Sicily 2012

What can you say about this face? 

Wisdom? Health? Peacefulness?

What ever you may or may not think about this man, I hope that I always remain as healthy as he is, and always has been.

I captured this image, on a hot July afternoon on the day before his 100th birthday and was very upset that my plane left for home on his centennial. Sadly, I missed the huge party that our town prepared for him. (It's not quite the same looking at photos on Facebook!)

Francesco, "Ciccio", has been a part of my family for generations. Back in the 1880's his grand parents took in my orphaned paternal grandfather when he was a boy and raised him as their own. Every time he see's me he calls me "cousin".

I began photographing Ciccio over 20 years ago, and every visit I make sure I take more and more photos of him. Honestly, he looks almost the same as he did then. He has always had that grayish-white manicured beard and he never takes off his hat. He is the epitome of a proper Sicilian gentleman. Every day he walks to the piazza and sits with all the other men. (This is the first time I've seen him with a cane.) This piazza is the meeting place of meeting places. Luckily for me, one of my wonderful aunts lives right on the piazza so everyday I hang out with my camera to document the people who frequent this square.

Sicily 2012 There must be something in the water, for there are so many people who live to be healthy centennials in this town.

Another one of the many places I've been to is a restaurant/pizzeria that is run by Carmelo, pictured here, and his son Saro.  His sister is 101 and he is in his 90's. There are two restaurants in town and I love them both!

Again, not only do I see him at the restaurant, but in the piazza with the other men. 

Carmelo recounted in great detail about his life and his time in World War II. Literally, my husband and I spent 3 romantic hours eating under the canopy of trees, in the hills, and left stuffed beyond belief. Heck, I leave every restaurant in Sicily stuffed beyond belief. It's hard not too with the food being so delectably, delicious. I can never get enough pasta, wood fired pizza or seafood.

Many years back a friend told me that they only like shooting models, because they are good looking. I took offense to that statement for I see beauty in all people.

I photograph people beautifully. When they relax in front of my camera  their true spirit shines through. The images take on their own life and my hope is that they will live on and be a testament to the people who have been generous enough to allow me the opportunity of taking their photographs.

I truly hope that whatever genetic makeup this town has, will  rub off on me and will allow me to make images until I'm as old as these two!

(These copyrighted photographs were taken with a Nikon D800.)