My first good photograph was a portrait of a girl name Marsha I shot with my Kodak Brownie in Junior High School. Since then, as my photographic skills improved, I've shot many portraits, often drawing upon my co-workers as models. Looking back, I started a concerted effort beginning around 1986 when one co-worker asked me to shoot photos of her for a Christmas gift for her fiance. I've been shooting portraits off and on from that time. I thought it might be interesting to post a series of these images to gauge the progression (if any) of my portrait-taking ability and to chronicle some of my past associations with my female co-workers. I could have taken portraits of my male co-workers, but let's face it, what fun is that? Below are some representative samples with approximate dates and some comments added where appropriate. They are chronological starting from the oldest to the most recent.
Linda, photographed in 1986. Shot with Kodachrome film. Linda began my series of portraits. I suppose the hair style and clothing betray the time frame, but overall, I was pleased with the results. Linda continues to be one of the most "giving" individuals I know. She is the "Mother Teresa" of all my friends, continually striving to do good in people's lives.
Jane, photographed in 1994. Shot with PolaPan film. Jane commissioned me to shoot photos of her to one day show her grandchildren that "grandma used to be hot." This is one of the more artistic photos from the shoot. The "hot" photos are not included here and reserved for her grandchildren to see. Actually, it's almost time to be sharing them . . .
Siobhan, photographed in 1996. Shot with PolaPan film. My best friend in Connecticut. She made being a stranger in a strange land fun. One of the funniest people I know. I always laugh out loud when I think of her.
Bonnie, photographed in 1998. Shot with Ektachrome 64 film. Bonnie also commissioned me to photograph her as a gift for her husband. Interestingly, of all the women I've photographed, I've known Bonnie the longest. She came to work for AT&T around 1979 or 1980 when she was nineteen years-old. I've seen her grow into an independent, spiritual, intelligent and motivated woman from that young girl of so many years ago.
Stacie, photographed in 2001. Black and white photo shot with PolaPan film. Color photo shot with Ektachrome 64 film. She is my favorite model. I could not take a bad photograph of her. Stacie is one of the most remarkable women I know. She has the potential of being or doing anything she chooses. At present, she has chosen to be a devoted mother and I have no doubts she excels in this endeavor.
Colleen, photographed in 2002. Shot with PolaPan film. I think this is one of my strongest portrait images. Colleen was one of a pair of identical twins.
Sharon, photographed in 2002. Shot with PolaPan film. Sharon frames my artwork for Phillips Gallery. Since then, she has become one of my co-workers. Sharon was the most reluctant of all my models, being very camera shy.
Debbie, photographed in 2003. Shot with PolaPan film. I've also know Debbie for a very long time. I've had the privilege of seeing Debbie grow into a confident, independent woman over the years. She was very reluctant to model for me, but as we started shooting, she really got into the process and started suggesting different poses and ideas.
Hadley, photographed in 2004. Shot digitally. Hadley is one of my present co-workers. I cannot quite get the photographic rapport going with her. All of my photos of her turn out looking quite serious and almost hostile. Hadley is one of the few people I know who is seriously attempting to make a livelihood through her art. She is very disciplined, prolific and dedicated.
Adrienne, photographed in 2006. Black and white photo shot with Kodak TC400n film. Color photo shot digitally. Adrienne was one of my most pleasant surprises. She simply responds to the camera naturally. She seems to love the camera and the camera loves her. This is indicative of her personality, which is very straightforward and honest.
Kim, photographed in 2008. Shot digitally. Kim is the other photographer I work with. Her work is edgier and more contemporary than mine, so I wanted to portray that by simulating "cross-processing" digitally. Kim is always a willing model and really very fun to work with.
Julie, photographed in 2008. Digital photograph. Julie is presently my assistant. Can I say it is a challenge to have an assistant? I have enough difficulties managing myself . . .
Linda, photographed in 1986. Shot with Kodachrome film. Linda began my series of portraits. I suppose the hair style and clothing betray the time frame, but overall, I was pleased with the results. Linda continues to be one of the most "giving" individuals I know. She is the "Mother Teresa" of all my friends, continually striving to do good in people's lives.
Jane, photographed in 1994. Shot with PolaPan film. Jane commissioned me to shoot photos of her to one day show her grandchildren that "grandma used to be hot." This is one of the more artistic photos from the shoot. The "hot" photos are not included here and reserved for her grandchildren to see. Actually, it's almost time to be sharing them . . .
Siobhan, photographed in 1996. Shot with PolaPan film. My best friend in Connecticut. She made being a stranger in a strange land fun. One of the funniest people I know. I always laugh out loud when I think of her.
Bonnie, photographed in 1998. Shot with Ektachrome 64 film. Bonnie also commissioned me to photograph her as a gift for her husband. Interestingly, of all the women I've photographed, I've known Bonnie the longest. She came to work for AT&T around 1979 or 1980 when she was nineteen years-old. I've seen her grow into an independent, spiritual, intelligent and motivated woman from that young girl of so many years ago.
Stacie, photographed in 2001. Black and white photo shot with PolaPan film. Color photo shot with Ektachrome 64 film. She is my favorite model. I could not take a bad photograph of her. Stacie is one of the most remarkable women I know. She has the potential of being or doing anything she chooses. At present, she has chosen to be a devoted mother and I have no doubts she excels in this endeavor.
Colleen, photographed in 2002. Shot with PolaPan film. I think this is one of my strongest portrait images. Colleen was one of a pair of identical twins.
Sharon, photographed in 2002. Shot with PolaPan film. Sharon frames my artwork for Phillips Gallery. Since then, she has become one of my co-workers. Sharon was the most reluctant of all my models, being very camera shy.
Debbie, photographed in 2003. Shot with PolaPan film. I've also know Debbie for a very long time. I've had the privilege of seeing Debbie grow into a confident, independent woman over the years. She was very reluctant to model for me, but as we started shooting, she really got into the process and started suggesting different poses and ideas.
Hadley, photographed in 2004. Shot digitally. Hadley is one of my present co-workers. I cannot quite get the photographic rapport going with her. All of my photos of her turn out looking quite serious and almost hostile. Hadley is one of the few people I know who is seriously attempting to make a livelihood through her art. She is very disciplined, prolific and dedicated.
Adrienne, photographed in 2006. Black and white photo shot with Kodak TC400n film. Color photo shot digitally. Adrienne was one of my most pleasant surprises. She simply responds to the camera naturally. She seems to love the camera and the camera loves her. This is indicative of her personality, which is very straightforward and honest. 
Julie, photographed in 2008. Digital photograph. Julie is presently my assistant. Can I say it is a challenge to have an assistant? I have enough difficulties managing myself . . .
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