CHARLOTTE RUSH BAILEY
Seeing Our World Through Photography
ABOUT
We are the sum of our experiences. The mind absorbs, the soul interprets, the heart directs our response. Photography enables me to express the result. As Isek Dineson eloquently states: “Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost.” Some of us come by adventure naturally, hardwired at birth with the need to explore. That need can manifest in many ways. In my case, collecting stamps and hoarding my grandparents’ National Geographic magazines satisfied me until reaching puberty, at which time my interests became less global in nature. Campus life in the late Sixties resuscitated my curiosity about the rest of the world, an inacreasinglly complicated place. I majored in History and Political Science, trying to understand the Cold War, and moved to Washington, DC upon graduation with the goal of becoming a spy. Fast forward to the present. Espionage was not in the cards for me, however, the outcome of that first major move was a rewarding career in public affairs and communications, spanning the global energy, financial services, conservation, media and professional services industries. Not only was I fortunate enough to travel around the world many times for business purposes, but I was also able to afford personal travel to almost all the remote spots that so appealed to me as a child. Along the way, the camera became my constant companion and together, we transformed our travel experience from “just visiting” to “really experiencing.” I learned to feel at home no matter where I was -- not just in global business centers but more often than not in remote areas, where life is at its most elemental. Liberated from the visitor mentality, my camera and I have been able to experience a level of intimacy with people and place that transcend the act of visiting. Most important is the confirmation that humans -- regardless of race, creed or tradition -- share core values that far outweigh the differences that are so often the cause of conflict. The importance of family, community and spirituality are universal. Beyond my human encounters, nature itself has taught me complete humility and reverence. Nothing we humans do can repeal the laws and forces of nature; nothing we create can compare with the beauty and resilience of the natural world. My goal is to share the world I have experienced, and provoke curiosity on your part to learn more, care more, explore the possibilities and perhaps one day experience some of these destinations yourself.