lebjournal.com

She is a Young Lady full of energie, her dreams have no limits  and her love have no ends.

 

She is native American but you might believe that she is Lebanese

 

Her love to lebanon and its people is undescribable

 

Her Passion and her visions are both reachable and incredable

 

This young Lady have so much to share with all the young Lebanese people

 

please read this interview with Shannon Dagher and see what I mean

 

I started our conversation by asking her

 

Who is Shannon Dagher?

Marhaba.   I am Shannon Dagher; a 24-yr. old American photographer currently living on the East Coast; with a deep love for the Middle East, and Lebanon in particular.My greatest passions are Travel & Photography; both of which have brought me to explore and love Lebanon.  I plan on returning to University to complete my Bachelor’s in Middle Eastern Studies or Arabic; preferably with time spent at AUB in Beirut. I am also an amateur Artist, and appreciate Art of all forms.

Would  you describe your  relation to lebanon.

My paternal Grandfather was a World Traveler; running his own Travel Service for over 30 years. He lead many tours throughout the Middle East, and loved Lebanon (Beirut, especially). I grew up hearing his stories and seeing his photographs from travel.  I have also travled to Lebanon twice (2005 & 2007) with my ex-husband, who is a Lebanese national.  I have many friends in Lebanon.
How would you describe the country ,people ? Never have I been so warmly received and made to feel at home, as I am when I go to Lebanon.  Even standing out physically as an outsider, I never felt unsafe.  Strangers–from those at Rafiq Hariri Intl. Airport to Barbar in Beirut to the workers at Tripoli Castle–always welcomed me with open armsSome of my greatest friends are Lebanese, and I have nothing but love and respect for the Lebanese people .

 What would you like to say to the youth Lebanese who might think leave their country  to USA  as an  American girl  living in the United states ?

Wow. That’s a question that deserves a very serious and honest answer.  I’ll do my best…This question really hits home for me. I’ve known friends and loved ones who left their home in Lebanon to come to the U.S., usually as the first immigrant in their family to do so. It’s an incredibly hard thing to do. Perhaps much harder than you many realize…I know the years of worrying and determination it probably took to get you to the U.S., but know that the hard work doesn’t end there. The U.S. can be hard on immigrants, and you may stuck in the middle–between your past heritage in Lebanon and your new future in the U.S. My only advice is not to abandon one for the other, but to be proud of who you are: a Lebanese immigrant to the United States.
The Lebanese food, what is your favorites?

AH!!! Maybe my favorite question!   Give me a Full Mezza ANYDAY, and I will be a happy girl!Spinach & cheese fatayer; Manaeesh; Lebneh; Hummous; Warak Enab; fresh vegetables; I will always miss my former mother-in-law’s Kafta with Potato (and Tomatoes).  Fig & Rose booza from Ward in Beirut….*sigh*  I love and miss it all!!! I miss the social act of visiting and sharing Ahweh with one another…”with sugar,” for me.Indeed!!!  Nothing reminds me of Lebanon more than envisioning all of the excellent meals I’ve had there with friends and family! The full mezza I had at a lodge in Faraya was maybe the best ever.   
What about music and crazy Lebanese things?

I could talk almost as much about my favorites here, as I could the cuisine!  I love to smoke Arghileh/Hookah; one of my favorite things to do in Lebanon…at home or a small cafe with friends overlooking the Mediterranean. I, like every good Lebanese, love the sound of Fairuz’ meloncholy voice. I have a handful of Nancy Ajram & Haifa songs on my iPod for fun, and to remind me of Lebanon.I also like Amr Mostafa & Amr Diab. I miss Melody Arabia and watching old Egyptian movies on ART.
If you had the power and the money what would you do for Lebanon and for the Lebanese?

All the power and money in the World couldn’t do what I’d wish: to remove the turbulent history and pain after decades of war. My greatest hope is that Lebanon is allowed to flourish once more, without being torn and used by outside influence. Without that stabilization, there is no hope for a secure economy or the full return of the Tourism industry. 
WHAT would you like to change  . Add erase   from the Lebanese society?

My answers here will do little to effect change, but in my opinion the negative outside influences (including meddling countries and militants groups) that have choked Lebanon from the start must be filtered out in order for Lebanon and the Lebanese people to be independent and successful.

What makes you happy, sad? When I asked this question to Shannon if she   was willing to answer such  questions  , she said.

THAT I would really love to do What makes me happier than anything is Traveling.  Big and small.  Experiencing a new place; it’s people, culture, customs, cuisine…it fulfills me on my deepest, fundamental layer.  Photography is a close second, and what I use as a prolonged memory of everything I see. Ignorance and intolerance make me angrier than anything.  I have no patience for it.  We are all human, and we are all different.  No person or group is ranked more important than the other…so be intelligent, open and understanding.  That’s my philosophy. 

 How do the real man look like in your mind?

Well, I am currently single.  But I’m developing a more keen sense of what I need in a mate as life goes on.  I want a partner who’s intelligent, funny.  There is nothing sexier to me than good conversation and wit.  I’m also starting to realize that I would love a man who shares my passion for the Arts…I’ve always been a very creative person and it would be refreshing to share that with someone .

What should his main quallity be?
Well, I am currently single.  But I’m developing a more keen sense of what I need in a mate as life goes on.  I want a partner who’s intelligent, funny.  There is nothing sexier to me than good conversation and wit.  I’m also starting to realize that I would love a man who shares my passion for the Arts…I’ve always been a very creative person and it would be refreshing to share that with someone.
your favorite colores?

Well, it’s not very original…but I end up wearing black tops and jeans almost every day.  I do love retro 1970’s colors though…Avocado Green and Rust Orange.

Would you tell us about your passion for photography ?

I grew up with Travel & Photography, quite literally.  My paternal grandparents were World travelers, as are my parents.  My Dad was always a photographer; I loved when he would set up the home studio and take portraits of my brother & I.  My greatest memories from childhood are exploring my grandparents’ home, which was like a museum…all the artifacts and photographs from their decades of travel.  That, and spending hours looking at the photos in my Grandfathers’ extensive National Geographic collection.  So, I was hooked early.

I shoot with a photojournalistic approach; I never stage my images–this is true of my portraiture as well.  I try and shoot what I see and how it makes me feel.  My imagery has best been described as emotional; perfectly capturing the mood of a moment, person or place on film.  I love the unknown of travel photography…arriving somewhere new and seeing everything and everyone with fresh eyes; being open to what unfolds before you.  It’s incredibly fulfilling, and very addictive.

And at the end of this interview ,what would you like say?

I would like to end  it with a few words from the heart

I am so thankful to my good friend Alain for asking me to share my stories with you.  Lebanon, Travel, Photography…these are what light me up inside; and I am always looking for an opportunity to share my passions with others.  I truly love Lebanon and am eager for an opportunity to return.  For now, I ask you all to keep her beautiful until my arrival…Shukran Jazeelan.

To contact me or view more of my work, please visit my website:  www.shannondagher.com