Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia -
"I grew up with the ideals of being skinny is good, fat is bad. You had to be skinny to get ahead in life. You had to look like the girls that flaunted their stuff on the catwalk and wear expensive, beautiful garments: virtually "perfect". All the time growing up, it was constant in my mind because of the persistent sight of these women in fashion. Girls at school would be made fun of if they were fat. Of course, wanting to fit into the "perfect" society I had those thoughts of "I must be fat" when my body was perfectly fine. Now a days; I am getting skinny shamed. "Girl eat something!" "What are you a size 0, you look like you don't have an inch of fat on you!" Being "skinny" is now becoming bad too. Women are living in a double standard world of you can't be too fat or too skinny otherwise you will be criticized for that. For that I have come to not like the word skinny for that reason.
In a world that is constantly chasing perfection, I feel so imperfect to those standards that it hurts:I just didn't feel beautiful when I chased it myself. When I know that I am not what they want me to be. I know that I personally have seen that I am not like everyone else. I am my own person, which people don't get to see because they are so misguided by their want to be like what society has imprinted on our minds. I feel like we weren't taught to be individuals, Instead we were taught to try and fit a mold of society.
Outside of society's beauty, I have come to love a different part. My uniqueness of my own face and skin which is scarred from the psoriasis and acne that have plagued me through my life. I have a healthy body that holds cellulite and muscle. Which looks to be "skinny". I can say that I feel beautiful in my own skin because I see the beauty of my unique body."
Alicia
Beauty Redefined Series - Brittany - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Brittany - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Brittany
""Beauty was about control. My self-image, along with a set of lovely signs/symptoms; has been drastically affected due to a developmental disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, which is the highest functioning autism on the spectrum. I focused on my external beauty so I could mask how ugly this syndrome made me feel.
Repression, regression, and retaliation were all three characteristics that I was afflicted with, and my self-image is slowly rising from the crippling life of isolation, anxiety, and self-consciousness that society bestowed upon me.
Females are made to believe in beauty stigmas; you must buy this, you cannot be skinny, fat, pale, or tan. Society may always have this view on beauty and the linked consumers; you and I, are unaware of the hazard it is doing to our perception. Beauty has become so demanding externally, that we forget what makes us feel beautiful, what sets us apart.
I am beautiful due to my nature, empathy, intuition, and perseverance."
Brittany
Beauty Redefined Series - Kendra Sumpter - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Kendra Sumpter - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Kendra Sumpter
"I've always been different. I see tattoos as art. Surprisingly, I get more older people that love my tattoos and tell me how beautiful I am with them. My tattoos make me feel like who I'm supposed to be. Different. Set apart from everyone else." Kendra
Story Behind the Photo - The First Equality Shot....
Tattoo Artist - Jennifer Edge - Hair/Makeup - Shae Luke - TRD Photography
Story Behind the Photo - The First Equality Shot.
Quite a few years ago, on a blog far away, I started sharing some of the stories and memories that I had behind some of my photos. Many of my photos don't really have a story other than we thought "hey, this might look cool." Others have more of a memory than a story. After spending some time going through old stuff, I've decided to start blogging some about ones that stick out to me. This photo is one that had a bit of a story and really sparked a series that kinda grew into a life of it's own.
2013 was a very odd year for me. The first half of the year I was preparing for a move to Portland, Oregon. The people in Chattanooga were amazingly supportive and one of the people that I grew very close to during that time is Tattoo Artist Jennifer Edge. We became friends from a shoot that I did for Triple 7 and then I did some promo work for her personally as well. We hit it off and she just is an incredible creative visionary.
In 2013, the background of this idea was that the movement for equality was reaching a fever pitch. Everywhere you turned there were posts, as well as many people had the equality symbol for profile pictures. There was a lot of hate on social media about it. People taking a stand, and others just saying extremely hateful rhetoric. My view was always that I stand for equality and I don't believe the government should create laws based off religious views. If we allow the government to create laws based off of certain religious views, then we open them up to create more laws on different religious views and at some point they'll get around to coming after us all. But I digress....
After moving to Portland, I kept in touch with Jennifer and she was busy with building Main Line Ink. They were opening to their own tattoo shop here in Chattanooga. I was scheduled to come back to Chattanooga for two weeks to shoot a wedding for a friend and while I was back they had asked me to do an art show at the grand opening of Main Line Ink. I was beyond thrilled.
I've always enjoyed doing work that makes people think. Work that might make some uncomfortable. I was browsing magazines at a bookstore in Portland and I flipped the page and I saw a photograph of Angelina Jolie. She had a big red X on her lips. Immediately an idea popped in my head and I knew I wanted to do the photograph with Edge.
When I got back to Chattanooga, I was scheduled to do a big photoshoot for promos for Main Line Ink, and after the crowd had died down that evening, hairstylist Shae Luke came in and did Edge's hair/makeup. The shot turned out perfectly. We waited to do the big reveal of the photo until the art show at the grand opening.
The response to the photo was insane. I was shocked and then more and more people were sending messages to us about it. People wanted to be photographed for it. More people than I could ever think of creative ideas for wanted to be part of the series. They wanted to show their support for equality. It's one of the photos that I feel was way bigger than me or even Jennifer. It sparked something that resonated with people and made them feel something. That's one of the best feelings in the world to be able to have contributed to something that makes people think and feel.
