Black Turnout Key in Virginia for: The Wall Street Journal

So much has already been said about the 2012 election. We've seen the dissection of every facet of each candidates strengths, weaknesses and character in general. Some have even gone so far as to ask for birth certificates, college records, several years of tax returns and even DNA hair samples, well, maybe not all of those things, but you get the idea.

Here in Virginia, we've been inundated with fliers, political canvassers, mailings, signs, commercials and more. That said, I'll try to keep it short and simple.

The following images were made on assignment for the WSJ. I started my coverage in Virginia Beach, where voters, myself included, waited in line for up to four hours. From my hometown, after casting my ballot, I headed to the historically African American communities in the heart of Richmond.

After hopping from polling precinct to precinct WSJ writer Josh Mitchell and I ended up camping out with Obama supporters at the Die Teufel Club. The club is about to celebrate it's 75th anniversary and is located in the Jackson Ward district - an area that once boasted the nickname "Harlem of the South."

Our agenda was to report on the imporatnce of the African American communities and their key role in winning the swing state of Virginia.

Mind Over Matter: SUAS

Mind Over Matter: SUAS* is an ongoing column that aims to document skateboarders from all walks of life who are still riding their plank after 30+ years of age. My principal intent is to offer the viewer both an insight to why grown men/women choose to continue to ride despite being what many consider “too old” and to encourage the masses to get out and get theirs - whatever that might be.

*SUAS is an acronym commonly used in skateboard rhetoric, it simply means Shut Up And Skate! Click the image to view it super-sized. Enjoy.

The Brotherhood: Alex and I go way back. It wasn’t until the other day that I realized we’ve been skating together since we were somewhere around 12 or 13-years-old. We’ve shared a lot of history and thankfully he’s still around. About four years ago I reconnected with Alex. We hadn’t talked for some 20 years.

He moved to Richmond during high school and even though we wrote letters keeping each other in check about what new tricks we learned, eventually we lost touch with each other. Later, I vanished, traveling around the US and eventually moved abroad. Just before heading to the Middle East I called Alex out of the blue. I had heard from a friend that he was running a restaurant that he co-owned. We caught up briefly in our conversation but life pressed on and we never did have a chance to kick it.

About four years later I returned and made it a point to get ahold of him again. He hadn’t been skating for years and I made it my duty to get his ass on board again.

When he came out to the first session, with the D30 crew, it was like he had never stopped. His style and tricks were right where he had left them. A few days ago I saw him cruisin’ down the street and he popped an ollie, it took me back to our wonder years, nothing had changed. It was so surreal to find that a simple trick could trigger so many memories. Its hard to explain, but it did.

I should mention, I owe Alex some money or something, I think I burned his clutch out on his Datsun B210. That was many many moons ago, but how else was I supposed to learn how to drive a five speed? Homies for life.

Jesse Irish: for Wave Riding Vehicles

A couple weeks ago I got a phone call from my homie Charles Harmon over at Wave Riding Vehicles. Apparently, he had seen a photo of mine that I had shot of WRV's team rider Jesse Irish and wanted to purchase it for an upcoming ad. I've never promoted my skateboard photography, it mainly sits in a folder on my Facebook profile for my homies to enjoy after a session. I have to assume he saw it on Facebook because that is the only place I had posted it. I should have asked but I was on my way out the door and Charles needed the photo sent on the fly. 

Anyway, we went over the usage fees and rates quickly, I dropped the file and was out the door. Now normally I would be a lot more detail oriented when it comes to working with a client however I've known Charles for some 25 odd years or so. He's family. Not to mention Charles is one of the people in the early stages of my career who influenced and inspired me with his exceptional photography and graphic design skills. He's respected and trusted. 

That said, there are two points I want to make here that can be applied to both photography and life. First, shoot (or do) what you love, what you're passionate about, what moves you. In this case, skateboarding and photography. This particular photo of Jesse was made on a road trip while up in Richmond for a session at the Lost Bowl. I wasn't shooting for money, I wasn't shooting with an ad campaign in mind, I wasn't shooting for stock, I was simply shooting for the mere pleasure of making photos of something I love. In the end, I made a profit from just doing what I do and this isn't the first time. 

The second point that I definitely think is worth mentioning is the value of relationships. I honestly believe that everything in life is developed, shaped and founded in the dichotomy of the relationship. I believe that  relationships define and shape your business and personal life. It is in the quality of these relationships that one prospers or falls short. In this case, the longterm relationship I've had with Charles, skateboarding and photography reaped what I sowed. 

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now. Besides I have work to do and then off to session tonight with the homies. Get some!