Photo a Day Challenge - 2017

Can Visuals Be Text?

One of the things I am asked frequently is where the intersection of text and images occur. We know Egyptian hieroglyphs and ancient Chinese pictographs provided a gateway to text. And in this modern era, how common is it for us to replace a word with an emoji or even a GIF? Are images replacing text or have we entered a new realm of conversing in a society which is a perfect meld of the two. As a writer I am fascinated by this idea. 

One of the fundamental principals I teach in Digital Storytelling - a modern spin on classic storytelling - is that by blending story, music, and photography a new, stronger art form may emerge.

It is in the spirit that I decided to take the #photoaday2017 challenge. Each day, I will take a photo, add some text, and post it to start a conversation. I hope you will join me. 

Getting ready for a throwback concert with BNL and Better Than Ezra. 90’s date night!!!! #concertunderthestars #picnicandbeer #photoaday2018
Getting ready for a throwback concert with BNL and Better Than Ezra. 90’s date night!!!! #concertunderthestars #picnicandbeer #photoaday2018
With our kids I try not to get political. But this is who we are. A family of immigrants from China and India (and going back further Germany and Switzerland and Ireland). This is America. #proudmama #adoptionrocks❤️ #conspicuousfamily #photoaday20
With our kids I try not to get political. But this is who we are. A family of immigrants from China and India (and going back further Germany and Switzerland and Ireland). This is America. #proudmama #adoptionrocks❤️ #conspicuousfamily #photoaday2018
Nothing like a summer evening playing in the backyard and dinner with friends. #summertimebliss #lifeisgood #photoaday2018
Nothing like a summer evening playing in the backyard and dinner with friends. #summertimebliss #lifeisgood #photoaday2018
First pep rally on the swim team! Their colors are blue and white, which doesn’t explain the green tongue, but go Tidal Waves!!! #swimteamlife #mychildisadolphin 🐬 #photoaday2018
First pep rally on the swim team! Their colors are blue and white, which doesn’t explain the green tongue, but go Tidal Waves!!! #swimteamlife #mychildisadolphin 🐬 #photoaday2018
As the name suggests, a bit of a hike but worth it to have a Guitar Circle gig! #mamassinging 🎤 🎸🎉 #photoaday2018
As the name suggests, a bit of a hike but worth it to have a Guitar Circle gig! #mamassinging 🎤 🎸🎉 #photoaday2018
Sometimes when the politics of the day gets to be too much and you need a small pick me up you sneak into your son’s room and watch him play Rescue Bots in bed with his Dad and suddenly the clouds lift. #itsthelittlethings #photoaday2018
Sometimes when the politics of the day gets to be too much and you need a small pick me up you sneak into your son’s room and watch him play Rescue Bots in bed with his Dad and suddenly the clouds lift. #itsthelittlethings #photoaday2018
Mother-son lunch date. Conversation consisted of favorite Rescue Bots, favorite planet, what would you do if you had a dinosaur as a pet, and what would happen if we lived on the moon and then every person on the moon got their own robot. In other wo
Mother-son lunch date. Conversation consisted of favorite Rescue Bots, favorite planet, what would you do if you had a dinosaur as a pet, and what would happen if we lived on the moon and then every person on the moon got their own robot. In other words? The perfect date! #mothersondate #foodforthought #photoaday2018
A day late but HAPPY PRIDE!!!! #loveforall #photoaday2018
A day late but HAPPY PRIDE!!!! #loveforall #photoaday2018
Rain or shine (and it was pouring down rain!) Grandpa’s pool is still the best. #dolphinsforchildren #makingmemories #photoaday2018
Rain or shine (and it was pouring down rain!) Grandpa’s pool is still the best. #dolphinsforchildren #makingmemories #photoaday2018
I will never forget the day I "broke the news" that we would be adopting instead of having biological children. Five years and two adoptions later I have become an expert at adoption, but for my family there has been a learning curve. Here'
I will never forget the day I "broke the news" that we would be adopting instead of having biological children. Five years and two adoptions later I have become an expert at adoption, but for my family there has been a learning curve. Here's how I shared what we have learned from our journey: https://adoption.com/how-to-teach-your-family-about-adoption #voicesforadoption #internationaladoption #conspicuousfamily #wouldnthaveusanyotherway #photoaday2018
Friday night BFF pizza making party! #photoaday2018
Friday night BFF pizza making party! #photoaday2018
Mira starts crying at the Safeway after a long day. Jack rushes over, takes her hand, and she immediately calms down. Heart officially melts. #siblinglove❤️ #photoaday2018
Mira starts crying at the Safeway after a long day. Jack rushes over, takes her hand, and she immediately calms down. Heart officially melts. #siblinglove❤️ #photoaday2018
Conversations with Jack: Me: How do you like summer camp? Jack: It’s awesome! I get to build things with legos. It’s WAY better than last year. Me: I thought you liked nature camp. Jack: It was outside and there were bugs. Me: But wasn&r
Conversations with Jack: Me: How do you like summer camp? Jack: It’s awesome! I get to build things with legos. It’s WAY better than last year. Me: I thought you liked nature camp. Jack: It was outside and there were bugs. Me: But wasn’t it fun to learn about animals and insects? Jack: First there were dinosaurs and then a giant meteor came and there was ash but then there were animals. But now there are machines. I need to build machines with wheels and road sweepers and garages and robots with wings. Because the animals want to ride the robots. See? Me: So much for Thoreau. Jack: Is that an ice cream? #futureengineer #legolover #photoaday2018
