BLM

Panasonic G85 14 - 140mm @ 140mm f/5.6 1/640 iso 100

I have been fortunate enough to chase my dreams around the world. Before moving to Maine I spent the last 5 years teaching and photographing in Atlanta, GA. I’ve followed the mantra if you don’t love your life change it. This lead me to some unique opportunities that I would not have experienced otherwise. The unfortunate reality in America is that “on average one in three U.S. workers is still making less than $15 an hour, while the share of women and people of color earning that amount is even greater. Nearly 52 million U.S. workers — or 32% of the country’s workforce — earn less than $15 an hour, according to a report published Tuesday by Oxfam America.”(1) As much as I taught at a title 1 school with an African American student body of ~90% I wondered what I could do to help. Most of my students lived vastly different lives than I did at their age - Most don’t have the opportunity to leave the situation they are in so they much change it.

“You know, the camera is not meant just to show misery. You can show things that you like about the universe, things that you hate about the universe. It's capable of doing both.”
-- Gordon Parks

Through photography you are able to share a snap shot into someone else’s reality. When teaching I was able to share photos of stories of my travels and life experiences with my students (I taught AP Human Geography and there is a whole unit on immigration). Conversely I was able to share a glimpse of my students struggles to anyone that would listen.

Documenting real events is a challenge. There is no script, there is no time to keep checking your settings, and you have to get yourself in the right place at the right time. Anyone can be lucky but you have to be good to be consistent.