Raw No Makeup/No Photoshop with Brittney Berlin
Raw No Makeup/No Photoshop set with Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
Raw Shoot with Brittney
Back in 2015 I decided to do a few raw, unedited shoots because I really love the message that it conveys. How you are beautiful as you are instead of you're beautiful because someone with photoshop skills. A lot of people really loved the images that came from those sessions. Some did the shoot sans makeup, others wanted to still wear their makeup. I've been wanting to do some more raw shoots because honestly, I want to do more work that actually makes a statement and isn't just "cool" to look at. I recently got to do a no makeup/no photoshop session with Brittney who is a model and hair/makeup artist here in Chattanooga. Because the whole "no photoshop" thing means different things to different people, the only thing done to these images was putting them into b&w. I also want you to read what Brittney had to say about her session as you check out these images... Read below.
Raw Photoshoot - No Makeup/No Photoshop - Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
" A few years ago if you asked me to do a photoshoot without make up, my hair unfixed, and the photos would be untouched meaning not at all edited I would have refused. In fact I wouldn't have even let anyone see me like that! I was very caught up in what society views as beautiful and I was trying to obtain that standard."
RAW - No Makeup/No Photoshop - Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
" I'm not going to lie, going into the photoshoot I was nervous. It's something I had never done before but I was still excited. I was having a lot of fun with the photoshoot but as soon as Ricky showed me the camera screen for a sneak peek of what it was looking like a huge smile came across my face and a feeling that sparked inside I can't really explain but I immediately got pumped! It was so empowering. Here I was with my hair a mess and no make up on to hide behind and I loved it! "
Multi-Exposure - Raw No Makeup/No Photoshop Shoot - Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
" It boosted my confidence even more which I didn't expect to happen. I left the shoot feeling so good about myself and what I accomplished. Being able to look back at where I was and how I felt about my self then to now holding the confidence and love for myself and being comfortable doing something like this it a pretty remarkable feeling. " Brittney
RAW No Makeup/No Photoshop Session with Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
RAW No Makeup/No Photoshop Session with Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
RAW No Makeup/No Photoshop Session with Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
RAW No Makeup/No Photoshop Session with Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography
A Different Path I Walk....
A Different Path I Walk....
I saw this photo this morning and the profoundness of it's words really resonated with me and a lot of thoughts that I've had for awhile, but have never really attempted to put into into words. I felt duly impressed this morning to sit down at the keyboard and try to bang a few letters and see what becomes of them.
The first place that my mind drifted to when I saw this was towards religion. I think a lot of us probably had the same thought pattern on seeing it. Over the years I've had struggles with religion because on one hand in trying to build a relationship with the Creator and on the other you hear the voice of religion an it's not always the same. Religion is about control. The Creator is about a relationship. So many of us have been hurt because in religion it becomes about putting the Creator into a box of our own understanding. In Christianity alone, you have numerous denominations that read the Bible and fight over which one reads it correctly. Inside those denominations, you have a multitude of churches and some of them read it differently and have varied church experiences and put others down for not being as conservative or as liberal as their own. Inside church families, individuals read the Bible and see things differently on a personal level, and judge those that don't see things exactly as they do.
You can't put the Creator into a box! He is a mystery. The whole point is He reveals Himself differently to each of us according to our own understanding. We have to realize that and understand that because someone doesn't see things exactly as we do, doesn't mean they are lost or are wrong.
Beyond religion or Spirituality, each of us is on our path in various professions and interests. Just because others do things differently doesn't mean we are wrong or they are wrong. We're all made to be unique and diverse and we need to celebrate and encourage that. Our society has become so full of hate and negativity, we've each got to re-evaluate our own mindsets and become the change we would like to see, with the understanding that others may see things differently.
Myself, I love what I do as a photographer, but one of the most important things to me is I want to do more work that means something. I enjoy doing series and portraits that just have something to say. I enjoy my other work and will continue to do it, but I hope to bring you a lot more in the way of sharing photos and stories that I think are important to tell. I plan on getting back to writing a lot more (which is actually why I began photography in the first place back in 2009) and sharing a lot more on my blog that's not just photo related. I hope you'll be interested in seeing what this thing becomes. I hope that you'll think about what path you're on and try to have a respect for others in their journeys as well. The same respect you'd like shown to you from others who have a different path and could be looking sideways at you.
Native American Portrait Series - Holly & Jeff
Native American Portrait Series - Holly & Jeff - TRD Photography - Film
Native American Portrait Series - Holly & Jeff
It's been longer than I would have liked in this series. I met up with Holly & Jeff to do a portrait session and interview to share their stories. I want to thank Lorie Reedy for putting Holly and I in touch for this project. I'm blessed to have gotten to meet them and become friends with them. I hope that you enjoy their story and it gives a further understanding into the stories, hardships, and culture of our indigenous people here in the states. Not much is cut and dry and each person has a story.
Holly Lynn - Native American Portrait Series - TRD Photography
Me - Holly, you have an interesting story. Up until a couple years ago, you knew very little about your heritage. Would you care to share a little about what led up to your discovery a couple years ago?
Holly - Sure, yeah! My mom told me all the time when I was little that we were native, but that our nation had almost completely died out and that we were some of the last of the tribe. I grew up surrounded by Native art and certain customs that my mom picked up from her grandma. That was all I had to work with.
A couple of years ago, Jeff took me to the Chattanooga powwow because I'd never been. And I saw the arena director(who turned out to be Lorie's husband, Jimmy!) had on a medallion with the seal of my nation on it! So I caught him and talked to him, told him my story. He probably thought I was nuts, considering that we're the fourth largest tribe in the US. I started researching, learning everything I could about my own family. I come from two chiefs, a judge, and several councilmen. And I had no idea until a couple of years ago. I'm still learning, I'm working on the language, customs, etiquette.. There's a lot to work through.
