Mullet, Trumpet, FFA

Every once in awhile I take a photo that blows my mind. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens and that’s what’s important. To me, as of right now in 2021, this photo is perfect.

The exposure is spot on, his expression is relaxed, the position of the trumpet and his right hand is perfect. Also, I didn’t have to tell him what to do; he was a natural.

To me, natural portraits make some of the best portraits.

This photo reminds me a lot of Richard Avedon’s work. The plain backdrop, the expression, the lighting. The person is the subject and they make the photograph powerful; I don’t. I use Avedon’s work as inspiration for my portraits. It’s all simple effects but they add up to make a powerful statement for an image.

This is Jake.

I met him at school, thanks to my girlfriend. He is a crazy funny freshman at my school, which is Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. The fact that he has a super curly mullet, was a member of FFA (Future Farmers of America) and plays the trumpet at university is just an awesome and interesting combination for someone.