Personal Projects

I think what really keeps me going in photography (blood flowing, that type of thing) are personal projects. They are vital in helping me stay fresh and excited about photography. For the past month I have been working on a few - some are being shot as we speak and others are in the works.
I've been working on one of the projects for a while now and thought I would share some of the latest images. I am taking portraits of high school students. It started about ten years ago with my photos of students writing their thoughts on a blackboard. Now it's just the student against a white background - similar to the style of Richard Avedon.
To see more of my personal work click here
Below are some of my favorites.

A Time to Explore

"If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up." -- Richard Avedon

This is how I feel most days. There is always something to photograph, something to explore. That's why this past summer has been one of personal projects. It was a great opportunity to work on new lighting techniques (at least new to me) and to get out of the studio and away from the computer. From shooting with the 30ft ladder to photographing horses the summer forced me to find projects to shoot. Now with fall approaching, I'll to find new opportunities, new projects to work on.
To me, being a photographer is not only working for clients, but exploring and creating work that helps me grow as a person as well as a photographer. It's about creating a style that matches my personality.