About Conversations

I have always photographed people. Conversations moves beyond the single image in portraiture. Through the use of multiple images, I address the concepts of space, time, and context to capture more accurately a person's character. In this series, I choose subjects whom I have known for thirty minutes or thirty years. The work follows the integrity of the conversation between photographer and subject resulting in a visual totality, which reads like a book, a sheet of music, or a grid. This series continues my passion to record the extraordinary emotions of everyday people.

Since 2000, I have had Conversations with thirty-one individuals. Thirteen of these Conversations are available for viewing on this site and works are available for exhibition. Using only two rolls of film, 35mm format, over only fifteen minutes and in natural light, I take pictures while talking with the sitter. I ask: "Is there anything you would like to talk about?" and "Do we have permission to talk about anything?" We have talked about alcoholism, incest, child abuse, joys of living, infidelities, lovers' leaving, and living with cancer. These conversations acquire a ceremonial, confessional aspect. The names and specific topics of conversation are anonymous, to respect the privacy of those photographed and to give viewers the license to make up their own stories.

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