Amy Forestieri Photography

09/23/2022

This Sat, my daughter and I get to dance in a flashmob! New American Arts Festival concludes Sat 24 Sep 2:00 PM at Fletcher Plaza. "This hour-long flashmob will feature the following drum and dance traditions: African, Batalá Rocky Mountains (Brazil), Middle Eastern, Chinese, Indian (India), Mexican and senior Tap dancers. With the belief that no matter where we come from, we are all connected, join us for the celebration!" -Roshni (https://www.roshniislight.org/festival). Here are a few pics from our practice (only a fraction of the performing team)…there's a place for everyone at Roshni!

09/18/2022

I met “G,” the guy in my previous post, when I went looking for my friend Roosevelt. I had prints for him but couldn’t find him in his usual place. G and the woman standing next to him started to cry…Roosevelt died in the spot I was standing. He was still wearing my earring (story for another day). The lesson I’m trying to learn from this experience…don’t wait until you look “picture perfect” to be photographed…your “one of a kind, beautiful as is” face will bring your family and friends comfort when you are gone…imagine if the pictures of the people you love, were never made. And you’ll never know all the people you affected in ways that will profoundly change their life…and they’ll want pictures to go with the stories they’ll tell to keep your legacy alive…just like the stories I have about the amazing people I’ve met because of a chance encounter with Roosevelt, my self-appointed bodyguard.

09/18/2022

Below is a story from my exhibit at Roshni () on display for the New American Arts Festival (www.roshniislight.org). The exhibit will be up through Dec. If you'll be in the area for tomorrow's awesome Colfax Canvas Block Party (18 Sep 12:00 - 6:00 PM ), swing by Roshni between 1:00-6:00 and I'll be happy to tell you some stories best left unwritten; 9641 E. 16th Ave, Aurora (a few blocks from the People's Building; between Dayton and Dallas).

“G” humored me by posing in front of a mural he loved; everyone loves the E. Colfax Ave murals in Aurora. Allowing me to take pics of him raw and in the moment wasn’t the only amazing gift he gave me. G helped me see life through his eyes. He talked about his struggles and past mistakes. He wasn’t seeking pity or making excuses, he was sharing wisdom he didn’t want anyone to gain through personal experience. G wished people better understood addictions and how being judged, shamed, and stigmatized pushes them further from the help they desperately want and need. He made me think about my kids, and how the world would respond to them if they made the mistakes that society seems to hate, but pays to consume when packaged as entertainment. Tragically, G was the 10th person to die shortly after I photographed them. I don’t know how to repay the people who selflessly enrich my life. I only hope they know that photography is my love-language…my way of saying “I see you…you matter…I’ll remember you…and I have the pictures to prove it.” I’ll never regret the pictures I make…I regret all the ones I didn’t have the courage to take. mural collab by: , .l._grime, & .

09/14/2022

Our block party (Sept 18, 12-6) features some amazing entertainment sponsored by Indie 102.3]. You’ll be able to enjoy the world-class art, an art market from Bonfire Event Co.], and music from , , , (courtesy of ), and ! spend some time in this vibrant and unique neighborhood. See you there!
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2022 Artistic Team
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Come for the Art. Stay for the neighborhood:
Bonfire Event Co.]

03/05/2022

Street photography will always have my heart. It’s fast, it’s intense, it’s unpredictable, and it’s dangerous. When you’re on the streets you need to prepare for the shots that take your breath away…you need to prepare for the death shots…carry Naloxone (Narcan)…it’s free without a prescription…learn how to recognize an overdose…and be prepared to shoot life…right up the nose. I’m tired of death-chemists…and I’m tired of losing people I care about…and I’m very thankful for Naloxone.

02/22/2022

GORO was a kind, wise, hardworking soul. He served with compassion and humility and made a positive difference; the impact of his life will ripple through countless communities for years to come! The Aurora History Museum Team (Chris, Scott, and Lauren) and I had the honor of getting to know GORO while working on the “Without A Home in Aurora” exhibit (3 people we connected with have since passed away). I gave GORO a framed a copy of a picture he liked….he said it was “fire” (made me smile). The picture is of a mighty, powerful hawk, confidently perched atop a pole, unfazed by an aggressive Red Winged Black Bird circling faster and closer with every lap. The hawk could have ended the bully in an instant, but it chose not to (for whatever reason). This scene has a much deeper meaning for me now. I wish I would have gotten to know GORO better…he was worth knowing…he was worth remembering…and his family is worth supporting. Stop the killing, stop the hating, stop the fighting, stop the stereotyping, and stop the politicking…quit sitting around pointing fingers and blaming everyone else for the problems we see in this world…if you aren’t already doing so, start serving in, with, and for our community…we’re all running out of time…and we get to choose how to invest it…that’s a gift, a true gift. Fly in peace, GORO. May your family and friends be comforted by warm memories when they need you the most.

