"Unique" Eartha

Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson

Some more images from my trip to Tucson a few weeks ago. A good productive shoot, although a quick trip. I flew in on a red eye flight. shot the next day and flew out on another red eye that same night.

A mission shoot involves two parts: Shooting within the mission, showing the clients and services and then shooting outside the mission to try and capture "the need" for the services provided by the mission. For the outside, street work, I try and find a person (called a fixer) who can guide me to areas where there are people to shoot and hopefully give me access to these people. Mike, my fixer, was excellent. He had recently come off the streets into the Mission program and knew, and more importantly was liked by everyone. This made my work very simple. Getting the access is really the hard part and makes all the difference.

On another note, I did not make the final cut for the McKnight fellowship, which is a bummer. I'll try again next year.

A Good Fit

I love working at Bethel University. When I began my career I liked to think that I could take on any job and acted accordingly. As I gained experience, I learned what I was good at and then slowly tried to find clients that matched this same thing. Bethel University is one of those clients.

"No outstanding warrants"

Over the weekend, I did some photography for Alliance Housing's Annual report. Alliance housing rehabs old houses and apartment buildings to use as low income housing. Often using its' own residents as workers. I have several clients who do work in this area and most have strict guidelines that must be followed in order to obtain housing. (drug testing, a job...) Alliance housing's only requirement is a fundamental one: " You can have no outstanding warrants." Their thinking is to get people off the street, out of shelters and into housing. Things can only get better from there. I agree.

"Unique" Tracy

Good Samaritan Stillwater

Another Senior shoot...this time at Good Samaritan in Stillwater. It is interesting how many of the seniors really don't like their photos when they view it on the camera. Coming to grips with becoming old must be difficult. I know their families will appreciate the photos. I also know from experience...if you don't like your photo now...let a little time pass...it will get better as you get older.

On a side note..I am liking the impact that the photos have in mass like this. Maybe this can be a series in itself.

John in Tucson

At most every homeless shelter I have worked there is the person who is rumored to be rich. He is said to be at the shelter, not because he doesn't have the means, but because he prefers to be there. The other residents will come up to me and secretly whisper, "see that guy over there...he is rich...he owns houses.."

John is that person at the Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson where I worked this past Thursday. John told me he was a lawyer for 53 years. He has limited use of his legs and slowly gets around using a walker. I am not sure what has caused John to arrive at the Mission, but I can't imagine he, or anyone, would chose to be there. I think having "the story" helps other residents cope with the situation.

The day of shooting was a success from an image production standpoint. More importantly it gave me a lesson in keeping things in perspective.

More to come from this shoot...

The Teacher

Yesterday I shot this teacher for PPL (Project for Pride in Living) here in Minneapolis.

"Unique" Amber

It's that time of the year again to apply for the annual McKnight fellowship for Photography. The McKnight is one of the most prestigious fellowships and therefore one of the most difficult to win. It was actually due yesterday and I somehow managed to get the application in at 4:58pm (deadline 5pm). I've applied almost every year since I have moved here from San Francisco almost 9 years ago. Maybe this year be the the one. Having the hope while you await the results is a beautiful thing...so full of possibilites. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket too.

Amber is one of the images I submitted with my application.