A few months ago I had the privilege of meeting Vlad Sokhin, a documentary photographer here in Port Moresby. As a member of the PNG Photography Association, I was very happy to be part of the group that turned up to meet him and view some of his work. It was a very educational and also interesting to find out what documentary photography was about and of course meeting Vlad in person.
grou
Here dwarfed by Vlad, I couldn’t imagine that in 2013 I would be standing in the shadow of this iconic person. Winner of over 10 prestigious awards.
Vlad showed us some videos he had taken in Portugal, and a number of countries in Africa and elsewhere. I was fascinated at what his lens conveyed in pictures many ordinary lives of extraordinary people. I left before we got to Vlad’s photographs on specific themes here in Papua New Guinea.
I wish Vlad all the best in his future photography endeavours here and abroad.
Vlad making a point in between his presentations.
Vlad is working on a project here locally in Port Moresby and environs so I wish him the best in that project.
I went along last Saturday when Stella’s birthday party was open to the public. I was there on the Friday afternoon for the birthday reception. In fact I think Saturday, 10th August was the tru tru date of Stella’s debut appearance in 2012. What a magazine, what a journey. I was only too happy to roll up again for a Saturday spent with creative people, immersing myself with the spirit of lovely thoughts and wonderful creative folk.
Th stalls with some great stuff such as Malolo Prints, Buk Bilong Pikinini and more…
For a K3.00 gate fee there was more fun and activities to spice up the event.
We had a fashion parade…my favourite.
Other favourites of course, dancing by Tribal Breakers, a group of young PNG guys entertaining the crowd. Pretty good.
…and singing by the wonderfully talented songbirds, the Tau sisters and their brother (children of the iconic PNG pianist and music teacher Buruka Tau).
The Tau sisters with their brother gracing the birthday celebrations with their angelic voices. What a treat! I like.
There was a bouncy castle too so the kids had their own fun place to wile away the hours and enjoy nature in another part of the city.
Amanda told us that Stella means star, so apt for the Pacific Islands and the magazine has a girl’s name – you can carry it around with you as a friend wherever you go. I like.
Here’s Amanda with announcements and the day’s programme as well as a little bit more on Stella.
The fashion parade kicked off, after the national anthem and pledge, which I mumbled my way through – shameful, really. I promised myself that I’ll do better next time. The fashion show was a great crowd-pleaser.
We all gathered infront of the stage to witness the showcasing of artistic designs and outfits by PNG and Pacific Islands’ designers. It was awesome. Here are some of my favourites, not only because of the fabrics but the angles at which I was able to take my photos. I felt like a wandering minstrel! I was self-conscious as I walked around trying to get a good shot of the models and beautiful outfits.
This was my favourite shot of the day. I loved the flow. From Tully Pacific shop in town.
My favourite shot and outfit. In fact I have the exact same dress in a size 12 which I wore to the Kenu & Kundu Fundraising Dinner 2 weeks before.
As I was moving around to take my shots competing with a couple of professionals and my fellow amateurs, I could hear my course instructor saying don’t assume your camera will move on its own, move your body! Yeah man, tried to. I’m glad I did. I had a tough time getting the right angles and am sure I’m not the only one. But I did take some nice shots like the one above.
Another beautiful outfit by a Pacific Island designer.
All manner of cameras came out of the woodwork including some pretty nifty mobile phones to capture the beauty which shone on stage.
I am so pleased to also see the willingness of young PNG men to take part in the fashion show. Very liberated young men if I may say so. Hey, PNG women are breaking glass ceilings in male-dominated arenas so why not our young men.
A collage of some of the photos I’ve taken. Too many to post individually on this blog. I might consider posting them on Facebook.
The models kept coming and each outfit was awesome. The young ladies and gentlemen were in the zone. The talent behind these outfits and the prints and designs were amazing. There were casual wear as well as formal and office wear. Some of the outfits were from Samoa and the Cook Islands but most were Papua New Guinean. Great stuff. Loved it.
The Nature Park was just the place to have the fashion-show. The trees in the background, the breeze and freedom were just few of the aspects that enhanced the show.
A collage of the photos I took. Too many to post them individually. I might consider posting some on Facebook..
Well, all good things come to an end…and soon the fashion show ended with the models walking through the crowd to give all of us a chance to see them and the outfits they were wearing. What a great idea.
The models walked through the crowd back to their dressing rooms.
They assembled on the smaller stage for a photo opportunity and that was nice and then walked through the crowd back to the dressing rooms at the back of the stage.
This was a great photo opportunity but again for some reason I couldn’t find the right angle to be able to get the whole team in.
The models then walked through the crowd again as a grand finale to the fashion show. Well done to the models, the designers and the organizers. Great show.
Some of the Stella cover girls cutting the yummy birthday cake.
We look forward to celebrating another great year. Wishing you the best.
grou
My Magic Moments 