Self Ports

Self Portrait Series= 5 min. of FuN!

Memory, Documentation, and the Camera

My camera is not a tool to offend. It is not something that I use to get into one's face, or to prove something to anyone else. It is, however, a tool to document things, places, and faces in the world. It is a tool to grab memories so accurately and so tightly that we will never, theoretically, lose that image from our time here. The camera exists in quite a beautiful light in the spectrum of the universe, pun intended. This bundle of aluminum, rubber, steel, computer chips, and plastic just so happens to be one of the most powerful items in the history of man kind. It doesn't lie, unless you tell it to, which most don't, unless we are selling something or someone. That is why it of course also plays such a big role in art. Art is exposed, open in a way in which the artist provides a portal to walk through so that one can see into a new truthful extension of human beings. At the same time art is revealing this and itself, it provides avenue to broaden the spectrum of thought. The beauty of the camera is that it has the ability to expose itself in this way while at the same time exposing, or capturing, you and anything else in the world in the most accurate light.

Recently my grandfather passed. This was a man that I had known for twenty five years. I knew his look, as it really never changed. I will never forget his smell, Old Spice Original, that he so powerfully emitted after his shower. My brother and I will forever reminisce on the fact that he would always smell our hair after our baths as children. He claimed that was the way he knew that we were clean. When he passed away I immediately knew that I did not want to forget his death. I have all of my memories and pictures from growing up in his arms during the summers, and allowing him to throw me in the air during Christmas. I will always remember visiting him for even just a couple of hours during his final days, just to cheer him up a bit and see him laugh. Just like those gems, I never wanted to forget the silent grasp of death. I never want to forget what it felt like to stand over him at the funeral letting him go.

So on my drive out to East Texas with my brother in the car, after picking him up from his flight in from L.A. I called my aunt and grandmother, his wife and child. I asked them if it would offend them or anyone in the family if I took photos at the viewing, with no one else around of course unless they requested to be in the room. They said that they would love for me to do so, because they understood that someone needed to capture the moment of this man leaving forever. That quiet fleet of life, as silent as death may be, is the most flooring and leveling mystery of life. So I used the tool that I know how to use. I used the tool that could expose that silence while at the same time grabbing a hold of it for memory's sake. My camera is not a tool to offend or harm anyone. Please do recognize though that it is a weapon of beauty, truth, and timeless measure, though it can be used for distortion and short lived pleasure. It's not an eye into true reality so much as it is an eye of the reality of the shooter. May I take your picture?

Hello everyone. I have not posted in some time and I do apologize. Things have been, thankfully, slightly busy. Personally, and even within the industry, I think it is time to re-evaluate the style, feel, quality, and over all look of photos being captured. Certain parts of advertising and catalog shoots seem to be unchanged or relying too much on PS post. Where is the happy median, and what can be done differently?

Ah, New York City. I spent a few days in New York with a great friend of mine. It was quite the time as it always seems to be. There is something about that city to love. New York has so much history and the overall scape and populous to prove it. Buildings go from 100's of years old to built yesterday, and this provides the city with such a wonderful texture. Many abandoned properties sit right next to or under or on top of expensive condos or stores. Everyone is wondering around with some sort of purpose or romance about themselves. Most cities do not have such stacked housing and commerce. In New York every person is sort of thrown into this central soup that does not allow for retreat to a privatized suburban home. Instead one is always running into millions of different kinds of people and cultures. The city seems to symbolize everything that America was set up to be. It is a melting pot of cultural and religious variety, a clear distinction between rich and poor, commerce and soulful trade, music, darkness and bright outlooks. Photographing in such an environment was quite a treat.

Southampton, New York

Just got back a couple weeks ago from working in Southampton, New York.  Man WHAT a Place!!!!! The food was good, the lodging was great, the work was fun and fantastic, and the beaches were absolutely gorgeous.  However, it seemed to me that the people that live in the Hamptons year round are not fully satisfied.  Most of the folks I met were seemingly unhappy and tired, or worked over.  I wonder if the service industries in that area are receiving their due recognition.  My personal hats off to those folks living there.  All of the customer service that we received while working there was fabulous and felt authentic.  

On another note the homes there were very interesting.  Not the fancy brand new mansions fronting the ocean, but the refurbished or well maintained homes from the 1800's.  There were some real wonderful living spaces out there.  Anyway, here are a couple of shots I snapped in off times.

Nova Scotia

Ever since my parents' move to Nova Scotia, Canada I have been looking for an opportunity to go up and shoot around that area.  I finally got the chance to this last week, and was it something else.  Nova Scotia is a place with such an interesting terrain surrounding vast amounts of lakes and a couple of large urban areas(e.g. Halifax).  Kick ass people, kick ass food, kick ass sights, and I can't wait to go back.  Loved It!!  Take a look through my glass at some of the shots.

Olive Beauty Lounge

www.olive-thebeautylounge.com

Above are a few images from the shoot at Olive Beauty Lounge in Mansfield, TX.  It was loads of fun working with the crew of stylists, clients, and owners of Olive.  This was a very interesting styling studio with some very talented people.  The three owners and lead stylists have high ambitions and are tackling them for sure.  Take a look at some of my photos from the shoot.  Always feel free to comment, share, or whatever.