Pt. 2 in a series diving deeper into each photo in my show Greenwood, which can be viewed upstairs at Coquette in New Orleans
I was originally opposed to including this photo in Greenwood, bored and uninterested in it as a whole. But understanding its magnetism won me over, and come the night of the show I made peace with its inclusion.
‘Saint Augustine’ references the historic Tremé church that sits opposite the backside of these painted-ladies-esque triplets. I took this photo on assignment in 2018 for a Christian magazine called Nations, during which I photographed then-Sister Alison McCrary of now-recent Queer Eye fame.
On most any shoot there are pockets or lulls in which a scene inspires, and if you’re fortunate you have the flexibility to compose an image that stands alone and can live outside of the context of whatever shoot you’re on. This is one of those images.
The lines, the shadows, the flowers, the vibrant colors, the fence and the way it darkens the blue of the sky. All things that seem to set this one apart or make it notable to an onlooker. But of course what I remember best is the morning I spent photographing a nun who’d committed her time as a spiritual advisor for death row inmates.
I like people who believe in people. I feel that Alison’s positive energy shines through this photo; that you can sense the narrative of her life’s work here. Seeing through imperfection to redeemable beauty.
If you like ‘Saint Augustine’, it is available to purchase at greenwood.show. 1 of 5 editions has been purchased.
Payment plans are available.
Sister McCrary and such
While Greenwood might’ve held ‘Saint Augustine’ as the star of this set, the photos I actually set out to make never got much air time outside of the magazine’s article. I shot this piece on a Mark II (digital) and with medium format film; here I’ll share the salvageable film photos (most shot in dark settings on low speed positive film, meaning it was relatively difficult to get a proper exposure).