Unique

I have often said I am not unique, you are.

Photography has been around for many years, all I can do is try to follow in the footsteps of the best, and hopefully in time, I will inspire others to follow mine.

It is the people I meet, which each bring something special.

Brodie is certainly a gentle soul who is talented in his own right.

He is a rapper, he has mastered the language of music in a way I could never comprehend.

But as a photographer I have noticed in him something special that does not exist in many people, he has embraced who he is.

It is a quiet confidence

Not a loud arrogant, center stage 'look at me' confidence.

But a head down, respectful “f*ck yeah lets do stuff”.

The kind I of confidence I dig.

We met only 12 months go.

He asked me to do his album cover photo for his maiden CD release.

In that shoot, he brought his vision, and I adapted it to what I thought was best.

In hindsight, maybe I was wrong.

As a photographer, we want to allow people to feel good about themselves.

Through angles, lighting, posing, even lens distortion and other tricks we manipulate reality to show the world how we see it.

(I believe reality manipulation through photoshop is a last resort 'stuffed it in camera' option in most scenario's)

We naturally want to promote the positives in people, while drawing the eye away from perceived flaws.

But what if the perceived flaw is a strength?

What if the scars you wear are a trophies of successful battles?

What if your grey hair is indicative of the concern for others?

What if......  

Your imperfections make you, you?
 

I am making an arbitrary judgement shaped by my interpretation of society’s views.

And societys views are distorted by the media we are fed everyday.

In Brodies case, his statue is his strength.

For all of his challenges he faces, he is succeeding.

He has embraced who he is. And we should embrace who we are.

Only recently I am beginning to realise the implications of my role in portraying people. 

I am worried that by showing my interpretation of reality, it impresses on some people the thinking "I could never do that".  

The truth is you can.  

I have never purposely sought out any particular body shape, age, sex or 'type' of person.  

I am a portrait photographer.  I do people.

That isnt exclusive.

He has challenged my thinking.

It is his strength that has helped shape my way forward.

I know one size does not fit all. It is about adaptation to fit individuals needs.

That dreaded word 'compromise' has a place here.

Lets talk, stop making assumptions, and do cool shit.

That I can do.