commercial and editorial photography based in Buffalo NY

EJI Artist Statement

I saw a segment on Vice News which explained a bit about the Equal Justice Initiative Lynching Memorial and immediately thought I would like to photograph that. The people that have photographed the site are all talented people, so it is a challenge to explain why you should be allowed to participate in this narrative.

The board was kind enough to allow me to explore my vantage point of their incredible memorial.

I spent a day walking the museum and scouting the site- it is easily an all day exploration. Primary photography began in the evening and concluded the following morning at sunrise.

For me the site is hallowed ground and represents a very dark period in our not so distant past. Brian Stevenson, his board, and the artists they have chosen to illustrate this past, give me hope that through discourse these stories can be told, and with great diligence we can emerge a stronger people.

I want to thank: Tania Cordes for your patience and help in getting these shots. Bryan Stevenson for your absolutely jaw dropping humanity. Jennifer Parker for including me in our own narrative here in Buffalo. Drea D’Nur for all you do and for sharing your talent. Steve Carmina for your work in the community and lending us the space. Michigan Ave Corridor for the incredible work being done here and now. My Step Mother Lau Rene Manuel for being an inspiration as to what is possible, and my wife Valerie Ingold for saying “ok” more often than is reasonable.