The Diary of a Traveling Umbrella: Hannah Argyle

This interview is a part of a new series that highlights the story of the Traveling Umbrella. Each project participant is mailed the Traveling Umbrella and asked to keep it for about a week. They use it as a photography prop before they mail it on to the next person on the waiting list. Learn more at:

www.TheUmbrellaThatTraveledTheWorld.com

Participant: Hannah Argyle

Location: Northampton, England

Find her on Instagram: hannahargyle

Interviewed by: Rachel Fergus

“I really wanted to take the umbrella to places that showed we were in England,” Hannah wrote. When I went to her instagram page the rustic interiors and the scenic exteriors mystified me. The Traveling Umbrella was unquestionably in England. Many of the photos Hannah took of the ‘brella included her two sons, “For me the great thing about it was it was the school holidays for most of the time I had the umbrella so I got a rare chance to go out with both my kids and have some fun…” 

Aside from the joy of going on adventures with her two children, Hannah’s favorite thing about the umbrella “was being a part of such a fun project which I had literally been seeing all over Instagram in recent months!” Even though Hannah said she felt pressure because of the amazing photos that had already been created with the umbrella, she enjoyed the adventure. 

“I think having the umbrella confirmed my love for the Instagram community, and the incredible creativity if the people who use the app”. Because of her love for the ‘brella and the insta community, Hannah has a few ideas of how to create an even stronger community: “I think one thing that would be really nice would be to encourage Instagrammers to meet up together with the umbrella like they did in Milano! Sometimes people need a little nudge to introduce themselves to each other. Also perhaps a little notebook to travel with [the ‘brella] would be nice so people can leave messages about where that particular umbrella has been”. 

“ I definitely had some great interactions with others involved in the project, from comments and chats on one another’s photos, to group messages arranging for [the brella] to be passed on and even a very brief meeting with the lovely Elaine @sunflowerof21…”

The Diary of A Traveling Umbrella: Jess Hoffert / Midwest Living Magazine

This interview is a part of a new series that highlights the story of the Traveling Umbrella. Each project participant is mailed the Traveling Umbrella and asked to keep it for about a week. They use it as a photography prop before they mail it on to the next person on the waiting list. Learn more at:

www.TheUmbrellaThatTraveledTheWorld.com

Participant: Jess Hoffert with Midwest Living Magazine

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Find Him on Instagram: @jhoffert and @midwestlivingmag

Interviewed by: Rachel Fergus

“To me, the umbrella is a physical example of how photography—and specifically Instagram—has the power to connect people from all over the world. It’s one reason why I like photography. Like singing, it’s a universal language that can be interpreted in so many beautiful ways. And it helps make the world a little bit smaller in a good way. I think the world could use more traveling umbrellas.”

The Diary Of A Traveling Umbrella: Dan Fergus

 This interview is a part of a new series that highlights the story of the Traveling Umbrella. Each project participant is mailed the Traveling Umbrella and asked to keep it for about a week. They use it as a photography prop before they mail it on to the next person on the waiting list. Learn more at:

www.TheUmbrellaThatTraveledTheWorld.com

Participant: Dan Fergus

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Find Him on Instagram: @DanFergus

Interviewed by: Rachel Fergus

Double Take- a double exposure shot of daughter Eliana holding the umbrella

Dan Fergus 

    If you have been to an instameet in Minnesota, you have most likely met Dan. You know him by the hat, and the camera that is usually pointed at people, more so than what is around him. Though Dan’s photography proves he has an interest in a plethora of subjects, he has a special niche for photographing people. The photos of family and fellow instagramers often include the Traveling Umbrella. When Dan had the ‘brella for a week, he had his daughter, Eliana, pose with the umbrella in strange locations- near the frozen Minnehaha Falls, under a bridge in Minneapolis, etc. Dan wrote that his favorite thing about having the umbrella was “the challenge of photographing a well-known prop in a new and unexpected way”. A unique combination of people, scenery, and the umbrella seems perfect. 

Ice Wall- Eliana and the ‘brella by the frozen Minnehaha Falls

    Dan, along with almost everyone I have talked with, likes the ‘brella most because of how it connects peoples. “It provides a common touch point,” Dan began, “I fell a kinship to the other photographers involved with the project, no matter where they are.” Many instagramers that live in or around the Twin Cities have created a common bond, a friendship that revolves around social media, but also the face-to-face interactions of taking pictures with and of each other.

Lean on Me – the Traveling Umbrella posing in an iconic Minnesota landmark

The beauty of the Traveling Umbrella is that “everyone, regardless of their culture, is able to find joy and beauty in such a simple thing as a photo featuring a colorful umbrella. We are more the same than different”. Photographing the ‘brella and sharing the pictures is “collaborating in a sense with many talented photographers all over the world”. 

Reflection- Eliana, ‘brella and a puddle at Minnehaha Falls

Color Play- shadow of daughter Eliana through the umbrella