What can I honestly say?
I wrote out some long unbiased and journalistic portrayal of how the events of yesterday went, but I'd rather just put the images out to share my feelings and experience. I'm not too good with words, at least right now, so I'll talk through the photos.
All I can say is I wish there was justice for Freddie Gray and everyone like him.
Read MoreAs it approaches closer to the one year anniversary of the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore, and the nation as a whole, reflects on what has changed since and the resounding answer is: not much. More than one hundred protesters marched through the streets of West Baltimore, chanting for police reform and respect towards the public they serve. Passing through Sandtown-Winchester, the neighborhood that has come to represent the struggles many in Baltimore face, the marchers vowed to continue to fight for those who have been killed by police including Gray, Tyrone West, and Sandra Bland.
My apologies for the super cheesy post, but...
Every year, as the days left shrink to the single digits, people start looking towards what they'll do different the next year or how to improve his or herself. I'm one of those people, but I also use it as a way to look at what I've done, the people I've met, and the experiences I've had. I'm not always good with expressing my feelings in words so I use photography as my diary.
A lot of things changed for me in 2015, a lot of them better than others. When things got tough, photography was a good way to get me out of those slumps. This year especially, I started feeling that I'm in a good place with my photography. I can and will always improve, but right now, I don't feel the struggle that my talents are subpar compared to the next guy like I used to.
The way I look at photography changed a lot as well. Photography can be an agent of change and can bring people to understand the lives of others. The events following the death of Freddie Gray changed me as a photographer and as a person. I learned that it's not enough to acknowledge something wrong is going on, but to fight for your affected neighbor as if the injustice is happening to you.
At the risk of entering the super-cheese zone, this blog post serves as a thank you. Thank you to everyone who took the time to even glance at my work. The kind words I've heard from so many people, friends and even strangers, has reinforced why I do what I do. It's my sincerest hope that I've at least helped grow connections you have with what's going on in our world, whether it be the sad stuff, the happy stuff, the funny stuff, and the exciting stuff.
So thank you. Here's to another year of shooting.
- end cheese -
Oh yeah, I've been teaching since August! It's one of my biggest beliefs that to accurately teach, you must be able to do. So because I'm in the classroom now doesn't mean you won't see me on the street.
Reactions in Baltimore after the mistrial of Officer William Porter in connection the in-custody death of Freddie Gray.
Read MoreRallying against the Baltimore Police Department's brutality, thousand of protesters flooded the streets of Baltimore for a massive march beginning at the Gilmore Homes and ending downtown at City Hall. This past week saw daily protests at the Western District police station in response to the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody. Friends, family, and supporters of Gray joined together and marched without incident past the station and down Pennsylvania Avenue, making their way to City Hall where hundreds of other protesters where there to meet them.
As many people around the world already know, the scene turned tense downtown when a few individuals with ulterior motives damaged police cars and other property. The response of Baltimore police didn't help the situation, as officers donning riot gear stormed the area, pushing, shoving, and even macing some the peaceful protesters who were still there.
On the other side of town, back at the Western District, a formation of a few dozen officers holding batons and shields faced off with a small group a block away from the station. A few individuals threw rocks at the officers in line, who made an effort to move forward. During the commotion, Reuters photographer Sait Serkan Gurbuz was arrested and City Paper Photo Editor Joe Giordano was tackled to the ground by officers.
Monday marks a new and hopefully peaceful week in Baltimore as well as Freddie Gray's funeral. The service will take place at New Shiloh Baptist Church at 11AM, with a public hour at 10. Gray's body will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery following the service.
As the six officers involved in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray remain suspended with pay, the people of Baltimore refuse to let the police continue their ways. Wednesday evening, the Western District police station resembled a military bunker, with police closing access to the streets surrounding the building. Officers lined the barricades like troops prepared for war. That didn't stop protesters from being heard loud and clear.
Thursday was no different. After a large gathering at City Hall, protesters took to the streets downtown, bringing the fight to the other side of town so no one could possibly ignore the situation. Marching back to the Western District station, the group confronted officers and continuously asked for answers with absolutely no response from police.
Thousands are projected to gather today, Saturday April 25th, to bring the fight down to City Hall.
Angered and hurt, hundreds of marchers gathered at the spot Freddie Gray was brutally arrested in West Baltimore on Tuesday to rally for justice. Friends, family, and supporters of Gray made their way to the Western District Police Station, chanting for the officers involved to be brought to justice. Six Baltimore police officers have been suspended with pay, but charges have not been filed. As the investigation continues, so will the community of Baltimore in it's fight against police brutality.
Of what seems like a sea of cases of police brutality, the eyes of the nation now bring their attention to Baltimore. Freddie Gray, 25, was arrested last week by Baltimore police officers and suffered a severed spinal cord while in custody, being transported in a BPD van. On Sunday, Gray died from his injuries. While Baltimore citizens marched early Monday morning, community members gathered at the Baltimore Police Western District station later that day to remember Gray and communicate their sorrow, anger, and fear over the police's relationship with the citizens they're entrusted to serve.
Fans of David Lynch packed The Windup Space this past Friday to show their love of the writer-director and his cult classic television show Twin Peaks for the 10th annual David LynchFest. Burlesque dancers, magicians, and musicians graced the stage, as well as the highly anticipated Twin Peaks costume contest, which crowned a dead Laura Palmer wrapped in plastic the winner.