Me - That's really an amazing story and just a huge blessing that you ran into someone at the powwow that was able to give you that place to jump into and discover more about your tribe and into your families heritage as well. Being raised the way you were, with thinking that most of your tribe had died out and having some customs and art in your house growing up, but in our conversation you told me you were raised more "white" right? Yet you're learning as much as you can now, what has that been like?
Holly - I was definitely very lucky, especially to have met someone so welcoming.
When I was growing up, my father was a tyrant. He is extremely racist, he mocks other races and culture mercilessly. I think growing up seeing his antics made me very conscious of what I'd been deprived of, which was basically my entire identity and knowing about my nation. I was definitely raised white and I resent it deeply.
Learning everything later in life sucks. It's hard. It's so easy to misstep and offend someone just by being ignorant of some obscure rule. You get laughed at, you aren't seen as native, you're basically an outcast to most of the tribe. But I think there's an upside in that you can't take who you are for granted. There's too much time and effort and heart put into discovering who you are and what the community means to you. People raised right don't have this bizarre and meaningful journey they had to take to find their folks. I'm glad I have that.
Me - The journey definitely has it's own merits and really brings about a different admiration and respect of the things you learn. Being raised "white" but learning our cultures later in life, we've seen things the other way and I think we appreciate what we're learning and makes us treasure it more.
You and I talked a little bit about this at our shoot. I shared how I've been super nervous about talking about my heritage because I don't know specific details because of the things in the census and how I've not wanted to be seen as "that white guy", with you really connecting with your people later in life, how did you go about connecting with them in a respectful way. I know meeting Jimmy at the powwow, but I'm sure you were just wanting to learn and digest all that you could as fast as you could. I know that you have to slow down and not get in a hurry as well because you want to show that your truly care and are respectful. How did you balance that?
Holly - One of the big things I've learned and am still learning is that sometimes you have to just wait to be taught. I may have a million questions but there are only certain ones that are appropriate and there are only certain people I'm able to ask. Ricky, I can't tell you just how blessed I am that my mentor is also one of my closest friends. That makes a huge difference. She knows my heart, my motives, and how obnoxiously curious I am about EVERYTHING. Getting to know her before I started asking the sensitive questions was a big reason I'm where I'm at in my learning. You've got to have a teacher that understands how precious you consider the traditions and language and religion to be.
Having said that, I have definitely asked the wrong person the wrong thing at the wrong time and been just absolutely humiliated. It's just one of those things that happens and will continue to happen for probably the rest of my life. Haha.
Me - I definitely think patience is the key. Similar to you, someone I consider to be my mentor has become probably my closest friend. Learning that time and patience is key is something he's being working to teach me. Anything worth something takes time to achieve. What is something that you have learned so far that has surprised you?
Holly - My biggest surprise was how alive our culture and religion still is. We have our superstitions and myths that are still told to children in the Mvskoke language, we have our traditional clothes. Our religion is thriving, I've still got a long way to go there. Having come from knowing nothing to where I am now, the biggest shock to me was the superstition surrounding owls. They're shape shifters, bad omens.. I love owls and it made me sad to learn this.
Me - Wow, That must be tough for one of your favorite animals to end up being a bad omen. I've learned a few things in regards to my culture that have been a surprise as well. That is wonderful that you're learning and being open to a different belief system, religion wise. A lot of people are raised that THIS is the only way to believe, that when you get shown a different way, it's hard to be open to a new way of believing, a new way of looking at things. Were you raised with a different set of beliefs? If so, how have you worked with learning the Mvskoke religion with what you were raised?
Holly - My father was a tyrant, he forced us to go to a Pentecostal church of god when I was little. I can remember being terrified of the pastor because he was always shouting, people passed out and spoke in tongues.. I had a constant fear of going to hell. It was miserable. The Mvskoke religion is still very new to me, I love going to stomp dances and I feel powerful and humbled all at one time when I'm with my people.
I just shed Christianity last year. It wasn't a gradual thing, either, it was like I woke up one morning and just did not believe in Christianity.
Me - Man, I can really relate to what you're saying. I was raised in a Christian church, and a very strict family. It wasn't like a tyrant type thing for me. Church wasn't something I was terrified of, for me personally I just saw a lot of hypocritical things. I spent a lot of my time in the woods and I was just always at peace with God until I quit spending so much time in the woods. When church became my only connection to God, i struggled tremendously. I would either be extremely religious or a screw it all mentality. I never could connect until this past fall after I met Wes and he recommended Russell Mean's book and it reminded me of a lot of the beliefs I had on my own as a kid
Holly Lynn - Native American Portrait Series - TRD Photography
Jeff Johnson - Native American Portrait Series - TRD Photography
Me - Jeff, in talking I was really impacted by your story. You are part of the Iroquois Nation. What tribe do you belong to again?
Jeff- I am Onondaga, we are the "Keepers of the Fire" for the Iroquois confederacy. The Onondaga nation is located in central New York State.
A little background on the Iroquois and the Onondaga. The Iroquois (we traditionally call ourselves Haudenosaunee) is a confederacy because it is composed of 6 (originally 5) separate tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations, later the Tuscarora. The Onondaga are called the Keepers of the Flame because we are the center, both geographically and traditionally the seat of government.
Me - You were raised on the reservation when you were young, how old were you when you left? Why did your family leave the reservation?
