These are portraits of friends and strangers I met while living and traveling in Africa. Most of my subjects were very camera-shy, unless they happened to be dressed for a festival or had just had their hair done.

I was still learning how to photograph during these years. Sometimes I concealed my camera to take shots of large, crowded spaces, but I’ve since changed. I no longer photograph without permission, simply because taking a photograph is a give and take process. If no one is giving me their attention, there’s probably not a great picture there. A subject who is engaged and willing to interact is going to give me something very authentic to photograph. I try to approach my subjects gently, and allow them to touch and hold my camera, sometimes surrendering it so that they can look through the lens, or take my photograph.

I’d very much like to exhibit them here in Richmond. I’m in the process of trying to find an exhibition space. I spoke several times with the organizer of Vacant Spaces, Artful Places, but never was granted a space. I’m now trying to connect with someone at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College to possibly exhibit them on campus. I would prefer to show them downtown if there is space available, since that campus seems to have a greater need for artwork.