I had the most wonderful Sunday celebrating Mother's Day on a boat with the family. As it was early morning we took a flask of coffee and some patisseries for a very special breakfast in the beautiful canal rings.
Later my daughter and I went to the Foam Photography museum to cool down (it was so hot by 11am!) and to see the stunning portraits of Malian photographer Seydou Keïta.
As a teenager Keïta was given a camera by his uncle and fell in love with the medium while learning how to master the technical skills to shoot and to print in black and white.
In 1948 he opened up his studio in Bamako that became very successful with families, individuals, couples and children.
He liked to use a pattern backdrop and props such as music instruments, Vespa, hats, costumes and even his own luxury car.
He would also hang a backdrop in a courtyard and have beautifully dressed women queuing up to have their photo taken. The photographer would always gently direct them how to take the best pause.
