Photojournalism
I had the distinct pleasure of photographing philosopher Cornel West for MIT News last week. His fiery rhetoric and insight into the dysfunction our current and past government leaders as seen through the lens of our academic institutions gave me a lot to think about within the sphere of social activism.
It's always fun when you can get your subject to bust out in a little laughter
Last weekend I attended the Bluegrass on the Bogs festival (in one of the most unlikely of places) in Hanson, MA. I had never attended a festival like this one and never associated the Northeast with bluegrass music, but was certainly curious after my father casually mentioned a few weeks ago that he was going to camp out on Camp Kiwanee where the festival was being held. I thought it would be a great chance to make some portraits of some of the musicians and fans of the genre alike.
What I found was a group of people that had a lot of heart for a much overlooked genre of music.
Here is a small handful of some of the portraits made.
Bill Kobin, guitarist: "To tell you the truth I hate bluegrass, but I play country though. I'm old, I play old country!"
Gwen Holbrow, bassist for her band, Moonshine Alley: " I love bluegrass! It's so emotional, the lyrics, the tunes; it's about love, death and substance abuse."
Keith Barrette, mandolin player for Highway's End. "I'm on a short road to making some noise and idiomatic to playing mandolin."
Amber Wakley, managing member of Chili Bros. Traveling Medicine Show. "I always feel like bluegrass hits between my stomach and my heart, it makes me so happy."
Jack Meserve, guitar player for Class Action Suits: "Music is a big part of life; it's just something you have to make room for."
Rennie, bluegrass fan: "I'm a listener, my son is the musician, bluegrass is my favorite kind of music."
Whitney Randolph, banjo player for, Miners Creek: "I've been playing for 5 years, so I'm pretty new at it. For me bluegrass is a return to roots. I have a lot of Scots Irish in my blood."
I was hired to photograph the Breakthrough Boston program in an effort to document a day in the life of students and teachers at Dorchester Technical High School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. This summer school program is designed for helping at risk kids get a leg up on their education in better preparation for their regular schooling. I was impressed with the enthusiasm and vigor both students and teachers showed throughout the day.
Here is a collection of portraits I made while covering the demolition derby during the end of the summer.
In addition to the annual Marshfield Fair the demolition derby will often bring out thousands throughout the week to enjoy the spectacle and sometimes death defying action the derby can bring. Working with JM Productions Inc. I spent some time covering the derby and the racers before the event.