Jeff - I was 5 when my family moved off the reservation. The reason was a personal choice that my mom and dad made for the family. We moved to the town that butted up against the reservation, Akron, NY, and lived there till we moved here to TN when I was 13. What do you remember most about growing up on the reservation? We visited my grandmother and other relatives regularly and it was always fun to visit. From my early years living there, my most vivid memory is living in a trailer with no running water, so we got water from a communal well and had to use the outhouse in all kinds of weather. When the weather was too extreme, we had a 5 gallon bucket that we could use haha.
Me - How did leaving the nation, in part to spirituality, impact you growing up? I know you mentioned that you and your siblings took longer to convert to Christianity, why do you think that was?
Jeff - When I was born, my mom was practicing our native religion centered around the Longhouse. My dad is white and from a very large family. One of my dad’s brother-in-laws, uncle Randy, was a trucker and preacher and spent my early years trying to convert the family to Christianity. When I was 7, I believe, my parents converted and we started attending a small Baptist church in Akron and a few years later I “became saved”. I was raised in a Christian home and never really revisited the Onondaga religion. I have very few memories of the Longhouse and the ceremonies that I went to as a very young child. Your story has been pretty unique from the people I've talked to so far.
Me - How do you process having lived two different cultures, and what are your goals going forward? What do you envision your calling to be among the people?
Jeff - As I mentioned earlier, I was born into the native culture and raised a Christian. I always knew I was native but didn’t try to reconnect with the culture because Christianity isn’t really compatible with my culture. So many Onondaga traditions have religious connections and I struggled to keep Christianity prominent. Recently my grandmother and great aunt died during a personal spiritual re-evaluation and I felt the native disconnect strongly with their passing. They were the matriarchs of my native family and their passing left a void in me. So now I rely on my mom to help where she can. I have also been going to Powwows and connecting with that culture. I really would like to start learning our language. My grandmother spoke it and now that she is passed, I want to carry some of her legacy on thru the language. The language is taught in schools on the reservations but being here in the south and having no speakers to talk with and learn from, it will be a challenge.
Me - How difficult has it been to reconnect with your people and culture?
Jeff - My mom is living in Chicago and most of my native family is still in NY and none are here in TN so I am a bit on my own down here. Ceremonies are performed on the reservation in NY where the longhouse is located. It has been difficult to say the least. Whenever mom visits, I try to pick her brain. She is on her own journey to reconnect and has been a major influence in my journey.
Me - That's powerful man! I find it encouraging that you're working towards re-connecting as you can and seeing that your mom is as well. I recently talked to another mother who faced a lot of racism and worked to hide her heritage and she's working to re-connect in large part because of her son. It's inspiring. There has been a firestorm of news on the Native front, with the DAPL and Standing Rock. We've seen horrific acts of brutality and racism, that I personally didn't realize we were still capable of. When we talked, you mentioned that you had experiences in NY off the reservation. What were some of your experiences?
Jeff - The south has a very different view of natives than where I grew up. Off the rez, natives could be treated like any other minority, with distrust and sometimes outright malice. Being half white and half native, I never really fit into either world. My relatives accepted me as I am, but the rest of the world only saw me as part of the half they were not. I had a hard time making friends kept my circle small. Even around here, many people love to claim native heritage but don’t have any idea what it means to live native, the good and the difficult parts.
Me - With the DAPL, what are your thoughts on the fight both their in North Dakota at Standing Rock, as well as the new fights sprouting up around the country at various other pipelines where companies are violating reservation lands, and just the Earth in general?
Jeff - It’s amazing to see such a huge gathering of nations coming together in a show of solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux. It has now spread to other areas like the Sabal Trail pipeline in Florida and other places. I think that it has opened a dialog of tribal rights, sovereignty, and empowerment across all tribes and native people. It may very well prove to be a turning point for those of us that the United States has tried so hard to forget about. The horrific treatment of the people that were already here when the Europeans arrived, the genocidal policies that the government put into place and the continued malicious indifference of the United States government are things that have been swept under the rug for far too long. My hope is that the nations are able to find the voice that lets the world know that we will not be forgotten nor ignored when it comes to treaties and ancestral/ceremonial lands long broken and forgotten by the U.S. I’d like to think that protecting the only earth that we have to live on is a duty of all humanity but we know that the almighty dollar continues to set policies and that must be changed. It’s 2017 and we still have policy makers who deny the science of global warming.
Jeff Johnson - Native American Portrait Series - TRD Photography
Me - I've been really inspired seeing you and Holly's posts and taking part in events in our area in an effort to raise awareness and make a difference in our area to protect the earth. For people just now seeing things for the first time, having their eyes opened to our government's policies towards the indigenous people of this country, what can they do to make a difference?
Jeff - I think one of the best ways to make a difference, is to learn all you can about your culture. Be ready to counter the misinformation, ignorance and outright lies that people will bring up when they find out you're native. Get involved with the native community where you can. Connect with others and you'll probably find someone who has gone thru or is going thru the struggles you face.
Holly - The people just now coming in on this battle should probably do some extensive research on what has happened so far and what is going on today. They are drilling illegally and continue to push against the environmental studies being done at Standing Rock. For everyone that can't up and head for the frontlines, donate to one of the several gofundme accounts set up by and on behalf of the camps and the people battling legal issues. I imagine that the priority right now would be the legal fund, but I may be wrong. And I've read and heard that they beg people not to send any more clothes, that they are inundated with clothes at Standing Rock.
If you want to make a difference in your local community, attend native-run events and find ways to interact respectfully. Don't try to act or dress "native", just be yourself and go talk to folks. There is always something to be learned from good conversation.
