get busy again!

Bianca Van Der Werf , January 18, 2006; 02:27 P.M.

When I was just a new-kid-on-the-block on this site, I've dropped by. Now I've settled down a bit and seen different styles and lots of beautiful pictures, your portfolio in one I have to come back to now and then. You have the abbility to let the soul come out!! Almost all your models look if they have been touched by an angel, haha....... Excellent work again, almost dutch girl...:-)

Shambhala M. , January 22, 2006; 05:29 A.M.

Dear Bianca,

Thank you very much for your warm comments. PN allows all of us to be inspired. As photographers, it is our responsability to get the best out of our models; our open attitude makes them relax and forget they are being photographed.

Floris Andrea , January 27, 2006; 05:18 P.M.

Dear M.

This reaction took some time... I had to study your images first. Did you notice everybody is looking up at you? Not just the viewers, the actors too! I like Bridgitta a lot, your natural light, it's nice to have secrets. Looking at my own work I think I can be very 'Baroc' sometimes and sometimes Calvinistic/Dutch/clear/simple. You are very clear yourself, I think there 's where we meet. Obviously you like peoples faces, your models are no smilers, I like that. I think to know what food you like and what music... I think your can be restless. I think you are dreaming a lot. I mean, your work tells a lot. Or at least it is pretending. Tell me once there is an exhibition of your work, I visit London very often. Ciao, trying not to be impolite, floris.

Matej Matus , January 31, 2006; 05:04 P.M.

Bravo !

"Actors" is perfect part of your portfolio. Bravo ! Very inspiring.

Shambhala M. , February 06, 2006; 05:58 A.M.

Matej,

Thank you for your encouraging words. You have a good selection of photos yourself!

Danene Len , February 26, 2006; 01:50 P.M.

you sure are gathering a fan base. by the time i read through all the comments, most of my thoughts had been expressed by others. anyhow, i still have a few left. i love the soft lit portraits (i'm kind of partial). your black and white are exceptional. and you have an eye for capturing the human beauty. a young man i wanted to photograph recently would not let me as he said he was afraid i would capture his soul. maybe he's onto something as you definitly have a few souls in your collection. great work.

danene

Shambhala M. , February 26, 2006; 11:29 P.M.

Danene,

Yes, portraiture is about revealing something about people they do not see in themselves. In the case of the many actors who've posed for me, they are amazed that I've succeeded in showing them as they are, not as people see them. Honesty is what I'm after; beauty is in everyone, and it's up to us photographers to make it show on the photos.

You should convince that person to pose for you. Nothing to be afraid of!

Lionel Dupre , March 15, 2006; 03:43 A.M.

The strongest portrait collection I have ever seen. Constant, exceptionally brilliant. This is awe inspiring.

Philippe Rapoport , March 15, 2006; 04:43 P.M.

Merci pour ton gentil commentaire sur une de mes photos. Ils m'ont donne l'occasion de d飯uvrir ton portfolio. J'apprecie particulierement la serie "interface", pour une sensation de tendresse et d'intimite envers tes modeles.

Thanks for your kind words on one of my picture, that gave me the opportunity to see your portfolio. I specialy like the "Interface" serie, for your intimacy with your models.

Amicalement

Chris Fraser , April 12, 2006; 11:18 A.M.

A very strong portfolio. I really enjoy your work, especially the street photography. You have an acute eye. The interface series is a fine idea, nicely executed -- and many of the images are charming, even moving depictions of loving relationships. The actors series demands careful study. I agree with your presentation of it, a large collection of these apparently identical shots en masse, which quickly leads the viewer to see how they must be studied, one by one. Thank for posting your images, and I hope to see more.

Nadya K , April 21, 2006; 06:56 A.M.

Thanks!

Dear Shambala, thanks for revisiting my page and leaving another comment. I'd really like to continue getting your feedback on my work, so please, do come back again. Also, I very much like your portfolio, especially the portraits folder - so particular and well defined. Thanks!

thom fell , May 12, 2006; 12:19 P.M.

Shambhala M.

Just had some head shots done with shambhala and I can't recommend her highly enough. The only photographer I've come across who not only actually explains to us poor hapless actors how to carry oneself in front of camera, but just as importantly why. Unlike most 'production line' photographers she really puts in the time and effort and it shows in the final product. I'm really happy with the results of our session and would urge anyone who needs new headshots or is unhappy with their current ones to rush to her immediately (actually, give her a call first). Thom Fell (professional film and television actor)

Inge Kirsi , May 27, 2006; 12:44 P.M.

oh dear you have all just beautiful simple but a lot-saying portraits!! i would be very greatful if you could share me some tips. inge kirsi

Ali Soltani Farani , July 01, 2006; 06:38 A.M.

