Since my last post, a lot has happened. I traveled around the world (literally) and worked as a Director of Photography on a number of commercials and music videos. A large batch of photos is on the way.

Before I left for my trip I was asked to write an article for Elan, a local arts magazine. I was supposed to write about my process, and portraiture in general. Below is the full text from the article. Enjoy!

He was a cocaine dealer by trade, but he had begun to pursue music in the wake of a recent trial, the outcome of which could mean eight years in federal prison. He was sitting on a bench, the seat barely made it above the waterline, and his feet were in the frigid water.

I had met Zaire the day before and had my trepidations about spending time one-on-one

photographing a man who was unabashedly criminal. After a few minutes, all of my fears had evaporated, and suddenly I was the one struggling to earn his trust. We were shooting in a flooded park and he was hesitant to wade out to the bench I had chosen for him. He was amazed that I could stand in the freezing water for so long without complaining. Below the water, my legs had taken on a shade of lifeless blue.

As we were shooting Zaire was candid about prison life. He told me about his young daughter. He showed me pictures. We talked about his daughter’s mother, and the complicated relationship he had with her. We ended up spending the entire day together, and had I not been leaving for a trip that night, I would have surely been downtown grabbing a drink with him. I feel a strong bond with Zaire despite how little time we spent together. Shoots like that are what I live for.

As a portrait photographer, the challenge of my work is to connect with my subject on a personal level, often in a short period of time. A portrait makes a statement about someone, and it’s critical to me that this statement is accurate. Someone who only photographs the façade of his or her subject cannot make a true portrait. Great portraits are created by digging deep, and coaxing the subject to reveal a glimpse of something beyond their controlled public image.
An average relationship can take years to build. But that does not mean that it is impossible to form a bond with someone quickly. Over the years I have gradually improved in my ability to connect with people in a matter of minutes. Being a good listener certainly helps, but to connect with someone whom you just met requires one critical prerequisite; when you meet someone, you cannot assume anything. People are very sensitive about prejudice, and if a subject senses any judgement has been made, they will close the door on a deeper connection. Every person I meet, whether they are criminals or celebrities, I approach with complete naiveté. Criminals can be kind, celebrities can be humble, and even the scariest of people can be more endearing than you could imagine.

Once I have established a level of trust and rapport with a subject, I’ll lay out my intentions for them. Something like: “I don’t want a candy coated portrait, I want to capture you for who you are. I want someone who knows you really well to look at this image and say, ‘That’s him.’” Surprisingly, most subjects will respect my goal to show them as they are, and quickly shift to a quiet and serious demeanor. The majority of people, in their mind’s eye, are not smiling Facebook photos, they are complex and dynamic, and want to convey that in a portrait. I have had people tell me, “I don’t show that face to anyone, that is the real me and you captured it.” The more I am able to get a subject to trust me, the more they are inclined to trust my intentions.

Some subjects are very uncomfortable with the idea of a portrait. Many people have a very firm grip on how they want to be portrayed, and any deviance from this ‘self image’ can be intimidating. Professional models are my least favorite subjects because of their heightened awareness of the camera and consummate control over their expressions. For subjects like this, I often converse with them, and take photos while they are deep in thought or even while they are talking. It is not a straightforward process, and relies heavily on timing. But even difficult subjects can slowly become more comfortable, once they concede that they are not the ones making the portrait.

It would be easy to write portraits off as nothing more than photos. But to me, a true portrait not only captures someone for who they are, but also preserves who that person was at the moment the photo was taken. No other medium shows a person in such a clear way, while allowing for imagination and memories to form a pure concept of who that person was and is. It is what I intend to spend the rest of my life doing — it is my passion.

This past wednesday was far and away the most significant action in the DC OWS movement to date. Thousands from around the country came to march all over DC. Roads were blocked, cops were everywhere, and there was a distinct feeling that all present were apart of something historical.

Non-stop rain did not seem to slow anyone down. I was there from the start at around 10:30 to the last action which ended around 9:30 pm on the steps of the supreme court (I will post those photos later.) If nothing else, the operatives in this movement are tireless and dont seem bothered by a little rain and cold.

Hope that shows in the photos.

Yesterday was a turning point for the Occupy DC movement. It was the first large scale police intervention at the camp, and the first time the police tore down a structure.

I was lucky enough to get downtown in time to see the action. Watching the last protestors hold onto the structure was incredible as it was sad to see the structure torn down.

I don’t think this will be enough to slow down the Occupiers.

You can see the Washington Post story on the event here.

The second part of my Black Friday was spent with the Occupiers in McPherson Square. Up until now I have been focusing on getting consistent, pop-up-studio style images. I decided to mix it up and shoot some environmental portraits.

Other Occupy Posts:  Here, and Here 

The pictured occupiers were nice enough to let me photograph then in and around their tents. The tarps created a very interesting light that is a bit hard to describe.

Enjoy!

As is tradition for me, I spent my Black Friday taking photos. Check out my series of images from Black Friday of yesteryear.

My morning was spent at best-buy. I was there around dawn, and it seemed as though the major rush had ended, likely because of the midnight doorbusters many retailers are doing now.

Many people were not interested in having there photo taken, but I was able to convince a few shoppers.

This past weekend, a friend and I made a trip to Lynchburg, Virginia, home of Liberty University. We did not go for the education, rather the Snowflex complex they have built atop a mountain facing the campus. It is the only facility in the US.

Snowflex is a snow alternative. It is basically one big, white, wet hairbrush you slide down. The sensation of riding snowflex is impossible to describe, but I can say that it is very fun, and very unpleasant to fall on.

Given the regional climate of VA, Snowflex is a great option. I will be going back very soon.

My good friend and incredible rapper G-Eazy is now on a nation wide tour with Shwayze. Last night they were in my native D.C. and I was lucky enough to get V.I.P access to photograph the shenanigans.

For you first time IsntABloggers, check out my previous posts featuring G-Eazy, Here and Here.

Enjoy!

I have always been fascinated by halloween. Some of you may remember a series I did this time last year on Halloween.

I wanted to see how the people of the Occupy movement were celebrating. Surpassingly, most protestors were not in costume. But as one occupier pointed out, “Most of us are in costume every day!”

You can see more Occupy DC portraits here.

I spent this past Saturday night in McPherson Square, Washington, DC. Like New York and so many other cities around the world, DC is being ‘Occupied.’ What ties the protests together is a general feeling of discontent, and a feeling that these protests could be the force that spurs change. I must admit, after spending the better part of a night with these dedicated people, I am inclined to believe that change is coming.

This post is the first of what I expect to be a series of posts. I intend to go back.

Be sure to check the cut lines, some of my subjects had quite interesting stories.

A protestor  rolls up his flag around a homemade flagpole.In an effort to reduce waste, this protestor purchased a porcelain plate.Chris Townsend, Political Action Director of United Electrical , Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) was on hand to lend support.Michael Patterson, an Iraqi War Vet, was recently removed by police while protesting at the Rayburn building. (Story)This protester, who is only 16, had the blessing of his parents.  He admits they worry about him. Having just arrived from North Carolina, this protestor intended to stay for the duration.

It is an all weekend event, with concerts going Thursday through Sunday. I went mostly to shoot portraits, but decided to document the experience as well.

The portraits you see in this post are a combination of images I shot Friday night (Shot outside the Canal Club), and images from Saturday at Hadad’s Lake.

I had some pretty bad luck, but also got some great photos. I really hope you enjoy them.

A Guide to My Weekend:

Thursday
Friday (Images featured in this Post)
Saturday
Sunday