Freedom Fighters, Day 2

Music | Song for My Father by Horace Silver

Day 2 was as the first day. More amazing people to photograph for the Freedom Fighter series. It was nice to see some familiar faces who are apart of this gifted group of people. There were a total of 39 portraits I shot in the last 2 day. I've gotten succinct in having to photograph so many people in a very short amount of time. I am with each subject for at most 3 minutes where I take maybe 4 to 6 exposures. That includes introduction by the way.

2015 Freedom Fighters, Part 1

Music | A Love Supreme by John Coltrane

The Writing Center at Roosevelt High School puts on a program where every Freshman student is given the opportunity to interview modern day Freedom Fighters, socially conscious individuals who has fought for the rights of people living here in Portland, Oregon. This is the 4th year I have been given the opportunity to photograph these heroes. A few from day 1 and 20 portraits...

On the Walls...

Music | Likufanele by Zero 7

As the show hangs at Sesso thru the end of July...


Main wall. 16x20 inch frames with 8x10 inch ambrotypes">






1) 16x20 inch frame with 8x10 inch ambrotypes and 4) 11x14 inch frames with 7x7 image"

Thank you to Emmy for the photos">

Post Exhibition Opening at Sesso...

Music | Breathe In by Frou Frou

I was driving to the opening a little disappointed as my date had a family emergency and couldn't make it. I opted to show fashionably late (30 minutes or so...) and the disappointment suddenly, at the turn into the doorway of Sesso, turned to fear! I saw so many people inside that I took a step backwards. Gathering my composure and a deep breath, I stepped on in and was greeted by so many friends that the fear turned into something else... Goodness. From that moment, the next hour and a half was just a whirlwind of hugs and smiles and laughter. I had a few missions that I had to cover, but beyond that, I let the evening take me...

The girls who were pre-tied and roped for the event looked absolutely fabulous. Thank you Cadence, Midnightmagenta, Mininapdx and especially Mitsu, who came down from Seattle just to be there. Big thank yous to Chaps, Mr. Old School and Noble for doing their amazing ropework under what looked like to me, crazy conditions. Those who were guests who allowed themselves to be roped, for the first time or not, you all looked great and added tremendously to the exhibition and show! Thanks to all at Sesso. The images wereagain, hung in flawless fashion and presented wonderfully... Thanks to the staff of Sesso for making this great event happen and made it look smooth as silk, under what was some crazy conditions. In my eyes, everything went on without a hitch!

All of the guests, friends, friends of friends et al., you guys get the biggest thanks. It was an amazing night for me and worth all of the work put into it. It is one of those nights that will be memorable for a very long time. I'll be older and greyer and have that night to give me a big smile on my face...

Thank you...


I was able to pull the models out for a quick shoot in front of the venue. I loved the energy and seeing the crowd outside just gawkng...

Group Show Entries

Music | Look Down from the Bridge by Mazzy Star

It is good to have curators as friends. Because of possible difficulties of an upcoming and quickly arriving opening this Thursday, I was asked to be a part of a group show of Erotic Arts. This really was last minute as I had to deliver ready to mount artwork yesterday. I had roughly 2 days to select, print and frame 2 pieces. Once I had the confirmation to go ahead with production, everything fell nicely into place. No problems with the digital files, printing or even the framing. I can only hope that all my future endeavors of such nature will be as smooth.

I had an open invitation to show whatever I wanted. Because this is the same venue where my solo show will be in June of next year, I opted not to show any plates. I had a nice run of shooting some great digital images so I picked my favorite 2 and ran with it.

It has been a very long time since I printed 11x14 image size prints and then framing them in a 16x20 inch frame. I was pleasantly pleased with the results. I might have liked to go a bit bigger for the frame, but I have no regrets with the final piece as it will hang...


Framed prints ready for delivery

2013 Portland Freedom Fighters

Music | When Doves Cry by Prince

15 portraits shot over a period of 2 days for the Portland Freedom Fighters exhibition which opens next week. I printed the photos today, matting and framing takes place tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of this project because it existence was born out of a conversation over the phone with the project coordinator. Initially, she wanted me to photograph the Freedom Fighters during an event where they would be interviewed by various students. I knew there were other photographers were going to be there to cover that angle, so I suggested doing the formal portraits instead.

Because this entire project is based off a more grass roots level, funding was going to be an issue. In order for these photographs to be shown, I really wanted professional prints made and that they would be matted and framed. Epson managed to come thru and donated all the paper and ink in order for me to be able to print the images myself. Roosevelt High School, where the students attend came thru for the frames and mats.

Stress Begins... Now!

Music | Passion by Nightmares on Wax

I had my last photo shoot today for the Sesso Exhibition. This was a great transition going into phase 2 of getting my first solo show complete. Having only met once with Sophia over coffee, and the fact that she wanted an escort to come with her for the shoot, I wasn't sure how it would go... Turns out I got some great photos with a subject that wasn't photographed in a professional manner before. I shot 4 plates and frankly, I could use any of them.

I picked up frames today from Ray Bidegain, who is lending me 15) 11 x 14 inch black metal. The cut mats I picked up yesterday look fabulous. Just placing a few plates in for positioning transforms the delicate image covered bare piece of metal into a very nice presentation of a work of art. I'm really happy how it is all coming together.

I just moments ago selected the final 20 images. I just have to decide what will be presented as prints and what will be as plates. I'm thinking 5 and 15 are good numbers. I don't foresee any issues with the final matting and framing. Monday is the big day where I drop my work off...