Me - We found out last night that President Obama will not grant Leonard Peltier a Presidential pardon. What are your thoughts on that? President Obama has had a lot of policies and promises made to our native people, including those at Standing Rock. What kind of job do you think he ultimately did towards the indigenous people?
Holly - I have really mixed feelings towards Obama. I think he did wonderful things, I love the ACA and the possibilities beyond it. But he made promises to support native folks in their battles against corporate greed that he just completely disregarded until veterans showed up at Standing Rock. That really got my goat, we needed his help and he failed TERRIFICALLY.
As far as Mr. Peltier.. I'm going to be candid and say that I see his case as a lost cause. That would mean a huge admission of wrongdoing by the United States that they aren't going to give. They offer no explanation and no apology for what they've done to him. It's a violation of his rights, both as a citizen of the US and as a human being.
Jeff - I agree with Holly, I too have mixed feelings about Obama. He could have been such a huge advocate for natives, especially after the promises made at Standing Rock. But in the end it was just lip service. He made great strides to bring equality and worked at leveling the playing field, but really dropped the ball in the 4th quarter for natives.
Mr. Peltier will need a miracle to reverse the gross injustice done to him. He has everyone from Popes, Nelson Mandela, and international human rights organizations on his side and it has not swayed the US. I think that Obama was his best chance and that too has been denied.
Me - I appreciate you guys so much for doing this. It's been such a pleasure getting to know you guys and hopefully people will read your words and maybe see some things differently.
Holly & Jeff - Native American Portrait Series - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Jolee - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Jolee - TRD Photography
Beauty Redefined Series - Jolee - TRD Photography
"I have always had a solid definition of beauty: everyone is beautiful. It's simple, and it gave me an outlook on life, that enabled me to see every person, with the same eyes: To not judge someone by their skin color, their clothing choices; or by their scars. There is beauty everywhere.
It wasn't until recently that I realized, I was not applying this logic to myself.
If I could see the beauty in every one and every thing around me, why would I not allow myself to see it in me?
I began to listen to those who love me, for who I am. Through this; I learned to love my self, and my body. Every scar, every dimple, every imperfection. I have learned to see my own beauty."
Jolee
Holiday Weekend Sale - 30% off Prints
Downtown Chattanooga - Nov 2016 - Smoke from the Wildfires covering the city in haze.
Huge Holiday Weekend Print Sale
www.etsy.com/shop/therickydavisgallery
Instead of a one day sale for Black Friday, or Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday...I've made a four day sale for 30% off some of my prints. You'll find an array of different landscape, travel, and film photography that I've done. If you have favorites that aren't listed, feel free to message me and I'll take care of you.
I also want to thank all of you that have supported my work over the years. Your kind words and encouragement means the world. Sometimes it can get difficult being a local artist, but your support really makes a huge difference.
This weekend, checkout other local businesses and support local. They are people that actually care and appreciate your support.
Native American Portraits - The Series - Interview with Wes Collins
Native American Portraits - The Series - Wes Collins - Photographer - Ricky Davis
Native American Portraits - The Series
Intro
This is the first post in a brand new series that I'm working on. Before I share with you my interview with Wes, I wanted to share a little about the inspiration behind this series. Native American history has been an extremely important part of my life since I was a little kid. Before I even started reading, the books I picked out at the library to be read to me were American Indian history. When I first started learning to read, that's all I checked out. Fast forward to 2009 and my opportunity to do photography. Ever since I began photographing, I always knew at some point I wanted to be able to photograph Native Americans, much like Edward Curtis. I had no idea how I would be able to achieve it, but I wanted to photograph and share their stories. Much about what we have been "taught" to believe about Indians has been pop culture like old John Wayne movies, or just out and out lies and myths to discredit their culture. To me personally, my mission is to share with you some amazing people, and share their stories and thoughts of what makes them who they are and hopefully show you that we are all human beings. It's time to come together.
Ricky
Native American Portraits - The Series - Wes Collins - Photographer - Ricky Davis
Interview with Wes Collins
I met Wes because I recently attended a Pow Wow at Red Clay State Park. I went to the Pow Wow because I had missed it the last few years and I knew I wanted to get back. Since I attended my first Pow Wow back around 2005/2006, they have always been a really special thing to me when I've gotten to go. When I first started taking photos, I took some at a Pow Wow and honestly, they sucked. It was being laid heavy on my heart that I needed to reach out about my desire to do a portrait series, that it was time. I went to the Pow Wow and took some photos on film of the dancers in the Circle. Outside of the Circle, I had hoped to talk to some people about maybe letting me take a portrait, but everyone was always talking to someone and I didn't want to interrupt. After I shared some of the photos from the Circle, I was honored to hear from some of the dancers that I had photographed. I've been honored to get to know Wes a little bit, and I hope you enjoy his interview and that it opens some eyes.
Native American Portraits - The Series - Wes Collins - Photographer - Ricky Davis
Ricky - What kind of experiences did you have growing up in the South as a Native American?
