This bad photo could be my favorite photo ever

This bad photo could be my favorite photo ever
It's terribly grainy and not as well composed as I'd like but this photo taken two days ago speaks to me more than just about any other. Rocco Moretto is a WWII Vet that I've known for years from my frequent shoots of the Veterans on Veteran's Day. When Lockheed Martin approached me to shoot their new ad campaign featuring Veterans, Rocco (or Rocky as we all call him) was one of my first submissions for casting. We began shooting the campaign several weeks ago and Rocky and I got to know each other even better. I adore him and we speak quite often if only for me to hear his voice and thank him again for being a new hero in my world. Rocky was in Company C comprised of 220 soldiers that landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D Day. Of those 220, only 2 made it to the Czech border for VE Day. Rocky called me a week or so ago to tell me that his VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post in Queens was being renamed in his honor and would I be his guest. I gave Rocky a large print from our recent shoot (and also one for his post) and he cried. Which made me cry. And then I hugged this 90+ year old man and thought of all the unsung heroes living amongst us.
I took in the event and watched as an aging hero was celebrated. This particular moment had a truly incredible singer recreating a USO show (for one) and I can't look at it without smiling and getting kinda mushy because I have a true hero in my life and he is as humble and gracious and magnificent as I could imagine (and then some).
So here's a bad photo that could be one of my greatest photos ever.

Another day, another kid who'd rather be out way early in the morning (helping his dad) than way late at night (worrying his dad)

Amazing things happen when you stop to talk to people before even thinking about taking a photo. Perceptions change. (Sometimes dramatically.) Connections happen. (Sometimes instantly...if you ask the right questions or are willing to share something meaningful about yourself.) And the relationship between photographer and subject is transformed.

By the way, the portraits always get better. Guaranteed.
And even if they don't, you get better.

Another day, another joke he hadn't heard before

Telling jokes while composing an image is tougher than you'd think.

Another day, another guy's guy just waiting to kick the first ass of the first guy who looks at him the wrong way

So what the hell you lookin' at?

Powerful connections

Farmer, Worker, Passing Stranger and Little Hellraiser

Another day, another moment reflecting on what might have been

Also:
Reflecting on whether there will be enough for dinner,
...on whether the dumpster in back has been picked through
...on whether the shelter will be a place of safety or continued violence
...on whether anyone notices that I'm only wearing socks
...on whether change will come in our lifetime

Don't give change. Make change.

Welcome to my world

Emerging from shadows

I like to talk. (Call it an occupational hazard.) Traveling as I do allows me to meet all sorts of people. I've made it a rule to speak to every single one of them before taking a photo. It feels like the respectful thing to do. And I end up having some of the most fascinating, thought-provoking, perspective inducing conversations. And then as I'm taking pictures (which has become my daily mental/visual exercise regimen) I can see the stories I just heard play out on their faces. These are incredibly powerful moments for me. I am lucky. So very lucky.

Conjuring up something powerful

Another day, another coupla characters

Another day, another daydream about being Bruce Willis' understudy

Despair needs a new pair of shoes

And a warm bed.
A meal that wasn't discarded by someone else.
A hug versus a mere handout.
Acknowledgement.

Don't just give change. Make change

Another day, another brain cell discarded (not that it was being used all that much)

Another day, another Al Jolson Wannabe

Another day, another hindsight

Facing conflict

Veterans to be and Veterans from days past.

On a day of celebration, their eyes tell a very different story.

Finally, a sad fact on top of it all:

One in four homeless people in America are veterans.

Another day, another happy tune not whistled

Another day, another row to hoe

Jeff, one of the Master Gardeners at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a world class sustainable farm, agricultural center and globally recognized restaurant just down the road from me in Pocantico, NY is run by Tim Barber (who won this year's James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef of the Year and also made Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people list.) and his brother David.

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours shooting for and with the Barbers. Then I had even more pleasure dining with them and their team who are on the leading edge of the Locavore movement in America.

As a guy who loves great food, this was one of the most memorable days ever.

www.bluehillfarm.com/farms/know-thy-farmer

Another day, another wrench in the works

Nick was working the boardwalk at Coney Island. Literally. Hunched over drilling out the old screws and drilling in the new screws. For hours.
Asked what pain medication he recommended.
"Bourbon."
Made me laugh. A lot.
Made him laugh.
But only for a moment.