Thank you,

Beautiful portraits; your Actors folder is so rich. And thank you for your comment, I'll keep it in mind.

pascale riches , July 02, 2006; 10:40 P.M.

Thanks for your comments on my portfolio. You are very talented. I wish I could take good portraits like you do. You are, Im sure a great model, but also a great photographer. Wish you a lot of sucess. Pascale

Sheila Kumar , July 07, 2006; 12:46 A.M.

WOW!

Beutiful portfolio...stunning portraits...I liked it very much.

Sheila

Alex S , July 16, 2006; 11:24 A.M.

What a beautiful Gallery you have here! Your a master with Lighting &shades!

Andrew Jackson , July 18, 2006; 01:40 P.M.

simply inspiring

Andrew Jackson , July 22, 2006; 08:10 P.M.

Its beyond me how you could have received any rated at 3 whatsoever, i have just had another look at your folio...(Im a fan now)and would rate them all 5 and above. That said I'm only a lay person

Leslie Battjes , August 04, 2006; 09:07 P.M.

Hi, Shambhala!

It's been far too long since I've been to your folio! It's great to see you are still hard at work making beautiful portraits :) Hope all is well for you and that you are having a wonderful summer! Take care

Leslie

Andrei Babikov , August 18, 2006; 07:31 A.M.

Perfecto!

Very goog job. I like your works. Keep this way.

Regards from Moscow

Ken Thongudomporn , August 18, 2006; 09:01 A.M.

Your work is Inspiring.

And very impressive! For the entire handful of months since I first picked up photography as a hobby (haha), all I could do was teach myself from scratch. Photography courses in Singapore where I am are mostly run by techno-geeks who are more focussed on all the little gizmos in their cameras that half the time aren't even used, and they have so little emphasis on getting that one photo idea. Which is why my pitiful little portfolio thingy is so haphazard, no real theme linking them together, just a bunch of random shots. But your work is truly inspiring. Whether or not they are black and white, I can see every drop and inch of each person's character in your people photos. They're almost 3d. Haha. It just 'pops' out of every photo. And it makes me wonder why I'm so crappy at getting people shots, because you make it look so easy. Haha. Well, maybe because Singaporeans are REALLY camera-shy but I think I'll need to learn some tricks to help them chill out anyway. Sorry if I don't know photographer lingo. We don't learn much of that around here either. :)

Kyle Bowman , October 27, 2006; 09:16 P.M.

Beautiful Work! Stunning Characters see you!

Alfredo Muñoz de Oliveira , November 03, 2006; 06:02 A.M.

great portfolio!!! congrats kind regards

Alfredo Muñoz de Oliveira , November 03, 2006; 06:35 A.M.

Hi Shambhala

Happy birthday so!!! have a great day!!! kind regards Alfredo :o)

Asla Vihervuori , November 14, 2006; 08:53 P.M.

Oh dear!

Now I have seen it. A different portrait folder. Original here. I like the way you have had them used black wearings (or changed it during conversion) Colourless, patternless textile assures that attention is drawn to faces. Very good, indeed. I guess it also emphasizes expressions. And so great B&W work... Respect, a s l a

igor bilic , November 19, 2006; 11:12 A.M.

very good.... will visit again!

Rosmini Sukardi , November 20, 2006; 09:49 P.M.

Excellent Portraiture Work

Hi Shambhala, I really like your b&w portraits. This is the one area I am most interested in, but one that i am sadly weakest in. Its very challenging trying to capture the essence of a person and the secret has eluded me to this day. Your work is an inspiration to me, as I keep trying to master this art. Thanks for sharing your work here with us, and do keep them coming. Cheers, Rosmini

Vrindavan Lila , November 27, 2006; 07:27 A.M.

My dear Shambhala, I was surprised to stamble accross your collection of portrites (actors) i also have a simmilar project, but with spiritual people my folder called SAINTS )
However, I find your way of doing it much more stylish and slick. Lovely portrites!
Regards.
Hare Krishna

Arek Kotlewski , December 07, 2006; 03:55 P.M.

wow

Your portraits are great - I am truly impressed. greetings, Arek

Christina Ferderer , December 10, 2006; 06:28 A.M.

WoW

You have a special way of putting contrast into a picture... I like that very much... Cheers Christina

Denis Dobardzic , December 20, 2006; 06:36 A.M.

excellent portraits. really beautiful

Patrick Jacobson , December 25, 2006; 08:26 A.M.

Very nice portraits! =)

Regards,

Patrick Jacobson, Sweden

Philippe Rapoport , January 04, 2007; 10:32 A.M.

Best wishes!

Salut Shambala! Impressionnante galerie de portrait! Je te souhaite une grande annee 2007. Amicalement, Philippe.

