Good Grief
“They say there’s good grief
But how can you tell it from the bad?
Maybe it’s only in the fact
Good grief’s the one that’s in your past”
portrait of an artist…
My oldest daughter is such an amazing human being. Kind, generous, thoughtful, selfless, sensitive, honest. She is growing into a woman faster than I am ready for at times. But she possesses this amazing spirit and creativity. She is a product of two very different households, but somehow maintains a level head about the very obvious diversity between the two houses. One house believes in religion. The other doesn’t believe in god. One house is based out of logic and reason, the other based in dogma. Neither is right or wrong, as far as I know and have experienced. I am the household that lives in the reality of life isn’t easy and good people don’t always win. But we still believe that if you work hard enough and “fail” at times, we are still winning this weird ass journey called life.
To get to the real point, Natalea is my first daughter. We have an amazing relationship with each other. I am sure at times, I am more a friend than just her father. We talk about literally everything. Her friends are blown away when they realize she is Facetiming them and that she is in the same room with me. Or when they have sleepovers here (which I never thought would happen as a single father) and she wants to hang out with me. She constantly makes me proud of her even as “teenage brain” kicks in. Any way, the above photos are from when she shot her first roll of Kodak Tri-X on her new Canon AE-1 learning how to use a light meter I took of her a couple week back. Her photos are after the jump.
Jasmin
For over three years I have wanted and tried to work with Jasmin ever since I first stumbled across her work through Instagram. We just struggled to make our schedules to align for such a long time. But recently everything worked out and we finally got to make a shoot happen. Lots of stories were told and shared. A ton of laughs as well.
Vox Serene
In early July I hosted Vox Serene during her short visit in Texas before heading out to Florida for a workshop. A photographer friend in Philly recommended that she and I work together and within days of that online introduction, we had everything locked in. The following images after the jump are the film only images. We shot both digital and film over the course of the two days she was here. Be warned before you click the link, some of the images are NSFW.
She is an amazing model with personality and brings her own ideas to the table. Willing to put in the work and time to make the shot happen. She also really likes Kentucky Fried Chicken and their chocolate chip cake!
pre·am·ble
pre·am·ble
/prēˌambəl/
noun
-
a preliminary or preparatory statement; an introduction.“what she said was by way of a preamble”
Once again thanks to social media, Facebook this time, I crossed paths with Eve. We went back and forth for about a week or so and discussed ideas for a future shoot. The chosen date is September 15th with a really solid concept and theme, a chance to create and tell a story. Somehow a couple weekends ago the stars and planets aligned and we were both free to have an introduction. The following images are the result…
I’m going to hold some back for the portfolio post in a couple days.
doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
I have been working with more traveling models lately. It hasn’t been an intentional decision to avoid or neglect the amazing pool of talent in Austin. Trust me, there are a ton of people in this city that I want to work with still. Liv was in town for a workshop that Southbound was hosting. This trip was supposed to happen a month before but from what I understand there were some weird hiccups getting Liv here. Liv is a ball of youthful energy and always seems to have a smile on her face. I showed up with my film camera and 2 rolls of film along with my bag of digital gear. We walked around Southbound’s space and worked on ideas of what to shoot. Pretty sure I have never shot 2 rolls of film so quickly…
the first or early period of anything
“The worst possible thing in the world can happen to you, and you will overcome it. You will be happy again.”
― Chuck Close
Art And Fear
I feel like i have written a billion posts that talk about luck and opportunity. It isn’t luck or opportunity that has created this portfolio or the images. It has been blood, sweat and tears that make these images. MIne…and the people I get to work with. Sometimes I choose to reach out to them. Sometimes they choose to reach out to me. Either way, it doesn’t matter. It is the process that draws an artist to the canvas of choice. With photography, people are drawn to what they want to create, how they want to be seen, the desire to be something than the skin and frame we are confined to…
Like a moth to the flame, there are some people that just have to create. I choose a camera. Others choose paint, pencils, chalk, rock, wood, dirt, machines, their bodies. We choose to create together. Some times all i do is make sure the exposure is correct and let my subject run the show. Let them create the magic with in the viewfinder. Let them create art within the space I try to confine them in for just that moment…
Art and fear…
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The Eyes Have It
On Father’s Day, the kiddos and I went o my aunt’s house for our bi-weekly Sunday dinners. Before we left the house, I decided to grab my camera and a roll of Lomography Lady Grey 400 speed film. After dinner, all of the kids ended up swimming in my aunt’s pool while the adults watched on. I managed to shoot most of the roll before it was time to call it a day.
The next day I really wanted to process the roll of film so I could share the images with my family. Looking at the counter, I still had 8 frames left unexposed. The oldest looked at me and said simply, “Hand me the camera, dad”. We wandered around outside and decided to go explore the new town homes they are building in our community. She explored both floors and even climbed out on to the roof with me. I gave her no directions. Did not point out anything I thought would make an interesting composition. I just sat there and watched her do her thing. Once again, I was blown away by what I saw after we processed the roll of film together.