All photos taken with a Leica M3 and Voigtlander Bessa R3A.
On Monday, a group of protestors representing the Baltimore People's Power Assembly, FIST Youth, and Southern Christian Leadership Conference - Greater Baltimore, gathered outside City Hall to air their discontent with the city's recent and controversial decision to shut off water to almost 25,000 residents due to unpaid bills.
Last week, Gregory May of Center Ring Circus School organized an attempt at breaking the world record for the largest pie fight. Hundreds of people, both young and old, poured into the parking lot where they were greeted by clowns, facepainters, and gymnasts. Despite the rather impressive turnout of more than 700 participants, May did not reach his goal of 1000, but he remained undeterred, declaring that he'll see everyone again next year for another attempt.
Photos for City Paper
Yesterday, I shot photos of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade held in downtown Baltimore for Baltimore City Paper. It's one of my favorite events to shoot since there's always a lot of interested stuff. The dogs, the bands, the leprechauns, the bagpipes, the banjos, the beer, the cigars, the cars - it's all here!
After what seemed like years of brutal weather this winter, the sun gave comfort on a beautiful day as marchers gathered together on International Women's Day. The goal of the group, led by the women from various Baltimore organizations such as the Baltimore People's Power Assembly, FIST Youth, and others, was to march to the Baltimore Women's Detention Center and let their voices be heard. Following their march, the proceeded to The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore for dinner and an awards ceremony honoring the commitment of a group of women leading the way towards justice.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, one of my favorite events to shoot, happened this past Monday in Baltimore. Covering the parade for Baltimore City Paper, I shot everything from the countless marching bands to clowns. Check out some of the photos!
Well, tonight at midnight marks the end of 2014 and like pretty much every photographer on the internet, I must make a blog post to look back on the work I produced. This year was a good one though. Started shooting weddings, had work up in three shows, FINALLY took a portrait of John Waters, surpassed 1 million and 2 million views on Flickr, went back to NY with Natalie (a lot), got my face in Baltimore Magazine and The Baltimore Sun's Darkroom thanks to Patrick Joust, documented the Mike Brown and Eric Garner marches, started shooting freelance for City Paper, put out two issues of Cadillac Ranch Dressing with one currently in the works, finally joined the Leica posse, pushed myself to photograph people more, met so many incredible people in the process, and created a lot of work that I'm really proud of.
So here it is: my 2014 in photos. It's kinda in order.
There it is. I'll see ya in 2015!
As 2014 comes to a close, I wanted to make a post about my wedding photography and how I’ve developed in it within the last year. My original goal was to have individual posts for each wedding, but time got away from me so hopefully an overall post will suffice.
Seven months ago, I ventured into the world of wedding photography, something I honestly never thought I would do. Not because I disliked the thought of shooting weddings, but because I never thought I would be good at it.
In early May, I got an offer from my good friend and awesome photographer Charlotte Keniston to second-shoot for her. I had always been curious about shooting a wedding so I figured that was the perfect opportunity to finally experience it. As the day went on, I watched how she worked, seeing how she connected with the couple and strategically planned her shots. I began feeling much more comfortable and even, dare I say it, had fun shooting.
Leaving that night, my feelings towards wedding photography were drastically readjusted. My thoughts kept running over the same idea: I can see me doing this. So I put myself out there, letting people know I was game to shoot weddings and almost immediately, I was contacted by my first couple. Not too soon after shooting my first solo wedding, I had a few more booked. I was finally building a wedding portfolio and growing as a photographer.
The last wedding I shot this year turned out to be for the person who started it for me. Charlotte contacted me about shooting her own wedding, which filled me with so much confidence. She knew I had only been shooting weddings for half a year, but still had enough trust in my abilities to leave her big day in my hands.
So this post is really a big thank you to each couple who put their trust in me this year, as well as everyone who helped along the way.
Of course, if you enjoy the work and know someone who’s getting hitched, or maybe you're in the search for a wedding photographer, I would more than appreciate the consideration to document your big day!
Shoot me an email at jls569@aol.com!
In solidarity with the National Day of Anger, people gathered in downtown Baltimore to continue their journey for change. As they reached MLK Boulevard, marchers faced countless police lines as BPD tried to prevent their movement to M&T Bank Stadium and the Horseshoe Casino. As the rally moved on, the police continued to box marchers in at Battle Monument Park and eventually on North Avenue. At North Avenue, dozens of police and state troopers blocked protesters from going North, South, East, or West, with a police helicopter hovering above, loudly stating "This is an illegal assembly! Disperse now or you will be arrested!". After 15 minutes of marchers asking police to let them leave, the line opened up and the rally continued a few more blocks north, where it ended with powerful words, unity, and hugs.
Read MoreMarching through freezing flurries, a small group of protestors gathered at Baltimore's Penn Station and took to the streets. They're destination: Baltimore Central Booking. Followed by a BPD van full of batons and shields and a group of police almost equal in numbers, the group marched their way past the Baltimore City Correctional Facility as inmates chanted "Hands up! Don't Shoot!".
Following a Ferguson, MO grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the murder of Mike Brown, a New York City grand jury made the decision to not indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold murder of Eric Garner. Again, the people of Baltimore took to the streets to make sure their voices were heard.
Read MoreThe day after a grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Mike Brown in Ferguson, MO, hundreds of protestors gathered together in downtown Baltimore in response.
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