When I first started shooting artists, I was influenced by the work of Arnold Newman and his “environmental portraits.” He placed his subjects in their natural environment, in the case of artists, their studios. I wanted the subject surrounded by all the “eye candy” of the art making.

My interest in the “eye candy” can be traced back to the first time I set foot into Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym in the fall of 2015. I was meeting with the venerable local boxing legend about shooting boxing. After our visit, I asked if I could just wander around and shoot inside the gym. I can’t remember his exact response, but I would probably paraphrase it as, “knock your socks off.”

It planted the seed to the environmental portrait work that I would eventually begin producing in 2016.

David Johndrow | Photographer/Printer

As an artist, people come your life that change the trajectory of your art. David Johndrow is such a person. David was my printer when I shot black and white film upon my return to Austin from Chicago (1994-2005). He made my photographic work look brilliant. But more importantly, he always took time to come out from the darkroom when I arrived to pick up my prints to chat. He was the first artist who told me that my artwork was something more than just a photograph. He complimented my eye, my composition, not such much my technical game because I was so unskilled with the camera’s operation, but with his kind words I persevered and have become an even better photographer once I entered the digital world. As a thank you, I asked if I could take his portrait and I ended up working on his website. It was a joy to repay his kindness. Visit David’s Website

Steve Griffin | Glass Artisan

I met Steve at Imagine Art, where he had parked van/studio. He was busy creating glass art when I approached, introduced myself and asked if I could shoot him at work. He enthusiastically accepted my offer and we scheduled a time. As I photographed him, he told me the story of converting the van into a studio, moving from Rhode Island, and teaching himself the art of glass via the internet. He was also helping out with the artists with disabilities at Imagine Art, which showed his compassionate side (click here to see an image of Steve with Richmond Freeman. Steve and I talked about collaborating on an outrageous catalog for his glasswork. We never started the work, and alas, he has moved back to his home state of Rhode Island. We, in Austin, are all the more poorer for the loss of his creativity and generosity. Visit Steve’s Website

Tim Kerr | Muralist, Painter, Musician

Rewind thirty some years and I am at the Texas Union listening to Bad Mutha Goose and the Brothers Grimm featuring punk rock icon Tim Kerr on guitar. Tim also worked at the Undergraduate Library in the AV unit. His long blonde dreadlocks and tattoos made him easily recognizable as he made his way across campus, always with a big smile on his face. Fast forward thirty some years and I am presented with the opportunity to shoot an official portrait of Tim Kerr for The Arc of the Capital Area’s main fundraising gala. I jumped at the chance, not only to photograph, but to meet this Austin icon of the arts. His mural work is on display in our town and all over the country. I spent a couple of hours at Tim’s home studio as he regaled myself and two colleagues with stories about this life in the arts. I treasure that as much as the images I took that day. Visit Tim’s Website

Opportunity to Collaborate

Are you an artist and interested in an environmental portrait that reflects you as an artist and your process?

Contact me to discuss your vision!

David