TACOMA - The City of Destiny - The center of my orbit

After a lifetime as a successful photographer, my retirement and a new relationship catalyzed a complete rethink on where I/we wanted to enjoy this new chapter of life.  I met Beth in 2014, and she was already enjoying retirement and ready to join me on this new adventure.  Seattle was overcrowded and had lost the funky energy we both so enjoyed in our years there as young adults.  So we agreed on a master plan - we would explore the entire west coast and pick a spot that felt right for our new home.  We enjoyed the road trip very much but returned home to Seattle without any decisions (other than crossing California completely off the list).  We craved being near water and agreed that a medium size city would be most appealing. During this time of pondering, we took a Saturday drive aiming for the Olympic peninsula.  Our route took us through Tacoma.  Instead of zooming down I-5 heading for Oregon and California, we meandered through Tacoma.  On this particular day the sun was shining, the air was warm and Proctor was having it’s Saturday farmers’ market. Rather than continuing our drive we stayed, shopped, had lunch and enjoyed this delightful city. A different world from the Tacoma where I had lived and worked in 1978-79 as a twenty-something. We never made it to the peninsula and began to realize that we had found our new home.

We had about four “musts” in order to move to a new city. Tacoma had it all AND it was close to Seattle.  We figured we’d be driving up at least once a week. You know:   friends, relatives, events. It’s been about eight years now living and thriving in Tacoma. Oh, and we travel to Seattle about three or four times a year.

In retirement I continued to take pictures  for fun but wanted a new challenge to engage my creative side. I began to write more, joined a writing community and moved forward with a new creative outlet.  Last summer I began to get the “itch” to start a new photographic project. Since our move, I had met some very interesting people and decided to start an environmental portrait project.

I set some rules/challenges to push my mind, creativity and portrait outcome. I am primarily known for my black and white images, so all the photos would be color. Each principal would be photographed in a space the subject felt represented some part of their lives. Technical metrics:  I would use only a camera, tripod and available light.  My third subject had a ring light in his shop. Being “available” I found it amazingly helpful. So, I purchased a ring light to assist with the portrait set ups.  Lastly, I allowed myself no more than sixty minutes to complete the portrait.  Everyone was so amazing and I feel the images met and exceeded expectations.  

It’s been a great experience sharing this creative time with Tacoma friends and neighbors.  I would like to thank Barlow Gallery for this opportunity and I am delighted to share these environmental portraits with you.  Enjoy.