Earth Day
Earth Day 2020
Apparently its Earth Day. I forgot. I didn’t notice until I saw a friend made a post on social media. I opened my calendar on my phone several times today but for some reason “Earth Day” was just a static hold on my list of things to do. I paid no mind to it.
The earth is sad. Mother Nature is weeping in the shadow of our sorrow. Most people are to oblivious to take notice that we are a part of the earth. Most people are so detached from nature, swiping left and right, expressing emotions through devices, and looking through the windows wishing for what they cant have. That is the cold hard truth.
The world, to me, deserves a hug. I don’t mean each and every human being on the planet hugging and holding each other because social distancing is over, because its not and we can’t, but the world itself..
When I decided to pull some photos from my phone I kept coming back to photos within the landscape. I kept looking at photos of me working with models in some awesome place. The world, the earth, the landscape is something I love. I spend a lot of time working outside. I spend a lot of time photographing people outside. It is something I love doing. I have barely begun to scratch the surface of placing people in the world, capturing them in some remote, beautiful desolate, obscure space. I am still very young in my career as a fashion photographer and will continue to photograph people outside, in the wild, in some amazing landscape, that is when I can and once we have a big change and can be around people again.
Before I share some behind the scene photos of me working in the landscape, here are some photos I made over the last year in places I love. I am starting with Joshua Tree as it is one of the most beautiful parks I have been too. The diverse landscape and the evolving geographic structures make Joshua Tree something special.
*All bts are captured by my talented and amazing HMUA Mel. C*
Joshua Tree
Photo Credit: Wonder Mel, Mel C, 2019, Joshua Tree—Photographing Sianna with a Pentax 67
The above shown landscape images are made in Santa Barbera, Malibu, Vasquez Rocks, and LA over looking Malibu. I am captivated by nature. I love exploring remote parts of the world, something I dont do enough of. But one thing is for sure and very obvious, I love photographing people in the natural environment.
I have plans for a shoot in nature. I have the location in mind and half the shoot visualized. I just need the travel ban lifted a few grand, a team, and this shoot will come to fruition.
Until next time, stay safe and stay happy!
COVID-19: Social Distancing
George wearing his mask and standing at the back door, looking out into the yard.
In the span of 5 mins I learned more about George than I expected to. At 78 years old he’s seen his share of global issues but this pandemic seems to have unnerved him the most. As a sports fan he’s disappointed that he can’t watch his favorite teams on tv.
“You know it’s bad when you can’t catch a ball game” he said as he looked towards the flat screen.
When I arrived he was on a cellphone discussing financial matters with a bank. After he ended the call he shared with me how much of a pain it has been to learn to use a new phone. “Im an old school kind of guy,” he said as he continue to explain it took 4 days for him to figure it out with tech support. It is evident George is deeply religious. I respect his passion. A large crucifix, visible over his exhausted Notre Dame hoodie, is draped close to his heart. In some way part of me believes he had aspirations to play for such a legendary team. He covets football the same as he does his religion.
George was saddened by the news of the Holyoke Soldiers Home. As I was leaving he mentioned how awful it was. I could sense a level of pain behind that statement. I asked him if he served his country and he shared with me his reasons, both medically and familia as to why he couldn’t enlist, even after he tried in 1964.
George posed for two photographs. His mask hides his identity, but he revealed himself to me. We bridged our anonymity through the portraits I made of him. George was happy to share with me and only asked me a few questions that didn’t really reveal much of who I am. What George knows of me is that I am a photographer and he didn’t seem to eager or interested to know more. He was content revealing himself to me and sharing his work.
“I am a religious man, but I am not a saint.”
People are natural story tellers. When you ask the right questions, they will reveal more of themselves than any single portrait can. George was very happy to share with me his work. Rummaging through a box he produced several albums of his music. He offered me a copy of his albums, but understood when I declined to accept the invitation. If I met George under any other time, outside of this pandemic, he’d have greeted me and parted ways with a handshake.
“I’d give you a handshake, but we can’t. Be good kid, stay safe.”
“Thanks George. Stay safe.” Repeating to myself, “stay safe” the new adaptation for parting ways.
I wouldn’t have made a portrait of George if we weren't living in a pandemic. He wouldn’t be wearing a mask and I surely wouldn’t have be shielding my identity in a similar fashion. The face masks, the respirators, the gloves, all the safety gear we are being coerced to wear is forcing us to restructure how we interact with the people we know or people we are meeting for the first time.
86 The Sticky Ribs: Capturing A Restaurant During a Pandemic
Capturing A Restaurant During a Pandemic
Chef Andrew Brow of HighBrow
Today my heart is heavy. The familiar faces that I am used to seeing when I walk in are no longer here to greet customers who are still coming in for take-out only. The hand shakes, the fist bumps, the jovial “hey how are?” gone. No longer there. I have never cooked nor have I worked for a restaurant. I have worked in restaurants behind the camera and will continue to do so for as long as I can. Photographing chefs and food is more like a side job.
The restaurant was anything but quite. The music pumped louder than usual replacing the silence in the dining room. The wine glasses hang quietly in line, patiently waiting for lips and sips. Who knows when they will come off the rack to be filled. The tables are set, ready for guests. Empty. The chairs long to be sat in. The plates are quietly stacked at attention, waiting, ready to be a vessel as forks and knives scrape across them.
“86 sticky ribs chef calls out from the grill. We’re about to 86 the Mac and cheese too.”
“Heard chef.”
“At least you’re selling out of something” I remarked.”
“Hell yea!”
If ever there was a skeleton it was here and and now. The chef and two other people doing triple duty as the phones rang off the hook, and orders came in remotely. People are hungry for good food. For over an hour straight Chef worked hard. Nothing he wasn’t used to. If anything, his busiest days prepared him for this, working alone in his zone. Chef was calling for an early perp time tomorrow as they needed to be ready for another day like today, busy.
The chef belted out as loud as he could. Amongst the stress and tension of dismissing his staff as we ride this thing out, he manages to remain positive and happy. There was an energy in the restaurant, thicker than the NY Strip he cooked up and packaged for take out. His energy is always positive.
“Thanks so much, we appreciate you” Chef would out from behind the prep station. His voice was unwavering as he joyfully thanked every person that picked up their order. The interactions are brief, transactional, to the point. As each patron turned and thanked the chef they expressed their appreciation for him remaining open. Undoubtedly every single person walked out satisfied before they got home and put for fork to food. They had a warm, savory, ungodly delicious meal to eat that was neither store bought or picked up from a shitty fast food restaurant but they were happiest just to walk out with something and a moment of appreciation. Even the mayor, who looked stressed, was happy to come in and support his city hall neighbor.
This is my advice to you. If you’re hungry, support someone who will thank you for walking in and ordering food that they made themselves. I get that fast food joints are employed by similar folks, but you’re paying into a machine. You don’t get what you pay for when you order a McDouble. Fast food restaurants will always be in business. The ones that are truly suffering, the ones that employ people who are excited to seat you and carry your food to your table, the ones who’s bank accounts, mortgages, car payments, are earned from your tips, those gainfully employed by restaurants likes HighBrow, they are the ones taking some of the hardest hits. Andrew remains open and optimistic so he can stay in business and bring back the people he cares about, the people that believe in him and make HighBrow the warm and inviting restaurant that it is.
I left as the last takeout order was being picked up. Chef was going to spend a few hours cleaning, disinfecting, prepping, pouring his heart out into his business and his passion while the rest of us sit home with uncertainty. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is another opportunity for him, for his business to remain open, what little hours and what limited menu he has to offer. Today and tomorrow is all we can think about.
