When I was a teenager, I wanted to be Mark Seliger. The first photography coffee table book I ever bought was his book, “Physiognomy.” I actually had to save up to buy it. Before I owned it, I would just hang out in Books-a-Million and look at it. I had no idea where to begin even making images like that, but I knew I wanted to try. I just needed to practice and eventually I could get to a point where I could do that too. 20 years later, here I am, a professional photographer. I shoot all kinds of portraits, from babies, to headshots, to commercial work, I’m doing just about everything nowadays except weddings and events. It’s more work than I ever imagined it could be, but it’s awesome. And now, I’m finally rounding a corner and diving into what I always wanted to do, editorial portraiture. I look back in that book often, but with a new understanding of it to go with my appreciation. I use it and so many other works as inspiration to find my own voice. So here’s a little of me finding that voice. I’ve started a series in the studio, so far just called “The Blue Wall.” I’m hoping to shoot as many people as I can over the next few months on it and just see where it goes. Being a full time photographer is work. I feel strongly that personal projects without the agenda of work behind them help you grow as an artist. Here’s to growing something.
