shutter to think

The General for National Public Radio

Earlier this spring I was assigned to photograph General Vang Pao's funeral in Fresno, Ca. During the Vietnam War, the General was appointed by the CIA to lead a guerrilla army into battle against communist troops along the Ho Chi Minh trail. He then helped thousands of Hmong exile to the United States. This was my first introduction to Hmong culture despite having traveled to SE Asia so many times before. I was in awe of the traditions, and yet familiar with the culture in a way that reminded me of my mother's side of the family. The elderly were held with the utmost respect. And while one elder could grant you a wish, another one could easily as deny it. Fortunately, the elders allowed me to photograph very close to their family during this time of mourning, with a gracious thank you to the reporter.

Please have a listen to Doualy Xaykaothao's very touching story, and view the slideshow of my pictures: The General, His Sisters, and Me

Psychopath Test for National Public Radio

A couple weeks ago I drove out to Stockton, Ca to photograph the father whose son has been imprisoned for 26 years and was denied parole  because of  a test that proved that he is a psychopath.

To listen or read more about this story, this evaluation test, and the Dixon family:

Can A Test Really Tell Who's A Psychopath?

Since we couldn't get access to the prison to photograph the father's bi-monthly visits to his son, I photographed him at home. I also brought my holga to try and capture something different. I do this often. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And not always a holga.

I met Mr. Dixon at his home. He is such a nice man. Showed me pictures of his son and the room in which he prepares for his return.

Many thanks to Coburn Dukehart, photo & multimedia editor, for this assignment and the great edit.

The father of a so-called pyschopath - Images by Lianne Milton

listening...

Last night, I headed out with a friend and fellow photographer, Annie Tritt, to an interesting event called The UnObserved, an online radio magazine, which in collaboration with the Guardian UK, launched their first sound series. It showcases "innovative and thought-provoking audio pieces, with an emphasis on works that examine the more uncommon facets of art, culture, and daily life". Naturally I was curious, because as compelling written stories are visual, so too is radio. And being a photographer, with a curiousity to see, decided to check out their launch party and listening event. it was, as you would expect, a room full of folks listening to very interesting selected works of sound, such as hearing chuckles of the Dali Lama during an interview (that made us all smile).