Americana is an ongoing, unpublished body of work created at the intersection of the American landscape and mankind’s stamp. From the backroads of rural America to the inner cities, the images subtly explore the quirky, oft overlooked, sites and moments. I seek out locations, landmarks and events that make America’s cultural and natural landscape unique.
One of the benefits of being a commercial photographer is the access it affords. I don’t mean political or celebrity, rather access to situations most people never want to venture into. For me, that means access to industrial work spaces. Blue collar work is endlessly fascinating to me. I find it so true and honest. I’ve always loved seeing (and photographing) how things are built and repaired. I especially love meeting (and photographing) the people that do that work. Industrial workplaces are exciting. They tend to be be very loud and often dirty, at least while the work is being done. I’ve photographed lots of industrial workers over the years. Some of my favorites are in the aviation and maritime industries. I guess you could say anything to do with transportation is pretty exciting. As a commercial photographer I am usually commissioned to document the work that’s being done – show the process. This involves photographing people using a fly on the wall approach. I am there, but unseen. Pete Souza used this approach to great success while shooting the Reagan and Obama White Houses. Totally different subject I know, but the same approach. The idea being the subject is so comfortable with you being there they go about their business as though you aren’t there. They get to the point where they don’t even notice you. That is my goal when documenting blue collar work.
Then there are the portraits. Inevitably there are workers and spaces that visually demand to be photographed as a portrait. This is not Fly on the Wall stuff. Their unique look, or their particular environment, sometimes both, beckon for a traditional portrait. I always seem to come away from these projects with strong portraits. I’ve built a trust at this point. My goal as a portrait photographer is to present these workers as heroic, as I see them, in the environment that I have so much respect for.
2020 is the year of patience and adjustments. The pandemic has forced us all online. Like Google, Zoom has become a verb. Work from home and remote learning are the new norms. My hat’s off to all those with grade school children. I can’t imagine taking on the teacher role on top of everything else. My boys are both college aged. They are completely self sufficient when it comes to school and work.
Below are a few images of how we’ve worked and schooled from home.
Visit the Homebound gallery HERE for additional images available for stock use and license.
Homebound is a collection of photos created during the California lockdown at home with my tribe – All images quarantine approved.
Be safe out there!
As a commercial photographer based San Diego California I am often asked by my existing corporate and industrial clients to photograph products for them. While I specialize in business and corporate portraits for advertising and editorial use I have shot many products over the years. Here are a few (very diverse) product photography projects I’ve worked on recently.
By 9AM Saturday morning most major news outlets had called the election for Joe Biden. The random car horns started shortly thereafter. By 11AM University Ave in Hillcrest was bumper to bumper and as loud as a concert. After 4 years of the Trump Administration and 8 months of the pandemic the Left was ready to erupt. In San Diego they took to the streets for a spontaneous car parade. While the still images don’t do the sound justice they do capture the jubilance. The video gives a sense of the wall of sound.
