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Biography
"Sometimes
your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can
be the source of your joy." Thich Nhat Hahn
Respect,
love and compassion.
My journey to becoming a children’s photographer has been
a circuitous road. A cursory look at my work might hint to my fine
art background. A love for music and travel turned my attentions
towards Rock and Roll photography. Living on the east coast, working
with bands, touring when possible. My frequent trips home (Los Angeles)
always brought me running to my niece and nephew. On my last visit
home, my little ones cried when I told them I was leaving and I
realized that it was time to come back and be close to them. When
you ask my niece why I moved back, she’ll tell you that it’s
because “The York” (why argue with a five year old that
it’s New York) was too far away from me. And she is right.
She’s also the reason I fell in love with shooting children.
Their ability to be honest in front of the camera is a dream for
any photographer. And the symbiotic relationship that transpires
when I’m shooting children is based on my utmost respect for
them. I think everyone has flipped through their childhood photo
albums at some point and have been bombarded by the repetition of
“Say Cheese” photos. The essence of the time or event
is lost and the formulaic poses are mimicked from image to image.
What I offer you, is an opportunity to capture your child’s
true nature.
When asked on one occasion how do I get kids to do what I want them
to do, I honestly answered, “I don’t. I let them be
themselves”. My job is not to pose the kids as I want them,
but to create an environment that they feel safe and comfortable
to be themselves in.
The artists I respect and perhaps draw my inspiration from are the
painters from the 1600’s. They’re use of lighting to
draw your attention to the very humanness of their subject regardless
of age has forever influenced me as a photographer. I truly believe
that kids posses their own personalities that while often disregarded
because of their youth are as developed as any grown up. Perhaps,
I so admire them because they lack the censor that we, as adults
have, and are fearless in their capacity to become animated in front
of the camera. And how wonderful that is.
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