My Dear Friend

There is no feeling like watching your friend budding photographer grow. He has photographed some of hip hops most influential, some of our most contriver leaders along with anything else you can think of. He recently had a showcase of his work at the world chess company in Central West End. He just gave a talk at Washington University and currently works for one of the premier editing apps for the iPhone in Colorado. Im just trying to catch his greatness. Its a joy to call him friend.

Roy Decarava

I can't help to be attracted to so many African american photographers. Especially those who captured such incredible moments in history. Partly because I believe we are in the midst of a new civil rights movement, and nothing is new as life repeats itself, I look to their work for inspiration. His work captured life as he saw it, Harlem, the civil rights movement and a ton more. I find so much in photographs like this. the kind that provoke all your thoughts.

Guess Who Is not going Underwater?!

Soon as I was learning about photographers I came across Nicholas Samaras. I saw how much of his work was focused underwater.... So from a person who believes swimming beyond 6ft is enough, you could imagine I was like yeah I will pass hahahahaha. He has one tons of awards and is completely connected and passionate about the creatures of the sea and capturing them. His work is absolutely stunning. Its not something I think I would ever do, however I admire him for his dedication to this style of photography.

Eric Lafforgue

I really wasn't familiar with Eric Lafforge work before I started doing my own research. I found out he went to north Korea and was able to basically grab forbidden images which I find to bestiary as hell lol. I asked myself would I have that kind of courage. The reality is if someone doesn't we won't have moments to go back to about the times we currently live in. I have to continue to learn and follow his work.

You Cant even talk about it with out talking about him first

Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment. - Ansel Adams

Arguably the greatest black and white photographer, this quote speaks to me. I realized how much work I need to do when I tried my hand at landscape photography. 

James Nachtwey

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are

my testimony. The events I have recorded should

not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

I love documentary style photography. His work speaks volumes to me. I struggled with light and form in photography. His work always captures it perfectly. This quote from him truly sums up a beautiful way to look at photography.

Sean Gilligan

His work is stunning to me. I feel like all photographers are just gifted in lots of different facets of art and I think its really cool that he is also a musician. I feel like he create images you have to continue to look at and you can feel his feeling and what he was going for immediately.

Ethan Pines

I dig his work because I understand him. I feel like I understand him. He says he wasn't born with a camera in his hand but he always wanted to tell stories. I completely agree. My first passion even as a child was telling a story. I made up story for my dolls for school for everything. I rewrote goosebumps books. He just enjoys creating a new world depicted by the images m his head and I can totally relate to that. One of my favorites to explore.

Jennifer Silverberg

I kinda never really looked at anything but street photography and portrait work before this semester. So when we were in class and I was able to look at her work I was pretty intrigued. Even though Im not interested in taking pictures of food, I think he photos pf them are so clean. Im still learning how to see beyond what is placed in front of me. She takes pictures of a lot of athletes which I think is cool, and also tough for me. Even cooler to me is that she is based here in St. Louis.

I really dig contemporary photography. Every time I look at this super iconic post I get captivated by it. I think its super cool how he just picked up his camera and just tracked across the country and just decided to shoot. His connection with India is really sweet as well. Fascinating photographer in my eyes who I want to learn more about. Mainly because I love the way his images pop off the page.

CARRIE MAE WEEMS

THE FIRST TIME I LOOKED AT THE ENTIRE TABLE TALKS SERIES BY CARRIE MAE WEEMS I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED. I FEEL LIKE I AM DEVELOPING INTO A DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHER AND HER WORK REALLY TAUGHT ME ALOT. I LOVE HOW SIMPLE YET TELLING EACH IMAGE IS. 

MY FAVORITE ANNIE!

MY FAVORITE PERSON TO LEARN ABOUT THIS SEMESTER! I feel like her life her philosophies, her style, the way she developed as a photographer, I connected with the most. Annie Leibovitz really spoke to my personal style, feelings and beliefs and to learn her work was really cool for me.

