Four women. Four mothers. Millennial moms, DC and I interviewed each woman and made a story, a sequence of images. A location they chose and three looks that represented the women they are becoming. Not literally, the women they are visioning to be. Each complete and different. Our assignment: capture, photograph and celebrate the women they are creating. Their challenges. Their vision. Their energy. The journey. Talk, shoot and move. Character reveals in our falls. Walking backwards. In between times. Eyes closed. Looking into the camera and beyond. Traveling. Being. Working. Living.
One. Defender. The bee. Black and yellow, her first look. The leather, the shadow. Row 24. South Loop. Zebras. Danielle Forte. She’s an explosion. My 50mm lens had a hard time tracking her focus and as a result we got some beautifully out of focus shots that I’ll def do again. Intentionally! No failures in this shoot, the mistakes were intentional, part of the plan. Play, as soon as possible any which way. Play gets laughter. Laughter makes hood pictures, falling is movement. Danielle plays and falls.
Two, in the sequence of four. Bianca Camarena. She grew up a bike ride away from Pilsen and chose this location for her familiarity. Family. She feels at home in Pilsen. I felt at home with her in Pilsen. Best Dirty Matcha Latte I’ve ever had. Cafe Jumping Bean. Pilsen. 18th Street. Mexico. Lotteria. Bingo. Floating. Hanging momma. The monument. The look. On the street. Burt Reynolds on the bench. Fun. Picante. Spice. “You tell me what to do.” The athlete, the engineer. Modest. Take charge. Look into the camera. Eye to eye.
Three. Bria Anderson. Natural light, that could be her. A teacher. Mother. Natural. Morgan Park Academy. Classroom. Flagpole. Brick. Light. Walking backwards. Falling backwards. The secret to my vulnerability is in walking backwards. Capturing backwards. Backwards is movement, strong movement. Pockets of beauty. Classroom teacher. Masters. Study. Protect. Secrets of motherhood her daughters are ready to learn. Chicago, her new city. Travel or. Adventurer. Leader. Beauty. Smart.
Four of four. Alicia Roman. The weather. NBC Tower and the steps. Alicia. The weather. After work shoot. Backwards up the steps and down. The river. Workday ends at 8 am, the night shift. The fans know her and trust her. Solid. Connected. Trustworthy. NBC. Her life is on the camera. In control and revealed a significant depth walking backwards down the steps to the river. “Take me to the river.” Spirited. Deep. Beautiful. Easy to watch and follow. Focus.
Millennial Mommas
BY JAMES GUSTIN