Our brilliant, beloved Goro has left this physical world into another life. We are all absol… Street Fraternity needs your support for Our beloved ZUWA GORO

02/16/2022

A sweet soulful man who lived on the street for years, told me about an exhibit he visited with his friend Tyg (founder of the impactful nonprofit ). Mr. G didn’t know who I am, or my affiliation with this exhibit. He was so moved by seeing the exhibit in person, that he’s trying to shuttle all the interviewees (and his friends) to the museum (more to come on this good news story in the works). Why are people like G so moved by this exhibit? Because the interviewees get personal and real with those of us willing to listen; they restored my faith in humanity. These valuable members of our community share their heart, wisdom, and dreams for change; what a beautiful gift. I also believe the curators’ authenticity quietly shapes the experience. This wasn’t a “work” project for them or me…it was personal. The Aurora History Museum] team didn’t simply slap together the “Without A Home In Aurora” exhibit and call it a day. They also volunteered with (and in) the same community they featured in the exhibit. Chris (pic of him hauling food donations), Scott, Lauren, and I served at the: Street Fraternity (multiple times), the Aurora Day Resource Center (community Thanksgiving feast), and at the “We Are A-Town” neighborhood cleanup on E. Colfax Ave in the arts district. Today at 12:00 PM: visit the Aurora History Museum] website to sign up for the 12:00 PM (MDT) “Conversation With The Curators” (attend in person or watch online - both are free). You’ll hear our stories about creating this deeply moving and relevant exhibit. You’ll also hear about 3 amazing people who made a positive impact in our community before tragically passing away. We’re all running out of time to make an impact for good. Any time we give our valuable, irreplaceable time & energy to non-productive politics, hate, shame, and blame…is time & energy we choose to take away from our family, friends, and opportunities to make a positive difference. This exhibit was well worth my time and I hope you’ll feel the same way too.

02/15/2022

Pump up your tires…adjust your wheels…dust off your boards and free skates…33 days until Spring!

02/15/2022

I love, love. I met this sweet couple when I was trying different photography techniques. They didn’t realize I was messing around with a camera and asked if I needed help (from a mental health professional). I explained that people don’t spend enough time looking up (fresh perspective). The woman agreed and gave me a “hallelujah.” She introduced me to her sweetheart and we had a great afternoon visiting. They were surprised when I tracked them down to give them copies of this pic. Street photography will always have a special place in my heart; it takes me places I never imagined and introduces me to people worth knowing.

02/14/2022

Why do people steal hygiene products? Maybe because they are like me and want to be clean, presentable, and appear as someone who is worthy of love, dignity, respect, grace, and mercy; (being unclean is an embarrassing barrier that makes you a target for ridicule, judgment, and diminished self worth). Maybe people steal because you aren’t allowed to buy hygiene products with SNAP benefits (“food stamps”). I don’t condone stealing…and this isn’t a knock on businesses. I’m sharing this because perspective matters. When I was on E. Colfax Ave and needed Tylenol (also not covered by SNAP), I had to get a salesperson to unlock the cabinet. From there, the salesperson had to es**rt me to the checkout line and wait with me until I finished paying (2 very different Auroras). SNAP benefits are for foods you take home to prepare…what if you have “shelter” but no fridge, microwave, or stove (like many motel rooms)? These are examples of the things I wish more people understood. Many of us (and our loved ones), are one accident…one illness…one job loss…or one mistake away from being in a situation we’ll likely never escape on our own…a situation where toiletries have more safety and security than we do. Perspective matters.

02/14/2022

Safe stable housing won’t fix everything…but I don’t see how much can be fixed without it. Imagine you are unhoused when you land an important job interview. You want to make a good impression and head to the barbershop for a haircut. But wait…who will watch your cart containing all your earthly possessions? And what if there’s a mask mandate in place, but you don’t have a mask? I don’t know the specifics of the situation I witnessed…but it reminded me to think about all the barriers some people must overcome just to do the things I often take for granted. When many of us leave home tomorrow, we won’t be lugging everything we own with us every where we go…I never thought about being thankful for that. I don’t want to forget how this scene broke my heart and expanded my mind. My friends in the community ask me to share pics in the hope that people will stop the hurtful, hateful stereotypes…they are painful, damaging, and dangerous barriers to meaningful transformation and healing…as described by the people interviewed for the “Without A Home in Aurora” exhibit at the Aurora History Museum (). Words matter…perspective matters.