A book of photographs by Linda A. Flores

Artist Statement:
As a photographer, I have often heard that a photograph is not meant to represent reality directly.

Never trust a photograph.

A photograph is deceiving, has been manipulated, and can therefore manipulate the viewer.

So it becomes the job of the photographer to decide what she wants her viewers' eyes to see.

"How do I show an observer of my work what I think life really is--or what I want it to be?"

This is her ultimate question.

You never went to New Orleans with me. You never experienced the rainy days I experienced in that week, or strolled the rest of the city by my side. You weren't there the day I went past Bourbon St. to the beautiful mansions at the Garden District, and to the flat slabs of concrete that once served as foundations for cozy homes before Katrina rolled around. You didn’t smell the breezy air or the Cajun spices I did, but here are the photographs. This much I can share with you.

The lazy days in Austin with the dogs, watching music and hanging out with friends, my time in a little town called Zapata, and going to New Orleans, well, those experiences belong to me and my camera. I am not selfish though, I want to bring you as closely to those moments as I possibly can. I want you to see my "truth", my "reality" and I want you to make it your own. So here they are, a collection of moments, imparted in a book.