Photographer Journal

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Colorful Celebrations

“In Haitian tradition, rara, a brilliant and colorful music festival, takes place throughout this holy week. This genre is said to have begun in the 1700s, most likely in the latter part of the century, when French colonization was still strong but African-Haitian sugar plantation workers were riling up. In order to gain independence, Haitian slaves fought literally (during the Haitian Revolution) and culturally (through new art, music, and dance forms)”haitianmusic.net

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Rara Celebrations

Rara celebrations generally begin on Ash Wednesday and end at Easter Weekend. During rara, revellers dance and march in the street while the band plays. Each band has their own rhythm that defines them even while marching in the dark.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

I will always be coming back...

No other place I'd rather be on the whole island at this time, and I can still smell the aroma of eucalyptus.

Monday, January 3, 2022

A refuge of tranquillity

And even in the midst of chaos there lies beauty and peace, a refuge of tranquillity surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Friday, October 8, 2021

Unforgettable Locations

Looking at pleasant photographs can provide some type of mental escape during times of moderate stress Port Au Prince residents are currently experiencing. In addition to reminiscing unforgettable locations, I’ve been to throughout Haiti. I’m getting anxious to be on the road again.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A higher standard of education for all

A higher standard of education for all is key to further the development of citizens and the transformation of Haitian society. A little girl in uniform on her way to school in Jérémie, two and half months before a strong earthquake of 7.2 M hit the South of Haiti on August 14, 2021.

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Abricots, Grand'Anse

I know a place where I can go and just watch the clouds roll by, and of course, shoot lots of photos. Abricots, Grand’Anse

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

The Gingerbread Houses of Haiti

In October 2009, the Gingerbread Houses of Haiti were included on the 2010 World Monuments Watch, to raise international awareness about this unique architectural heritage. Many of these once elegant, turn-of-the-century structures, detailed with fretted wood and intricate latticework, had fallen into disrepair. While political instability and economic strife had precluded substantive preservation ef- forts in recent decades, the Haitian Leadership and Education Program (HELP) brought the Gingerbread Houses to the attention of the World Monuments Fund (WMF), in the hopes of generating support for the revitalization of these important buildings and communities. World Monuments Fund

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse assassinated, first lady injured in attack

July 7,2021 - Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse has been killed and his wife injured in an attack on their home in the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince. Assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was riddled with a dozen bullets - some from high-caliber weapons - when gunmen stormed into his home and killed him, a local justice of the peace said, according to a report.

Monday, May 31, 2021

So long, Jeremie

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Another Era

Kind of feel like I’ve been living in a different era since I got off the bus and been hanging out at the historical center in downtown Jérémie.

Monday, May 24, 2021

Prayer

An unidentified man recites a prayer while sitting on a bench in the Alexandre Dumas Square right across the street from St Louis Cathedral in #Jérémie during their Sunday Mass.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Rue Stenio-Vincent

Rue Stenio-Vincent (Grand-Rue) Jeremie runs parallel to the sea, with numerous interesting old buildings.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Makeover

One of the old, imported houses on Rue Sténio Vincent in downtown Jérémie is getting a makeover. Pastel blue and yellow are a great combination, most shades of blue are considered calming because of their likeness to the sky and the ocean.

Monday, May 10, 2021

Still Standing

Maison Brénus Cuba - One of the oldest (19th Century) standing imported historic monuments of the architectural heritage of the city of Jérémie.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Architectural Heritage of the City of Jeremie

"It's the duty of all of us to protect the heritage that our history has bequeathed to us and to pass it on to future generations in the best possible conditions" ISPAN

Monday, April 19, 2021

Architectural Heritage of the City of Jeremie

“The architectural heritage of the city of Jérémie constitutes an invaluable wealth. The preservation and enhancement of the architectural heritage of the city of Jérémie can only find their true dimensions if they are supported by the population itself from the initiative and under the coordination of local and regional authorities. ”Angie Joseph / ISPAN Author. photo © patrice dougé All rights reserved

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Historical heritage of the city of Jeremie

In addition to its architectural wealth, the historical heritage of the city of Jérémie, it’s a relatively safe environment with peaceful and welcoming communities throughout the Grand’Anse.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Unknown Grave in Jeremie

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Jeremie, City Of Poets

As I walked along its narrow streets in the downtown area, you can feel its history. The streets are lined with French colonial buildings; some imported from Europe, built way back then when Jeremie was a prosperous picturesque province.

Monday, March 15, 2021

It turned out to be a good day after all...

Have you ever awakened from a nap and for the first five minutes just couldn’t remember where you were, what day it was? I must have been sleeping for at least 2 hours, and then I grabbed my Canon and I did remember... photos © patrice dougé All rights reserved

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Beau Séjour, Léogane

Monday, March 8, 2021

International Women's Day, Haiti

photo © patrice dougé All rights reserved

International Women's Day is still celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day to recognized women for their achievements. Considering the enormous wide variety of issues that challenge women in Haiti, every day is actually a great day to celebrate the inspiration and amazing strength of Haitian women. photos © patrice dougé All rights reserved

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Demonstrators take the to the streets in Port-au-Prince

Demonstrators take to the streets in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, March 7, 2021, to protest against kidnappings, corruption, and the reinstatement of a dictatorship. photo © patrice dougé All rights reserved

Sunday, May 24, 2020

A Dull Saturday afternoon in Port Au Prince

The intense necessity to create is an urge that comes and goes, sort of like an addiction as intense as a craving for intimacy. As I walked along Ave Christophe in Port au Prince, the soft, late afternoon sunlight set off an inward urgency to memorialized and carry forward the memory of this particularly dull afternoon.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Darkness, my new friend

Lately, after the sun goes down in Port Au Prince, stillness and darkness slowly enwraps parts of the city because of a still in effect 8 pm curfew and severe electricity shortages. However, the twinkling of the stars in the night sky gradually lessen the chaos of the mind, which slowly fades away into the infinity.

Monday, May 18, 2020

The colorful murals of Baussan

Port Au Prince, The colorful murals of Baussan which is situated between Turgeau and Bois Verna is drained from its usually busy streets since emergency measures were taken by Haitian officials because of the coronavirus crisis. The eerie emptiness and quiet streets brought about an apocalyptic mood and gave rise to an array of emotional responses from estrangement, social alienation, and melancholy.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Unexpected

We were already in Moron but about a quarter of a mile to reach the property to be surveyed. It wasn’t a trip (from Jérémie) to continue photo documenting the Grand’Anse which I was hired for. Because of the unpaved and dusty road we had to roll up the truck windows so I wasn’t paying much attention to my surroundings until we came to a full stop because of a deep drop off on the road. And there they were, a few children playing on a pipirit. I quickly shot a few frames before they became conscious they were being photographed.

Friday, March 6, 2020

It's still safe to travel throughout the Grand'Anse

Grand’Anse, Haiti - Following last night warning to Americans by the U.S. State Department against traveling to Haiti, I made phone calls to different regions in the Grand’Anse and my friends reassured me it was totally safe to travel to any parts of the Grand’Anse and asked me when I was coming again. I consider the Grand’Anse home even though I wasn’t born there.