Wes - I was raised in the rural area of the county with my grandparents, we didn’t have much and a lot of what we had was grown or made by my grandparents. My grandfather always made sure I knew how to hunt and live off the land as much as possible. He didn’t boast his native heritage and wouldn’t mention much about it, I only knew it as country living. While other kids in my school were going on vacations and spending summers in other states or areas, I spent my summers in the woods hunting. As I got older I really started noticing a difference. The other kids would tell the teacher what they had eaten for breakfast and when I mentioned that I had eaten squirrel dumplings that morning, I was taunted and made fun of. I remember one day I wore a bird skull necklace to school that I had made over the weekend. I had found the skull while hunting in the woods. I took it home where I bleached and cleaned it and I felt I was honoring the bird by wearing it. I was very proud to display it around my neck but still kept it under my shirt as not to upset some of the kids. When my teacher saw it, she got very upset and tried to claim that I was practicing witchcraft, I was very upset and embarrassed to say the least. She tried to have me suspended so my mother had to come up and talk to them. Where I was raised our families homes were all in one area, so at an early age I would go through the woods, with hunting rifle in hand, visiting all my relatives. This is how I spent my days. People would talk and act like I wasn’t being taken care of but it is basically like the adage “it takes a village to raise a child” all of my family took care of us. I may have been poor, but I never felt that way. Money had no value to us. Being close to nature and close to the Creator was of the utmost importance. I was not raised to be well educated, most families put an emphasis on school and I was raised differently. We were raised to stay close to nature and be more spiritual in life. We are an oral society so reading and writing isn’t our priority. My wife, Lisa, is even helping me to get across and interpret what I want to say. I do however encourage my children to continue their education but also try to develop their spiritual side so that my spirit will carry on through them, even though they are multi-cultural.
Ricky - What have been some of the misconceptions of Native Americans that you have experienced?
Wes - There are many misconceptions about Native Americans. Some people believe that we live off the government or receive benefits or special privileges . Some believe we are alcoholics or are lazy. Some believe that we are less than or inferior to other races. I believe in part because of us staying close to nature and not trying to be more educated or caring about money as others do. But this is not always the case either, we are all humans and we all are different in how we choose to live. We celebrate our culture but are not limited by it. Some of us choose to study and stay close to our heritage. Others choose to explore beyond that and branch out in different areas. I believe that we are very misunderstood in our beliefs and our spirituality just like any other culture.
Ricky - What are some of the difficulties of being Native in America?
Wes - Seeing people hurt because of misconceptions of our culture or belief system. Experiencing racism and hatred. Being passed over for promotions or discriminated against because you are considered less than.
Ricky - What are your thoughts on the DAPL?
Wes - Water is life and this is very important. I have actually started writing a poem about this.
I stand to fight with my war cry
My people have fought way too long to just survive
You try to wipe us from the face of the Earth
You people tell us the Crawling Darkness will tell us no lies
But it brings about only death and destruction
in its path It corrupts even our own
Take a look around Our Mother Earth is dying
Her blood is on our hands if we do not stand
The Hawk sent a vision to me
Showing me the Crawling Darkness beneath it
Starving hope from us
To the others lost in the wonders
Erasing us from their heads
Do you even know us
We are free but will we be free from you
Will you see me now
When the Crawling Darkness comes for your land
It will swallow you up and spit you out
The government with forked tongues
They ride their greed and lies
They have children with no minds
Spitting poison into our eyes
The cowards carry lightning in their hands
They thrust it into our souls but we still fight
To the end we still fight
Ricky - In your thoughts, what are some things that need to be done in our country to respect our earth more?
Wes - We need to rid our hearts of greed. There needs to be stricter sanctions on corporations that don’t take the proper steps to take care of our planet. We ourselves need to be ambassadors to the earth, and clean up our lakes and rivers. We need to stop acting like self-involved children and clean up after ourselves, appreciate nature and participate in more outdoor activities. When you enjoy nature you develop a love for it and want to do everything you can to take care of it.
Native American Portraits - The Series - Wes Collins - Photographer - Ricky Davis
Ricky - What's one truth about who Natives are that you'd like people to know?
Wes - Most are very spiritual and close to the creator and nature. They are kind hearted and always willing to help others.
Ricky - You dance at Pow Wows, and you and I have discussed this a little, can you describe what dancing at a Pow Wow means to you personally?
Wes - It is my way to connect with the creator. To feel the spirit within the circle as all of my brothers and sisters come together making us one heartbeat, this is how we connect. I dance differently at different pow wows, it all depends on how I am being led by the spirit. When I dance I go to a whole different level of being, like I am having an out of body experience. It is a very powerful experience.
Ricky - What's one thing you'd like people that go to Pow Wow's to know about them?
Wes - That it is a gathering for fellowship. When we have the intertribal dances that the spectators should participate so that they might experience the spirit as we do and feel the connection. Most feel embarrassed and are worried how they look in the circle but they need to move past that and open their minds so that they will be able to feel the spirit move through them.
Ricky - What's been your most rewarding experience at a Pow Wow?
Wes - Seeing others moved by the way I dance in the circle. Many have told me that they can feel my spirit and they have even had tears in their eyes from the way I dance, and that they had felt something that they had never felt before.
Ricky - One thing I personally have been curious about. At Pow Wow's, military veterans are honored in the entrance ceremony and many Natives have served our country. Where does that patriotism come from to a country that has done so much to Native's in history and even still today?
Wes - We celebrate the Veterans because they have sacrificed as many of our ancestors have, to fight for a country that we believe one day might be worthy of their service. Whether or not they believe in what the government stands for, this is their home and regardless of those in power the land belongs to the people.
Ricky - Are there any final thoughts that you'd like to leave our readers with?
Wes - We should all take a look at ourselves. We are all human beings and we need to take care of mother earth not only for ourselves but also for our children and our grandchildren. We need to think with our own minds instead of being led like sheep, always questioning authority and demanding to know why things are being done. Stand up for what you believe to be right, even if it goes against the popular decision.
The next excerpt is about me and is written as I like to do with a secret message within a message.
Now you have read me, but do you know me now.
Do I look broken to you or can you show me how to mend the pieces?
I look into the mirror and do I see a savage?
