The Beginning

As it is with all things mortal there must be a beginning, this it that beginning for The Portraitist. I have spent my life in the pursuit of creating portraits that not only reflect the image of my subjects but also attempt to reveal the true essence of their humanness. Over the course of human history, artists have chosen many mediums in their pursuit of portraiture as an art form. I have personally chosen photography as my medium. As far back as I can remember I have loved the idea of creating portraits of people by way of the camera. My very first serious attempt was a portrait of my family seated on the couch. I was barely fourteen and knew nothing of composition, lighting or posing. I was shooting with a Minolta 2¼ square twin lens reflex and scarcely knew anything about exposure. Nevertheless, at that moment I knew I was embarking on a life long journey, as so many of you have also experienced as well. Even though the image is grainy and spotted with age I can in an instant be transported back to that very moment. It is one of my most valued possessions. It is said, “Portraiture is the art that immortalizes.”