Posted: 20 Jul 2011 05:09 AM PDT After spending three INCREDIBLE months in Nepal, I had the honor of meeting many fantastic and beautiful people from a variety of different countries including Ireland, Germany, America, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, and of course the local Nepali’s. The people of Nepal are by far some of the most generous and warm hearted individuals I have come across in all my travels. Their kind care free spirits along with their constant drive to satisfy even the  simplest requests make you feel as if you are an extension of their very own family.

A HUGE THANK-YOU TO EVERY NEPALI I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING, TALKING WITH, LAUGHING WITH,  STAYING WITH, AND SHARING A CUP OF TEA WITH.

Whenever you are traveling both locally or internationally try not to make open promises to the people you encounter. I’m talking specifically about when your shopping in a local market, looking for souvenirs, and when you get a good price you say “I’ll come back… I promise”. If you don’t think your going to purchase anything or you think you can locate a cheaper price, either say “NO” or haggle. If your taking someone’s photograph (TO ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS) don’t just take your subjects photo and run off without  even the decency of saying “thank-you” or even showing them their own photograph. On more than TWENTY different occasions, I had many Nepali’s mention they always had photographers just snapping away both outside and in their own homes and just walking away. This is unacceptable as it creates a bad name for photographers who want to actually make a difference with their imagery. If you can, try and have the photo developed in an area you are staying by having prints printed of your subject(s) as a gift. Gestures like this are very personal and memorable. Your subjects will always have this photograph as a reminder of their encounter  with you, whether it being the first or hundredth time. Handing out pins, chocolate, and money encourages begging and does not help any individual integrate into society especially when their are numerous programs, NGO’s, and organizations that facilitate people in need. Make your encounters genuine and leave a long  lasting impression that will always remain with the individual especially when your subjects welcome you with open arms revealing their souls.

Thank-you to ASHOK my guide who helped me take photo’s as we were handing out photographs to our some of our subjects-> Love your work brotha’!!

 

A photograph that the metal workers wanted . Each of them received their own photographic print of them working in action.

 

A lady that made us tea every morning while we photographed her and her niece in Bhalku Market.