Now THIS is how you summer. #happykids #bestinflatable #backyardbliss #rosetime🍷 #photoaday2018
Now THIS is how you summer. #happykids #bestinflatable #backyardbliss #rosetime🍷 #photoaday2018
Happy Fathers Day to one of the most extraordinary men I know. These past few months have been tough but through it all you have been an amazing father and an incredible partner. Thank you for journeying with me to China and India to build our family
Happy Fathers Day to one of the most extraordinary men I know. These past few months have been tough but through it all you have been an amazing father and an incredible partner. Thank you for journeying with me to China and India to build our family. What a wacky and wonderful path. I know I should post a picture of our kids today but we’re on our first date night in ages and getting ready to see U2 so let’s do this! I love you! #bestmanintheworld #amazingfatherandhusband #partnerincrimeforlife #photoaday2018
And just like that early summer cherry picking becomes a new family tradition! #timeforcherrypie #photoaday2018
And just like that early summer cherry picking becomes a new family tradition! #timeforcherrypie #photoaday2018
Cousins meeting Mira for the first time. Five kids playing in total bliss. #cousinsrock❤️ #photoaday2018
Cousins meeting Mira for the first time. Five kids playing in total bliss. #cousinsrock❤️ #photoaday2018
Me: Jack! I can’t even see your spaghetti! Jack: Mommy it’s your fault. You should know better than to leave cheese by a Jack. #kidhasapoint #lessonlearned #cantturnyourbackforasecond #photoaday2018
Me: Jack! I can’t even see your spaghetti! Jack: Mommy it’s your fault. You should know better than to leave cheese by a Jack. #kidhasapoint #lessonlearned #cantturnyourbackforasecond #photoaday2018
Sometimes Mamma’s just gotta step out and rock! #guitarcircle 🎸 #bringingdownthehouse #photoaday2018
Sometimes Mamma’s just gotta step out and rock! #guitarcircle 🎸 #bringingdownthehouse #photoaday2018
“Mommy! Our family is all different colors and that makes us beautiful. You’re peach, I’m tan, Mira is brown and Daddy is hairy.” 😆 #outofthemouthofbabes❤️ #photoaday2018
“Mommy! Our family is all different colors and that makes us beautiful. You’re peach, I’m tan, Mira is brown and Daddy is hairy.” 😆 #outofthemouthofbabes❤️ #photoaday2018
Getting ready for a throwback concert with BNL and Better Than Ezra. 90’s date night!!!! #concertunderthestars #picnicandbeer #photoaday2018 With our kids I try not to get political. But this is who we are. A family of immigrants from China and India (and going back further Germany and Switzerland and Ireland). This is America. #proudmama #adoptionrocks❤️ #conspicuousfamily #photoaday20 Nothing like a summer evening playing in the backyard and dinner with friends. #summertimebliss #lifeisgood #photoaday2018 First pep rally on the swim team! Their colors are blue and white, which doesn’t explain the green tongue, but go Tidal Waves!!! #swimteamlife #mychildisadolphin 🐬 #photoaday2018 As the name suggests, a bit of a hike but worth it to have a Guitar Circle gig! #mamassinging 🎤 🎸🎉 #photoaday2018 Sometimes when the politics of the day gets to be too much and you need a small pick me up you sneak into your son’s room and watch him play Rescue Bots in bed with his Dad and suddenly the clouds lift. #itsthelittlethings #photoaday2018 Mother-son lunch date. Conversation consisted of favorite Rescue Bots, favorite planet, what would you do if you had a dinosaur as a pet, and what would happen if we lived on the moon and then every person on the moon got their own robot. In other wo A day late but HAPPY PRIDE!!!! #loveforall #photoaday2018 Rain or shine (and it was pouring down rain!) Grandpa’s pool is still the best. #dolphinsforchildren #makingmemories #photoaday2018 I will never forget the day I "broke the news" that we would be adopting instead of having biological children. Five years and two adoptions later I have become an expert at adoption, but for my family there has been a learning curve. Here' Friday night BFF pizza making party! #photoaday2018 Mira starts crying at the Safeway after a long day. Jack rushes over, takes her hand, and she immediately calms down. Heart officially melts. #siblinglove❤️ #photoaday2018 Conversations with Jack: Me: How do you like summer camp? Jack: It’s awesome! I get to build things with legos. It’s WAY better than last year. Me: I thought you liked nature camp. Jack: It was outside and there were bugs. Me: But wasn&r Now THIS is how you summer. #happykids #bestinflatable #backyardbliss #rosetime🍷 #photoaday2018 Happy Fathers Day to one of the most extraordinary men I know. These past few months have been tough but through it all you have been an amazing father and an incredible partner. Thank you for journeying with me to China and India to build our family And just like that early summer cherry picking becomes a new family tradition! #timeforcherrypie #photoaday2018 Cousins meeting Mira for the first time. Five kids playing in total bliss. #cousinsrock❤️ #photoaday2018 Me: Jack! I can’t even see your spaghetti! Jack: Mommy it’s your fault. You should know better than to leave cheese by a Jack. #kidhasapoint #lessonlearned #cantturnyourbackforasecond #photoaday2018 Sometimes Mamma’s just gotta step out and rock! #guitarcircle 🎸 #bringingdownthehouse #photoaday2018 “Mommy! Our family is all different colors and that makes us beautiful. You’re peach, I’m tan, Mira is brown and Daddy is hairy.” 😆 #outofthemouthofbabes❤️ #photoaday2018