About me
I was raised in Bolivia, as a missionary kid. It might appear to be a severe sort of life, with few of the comforts that we expect these days, but the rewards far outweighed any hardship. I was exposed, daily, to cultures, languages, and ideas completely foreign to a North American setting. In my life and with my interests, this is a positive thing.
My dad gave me a camera at age seven when he noticed my interest in photography, and thereby providing me with an important artistic outlet. Not until he discovered that I also used my camera in my sandbox did he fully realize what a smart move it had been to provide me with my very own camera! Needless to say, my results were haphazard and I was not as successful as my dad with his sand-free camera. Surprisingly, I didn't lose interest in photography, but got through that frustrating phase and am now more careful near a sandbox.
My parents taught me that service to others is the highest calling. Even when we considered ourselves poor-as-church-mice, in Bolivia there were always people in far greater need. My mother insisted on giving free meals to every street child she met, and endless health care to anyone who showed up at the clinic, regardless of their ability to pay. And yet, in total gratitude, and probably with shock at free healthcare, people offered the best they had. Sometimes this might be a half dozen fresh eggs or a stalk of bananas. It was always accepted with great appreciation.
Another gift my parents gave me was the ease of travel. I think we headed out on my first adventure within days of my birth, and throughout my childhood, we never really stopped moving and traveling. As an adult, my desire to always see what's around the next corner, or in the next valley, or country has spurred my love of photography into a genre of still documentation. To distill this even further, I might add that I love exploring and capturing rural life in less developed countries. I am fascinated with the rituals of a simple life, and every village has their own unique traditions and style.
The gift of growing up immersed in a native tradition, which I experienced as very nourishing, gentle and rich, continues to inspire my art and my life. I have come away with no regrets, and so much gratitude for a childhood that prepares me for a life of simplicity, service, and mastery. I am fortune to have grown up with a love for photography! And even more fortunate to have lived in a beautiful country, rich in tradition and spirituality! A perfect environment to feed my creative spirit.
Currently, I live in Taos, with my husband Jim, and a terrific teenage daughter Prisma, who share my daily life. They are so generous with allowing me the freedom to pursue my passion for travel and photography. Rarely do they complain about being dragged to yet another country and experiencing the hardship of rustic travel to the outbacks of a new and wild frontier.
Contact me
I will offer you a variety of ways to contact me, whether I am in the USA or traveling abroad. Easiest is to call me at 575.776.3221. By mail you can write me at PO Box 297, Arroyo Seco, NM, 87514. My E-mail addresses are or . Another out-of-town way to contact me is through Skype at AveryPeaceFamily.