Creating with the Rea Family
Creating with Perry and Brenda Rea and their family was truly a culinary adventure, and over the top glorious from start to completion....
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Photography by
Janise Witt
What You Envision - Together We Can Create
Culinary - Farm to Fork
Creative Collaborations -
Photography for Your Vision and Projects.
I love full circles and process - literally taking something from it's seed or concept, planting the beautiful seed in the Earth and through the cultivation of the seed other aspects of life are also nurtured; ourselves, our families, community, and Mother Earth. As these jewels of the Earth ripen and blossom, they are pure vibrance and then they're placed in the hands of individuals or chefs who now go on to create culinary artistry they in turn share with their friends, family and patrons of their restaurants. It's a win win situation for those who cultivate the land, the chefs and people who prepare with these healthy jewels to those who have the opportunity to partake in this wonderful, healthy and exquisite food, which feeds our soul. And...this is what I love to capture through my photography and collaborations.
Each chef I've had the opportunity to create with reflects such passion about their gifts, where they receive their inspiration and all love sharing these gifts with others. The books I've photographed are diverse, that's what I love as well. They all reflect the process and also you are invited in to understand where their passion and inspiration comes from. In Jeff's case (Elote Cafe) it's the process of the food, his wonderful relationship with the people who work with him, and the ambiance of his beautiful restaurant, along with people having a great time.
As well, with Lisa Dahl, it was her love of Italy and all aspects of life which reflect the romantic in all life and in food as well. So her book blended in the love and joy of Italy with the beauty and wonder of Sedona, capturing the ambiance in both areas of the world, which she also reflects in her exquisite restaurants in Sedona. Queen Creek Olive Mill was about the process with the family and preparing with healthy foods, in a short period of time that were quite magnificent. Their Olive Mill in Queen Creek is a family passion. I so loved photographing their creative processes and the Rea family is a delight to create with.
I feel the chefs I've created with enjoy their unfolding story and have chosen a way to personalize the way they express themselves and their culinary expressions and that's why their cookbooks are extraordinarily exquisite. Each has received over the top awards nationally as well as internationally.
Said very poetically by Carl Jung:
"We are born at a given moment, in a given place and like the vintage years of the wine, we have the qualities of the year and the season to which we are born"
I feel the same way about the vines and the wine. There is a full circle process which manifests with the qualities of the the year in which it is born.
For those wine growers who embrace sustainability, it's their goal to create delicious wines which express the unique character of the landscape, conveying love of family, education and living life to its fullest.
For Barbara and Bob Predmore of Alcantara Vineyards, their vineyard was a dream vision to grow the vines and wines and in this growing to bring family and community closer together. One supports the other and so the full circle continues.
Eric, owner of Page Springs vineyards has said "We believe to make great wine, we must take just as much responsibility for the lands we steward as the community we live in. We strongly feel that growing grapes and raising glass is a cultural ritual that fosters friendship, brings together families and unites communities. Good wine is for the people."
"Wine is sunlight held together with water" - Galileo Galilei
My journey as a professional photographer has also enabled me to experience diverse types of photography in the culinary area and this enable me to help you manifest your vision and I am happy to create with you here in Dove Mountain, Oro Valley, Southern Arizona, Sedona as well as other locations. Have camera, will travel.
The Metaphor of Farm
to Table - Full Circle
As adults we have cultivated manifestations numerous times in our lives and so this vision of planting a seed and bringing it into beautiful maturation is something we are somewhat familiar with even though the venue and terrain may be different.
We use our gifts we've been given and our experiences to help us understand the best way to take an idea and grow it along the way. I can see this through my evolution as a professional photographer; all my experiences have enabled me to grow and deepen my love for what I do and therefore there is a deeper level to the storytelling photography which I gift to others.
Cultivation is another process - it takes time and patience - it takes love not only for ourselves, our family and our community to help us with this process - it takes a village and more. It takes faith, belief and trust that what we have planted will grow and will come into beautiful ripening.
We're not left in the dark. Because once the seed is planted, we see results almost immediately with the sprout of green - that beautiful spring green and then the plant continues to grow and we see this unfold as it matures into this beautiful jewel of the Earth.
Through this process we also care for our families, engage in our daily activities; yet our goals are clear and we nurture this garden daily. When at last it is ripe, we are able to pick these beauties and share them with our family and friends and the chefs also are able to take their inspired vision and create wonderful culinary delights, which we get to enjoy in further celebration.
The chefs have their particular gifts and experiences they bring to this lavish table. They have a vision that is unique to them and their love grows just like the farmers fruits and vegetables grow to their full ripening. They weave the tapestries of the essence of the Earth with spices and special ingredients to prepare their magical and wondrous delights for those who enter their doors to dine with them.
I feel the food which we take into our bodies nourish our whole being and when all the visions and seeds have been planted and honored so well along the growing process, these foods come into our hearts, souls, bodies and mind and they become this clear impetus for us to move forward with our own visions and dreams.
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