Do I see a beast or a monster inside of me?
All I want is to be set free.
Why am I nothing to you?
Why can you not see my pain?
When I walk amongst the stars will I not see you on the other side?
I am trying to save you and all you can do is deny,
while the crawling darkness lays dormant within.
Can we heal you from the inside or will you become a mindless slave of soulless bondage?
Life begins and ends with the hunter.
The lives he takes; he takes one by one.
The hunter then stands and gives thanks for the spirit he has taken.
Wanting the soul to be remembered for all eternity. The hunter feeds all.
Hoka Hey
Wes
Native American Portraits - The Series - Wes Collins - Photographer - Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series Post #5 - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #5 - Andrew - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #5
"I am transgender, my scars still tell people that. No one knows that when they see me or meet me, some even after talking to me still have no idea that I was born female. I'm like every other man on a three dollar bill, a masculine queer mess. I'm twenty five years old, I have been transitioning for six years, been on hormones for five years and had top surgery the summer of 2014. I was part of the last generation of Trans individuals who had to adhere to guidelines on our transition, instead of just informed consent for treatment.
I was my high school prom queen, I had good grades, great friends and amazing family. Two weeks after graduation I left though, moved to Orlando Florida and shaved my head bald. I started binding my chest in all the wrong ways, I was constantly making myself sick from the compression on my chest. I attempted suicide in 2010, wrecking my car and making a decision to come out to myself and my family. Fast forward a few years and I had started transitioning, dropped out of school in Orlando, left my boyfriend and moved back home. I worked constantly and saved up about half of the money for my surgery. I was declined insurance coverage for my "cosmetic" surgery after paying out two hundred and fifty bucks a month on insurance I was told, "covered that process". I paid out of pocket for everything, and quit that job. Now I sit pretty on my throne with my fiancé, two dogs, two cats, and my tarantula.
My goal is to be a man that uses his privilege for something more then false security, I want my privilege to help break inequality. My best belief that I practice is, never stop falling in love with strangers, otherwise you will never learn anything new." Andrew
Stay tuned next week for the next in the Beauty Redefined Series.
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #4 - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #4 - Brian Baldwin - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #4 - Brian
"Beauty is....complicated. It's tattoos, piercings, cracks, and scars. It's being nice to your fellow humans and treating people like you want to be treated. It's everything that makes you a better person. Beauty comes from the inside and outside.
We say we want a perfect girl but everyday we prove with our actions that, that isn't true. We want a girl who is crazy enough to be fun and interesting but not crazy enough to get us arrested. We want someone who will be better and make us better because we were together." Brian
Hope you enjoyed reading this week's post from my Beauty Redefined Series. Stay tuned for next week!
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #3 - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Anonymous - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #3 - Anonymous
" So I'm fighting cancer. Which in and of itself isn't a big deal. It is what it is. But it takes over your body and changes it, inside and out. Things change that you never expected to change. You lose internal organs (for me, a radical hysterectomy). You pump poison into it to try and save you. You lose things that define you, like your long red curly hair. Your shape changes; sometimes you gain weight, sometimes you lose it. You bruise. A LOT. You look tired even when you're not; but lets face it.... you are. It feels violating to have your body betray you and what you felt as your femininity being taken away. I've had people yank off my hats; call me fat and ugly...and I've also had the reverse happen. I've been extremely private about my cancer; it's not public knowledge. But beauty; beauty is inside. But sometimes you need to feel it on the outside too, and our society is harsh about what it considers beautiful. I'm bruised, I'm chubby, I'm bald...but I'm still beautiful."
Anonymous
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #2 - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Claire & Marty - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #2
"The beauty I see is the devotion I have for caring for a spouse who can't take care of himself any longer. In a world with instant gratification and throw away marriages, I believe there must be beauty in faithfulness...." Claire
We hope you enjoyed this week's Beauty Redefined Series post. Stay tuned for the next one next Friday.
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #1 - Photographer Ricky Davis
Beauty Redefined Series - Photo - Ricky Davis - Cera O'Dell
Beauty Redefined Series - Post #1
"I started self-harming at twelve years old. There was never really a wish to die, just to find a way to distract from the sadness and anger. I came from a very controlling, strict, religious household and sometimes the only thing I felt in control of was how many cuts I made on my arm that day. It became a way for me to deal with depression and anxiety into adulthood. I used to be really self-conscience of the scars on my arms, but now they don’t bother me as much. I thought about tattooing over them then I realized I don’t want to cover them up. They constantly remind me that I was strong enough to overcome a really dark period in my life. All of us have scars from making it through rough times. Mine are just visible. " Cera
This is a blog that I've been anxiously awaiting to share for the last few months. Earlier this year, I decided to revisit a series idea that I had several years ago. The first "Beauty Redefined" idea involved b&w portraits and quotes about beauty from those I photographed.
The new series focuses around studio portraits done on black and white film photography and discussing not only beauty in the typical sense of the word, but how different people view it, and how culture shapes our views as well. I wanted to share stories from people who have had different life experiences, and share a variety of views. The series debuted recently at the Nashville RAW Artists Verve Showcase and I'm in discussion for another show in the Spring because this is going to be an ongoing showcase.
Ryan Oyer Band - So Far, So Good - Coming Soon.
Ryan Oyer Band - So Far So Good - TRD Photography
Ryan Oyer Band - So Far, So Good - September 23 2016
Earlier this year I got a message from Ryan discussing his band's new EP coming out this fall. We were discussing album art and I asked about shooting it solely on 35mm film. Ryan thought it was a great idea and informed me that they actually recorded the album on analog as opposed to digitally.
