The amazingly talented Rachel Miller at her restaurant @nightshadenoodlebar in Lynn, Massachusetts for @northshoremag
This unique couple runs a wonderful cafe that specializes in people coming together to play board games. COVID-19 has taken its toll and the couple has rolled with the times to sell more goods online. Here’s some photos from an assignment for North Shore Magazine.
It has always been a dream of mine to make a film of any length and I found the perfect subjects in William “Uncle Sid” Tracy and just recently turned 100 years old Marjorie “Putt” Mace as each Tuesday they perform music with their personalities in full effect for veterans at the Soldier’s Home in Chelsea. Thanks to North Shore Magazine for running the article with my stills, and a short documentary piece, Alexandra Pecci for her writing, and probably most importantly to Kiely Quinne for her editing skills otherwise it would only exist as footage on my external hard drives. Take a look here: https://www.nshoremag.com/faces-places/honoring-service-with-song-at-chelsea-soldiers-home/
Professionally one of my favorite aspects of the past year was seeing work that I’ve already generated published in other places like this portrait of Daron Acemoglu, a professor of economics at MIT was picked up by a magazine in Schweizer Monat out of Zurich, Switzerland. I was lucky enough to feel like an actor getting paid royalties for work already done many times this year.
During my latest visit to Jon's studio I had the goal of creating video footage but I'm finding that sound is a greater roadblock than I had previously expected. Fortunately there is also work to do as we continue our long term project together--
A very brief but overdue visit to Sarkin Island--more work and at long last a video as well to come . . .
Down in New Bedford I spent an afternoon learning about Reinaldo's childhood, a car accident that nearly left him dead as a kid with a shortened arm and difficulties breathing turned somewhow into a career in boxing, and his plans for the future.
An all too brief of a visit as springtime continues to show signs with Jon up at his studio on Main Street in Fishtown as the morning clouds gave way to a deep blue sky.
With her father, Ron in her corner as well as Somerville Boxing Club's George, it was a night filled with a looseness that fits her character to a T and a tight focus as Rashida won her Golden Gloves match.
It was a difficult night in Lowell--brimming with optimism and meeting boxing legends such as the "Irish" Mickey Ward while waiting for the fights to begin turned to seeing Kenny lose his first match. It's not easy watching people you've grown to care for take punches. I photographed while flinching and fearing for his wellbeing. I was also given the opportunity to start documenting Keith's path.
The dynamic duo of Jakob & Fernanda White fuse American and Chilean cuisine in a beautiful open space on Union Street in Newton.
Spending an afternoon with Vittorio (owner/chef of Trattoria Orsini) originally from Luca, Italy, reminded me why I love Italian food and the personalities that come from the country. Vittorio accommodated me as I spent my time photographing, telling stories of our past, and, of course, eating. A bonus was meeting Alfie, Vittorio's long time right hand man.
Stepping into Bill's apartment was like walking onto a meticulously orchestrated film set. My intentions of photographing Bill as he sketched went quickly out the window as we incorporated not only the visual wonders of his surroundings but his boyfriend, Hogan, a fashion designer, and Bill's jewelry partner Jamie. As with all my favorite projects I have merely scratched the surface of this artist's talents and the world(s) he creates.
Sometimes, an assignment can go side ways and the only thing to do is to follow. Spending time this winter with Saad, & his son Hussein who came over from Iraq through Egypt about 14 years ago will hopefully start a project I've long wanted to do on refugees in America.
Driving down to a South Shore in Massachusetts in early November I had the opportunity to document Kenny's Ascent through the amateur boxing as his quest to turn pro comes closer and closer.
On a cloudy day in November I drove to the town of Hanover and got to spend time with some of my favorite people who live and study at the Cardinal Cushing Centers. I only wish I stayed longer and got to interact with more and more of the students and residents. Here is the list of the incredible characters I got to portraits of: Daniel, Selena, Sophie & Sophie, Emma, Jai'lyn, Matt, Justin, Matt, Maya, Jonathan, Michael, Raymond, Orion, Joe, Michael, Ja'Kahrie, & Preston, thanks guys!
. . . something happens to one's imagination. An all too quick visit to Sarkin Island on Main Street in Gloucester. . . & finding a Jeff Weaver mural for Jon to pose with.
It's hard to put into words the inspiration I found while taking portraits of the kids at The Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover. I originally had the idea that their rooms would tell the individual story lines but as I wondered around what feels like a campus or small town I quickly realized that the arc of their tales should be told by what makes their day to day lives so unique. Here's a start or a sketch of a greater idea to come . . .
One of the greatest privileges of being a photographer is the access I'm granted to see the world from the inside out. Spending close to three hours documenting the Fishtown Horribles Parade as Congressman Seth Moulton campaigned was extraordinary. Please visit the main site to see a glimpse of the thousands of faces he passed through on the streets of Gloucester:
May 15th, 2016 at the Wenham Museum's Pathways of Patriots Speaker Series I had the honor of taking portraits of Veterans of WW II, Vietnam, Iraq, & Afghanistan. The greatest moments for me having little to do with the portrait but of having the chance to hear their stories. Please visit the Museum and experience all the great work they are doing :
http://www.wenhammuseum.org/
And visit my site to find more portraits:
http://www.jaredcharney.com/#/veteransofwar/
