Eyoälha Baker is a passionate artist, photographer, muralist, public speaker, writer, community engagement activator and the creative behind the Jump for Joy Photo Project.
Born on Canada’s West Coast, Eyoälha (Eee-YO-Lah) means the wind in the Kwakwa’ka’wakw (Kwakiutl) language. Traveling and living around the world from a young age has given her a great appreciation for cultural differences and human similarities.
Eyoälha has spent six years taking photographs of people from all walks of life, jumping into the air to capture their unique essence and joyful energy. She then shares the photos as features online and with the community through large-scale public art murals which have garnered international praise and inspired people worldwide. Her images and writing have been published internationally, she was the inaugural Artist in Residence at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and has spoken about her work on numerous occasions, including TEDx, PeaceLove and Interesting Vancouver.
She holds a BFA with Honours from Concordia University, a Media Resources Diploma and attended LAMP International Business Management Program at Capilano University.
Artist Eyoälha Baker
Digital photography is one of my favourite mediums. I capture images that share how I see beauty in the world.
I’ve always been interested in photography, childhood included stacks of National Geographic’s and fashion magazines like Vogue / BAZAAR. I consider myself mostly self taught, through experimentation and play. more of my photography work can be seen at www.eyoalha.com
I fell in love with digital photography when I bought my first digital Canon Powershot camera- 3.2 megapixels in 2005. I was excited to experiment and play with light, motion, framing and to take hundreds of photos without concern of wasting costly film.. and it’s so instant. I love the instant gratification of seeing the images.
I loved that camera so much that I risked my life chasing down a thief (James Bond style) during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I was lucky, I got it back with the help of some armed police officers who popped up once we had run through the crowd into a less populated street. I got my camera back and no one was harmed 🙂
I find immense joy in capturing the essence of the moment, documenting the beauty and movement in the spontaneity of life, also one of the reasons why I love jumping photos!
I believe in the positive effects of joy on society as a whole, and enjoy the creative collaboration between photographer and subject. Becoming a muralist, speaker, community engagement artist, published writer/photographer were things I never dreamed of or imagined I could achieve, they just organically happened through creating this project, which continues to morph and change every year. Please follow along on my jump for joy journey and discover along with me how it will all unfold.
More on why I decided to create Jump for Joy Photo Project, and Artist in Residence presentation.
TEDXEastVan Talk:
Jumping for Joy opened hearts and unified communities | Eyoälha Baker | TEDxEastVan
Thank you for visiting and following my blog. I am sorry it took me awhile to come here, especialy since I absolutely love your blog! Prepare to see more of me 😉 And keep on doing what you do!
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Thank you Samantha! 🙂
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Haha, what got you started on all of this?
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I wanted to feel joyful and this was the method I chose. It worked! 🙂
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Thank you so much for following my blog. I have been browsing around yours so far, and absolutely love it so far. 🙂
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Thanks for the follow Eyoälha, love your work 🙂
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Thanks for the follow and I will do likewise. Your photography is awesome!
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Hi, thanks for the follow. I thought I’d drop in an say hello. Great blog! I’m following you back. TTS 😀
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Awesome concept and implementation. Thanks.
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Thanks for the follow. Love, David
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🙂
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You should be very proud. I have read through the replies to your story. Everyone is inspired by you. Providing a positive presents in a world filled with much atrocity is a needed balance. Don’t ever stop clicking that camera!
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Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
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Absolutely LOVE the project! And I’m honored that you are following JAM with Mike as it is my little attempt to help people jump a bit higher.
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I’ll be signing up to follow your project. We share the importance of a life lived in joy. In my blog, on February 28 I wrote about “Joy,” on March 7 about “Dancing with a Wild God,” and on January 3, about your name “Like the Wind”.
God be in your heart – always!
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I love what you are doing with your project! MORE JOY! You are giving a beautiful gift to the world!!! Lots of love and JOY! Linda
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What a great concept. I’m in, have to follow. Especially a fellow Canadian. 😉
Oh…Hi, I’m Tom
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Hi Eyoalha! I see from the above that this will be nothing new, but I wanted to let you know I’ve included you in my list of blog nominees for the One Lovely Blog Award. You can take a look here: http://backyardowl.com/2014/10/20/one-lovely-blog-award-my-15-blog-loves/.
I love seeing the daily joyful and exuberant jumping photos that you post. They add some delight to each and every day!
All best,
Emily
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Thank you! SO very kind to consider my work ❤
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you certainly have an artistic ARTISTIC page.
Best wishes for success, happiness, and inner peace
~ Eric
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Dear Eyoälha, I have nominated you for a “very inspiring blogger” award! I hope you are not tired of awards! Please check the link: http://april4june6.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/july-9-very-inspiring-blogger-award-nomination/
Love,
April
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Your photography is absolutely lovely. Jumping photos have such an uplifting (excuse the pun) spirit to them. I think I will attempt some of my own today!
Thank you for the follow on my blog, and I can’t wait to explore more of yours!
Best wishes,
Megan
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You have a lovely blog and photos! I’ve never tried jumping pictures before, I think I might have a go at it with my little people this afternoon 🙂
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Yes, do it! Its fun 🙂
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Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog. You have a wonderful vision here. It’s very nice to meet you. God bless you.
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Your pix make me scream BLISS! 🙂
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Thanks for visiting! You have a very interesting blog here. Was a pleasure reading about you.
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Love your pictures, I might have to emulate you and take a jumping picture too, just for the heck of it 🙂 Or perhaps I can get my dog to do it for me, she loves jumping… Being the little terrier that she is.
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Yes do it! Post it to my fb page: http://www.facebook.com/JumpForJoyPhotoProject or twitter: @jumpforjoyphoto 🙂
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I jump for joy that you have signed up to follow me! May you be well in every aspect of your life! May you share your joy in a positive way that makes the difference in the lives of many! You inspire me to jump for joy! Hugs and be well! Jane
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Thanks for the follow. I appreciate it. I can’t wait to look around your site more. What a positive blog. You have many nice pictures on here.
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Sharing the Joy!!!
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Eyoälha – I started developing my photography skills a couple years ago and just LOVE photography. Your Jump for Joy project is such an awesome and fun idea. Have a great time jumping. I look forward to seeing more of it.
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I am going to start practicing my Jump for Joy on a daily basis! 🙂
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(Namutilda) N~ with joy thanks you for following our really boring blog in landscape architecture theory and research. We @ N~ fully believe jumping is an important way to keep on being happy and joyous. Keep on jumping.
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I love your blog here, the theme of “jump for joy” is so brilliant and fun! Makes me think of what I hope to achieve with my newest blog Today’s the Day (http://areasonwhy.wordpress.com/).
Oh, and you have such a cool name ^_^
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Thank you! Very kind, happy you are enjoying it.
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Hi – Thanks for visiting and following my blog! Your joy is certainly very visible in your lovely photos – you can certainly jump high! Vancouver is a beautiful city by the way, and way warmer than Ottawa 🙂 I look forward to joining you in joyous jumping!
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Thank you for your kind comment 🙂 have a wonderful day!
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Thank you for following my blog. I have always related to Tigger because I love to jump up and down. Great pictures!
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Thanks for following “Shortbread”… LOVE what you’re doing.
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Thank you Eyoälha for stopping by my cyber space. I have gladly returned the gesture…awesome pics. Keep up the jump!
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