Announcing “Checking Focus”
I’ve started an accountability group for portrait photographers!
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.
The “Surprise” of the Workshop
The Workshop is a welcoming environment where vulnerabilities and awkwardness are not only supported but embraced.
“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…
Small Crew Sessions
Shooting for advertising will begin again soon, and producing with small crews will be one of the ways in which we can increase the safety on set.
Wisdom from Tim Ferriss
I distilled my favorite bits from Tim Ferriss’s books Tribe of Mentors and Tools of Titans, and collected them for this post. You’re welcome.
Covid FOMO
As a creative person I sense an opportunity here, but I keep my head down, finding distractions to keep myself from connecting with my feelings.
To Shelter In Place
I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but I’ll list here a few of my ways of getting through the quiet days (and weeks).
Revisiting Dick Jenrette
I recently stubbled upon this 1993 Fortune session; I remember liking this fellow so I searched his name online.
Edison’s Real Lesson
Thomas Edison enjoyed his role of the “Wizard of Menlo Park” but never confused it with real success, at least not how he envision it.
Kool Thing
As much as I wanted it (and boy, did I want it!), I never quite got the portrait of Sonic Youth that I’d longed for. This is the story of my Sonic struggle.
Namesakes Series Origin Story
Shortly after I setting up my website I received an email congratulating me on doing so. This seemed like an odd correspondence until I saw that the signature was from a “Christopher Buck.” I was intrigued.