Chop Suey

A shot I took in the "Little Tokyo" neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles last week.

Los Angeles and The Union Rescue Mission

Yesterday I spent the day at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angles, which is the largest shelter of its type in the country. At this, their annual Thanksgiving-week meal they served over 4000 meals which is incredible. Witnessing the logistics of the production...cooking 200 turkeys....etc...was impressive.

Having done this type of work for some time, I have noticed that the number of families with children increase dramtically which is really sad. It really started to get to me as the day went on. What it would be like to have a family and not have a place to live...can't imagine it.

Senator Al Franken

I photographed Senator Franken this past Sunday while he visited Childrens Hospital in Minneapolis. This shot was taken in-between the "photo ops" which is where the good stuff lies.

For me, the moments when a photo is expected to occur end up in a result that is not as interesting as taking them when they are not expected. I've always felt that a good photo of a person is one where they appear as if they are not "trying" to do anything. Once they start to pose, you can almost always see some sort of effort being displayed in their expression. All that being said, it is impossible for someone to not notice the camera. What is important, is for them to be comfortable with the photographer and "let" the photos happen.

The Motorman

John Reinen is a first year motorman for the Como-Harriet trolley in the Linden Hills (where I live) neighborhood of Minneapolis. I first met John because our kids went to school together and recently saw in him dressed in his Trolley uniform at a Halloween party. To me, he personifies the job...almost a character out of a Mr. Roger's Neighborhood episode.

American Cancer Society

It is really nice to work on a project so meaningful, with the finished pieces turning out so well. Here are 6 of the portraits that I did of people who have been affected by cancer and how they have benefited by the work of The American Cancer Society. Taking photos like these, isn't about my photo ability or applying any special techniques. It is about the people and their experiences. As a photographer, I feel I almost just need to minimize my presence (get out of the way) and let the stories tell themselves.