Portraying The Soul: An Interview with Photographer Carlos Alejandro

Every time I see a portrait made by my colleague Carlos Alejandro, I am humbled. The truth is, the breath is swept away from me. The very essence of the human being, whom Carlos has portrayed, is present. Carlos refers to this, as witnessing, as seeing someone's Story. As Carlos stands in himself, the one being photographed, experiences full space to be present with and completely inhabit themselves. You get the story; you see the Soul. This is Humanity. And it makes me weep. In this conversation, Carlos and I also spoke about education; what happens when an individual - a child - is seen and invited, as their whole self, with the specific luminous gifts of their particular constellation of Intelligences, into the Room. Into the 'educational' setting. When the All of them is included. And their fullness is welcomed and encouraged. Carlos also makes images of the sentiences in nature. Birds. Trees. The land itself. What happens when we listen to these presences? What opens out? And what changes . . . You can watch our conversation on Vimeo. I highly recommend this way of engaging with our talk together! Carlos Alejandro's website is named after his Project, Trace Journals His Instagram handle is @tracejournals This Podcast is hosted by Narelle Carter-Quinlan, Foundress of The Saltwater Songlines Project