Yiannis Dimkopoulos , February 11, 2007; 02:01 P.M.

Shambhala

Very impressive and exclusive B&W portfolio. I really enjoy the Actors section. Congrats Yiannis

Jessica Rogers , March 01, 2007; 10:23 A.M.

acting shots

Hi Shambhala, Ive been looking through your work and am very impressed! One of the actresses you have photographed recommended yourself to me, I would love to get some acting pictures done with you and was wondering how I would get in contact. I've had pictures done in past but was never really happy with them, looking at your portfolio I can see you capture people fantastically and I'd love to be one of them!! My e-mail address-jessmulcahy@yahoo.co.uk-would love to hear from you!!

Eduardo Agustin Carrasco , March 13, 2007; 06:37 P.M.

hola

hola shambhala you have a beatiful portfolio. congratulations.

Kisses

Eduardo

Paul Chepikian , March 21, 2007; 05:47 A.M.

I just commented on one of your portrait pieces at the critique forum and came directly here. What wonderful and prolific work you do in portraits. Each one is a gem. Great lighting! You could shoot my portrait anytime :-) I look forward to coming back and taking a closer look at your work and giving it the time it deserves. I just uploaded a few portraits as well, please feel free to visit and if you wish, let me know what you think. It was a wonderfully overcast day and it provided gorgeous light. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. Best, Paul

Gene Zisman , April 08, 2007; 06:41 P.M.

Dear Shambala,

I visit your collection of potraits pretty much on a regular basis. I cannot explain but somehow it makes me come back over and over again. I don't think I can add much to what other people already wrote here about your work...it's great! I like the "Portfolio" and "Interface" the most. Please post more.

Gene

Matthijs Jonker , April 25, 2007; 06:03 A.M.

What a great set of portraits! Love the mixed-race part of your portfolio. You seem very fond of b/w - just like I am - , maybe you can have a look at my portfolio. Cheers!

Amanda Sanford , May 01, 2007; 10:14 P.M.

I really enjoyed your "Mixed Race" collection of portraits. As the mother of a daughter who is mixed race, it really spoke to my heart reading some of the mini-bios. (I am Caucasian and her biological father is from Haiti.) I am attaching a picture I took of her the other day as she was studying, and paused to lean her head on me when I checked on her. I just happened to have my camera in hand. You are a beautiful person, and thank you for sharing your collection.

Image Attachment: Contemplation.jpg

Lisa Lee , June 12, 2007; 08:11 P.M.

Headshot Tips?

I need to take a few headshots of my niece for her acting portfolio/resume. I really like your work and that you use natural light. Do you have any tips you could offer? Should I use a black backdrop? Do you shoot indoors or out? It looks like you use backlighting - how do you do that with natural light... Anything at all you could tell me would be great!

Thanks Lisa Lee www.lisalee.smugmug.com

Jose Amado , October 12, 2007; 10:42 A.M.

Hi Shambhala,

If it was possible I'd like to have my BW portrait taken by you, but I'm afraid I live too faraway... What a great portfolio you have, congrats,

Best regards,

Jose

Marta Azevedo , October 26, 2007; 08:18 P.M.

Great portfolio and work about mixed races.

Gershon Levi , November 14, 2007; 11:01 P.M.

Thanks for visit my photosite, I see your collection is really a great; in my opinion the photographer are a frustrated painter. I enjoy visit your site. thanks for sharing. best regards Gershon.

Jared McNeil , November 26, 2007; 05:10 P.M.

O.o

Your portfolio *gasp* I'm amazed, and humbled at the same time, that someone of your caliber took the time to give me a few pointers.

Thank you.

Alija Kamber , December 23, 2007; 09:08 A.M.

Dear Shambhala...

...your friend Ivan from Bosnia ( Camden ) told me about you work so I found you that way. You have wanderful B&W. I love it, especially this intercolor experiments.

Much love from Bosnia

Bulent Celasun , February 28, 2008; 04:45 P.M.

Do you only shoot beautiful people or you somehow make them all beautiful? Thanks for sharing these photographs...

Marco Coppo , March 14, 2008; 02:43 A.M.

well, thanks for your comments. For my father's photo I can't. I'm looking at your portfolio...Ciao

Meiko Janke , March 14, 2008; 10:54 A.M.

Hallo Shamrock,

yes it was long ago and I was busy. Last year I spend in Melbourne and worked for a model agency and did a clip for a band. Now I'm back in Berlin and working for an art shipping company - and I'm quite often in London! So maybe see you there...

Cheers Meiko

I like the

Shambhala M. Photography

Actors (slideshow)

Portfolio (slideshow)

INTERFACE - The Mixed Race Collection (slideshow)

Sleeping beauties (slideshow)

Comments on this portfolio: