No Respect
Most subjects are great to work with, but a minority don’t want to be there, and they let you know.
A Thousand Words
“I tried to make small talk, but that wasn’t going to fly.” (Joel Sartore on being Chris’s subject for National Geographic)
Very Trumpy Post
He likes having his picture taken and understands what makes for a dynamic image.
Monk Wisdom
“It must be always night, otherwise they wouldn’t need the lights.” (Tips from jazz great Thelonious Monk)
Gregory Crewdson Sitting
Portraying a great man in a raw fashion conveys something more meaningful.
Demo Portrait Dilemma
Even the subject said that an audience invites jokes and commentary. (Matthew Salacuse portrait)
Love Island
I was surprised when this kitchen island couples portrait came together so magnificently.
Portrait by Matt Salacuse
His personality—joyful, bold, spontaneous—bleeds into his images.
NEW! Portfolio!
Rethinking the format, from a book to a box.
Commitment is Everything
“How did you get them to do that?" Simply: I ask. But it's my full commitment that makes them say yes. (Nanfu Wang)
Character Test
Moments before the first setup I leaned over to my assistant and said, “I am rudderless." (Eva Yaso test session)
I’ll Be Your Mirror
Taking cues from my work, Rick Wenner was going playful and funny — that got me pretty scared.
Into the Deep End
When your subject is suffering trauma from a shark attack, the temptation to treat them gingerly is attractive.
Magical Thinking
“This is going to get uncomfortable in ways that will be enlightening and delightful.” (A shoot with Bandsplain host Yasi Salek.)
Dave Heath Interview (1996)
Dave Heath was a great photographer and perhaps an even better teacher. I interviewed him at the ten year mark of our acquaintance.
“Meet The Artist” Video
Canadian agent Sparks Photographers produced a series of video clips with their artists. Does this clip distill my style and approach properly?
Criterion “Studio Visit” Video
Criterion asked if they could shoot a BTS film of the “Dick Johnson Is Dead” cover session. “I’m good so long as they won’t hold back, and will aggressively get the footage they need.”
Nothing But The Truth: Photo Lawyer Interview
Joel Hecker has been my photo attorney for nearly fifteen years; we recently sat down to talk about the photographer/photo agent relationship.
New York is a Friendly Town
This may be a great time for a young person to move to New York.
100 Most Important People
In 1994 Sally Mann submitted my portrait of her to American Photo Magazine’s “100 Most Important People in Photography.” Let’s revisit that list…