ANNA DELANY

In my quest to discover more photographers who capture more gritty street art, I got on google and just started searching. I came across Anna Delany. her work is actually really really cool to me .

Here is one of her images. Check out her website.







Website

Just Because ...........

Because Love is important, and expressing it is even more important to me. I listen to this every morning. I grew up on great music. Super grateful.

LORNA SIMPSON

Im realizing i may be a slight feminist. Lol I'm ok with that actually. I always the most intrigued by women and how we choose to express ourselves and fully. When we live outlaid beyond what we are "supposed to be". I watched a short documentary that included Lorna Simpson years ago. Since Im in this class, I decided to learn a little more about her. She's actually pretty amazing. He choice to explore women, gender, equality in her own way that often times merged photography and film is pretty cool. She challenges views on beauty in society often. 

IM NEVER HAVING KIDS...AND I MEAN IT

OVER THE WEEKEND A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINES ASKED ME TO TAKE PICTURES OF SOME KIDS TO PROMOTE HER KIDS CLOTHING STORE. LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY I WAS SUPER APPREHENSIVE. KIDS ARE STRESSFUL! I LOVE KIDS, I AVE MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS ALMOST EVERYDAY I HELP COPARENT SEVERAL KIDS, WITH ALL THAT SAID I STILL DONT LIKE TO BE AROUD TO MANY AT ONCE. NONE OF THESE KIDS LISTENED, ALL 8 OF THEM WERE IN THEIR OWN WORLD THE ENTIRE TIME. PART OF ME WAS IMPRESSED, BECAUSE WHO THE HELL WANTS TO TAKE PICTURES THE FIRST NICE DAY IN A LONG TIME?! THE BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN ME WANTED THEM TO SIT THERE ASSES DOWN SO WE COULD FOCUS. THEY MADE MY DAY. THEY REAAFIRMED ALL MY THOUGHTS...JUST NEVER HAVE KIDS

WHO DOESNT LOVE WARHOL?!

WHEN I SIT BACK AND THINK ABOUT ARTIST I REALLY DIG I THINK ABOUT THIS GUY. I ALWAYS LOVE AN ARTIST WHO WONT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS DIRECTLY HAHAHA. IM SUPER INTRIGUED BY HOW HIS MIND WORKS. 

One of the coolest things about him to me was how he always called himself a virgin. Every single time I read that I'm super intrigued. He spoke often about how he loved being a mystery. I kinda feel the same way. I hate answering too many questions. 

His life fascinates me. 

I suggest you guys check out his life.

Andy Warhol - Biography - Painter, Filmmaker - Biography ...

Self Love

So for as long as I can remember I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. Ive always been me. A little bit of a nerd really and Im totally ok with that. I've never apologized for my views or my choices. I've made plenty of mistakes. In each of them I've learned so much about myself. This clip from Zoe Saldana interview expresses exactly how I choose to live my life. I just want to fully figure out who i am by exploring all aspects of myself.

INSPIRATION THE ONE AND ONLY GORDON PARKS

One of the Artist I fell in love with long ago was Gordon Parks. I always felt like he photographed the most simplistic images and made them Spectacular. Im so in love with photograhps that capture the time period.

The man was absolutely brilliant. A filmmaker, artist, photographer, writer and musician, he literally did it all. I love that his career took off in his mid 20s. His awards are countless, he was simply a profound man. I pray I continue to group and stretch myself to try out all aspects of art.

1988 MYFAVORITE YEAR. THE YEAR I WAS BORN. MICHAEL JORDAN WINS FIRST DUNK CONTEST.  AND WHAT WOULD COME SHORTLY AFTER IS TWO OF THE MOST ICONIC MEN WHO I CONSIDER BOTH VISIONARIES WOULD TEAM UP MAKE HISTORY AND CHANGE BRANDING FOREVER. SPIKE LEE AND MIKE CHANGED EVERYTHING. 1988. HELL OF A YEAR.