Random Acts of Portraiture

At the conclusion of every sports season my paper (as many others do) name a player of the year in each sport. Years ago I took over the project, hoping to challenge myself and the paper to make the awards a special section instead of the randomly placed article in the daily sports section.

So each season and year I try to come up with a new concept. Some work, some don't, but each season I look forward to the expansion of my skill set. This season has started off strong. I conceived the idea and my first subject was quite personable and liked the idea. I have found that I am getting more comfortable asking my subjects to sit longer than I would have in the past so I can work an idea. I ask each of the athletes to bring with them something of their sport, a ball, goggles, stick, awards. Props give them something to do with their hands and add let the viewer know what sport they play.

Portraiture has never been my strong suit. But instead of running from it like I did early in my career I now look forward to the challenge.