Anna

I almost always shoot on location. But I still like the controlled environment of the studio every now and then. The backdrops, the big banks of lights....or just the beautiful light that comes in through the windows.

What's your story?

“My friends say I take myself seriously....I may look organized and calm” but “I’m really zany, I have a lot of energy” I take after my mom who “…is an eccentric, free-spirit dedicated to her art.”

Anna is a voice-over artist and starting her own voice-over business in Los Angeles.

“I love technology. I’m an inner-geek”

Suki Ann 2

A few months ago I posted pictures of the newly born Suki Ann. Continuing the documentary of Suki's 1st year are these photographs of her at three months old.

Paul and the Cello

What's your story?

"I was visiting my aunts in LA, trying to escape the East Coast and feel sunny again. Most things I left in Maryland, but I took with me music. While we rented a cello out in LA, there was continuity to continuing to play.
Right now, I study music and religion in school, but whether or not I'll be working with either one directly, not sure just yet. In the meantime, on hot afternoons in So Cal, it's nice to play the cello and watch people walk by.
Study at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania."

Eugene

About 17 years go I adopted two cats. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I wasn’t particularly a cat person, I wasn’t even a pet person. I was mostly an irresponsible person. But a fellow photographer’s cat had kittens and so I picked out two. Two brothers. I’m not sure why I picked those two. Maybe it was because I’m a big black and white guy and the two boys were mostly shades of grey (and sepia). I didn't realize it at the time but they would become the constants in my life. My personal life would change, my professional life would change. I would change addresses (several times) and even cities. But they were always there, they would even come running to the door when i came home at whatever hour. I got two cats because I figured they would keep each other company (one of the few responsible things I did) when I wasn't home. Not too infrequently I would work a very long day and I was somewhat comforted knowing that they had each other. A vet commented that they would be buddies for a long time. And they were, to each other and to me. Eugene, the long-haired grey cat with the regal white mane had to be put down yesterday. We’re all going to miss him.

What's Your Story?

I had set up a photo studio in the dance studio of the Colburn Dance Institute which is located in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. I was waiting for the arrival of a couple of dancers when Atsuko sort of shuffled by. She was on her way home after a class where she was studying the Japanese Tea ceremony. She was wearing a beautiful kimono and she graciously agreed to be photographed. During the course of this little impromptu session she told me that when she was first learning to put on the kimono properly it took her over two hours just to tie the obi (sash). Now that she’s had practice, it only takes her 30 minutes. And in her own words:

“I am happy that I was able to share with people about a part of my culture through the Kimono….The kimono strikes body movement, and I have to watch my movement, but I believe it brings a beauty of the Kimono....

Anyway, I am happy that people can enjoy the Kimono, too.”

History

These photographs were taken in an area of Los Angeles that is often referred to as south central, in a little restaurant bar called The Town House. Another historic event happened not too far from here, one of the worst race riots in the history of the United States. But on this particular night, the scene was not unlike a baptist revival. I'm pretty sure there were people in this room that never believed that they would live to see the day that an African American would be elected president. Margaret Bush-Ware (the woman wearing the bracelets with her hands in front of her face), as an 11-year old girl, woke one morning to see a cross burning in the front yard of her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This night the tears were of unbridled joy. Of all the places I could have been on this night, I think this was nearly perfect.

43 Minutes

Some days I'm stuck behind my computer....actually that would be: often, I'm stuck behind my computer. Even when I shoot film, the film eventually is scanned and I have to work on the images on the computer. I'm basically doing what I used to do in the darkroom. Only now it's rare that I ruin my shirts. I'm not much for wild photoshop techniques, but I do spend a lot of time dodging, burning and working on the tones in the print. After a portrait session, I'll spend hours editing and working on the images until....until I can't stand it any longer! And I have to get out. These images were taken at the end of a long day indoors. I went out for walk. Out the driveway turn right, half a block turn right, snap a couple frames, a few more blocks, turn right...followed by a couple more rights. And 43 minutes later I'm back in my driveway.