The Nobility of Humanity | A Lesson From Foundation Workshop

Photograph by Kendra Coupland

Photograph by Caroline Godkin

Ask anyone who has attended and they’ll confirm that it takes weeks, months, even a year to process everything you learn at a Foundation Workshop. Known as the world’s toughest photojournalism workshop for wedding photographers, I’ll admit that I was a little intimidated venturing down to Texas for the challenge. Myself and four others were placed on a powerhouse team with the legendary team leader David Murray, mentor Erin Chrisman, and assistant Ben Godkin – all of whom I tremendously admire and respect. I couldn’t wait to see what the following week had in store.

After arriving in Glen Rose and finding the nearest Starbucks, a little mingling with other students, and a few general sessions, it was time to get down to business. We were hanging on every word as David addressed our team for the first time. He delivered a phrase that I’ll never forget,

“Photojournalism is all about the nobility of humanity”.

It took me a long time to figure out how this related to my assignment, Tommy. Tommy is the sweetest 80 year old man who gives all of himself back to the community. He works hard moving and unloading supply boxes at the hospital twice a week, picks up and delivers food for Meals on Wheels four times a week (which he and his late wife co-founded in Granbury), and leads bible study at a local church, ALL volunteer! He is out and about in the community more than five days a week, giving back and helping others. But the magic about Tommy is that although the rest of his time is spent at home alone, he is always, ALWAYS joyful. One day I asked Tommy why he is always so happy. He responded with a beaming smile,

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“If I wake up, I’m happy”.

 Imagine if everyone had such an attitude!

So how does this all relate to the nobility of humanity? Well, without realizing it Tommy gave me the answer while we were driving home from the Meals on Wheels delivery. He said that everyone reaches an age where you’ve lost loved ones, your body begins to fail, and life gets sad. So many people use this as an excuse to stay inside, isolate themselves from community, and stop helping others. But there is a more meaningful way to age and Tommy’s actions prove that. His is living proof of the nobility of humanity. People like Tommy need to be documented and their stories shared, to inspire others (young and old) to live likewise. I am very thankful to Tommy for opening up his heart to me and reminding me again how to live life, serving others.

On a photography note, Foundation Workshop did an incredible job of exposing what I consider my biggest, most well hidden weakness as a photographer. Thank you to David Murray for helping me work through and overcome that. Thank you Erin Chrisman for your openness and always knowing what can make a photo better. I love your perfectionism and how it drives us to make stronger images. Thank you Ben for “speaking Canon”, offering insight, and being the glue that holds the students and leaders together. And last but certainly not least, thank you Huy for providing a place for wedding photographers like me to receive world class instruction and practice photojournalism.