Ada @ Seventeen Months
It’s been just about nine months since I first photographed Ada with her mom and dad Rachel and Chris. It was a balmy January day and we had a great time. This time we met at the National Arboretum which I highly suggest visiting for a picnic, to see a 350-year-old bonsai tree or amble around and get away from the hustle of DC for a few hours. I have to say that Ada is a lot of fun to study. She has a lot going on in that growing mind of hers and does not stand still for more than a few seconds at a time. It makes my job more challenging but I’ve never been a fan of shooting fish in a barrel. I am looking forward to being able to document Ada as she continues to grow up.
Jack @ Ten Months
This weekend I spent a few hours with Lauren her husband Elan, their son Jack, who was a trooper and full of energy and their dog Riley. When I arrived I was greeted by a sweet couple who were willing to let me into their lives for a short time. As I have come to learn, this, besides the challenges of light and timing, is the key element to my success. I go out with an rough idea of what I would like to capture but stay away from pre-visualizing. It is the surprises, the intimate relationships, small moments and gestures that make for what I consider the best images. One of my favorites shows Elan with his cheek pressed lovingly against his son’s shoulder having what appears to be a moment of reflection as his wife engages with him. You cannot tell people to do this sort of stuff - it just happens naturally. But it takes trust and I wholeheartedly appreciate their willingness to grant me that.
Nancy Sheintal said: Wow!!! Great shots. I love the first one and how you described it. The one on the white sheets and the one with Riley at the glass door were favorites so far. Can't wait to see more. on 10.07.08
grandma Marge said: As sure as there's a God in Heaven it was meant for me to move to Md. as these photos prove. I have never seen LOVE portrayed so elegantly as is apparent in each pix. Not only do I love Jack, Lauren and Elon with all my heart....but I want to marry the photographer...he really has a heart. grandma on 10.07.08
Barack Obama Returns to Washington
Capitol Hill has been abuzz with a fury of activity over the past few weeks with congress working to pass a financial bailout package. On Monday the House failed to pass legislation and the stock market tanked over 700 points - the largest drop in history. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at the Capitol for Politico covering the progress which amounted to meetings that I was not allowed to cover, chatter by insiders about what would and should happen and an abundance of politicians at podiums and on stages making their cases as to why or why not the government should come to the rescue. The highlight was today when I chased down Senator Barack Obama making his way from his office in the Hart Senate Office Building to the Capitol. Photographers were all over the place, staking out his office, elevators near the Senate chamber doors and a number of spots in between. I will be the first to admit that I was granted a small stroke of luck and was in the right place at the right time. But no matter, it is what you can do when you find yourself in that position. I took the subway from the Capitol towards the Hart building hoping to backtrack the planned path of the Senator and to my delight he jumped on at the stop I was going to get off at in the very next car. There was a ton of glare on the windows that separated us but I managed to come away with one frame that I really like.
sidra said: the photo is exciting....full of promise...love the feeling of timelessness it is hard to place it in any particular decade (unless you are a tie width expert!!) First time on the blog for a while...really moved by many of the images on 10.02.08
Ralph Alswang said: Beautiful pictures in scary times. As always you prove your talent in every shooting situation on 10.02.08
Jessie said: What a gorgeous shot. I did a double-take. Very symbolic with Obama being under the light; shining. Great work on 10.03.08
Jake Premack said: Great capture, Jay (as always). It will be really interesting to be able to look back on this photo in 10 or 20 years and see what type of added meaning history will have on the context. Cheers, Jake on 10.05.08
John Heisel said: Very classic. An iconic shot. Excellent how you framed him with the window in the background. tchau, John on 10.06.08
Jules Bianchi said: What a COOL job you have, and what a GREAT job you do!! on 10.07.08
Joel Didriksen said: Great shot Jay. I'm looking forward to lots of inspiring images from you in the next 8 years! on 01.16.09
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Rachel said: Thanks Jay! These pictures are so beautiful! on 10.07.08