ME / MYSELF/ I
I'm an Ocala Florida born and raised, Boston transplanted, raised by a single mother that did her best to give me a good life, Photographer. I come from a family of loving and hard working people, and have always taught me that "dreaming is ok, just make sure you can eat in the process!" I've had very little, and I've had more than I could believe.
I moved to Boston when I was 23 alone and with no one I knew up here. I've been here almost 10 years now, and I love this city.
PHOTO BY SANDRA COAN
AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
I've walked in many a shoe, and worn many a hat. I've come to realize that I am a Portrait Artist through and through. I love working with people and bringing out the best in the people I photograph. Most people are super reluctant to have their picture taken, which I fully get. I'm one of those people! However, I noticed something by way of a Dove commercial back in 2013. People always have something they don't like about themselves and no one else sees it but them. In my photographic work, I try and show someone what I see when they're talking to me, or just sitting in front of me. I feel like everyone comes to see a kinder version than what they have in their head.
When someone leaves my studio and sees the images, I want them to see a kinder version of themselves than what they have in their head. "Hopefully they'll learn to be kinder to themselves", is my thought. That thought also forces me to take some of my own medicine I will say, but its very true.
NOW WRAP THAT IN A HEADSHOT
I choose Headshots as my type of portrait because I have a bone to pick with traditional Headshots. They always look too artificial to me, and never let the person express themselves. Its always the same lighting, smile, colors, and attitude. Not everyone looks like they're in a commercial for a Dentist in real life! Some people hate to smile, and want to just be themselves.
I HAVE A FEW PHILOSOPHIES
PROFESSIONAL ISN'T BORING
During my time in Corporate IT, I saw so many fun, vibrant, full of life people, bury their true selves deep down inside them. People sometimes think "When I'm a Professional, I have to look this certain way."
It's a crock of shit! Professional means doing your work to the best of your abilities, and making money in the process. Not being someone you're not.
YOU OWN YOUR STORY
On that note, ONLY YOU can set the tone and narrative of your life. I've literally dressed myself a certain way to make other people feel comfortable for decades. I finally over the last few years had enough of that!
As a gay man, I always told myself that I needed to dress a certain way and talk, walk, drink, like any other man on this planet. Maybe, just maybe people will not realize I'm gay or more importantly that they're comfortable being around me.
NEVER TONE DOWN FOR ANYONE
No person be it , Friends, Job, or even Family are worth dulling yourself into submission. You have the choice every second of the day to live out who you want to be, or who someone else wants you to be.
The only problem is no one else lives with the fallout of those choices BUT YOU. So why would you ever be someone that you wouldn't want to be. In my life now, I feel more in my own skin than I ever have before. My choices I make are mine alone and I wouldn't change any of them in hindsight.