We got together in Chattanooga down at the Tremont Tavern and we shot the album art using Kodak Tri X film and a taped together Canon Ti camera (I've since upgraded)
The album is slated for release on September 23rd this year and there's a big release show planned at the Granfalloon here in Chattanooga. Tickets can be grabbed here . http://www.granfalloonchattanooga.com/calendar-of-events/2016/9/23/ryan-oyer-band-cd-release-party
Be sure to check them out and support! Ryan's a great musician and the cd is SICK.
Check out Ryan at www.ryanoyer.com
Here's a few more shots from the shoot.
Ryan Oyer Band - TRD Photography
Ryan Oyer Band - TRD Photography
Ryan Oyer Band - TRD Photography
Ryan Oyer Band - TRD Photography
Nashville RAW Artists Gallery Show - TRD Photography
TRD Photography - Nashville RAW Artists - Verve September 27th 2016
Nashville RAW Artists - Gallery Show September 27th 2016
Last week I was asked to show at the Verve Show at the Nashville RAW Artists show in Nashville, TN on September 27th. I'm really stoked about this event. I've got some big plans for what I'll be showing. I'll be debuting my series, Beauty Redefined.
I would love to have as many supporters come out and see this series along with all the other amazing artists at this event. With RAW shows, we must sell 20 tickets for the show to cover a portion of the venue's expenses. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door.
To help support my part of the show, click the flyer above and click Buy Tickets. Choose TRD Photography as the artist you'd like to support and your ticket purchase will count towards my 20 tickets. I appreciate it so much! It'll be the first chance to get to take a look at this series.
Much Love,
Ricky
Moll Mag South Africa Interview with TRD Photography
TRD Photography - Moll Mag South Africa
Moll Mag South Africa - TRD Photography Interview
Recently I did an interview for Moll Mag South Africa. It was one of the most fun interviews I've ever gotten to do. Be sure to check it out. Click the photo and go read it. :)
Ricky
Minolta XG1 Find and Test.....
TRD Photography - Film - self portrait
Minolta XG1 Find and Test Roll
So last summer when I first started to learn to work with film, I had picked up a Minolta XG1 off of ebay. It came in, in horrible condition and literally fell apart after three rolls of film. The sad thing was, the photos I took with it were really awesome. So I've had an eye out for one at a decent price ever since. Last week I found one at a local yard sale for twenty bucks. It appeared to be in great condition, so I picked it up. So far I've tested one roll of film so far over several modeling sets.
Minolta XG 1 - Kodak Tri X - Tattoo Artist - Jennifer Edge - Main Line Ink - TRD Photography
The first tests were with my pal, Jennifer Edge. She's a tattoo artist at Main Line Ink in Chattanooga. I had a portrait session lined up with Jennifer but we threw in a few fun shots on the XG1. With my style of work, I like to have a good time with it. Jennifer gets my irreverent side. ;) As far as the camera, it's been awhile since I've worked with a manual focusing camera and several of her shots came out really blurry. Kind of the consequences when you have bad eye sight.
Model - Josey McGill - Minolta XG1 - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography
This second lady is Josey. I was attending a shootout this past weekend with the plan of trying out the Minolta as well as a new (to me) Canon EOS 1N. My first shoot of the day had been rescheduled but I wanted to make sure my new gear was in working order, so Josey came early and let me try it out on her. Again, in the studio lighting, the XG1 was a little soft of focus, but that very well could be nailing down my settings. Josey's set did turn out abit more crisp as I'd had time to get back in the groove a little bit.
Minolta XG1 - Kodak Tri X - Model Avery Blansit - TRD Photography
This third lady is model Avery Blansit. We took this photo at the shootout on Sunday with natural lighting. The Minolta was considerable crisper with the natural lighting, which again, is probably just brushing up on my settings and getting the hang of it again.
I'm super stoked with the camera and I'm excited to continue to adjust to it. I couldn't be happier with the photos I've gotten from it so far. Not too shabby for a yard sale find.
16 Things I Learned on Vacation....
Sunset on the way to the top of Clingman's Dome. Travel Photography - TRD Photography
16 Things I Learned on Vacation...
1. Waiting to try to make it up Clingman's Dome to photograph the sunset until twenty minutes or so before is a bad idea....especially if you're out of shape.
2. Hiking in the heat of the day in 90+ degree weather plus ridiculous humidity, not a great idea...especially if you're out of shape.
3. I'm out of shape...but not as much as I was when I started vacation. :)
4. No matter how much you plan on catching up on some reading, you never get quite the amount done that you really wanted.
5. Having a cabin outside of cell phone coverage is a blessing...
6. 90+ degree weather and a hot tub....it still works.
7. Ratty A/C in the cabin, a bit annoying.
8. I am most assuredly not a morning person. As much as I planned on getting up at 6 am at the latest every morning to go out and shoot landscapes...it happened one day.
9. Sometimes no matter how much talent you have, or how you've perfected your craft, if you stay in your bubble, you're just going to be a blip on the radar of this thing called life.
10. I don't want to be a blip, I want to be an earthquake and shake things up a bit.
11. I have awesome friends that will come and hang out, even when they are bruised and burnt. :)
12. I wish I'd had more time to grill.
13. Elk love to eat dead leaves...
14. I'm not a fan of trying to take photos while my glasses keep fogging up due to humidity.
15. People don't like to email your assistant to get answers rather than continuing to ask you questions via Facebook when you tell them to email because you're out of town.
16. Sometimes you need to slow down and enjoy life and family a bit more.